Food & Cooking The 9 Best Slow Cookers to Buy Now Whether you call them slow cookers or crock pots, they're the ultimate kitchen tool for hands-off cooking. By Bridget Shirvell Bridget Shirvell Bridget is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com. Editorial Guidelines Published on August 9, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Courtesy of Crate & Barrel, Wayfair, Amazon A slow cooker is one of the best helpers in the kitchen. It's a freestanding cooking appliance that plugs in and works its magic, slowly cooking food, enhancing flavors, and tenderizing meat. They also allow us to "set it and forget it," so we can prep ahead and come home to a cozy, hearty dinner. Slow cookers excel at cooking large cuts of cheaper meats, such as pork shoulder or brisket, making stews and soups, and even baking desserts like our Slow Cooker Triple Chocolate Brownies. Available at a wide range of price points and in various sizes, most models work as a basic crock pot—but some come with additional features, so you can sear, braise, and more. If you're in the market for a new appliance, here are our top 9 picks to shop now. 28 Slow Cooker Recipes You'll Want to Make All Year Long 01 of 09 Hamilton Beach Portable 6-Quart Set & Forget Digital Programmable Slow Cooker Courtesy of Amazon Well-regarded for its temperature probe that ensures precise cooking, it also switches to a "keep warm" mode once the cooking time is up. A clip-tight seal lid helps prevent spills—and did we mention it's dishwasher safe for easy cleanup? Price at time of publish: $94 Buy on Amazon 02 of 09 Crock-Pot 6-Quart Programmable Cook and Carry Oval Slow Cooker Courtesy of Amazon A mid-range option, this 6-quart slow cooker offers customizable cooking settings, easy-to-use controls, and a convenient locking lid for secure transportation. Its durable construction and reliable performance have earned it more than 20,000 five-star Amazon reviews. Plus, you can use the inserts without the lid in both the microwave and oven (up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit). Price at time of publish: $70 Buy on Amazon 03 of 09 Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker and Slow Cooker Courtesy of Amazon The Instant Pot is a versatile tool with multiple functions, including a slow cooker mode. Its spacious capacity (sizes range from 3 to 8 quarts), intuitive controls, and even heat distribution make it the go-to slow cooker for many home cooks. Price at time of publish: $89 Buy on Amazon 04 of 09 Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker and Slow Cooker Courtesy of Amazon An upgraded version of the Instant Pot Duo, the Instant Pot Pro excels in temperature control for slow cooking and provides even greater versatile multi-cooker capabilities, including sous vide. Like the Duo, it's available in multiple sizes, but unlike the Duo, the Instant Pot Pro is made primarily of stainless steel instead of plastic. Price at time of publish: $150 Buy on Amazon 05 of 09 Ninja Food Foodi PossibleCooker PRO 8.5 Quart Multi-Cooker Courtesy of Amazon This slow cooker comes with a hefty price tag, but at 8.5 quarts, it has enough room to feed everyone coming over to your house to watch the big game. It can cook 9 pounds of spaghetti or enough pulled pork for 30 sliders. In addition to the slow cooker, it also sears, sautés, steams, braises, and even bakes. Price at time of publish: $150 Buy on Amazon 06 of 09 All-Clad Electrics 6.5 Qt. Slow Cooker Courtesy of Wayfair For the gourmands looking for incredible control over the cooking process, this slow cooker gives precise control. It offers four different cooking modes for up to 26 hours total. Made of stainless steel and aluminum, it's easy to clean, and the insert is dishwasher safe. Plus, it looks pretty sitting out on a countertop. Price at time of publish: $280 Buy on Wayfair 07 of 09 Hamilton Beach 6-Quart Slow Cooker with 3 Cooking Settings Courtesy of Amazon You don't need to spend a lot to get a decent, reliable, and durable slow cooker. While this basic option from Hamilton Beach doesn't offer the programming or precise cooking control of many other models on our list, it's a nice choice for those who work from home and can keep an eye on things. It's available in four sizes, and the removable stoneware crock and glass lid are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. And for the price? You can't beat it. Price at time of publish: $50 Buy on Amazon 08 of 09 Cuisinart MSC-600 6-Quart Slow Cooker Courtesy of Crate & Barrel With the ability to keep food warm for up to 24 hours, Cuisinart's slow cooker is a must for those busy weeknights when everyone is on their own schedule. The glass lid makes it easy to check on the food, while the cool-touch handle helps protect anyone rushing to scoop out dinner before the next activity. There's even a blue-black LCD display that makes seeing the temperature settings easier in the dark. Price at time of publish: $160 Buy on Crate & Barrel 09 of 09 West Bend Versatility Slow Cooker Courtesy of Wayfair With most slow cookers, you get little choice in color, but this model from West Bend is available in several shades so you can match it with your kitchen color scheme. Nonstick and with a dishwasher-safe insert, the cooker is programmable with adjustable temperature settings—but our favorite part is that the base can double as a griddle. Price at time of publish: $61 Buy on Wayfair Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit