We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Food and Recipes Kitchen Assistant The 7 Best Mini Slow Cookers Of 2024, Tested And Reviewed These slow cookers are perfect for bringing warm queso to the tailgate or cooking dinner with fewer leftovers. By Nor'Adila Hepburn Nor'Adila Hepburn Nor’Adila Hepburn is a writer who specializes in reviewing furniture, kitchen appliances, gardening tools, travel accessories, and more. Her work can be found in Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, Trip Advisor, Travel + Leisure, INSIDER, and more. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on September 27, 2023 In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews The Bottom Line Our Testing Process More to Consider Tips for Choosing Questions and Answers Why Trust Southern Living? Southern Living / Jaclyn Mastropasqua When you’re cooking for yourself and don’t want extras languishing in your fridge, having a mini slow cooker is ideal. With it, you’re able to reap the flavor benefits of slow cooking and get other things done while it simmers in the background. Plus, it won’t take up as much space in your kitchen compared to a regular slow cooker. “I enjoy using mini slow cookers because they cook food gradually, enhance flavors, and tenderize the meat,” says Reginald Massey, professional chef and owner of Let It Marinate Catering in Atlanta. “There is less of a chance you will scorch the food that tends to stick to the bottom of the pan or get burned in the oven.” To find the best mini slow cookers, we tested 16 options and evaluated them on capacity, material, and features. In addition to Massey, we spoke to Lynne Just, Consumer Test Kitchen Chef at Hamilton Beach Brands in Richmond, Virginia. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Brentwood Slow Cooker at Amazon ($19) Jump to Review Best Programmable: Hamilton Beach 4 Quart Programmable Slow Cooker at Amazon ($47) Jump to Review Best Multi-Cooker: Cuisinart Cook Central 4-Quart Multi-Cooker at Amazon ($106) Jump to Review Best Basic: Crock-Pot Mini Round Manual Slow Cooker at Amazon ($24) Jump to Review Best Portable: Crock-Pot Small Casserole Slow Cooker at Amazon ($80) Jump to Review Best Buffet-Style: Elite Gourmet Maxi-Matic Triple Slow Cooker at Amazon ($66) Jump to Review Best for Dips: Crock Pot Mini Casserole Slow Cooker at Amazon ($30) Jump to Review Best Overall Brentwood Slow Cooker Amazon View On Amazon $19 View On Wayfair $40 View On Walmart $26 Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Design 4.8/5 Performance 4.8/5 Ease of Cleaning 5/5 What’s Great About It It heated everything evenly, and it’s the perfect size for dips and small meals. What Could Be Better The exterior can get very hot, and it only comes in white. We put this slow cooker at the top of our list because it’s a sturdy and super compact option. Plus, it holds just 1.5 quarts, so it’s the perfect size for making dips or meals for one to two people. Not to mention, it’s extremely affordable. Be aware that its size can be limiting, so you might not cook exactly what you want. But, there are ways around it. Can you roast an entire chicken inside it? Of course not. A few drumsticks? You’re good to go. It features low, high, and warm settings, which you’ll typically find in most slow cookers, but has no extra features. The warm setting works just as we’d hope—it kept food at the right temperature for serving without overheating it. Cleaning this slow cooker is also a breeze, as the ceramic pot and glass lid are both dishwasher safe. We noticed that the exterior can get extremely hot to the touch, so be sure to handle it with oven mitts. And it would have been nice if this slow cooker had more color options—it only comes in white, which tends to show food stains. Capacity: 1.5 quarts | Dimensions: 9 x 8 x 7.8 inches | Weight: 4.4 pounds | Inner Pot Material: Ceramic Southern Living / Jaclyn Mastropasqua Best Programmable Hamilton Beach 4 Quart Programmable Slow Cooker Amazon View On Amazon $47 View On Wayfair $47 View On Target $55 Our Ratings Ease of Use 4.8/5 Design 4.3/5 Performance 4.8/5 Ease of Cleaning 5/5 What’s Great About It It has a built-in timer that switches the slow cooker to warm when the time is up. What Could Be Better It was a little too powerful for cooking dips, even on the lowest setting. The secret to mouth-watering Southern specialties like jambalaya and barbecue ribs is to simmer them low and slow, which was why we were excited to test out this 4-quart programmable slow cooker from Hamilton Beach that is just the right size for serving two to four people. Not only can you choose from standard low, warm, and high settings, but you can also set a timer from two to 10 hours that automatically switches to warm when the time is up. To check out its performance, we used it to cook chicken breasts and spinach dip. We didn’t have any issues with the settings when it came to the chicken. But, the slow cooker’s low setting was still too powerful for cooking dips. The cream cheese in our spinach dip winded up curdling right at the beginning and even scorched a little at the end. However, there were zero issues when it came to leaks and drips, which made us fairly confident that there wouldn't be a big mess on the counter to clean when it was done. And both the stoneware pot and glass lid are dishwasher safe. Capacity: 4 quarts | Dimensions: 15.2 x 9.8 x 9.1 inches | Weight: 8.3 pounds | Inner Pot Material: Stoneware Southern Living / Damla Heard Best Multi-Cooker Cuisinart Cook Central 4-Quart Multi-Cooker Amazon View On Amazon $106 View On Wayfair $106 View On Walmart $130 Our Ratings Ease of Use 4.8/5 Design 4.8/5 Performance 4.8/5 Ease of Cleaning 5/5 What’s Great About It You can use it to steam, sauté, and slow cook in the same pot. What Could Be Better Even with the sauté function, it didn’t produce very crispy skin on roast chicken. This multifunctional appliance makes food more flavorful because you can use it to steam veggies, plus sauté herbs and brown meat before you stew it down. We took full advantage of this feature and made everything from taco fillings to breakfast casseroles to rich and hearty soups. For many of the dishes, we left it on for up to six hours and still ended up with perfectly cooked food with no sign of burning. Our only disappointment was our attempts to roast a chicken. Although it cooked all the way through and was juicy, it lacked the crispiness you would get if you baked it in an oven. It also comes with a timer and a keep warm function. And because the inner pot sits flush against the outer wall, we saw that there were no gaps for food to fall into if it bubbled over. The glass lid, nonstick aluminum pot, and steaming rack are all dishwasher safe. Capacity: 4 quarts | Dimensions: 10.5 x 16.5 x 8.7 inches | Weight: 14.2 pounds | Inner Pot Material: Nonstick aluminum Southern Living / Taylor Fox Best Basic Crock-Pot Mini Round Manual Slow Cooker Amazon View On Amazon $24 View On Wayfair $25 View On Walmart $31 Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Design 5/5 Performance 5/5 Ease of Cleaning 5/5 What’s Great About It The plug-and-go design makes it easy for first-time users, as well as preparing simple dips, condiments, and appetizers. What Could Be Better It doesn’t have any controls, such as heat settings or a timer. Labeling this slow cooker as “basic” is accurate, considering it’s designed with no settings. In fact, it doesn’t have any knobs, dials, or lights—once you plug it in, it’s on. But we cooked up a storm with this slow cooker and, surprisingly, it cooked all our meals to perfection. We made a spinach-artichoke dip; buttery broth with bacon, sage, and white wine for our grilled clams; and even baked potatoes (which came out great and may have been the best-baked potatoes we ever had). The only issue we had with the slow cooker was that we had to tailor our recipes (including the ones we found on the Crock-Pot website) to the slow cooker’s tiny size. But, we were still able to serve two to three people with the amount we cooked. Although having fewer settings is supposed to make cooking easy, the lack of control did initially make us jumpy, because we never knew how our food would turn out. However, once the food was in the pot, we left it alone to do its thing, except for stirring it once in a while to prevent the food from scorching. We found that it retained heat well, and kept our food warm for a long time. Capacity: 1.5 quarts | Dimensions: 8.5 x 7.5 x 7.3 inches | Weight: 4.3 pounds | Inner Pot Material: Stoneware Southern Living / Sara Luckey Best Portable Crock-Pot Small Casserole Slow Cooker Amazon View On Amazon $80 View On Walmart $80 View On Crock-pot.com Our Ratings Ease of Use 4.8/5 Design 4.8/5 Performance 4.8/5 Ease of Cleaning 4.5/5 What’s Great About It It has a locking lid that prevents accidents while transporting, and the shallow design makes it ideal for casseroles and dips. What Could Be Better The shallow design doesn’t allow for cooking some traditional slow cooker meals like pot roasts and stews. While traditional round slow cookers are best for making tantalizing stews, they might not be suitable for casseroles or lasagne which need a flatter, longer shape. This sleek, 3.5-quart Crock-Pot slow cooker is probably a way better option for that. At 13 x 9 inches, it’s just right for making and carrying casseroles to the potluck. For the most part, we were able to set it and forget, except when it came to making dips which needed extra attention from us. We found that if the setting wasn’t right, it was possible for them to easily burn, unless we were making large quantities. On the flipside, the shallow design does make it better suited for dipping chips. The stoneware vessel is also oven safe, so you can finish your meal off in the oven if you’re pressed for time (or if you just want to brown your mac and cheese). This Crock-Pot comes with high, low, and warm settings. It’s also easy to clean, and the lid and stoneware are dishwasher safe. We especially like that it has oversized handles and a lockable lid, so you can easily bring it with you in your car without it spilling. Capacity: 3.5 quarts | Dimensions: 13 x 9 x 5 inches | Weight: 13.5 pounds | Inner Pot Material: Stoneware Southern Living / Cara Milhaven Best Buffet-Style Elite Gourmet Maxi-Matic Triple Slow Cooker Amazon View On Amazon $66 Our Ratings Ease of Use 5/5 Design 4.8/5 Performance 4.5/5 Ease of Cleaning 5/5 What’s Great About It Each pot has an individual temperature control, so you can prepare recipes with varying temperature requirements. What Could Be Better The lids don’t have locking latches. Instead of buying three separate slow cookers, the Elite Gourmet Triple Slow Cooker makes it convenient by combining them so you can make three dishes at once. We were impressed with this slow cooker’s potential and saw the benefit of owning one, especially for hosting dinner or tailgate parties. Each pot holds 2.5 quarts, which is ideal for cooking different types of dips, desserts, and meat. However, its small size is more appropriate to use for small gatherings rather than a big crowd. What’s more, each pot has an individual temperature control, so you can prepare recipes with varying temperature requirements. It had no problems keeping our food warm; our cheese dip remained hot for over two hours. Another big selling point is that the slow cooker features a special lid holder right on the body, making it easy to cover and uncover the food whenever you want. It also means that you don’t have to set the lid down on the table. The one thing is that it doesn't have a lid latch to keep food tightly sealed. So, please take care when carrying or traveling with it. Capacity: 2.5 quarts (3) | Dimensions: 26 x 11 x 8 inches | Weight: 22.6 pounds | Inner Pot Material: Ceramic Southern Living / Chad Sparks Best for Dips Crock Pot Mini Casserole Slow Cooker Amazon View On Amazon $30 View On Walmart $52 Our Ratings Ease of Use 4.5/5 Design 4.8/5 Performance 4.5/5 Ease of Cleaning 5/5 What’s Great About It It’s just the right shape and size for making and serving warm dips, and the stoneware is oven safe. What Could Be Better The oblong shape can take up more storage space. You can use this slow cooker to cook your meal, and when it’s done it turns into an attractive serving dish for dips, sauces, and more. Plus, the stoneware is oven safe, so you can always put it in the oven for the finishing touches on a cheesy crab dip or baked spinach dip. Although we had no issues cooking meat in this slow cooker (we actually cooked chicken breasts for a casserole we were making), we found that it was better suited for making appetizers, small casseroles, side dishes, and dips. All the settings worked effectively and did not burn or scorch our food in any way. We were also satisfied with how warm it kept our foods when it was in warming mode. If you plan on traveling with your dip to a potluck, we like that the lid features a secure latch, so there is no chance it will make a mess in your car. Capacity: 2.5 quarts | Dimensions: 13.5 x 13.4 x 7.3 inches | Weight: 7.2 pounds | Inner Pot Material: Stoneware Southern Living / Taylor Gilkison The Bottom Line We highly recommend the Brentwood 1.5-Quart Slow Cooker because it’s the perfect option for cooking small quantities, and it heats very evenly. If you're looking for a programmable model, the Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker allows you to choose from standard low, warm, and high settings, and set a timer for up to 10 hours, which will automatically switches to warm when the time is up. Our Testing Process We tested 16 mini slow cookers over the course of a month and evaluated each based on ease of use, design, performance, ease of cleaning, and value. At least once during the testing period, we used each slow cooker to prepare a dip, such as queso or spinach-artichoke dip, and held it at a low temperature for two hours, noting whether the dip began to burn or separate. Otherwise, we incorporated the slow cookers into our regular cooking routine using the high, low, and keep warm settings. The slow cookers were used to make soups, beans, even cooked collards to see how they could handle traditional meals. We also cleaned each slow cooker according to the manufacturer’s instructions, noting whether there were any issues with dripping or buildup between the inner and outer chambers of the slow cooker. Southern Living / Chantia Murphy More Slow Cookers to Consider Imusa 1.5-Quart Slow Cooker: For anyone concerned with wasting food, this Imusa 1.5-quart mini slow cooker is ideal. While it’s best to use it to cook for one to two people, you might be able to squeeze enough food out of it for a family of four with no extras. (We made beef stew for four people which was pushing it, to say the least.) As it cooked, we saw no signs of build-up or liquid seeping out. We also liked that food stains were easily wiped off by hand or the dishwasher. However, it only comes in a bright teal, which may not suit all kitchen color schemes. Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Slow Cooker: We thought this 4-quart slow cooker did a pretty good job of cooking our queso dip and Korean ribs (galbi). While we got about eight servings of dip, it only made enough ribs for two people. Just keep in mind the outside of the pot can get really hot when you’re cooking a meal, and it did scorch our dip a bit during the two-hour hold time. Southern Living / Jill Di Donato Tips for Choosing the Right Slow Cooker Capacity “Mini slow cookers are typically categorized as a capacity below 4 quarts,” says Lynne Just, Consumer Test Kitchen Chef at Hamilton Beach Brands. “For small kitchens with tight spaces, the most beneficial attribute is their condensed size. However, some other reasons you might reach for a mini slow cooker instead of a full-size option include cooking meals for one to two people, cooking small cuts of meat or small batches of soups or stews, using it as a fondue pot, cooking with no leftovers.” The mini slow cookers on our list range in size from 1 to 4 quarts. Those in the 1- to 1.5-quart category are great when cooking for one or making dips, while 2.5 quarts and larger is best for cooking for two to three or those who prefer leftovers. Material “Like regular slow cookers, mini slow cookers have an exterior shell that holds the electrical elements and an inner chamber made from stoneware, ceramic, stainless steel, or other similar materials,” says Reginald Massey, owner of Let It Marinate Catering. Although the outer electrical part can only be hand washed, the lids and inner pots are usually dishwasher safe. Features The number one feature of a mini slow cooker is that they are small and compact, which makes it a good option when you’re tight on space or don’t want a lot of leftovers. But there are other features that may interest you as well. Almost all mini slow cookers have basic temperature control functions that let you switch between high, low, or warm settings. Some models, like the Cuisinart 4-Quart 3-in-1 Cook Central Multicooker, come with built-in timers, allowing you to set how long you want your meal to cook for. They will automatically shut off or hold the food at temperature when the timer is up. If you’re looking for something that is portable, look for a slow cooker that features a latch lock on the lid, like Crock-Pot Small 3.5-Quart Casserole Slow Cooker. The locking function allows you to secure the lid, so it won’t open accidentally and spill while you’re transporting it. Questions and Answers What can you make in a mini slow cooker? The experts say it best. “With a mini slow cooker, you can make everything from chili to dip, or a delicious pot roast to oxtails,” says Massey. “It’s great for group functions and gatherings, especially when you want to please different taste buds.” Just adds, “Almost anything made in a large slow cooker can be made in a mini slow cooker on a smaller scale like soups, stews, side dishes, dips, smaller cuts of meat, fondue, oatmeal, small breakfast casseroles, or cinnamon rolls.” Is it worth buying a mini slow cooker? If you’re living alone, or have limited kitchen or countertop space, having a mini slow cooker is beneficial. “Its compact size makes it ideal for individuals or small households, providing perfectly portioned meals without the need for excess leftovers,” says Just. Mini slow cookers are also great in terms of portability, too. Just adds, “Mini slow cookers are a hit for game days, and potlucks when transporting your food needs to be taken into consideration.” Why Trust Southern Living? Nor’Adila Hepburn is a writer based in North Carolina who specializes in writing buying guides in the home, lifestyle, and travel niches. To determine the best mini slow cookers, we tested 16 options and evaluated them on capacity, material, and features. Nor’Adila also spoke to Reginald Massey, owner of Let It Marinate Catering in Atlanta and Lynne Just, Consumer Test Kitchen Chef at Hamilton Beach Brands in Richmond, Virginia. We Tested 17 Slow Cookers—And These 9 Are The Best For Low-Fuss Meals Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit