What is the smallest size slow cooker?

Generally, the smallest size you’re likely to find is around 1.5 quarts, though some brands might have a 1-quart size. At that size, that extra half quart doesn’t make much difference.

What size slow cooker do I need for one person?

What size is best depends on what you’re most likely to make. You could likely get away with a 1.5-quart model if you usually don’t make any recipes where things like meat need to be submerged, but for soup for one, 1.5 quarts is generally fine. If you know you like leftovers or want to braise a chicken breast or two, a 2- or 3-quart will likely suit your needs slightly better. Yester Banuchyan, chef, CEO, and Founder of CookOnMonday.com , a site dedicated to helping home cooks learn to cook, agrees that a 3-quart is a good investment. She says, ”3-quart cookers are easier to manage than the smallest size. Having a little bit of extra room in the cooker doesn't hurt, but is helpful if you need to cook a larger portion or have guests.” It’s always best to have a little extra space as insurance against a bubble over, so it’s better to err on the side of a slightly larger size.

What is the alternative to a slow cooker?

In terms of appliances, a pressure cooker is sometimes considered an alternative to a slow cooker. Instead of cooking something slowly over a long period of time, it cooks it quickly over a shorter period. Some pressure cookers also have slow cooker capabilities. If you don’t have any appliances to get the job done, a large pot with a lid or a Dutch oven on the stove can work in a pinch. However, it’s generally unsafe to leave the stove on all day while no one is home, whereas a slow cooker is perfectly fine to be left alone.

Can slow cooker inserts be used in the oven?

Some slow cooker inserts can go from the cooker to the oven, but not all can. If you’re curious about your cooker’s capabilities, always check the manual or the manufacturer’s instructions before putting anything in the oven.

How can you tell when meat is done cooking in a slow cooker?

Most meat in a slow cooker aims for a super moist and tender texture that easily shreds or falls off the bone. It can be harder to tell when it comes to firmer meats or recipes without a braising liquid. In any cooking method, using a meat thermometer is the best and safest way to know when the meat is done.

The 6 Best Mini Slow Cookers, Tested & Reviewed

Slow cookers are the resourceful cook’s best friend. A little bit of work the night before or in the morning pays off tremendously come dinner time. Slow cooker recipes are the pinnacle of “set it and forget it,” freeing up time and space in your kitchen. While traditional slow cookers can be high-capacity and great for serving crowds, a mini slow cooker is a perfect appliance for households of one or two that don’t want to waste space or interior volume. They’re also great for larger-batch dips and side dishes or warming gravy and sauces.

But not all mini slow cookers are created equal. To find which ones are worthy of your kitchen setup, we set out to find the best on the market by testing and comparing attributes like size and capacity, added features, and ease of cleaning. Here are some great options to get (slow) cooking in.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Crock-Pot Mini Round Manual Slow Cooker at Amazon ($24)

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Best Value:

Brentwood Slow Cooker at Amazon ($19)

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Best Splurge:

Cuisinart Cook Central 4-Quart Multi-Cooker at Amazon ($106)

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Best Casserole Combo:

Crock-Pot Small Casserole Slow Cooker at Amazon ($80)

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Best Portable:

Crock Pot Mini Casserole Slow Cooker at Amazon ($30)

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Best Multicooker:

Instant Pot Duo Mini 3-Quart Pressure Cooker at Amazon ($60)

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Best Overall

Crock-Pot Mini Round Manual Slow Cooker

Crock-Pot Mini 1.5 Quart Round Manual Slow Cooker

PHOTO:

Amazon

$24 at Amazon $31 at Walmart $25 at Wayfair

Pros

This cooker is straightforward with simple controls and is a breeze to clean.

Cons

The lack of settings can make some recipes more difficult to control.

Our best overall pick impressed us in many ways, but what we loved most about this mini slow cooker is how easy it is to use. There are no confusing dials or controls — just one setting. Of course, the tradeoff is that this requires a bit of translation when it comes to slow cooker recipes that call for specific settings or times.

In our tests, we noticed it kept food warm steadily over long periods without scorching, and in our dip tests, there was no breaking or separating. It weighs less than five pounds, so it’s a great tool to bring along tailgates or parties. We also loved how easy it was to clean; everything is dishwasher-safe, and the coating of the crock itself is extremely smooth, making cleaning up a snap.

Capacity: 1.5 quarts
Weight: 4 pounds
Dimensions: 9.5 x 9.5 x 7.8 inches
Settings: On/off

A person lifts the lid on a Crock-Pot Mini 1.5-Quart Slow Cooker. — Food & Wine / Sara Luckey

Best Value

Brentwood Slow Cooker

PHOTO:

Amazon

$19 at Amazon $45 at Target $26 at Walmart

Pros

We loved the super powerful heat this cooker generates and its sturdy design.

Cons

The outside of this slow cooker gets extremely hot.

Another pick that’s just 1.5 quarts in size, this Brentwood slow cooker is small but mighty. For a mini cooker, we didn’t expect it to generate much power, but this little cooker gets just as hot as a full-size one. And at just five pounds, this is a lightweight option to travel with. We were surprised at how well it maintained heat over two hours during our dip test without scorching the food.

We did notice that the outside of the pot gets extremely hot, especially the exposed part of the crock itself, so handle it with care. We were also impressed with how sturdy the cooker felt, especially the crock. All in all, this is a great value.

Capacity: 2 quarts
Weight: 5 pounds
Dimensions: 9 x 9 x 6.8 inches
Settings: High, low, warm, and off

Food & Wine / Jaclyn Mastropasqua
Food & Wine / Jaclyn Mastropasqua

Best Splurge

Cuisinart Cook Central 4-Quart Multi-Cooker

Cuisinart MSC-400 Cook Central 4-Quart Multi-Cooker

PHOTO:

Amazon

$106 at Amazon $200 at Sur La Table $130 at Walmart

Pros

We loved the deluxe features that made this slow cooker easy to use and extremely consistent.

Cons

This cooker is on the larger end, which might be too big for some.

This slow cooker includes precise time and temperature controls, steam and sauté settings, and a steam rack. It’s a bit larger than other mini models, but we felt the size, paired with all the handy features, make it perfect for meal-prepping or busy families. If you’re often cooking for just one or two people, this might be too big, especially if you have limited storage space.

When testing, this cooker was luxurious to use, yielding perfectly cooked results every time with no unevenness or scorching. The customizable settings make it easy to produce a wide array of recipes. We also loved how easy it was to clean — everything is dishwasher-safe, and the crock's interior is nonstick, making it simple to quickly scrub any caked-on bits. Just be sure to use only nonstick-safe materials like silicone spatulas to avoid scratches.

Capacity: 4 quarts
Weight: 9.5 pounds
Dimensions: 10.5 x 16.5 x 8.7 inches
Settings: Slow cook, brown/saute, start/stop, steam, temp, time

Food & Wine/Taylor Fox
Food & Wine / Taylor Fox
Food & Wine / Taylor Fox

Best Casserole Combo

Crock-Pot Small Casserole Slow Cooker

PHOTO:

Amazon

$80 at Amazon $80 at Walmart View on Crock-pot.com

Pros

This slow cooker's unique size and shape make it perfect for casseroles, and combined with the locking lid, it’s ideal for transport or entertaining.

Cons

The size and shape of this slow cooker are great for casseroles but not for other recipes that don’t benefit from the extra surface area.

The shape and depth of this cooker are uniquely designed for casseroles, so if you love to make casseroles in your slow cooker, this is the model for you. Unfortunately, this makes it less than ideal for dips, as the shallow crock caused the edges of our spinach artichoke dip to burn.

However, one of the best features of this cooker is the lid — it has two locks on either side, making it secure and perfect for transporting to your next party or event. The 3.5-quart size is ideal for small families or recipes for entertaining and meal prep.

Capacity: 3.5 quart
Weight: 13.5 pounds
Dimensions: 6.7 x 19 x 11.6 inches
Settings: High, low, warm, and off

Food & Wine / Cara Milhaven
Food & Wine / Cara Milhaven

Best Portable

Crock Pot Mini Casserole Slow Cooker

crock-pot-25-quart-mini-casserole-slow-cooker

PHOTO:

Amazon

$30 at Amazon $52 at Walmart

Pros

This crock pot is easy to transport and perfect for serving.

Cons

The oval shape makes this cooker more challenging to store.

Due to its removable inner crock, this thoughtfully decorated cooker is great for on-the-go celebrations like potlucks, dinner parties, and tailgating. It can be placed in the oven or used as a serving vessel. Traveling with this model couldn’t be easier with the convenient side handles and locking lid to ensure safe transport. When cooking, choose between “high,” “low,” and “warm” settings. Do note: The shape can be slightly awkward since it’s oblong instead of circular. It can take up more space during storage, especially with the added length from the handles.

Capacity: 2.5 quarts
Weight: 8.2 pounds
Dimensions: 7.3 x 13.4 x 13.5 inches
Settings: High, low, warm, and off

Best Multicooker

Instant Pot Duo Mini 3-Quart Pressure Cooker

PHOTO:

Amazon

$60 at Amazon $109 at Walmart $84 at Zola

Pros

This cooker has several extra settings and capabilities, making it incredibly versatile.

Cons

Added settings come with required time spent learning how to use all of its features.

Not just a slow cooker, this Instant Pot 3 Quart Duo 7-in-1 can do it all. You get the classic slow cooker function, InstaPot’s signature pressure cooker setting, and more options for cooking rice, making yogurt, steaming, sautéing, and keeping food warm. This compact option can replace several countertop appliances, perfect for small spaces or anyone interested in streamlining their appliance collection. The tradeoff of all these handy features is that there’s a bit of a learning curve. Figuring out all the buttons and presents can initially be a bit intimidating.

Capacity: 3 quarts
Weight: 8.65 pounds
Dimensions: 11 x 10.5 x 12 inches
Settings: Soup/broth, meat/stew, bean/chili, rice, porridge, steam, yogurt, pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, keep warm, and delay start

Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore
Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore
Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore

Our Favorite

The Crock-Pot Mini 1.5-Quart Round Manual Slow Cooker, Black (SCR151) was our favorite because the controls made it impossibly easy to use, and clean up was a snap. For a value pick, the Brentwood 1.5-Quart Slow Cooker impressed us with its power, despite its small size and price tag.

How We Tested Mini Slow Cookers

We tested 21 different models in order to find the best mini slow cookers. When testing, we looked at the setup and use, size, performance, included features and design, and overall value. To determine how well each mini slow cooker performs, we first prepared a dip (such as spinach and artichoke or queso) and held the dip at a low temperature for two hours. After two hours, we recorded whether the dip had begun to burn or break.

We also incorporated the mini slow cooker into our normal cooking routine, using the "high," "low," and "keep warm" settings over the course of the testing period. We paid attention to other available settings and features as well as how easy or intuitive they were to use.

If the slow cooker pot was dishwasher-safe, we followed the manufacturer’s instructions to wash the pot in our dishwasher regularly. If the pot was not dishwasher-safe, we followed the manufacturer’s instructions to wash the pot by hand.

Factors to Consider

Size

When shopping for a mini slow cooker, understandably, it will be much smaller than your standard cooker. But even in the world of mini varieties, there are several sizes. Usually, you’ll find mini cookers in the 1-quart to 3-quart range. What size is best depends on your needs and what you generally like to cook. A 1 or 1.5-quart model is great for a solo eater who doesn’t usually make bigger batches of recipes or anything with a lot of liquid. If you like leftovers or recipes that use a lot more liquid, something closer to a 2.5 or 3-quart is better.

Cooking Features

Different features might be super helpful or totally unnecessary, depending on what you like to cook. The simplest cookers usually have a dial or knob with just a few settings like “low,” “high,” “warm,” and “off,” while others will have more sophisticated displays with many different settings, like the Instant Pot Duo. When shopping, take a peek at any extra features and settings and see if they align with what you usually like to eat.

Ease of Cleaning

Most slow cookers have a removable crock for easy cleanup, and many of these crocks as well as lids are dishwasher-safe. Be sure to check the box or manufacturer information about specific cleaning instructions. Depending on what’s important to you regarding cleanup, a dishwasher-safe model might be a better purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the smallest size slow cooker?

Generally, the smallest size you’re likely to find is around 1.5 quarts, though some brands might have a 1-quart size. At that size, that extra half quart doesn’t make much difference.
What size slow cooker do I need for one person?

What size is best depends on what you’re most likely to make. You could likely get away with a 1.5-quart model if you usually don’t make any recipes where things like meat need to be submerged, but for soup for one, 1.5 quarts is generally fine. If you know you like leftovers or want to braise a chicken breast or two, a 2- or 3-quart will likely suit your needs slightly better.

Yester Banuchyan, chef, CEO, and Founder of CookOnMonday.com, a site dedicated to helping home cooks learn to cook, agrees that a 3-quart is a good investment. She says, ”3-quart cookers are easier to manage than the smallest size. Having a little bit of extra room in the cooker doesn't hurt, but is helpful if you need to cook a larger portion or have guests.” It’s always best to have a little extra space as insurance against a bubble over, so it’s better to err on the side of a slightly larger size.
What is the alternative to a slow cooker?

In terms of appliances, a pressure cooker is sometimes considered an alternative to a slow cooker. Instead of cooking something slowly over a long period of time, it cooks it quickly over a shorter period. Some pressure cookers also have slow cooker capabilities. If you don’t have any appliances to get the job done, a large pot with a lid or a Dutch oven on the stove can work in a pinch. However, it’s generally unsafe to leave the stove on all day while no one is home, whereas a slow cooker is perfectly fine to be left alone.
Can slow cooker inserts be used in the oven?

Some slow cooker inserts can go from the cooker to the oven, but not all can. If you’re curious about your cooker’s capabilities, always check the manual or the manufacturer’s instructions before putting anything in the oven.
How can you tell when meat is done cooking in a slow cooker?

Most meat in a slow cooker aims for a super moist and tender texture that easily shreds or falls off the bone. It can be harder to tell when it comes to firmer meats or recipes without a braising liquid. In any cooking method, using a meat thermometer is the best and safest way to know when the meat is done.

Other Mini Slow Cookers We Tested

Strong Contenders

Crock-Pot 2-Quart Classic Slow Cooker ($50 at Crock-Pot)

We found this slow cooker to be easy to operate and a decent size, but it doesn't have a light to indicate when it's on, which was too big of a safety factor to overlook.

Imusa USA 1.5-Quart Slow Cooker ($25 at Amazon)

When judging this slow cooker, we didn’t necessarily have any major complaints. However, it didn’t wow us in a way that merited a spot on our list.

Elite Gourmet Triple Slow Cooker, 2.5-Quarts ($70 at Amazon)

This slow cooker is actually three separate crocks in one, and while that’s handy for events or parties, the size and shape can be cumbersome for everyday cooking where all three sections aren’t necessary.

Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker ($47 at Amazon)

At 4 quarts, it’s hard to call this slow cooker mini. Regarding counter space, you’re not saving much room with this model.

What Didn't Make the List

Of the 21 slow cookers we tested, a few didn’t make the list. We tested slow cookers from brands like Hamilton Beach, Cuisinart, Elite Gourmet, and more. Several didn’t make the cut because of how hot the outside got, a safety concern we couldn’t overlook. Others heated unevenly, with the high setting scorching food or the lower settings causing food to separate. As this is the primary function, not measuring up in this category was a deal breaker. Finally, others just fell short in design and build. Whether in materials, dial construction, or lid design, some slow cookers just weren’t up to our standards of quality.

Our Expertise

Nick DeSimone wrote and compiled this list. They have nearly a decade of experience in professional kitchens and are an avid home cook. Nick has used countless slow cookers over the years at home, making their favorite recipes for dinner and doing off-site cooking with slow cookers at work. Nick also spoke to an expert, chef Yester Banuchyan. Chef Yester runs a food blog for home cooks, helping them with cooking basics and tips and tricks.

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