This resource is constantly updated to include new models that have been rigorously evaluated and recommended by the BBC Good Food reviews team. Those highlighted have earned it via extensive, objective testing. These include both recently released works and perennial fan favorites that have proven themselves to be resilient in the face of competition from different brands. Only slow cookers that are truly cost-effective will be featured on our site.
A slow cooker has several great features. Having a hot lunch waiting for you when you get home is a wonderful pleasure. Slow cookers don’t become hot enough to cause food to burn, so you don’t have to stand over the pot and stir constantly.
You may obtain excellent results even with less expensive pieces of meat by using the best slow cookers. Meat may be tenderized and have its flavor enhanced by cooking it at low temperatures for a long time. And since they use so much less power than regular electric ovens, slow cookers are cheaper to use. Finally, they provide a low-fat alternative to cooking methods like baking, boiling, and frying while retaining many of the nutrients.
Slow cookers are often uncomplicated and straightforward to use. Most of these items have only a few parts and may be utilized right away. Various models are available, each with its own set of features and requirements. To get the most out of your dinner, some high-tech versions have sous-vide settings and pre-sets for certain ingredients.
There is a wide range in pricing for slow cookers because of the variety in designs and technology available.
What to look out for when buying a slow cooker?
There is a wide variety of slow cookers available, making it hard to narrow down your options and settle on the best one. In that light, I’d like to pose a few questions.
- Design: Do you want a cheap, basic slow cooker that does one thing really well, or a multifunctional appliance that can also sous-vide, pressure cook, bake, and roast? Know that the more advanced features a slow cooker has, the more you may expect to pay for it.
- Size: There are a wide range of capacities available, starting at 1 liter and going up to a whopping 6.5 liters. When catering to a small party of one or two, use the smallest available. The smallest, at 3 to 4.5 liters, serves four, while the largest, at 6 to 6.5 liters, is ideal for families and bulk cooking. The capacity given in the marketing copy is the size of the bowl, not the operating capacity, which is occasionally half that.
- Space: There is some counter and storage space needed for a slow cooker. The smaller round and tall form, and the larger oval, both exist, with the latter taking up more space but offering greater flexibility.
Best slow cookers 2022
Ninja 9-in-1 multicooker OP350UK
Best blowout multi-tasking slow cooker
Star rating: 5/5
- Pros: nine functions in one countertop cooker, accompanying recipe book, clear instructions
- Cons: requires an additional slow cooker lid, large footprint for storage
Compared to its predecessor, the 6-in-1 multicooker from Ninja Foodi, this new model boasts an impressive nine cooking and other useful features. Cooking methods such as slow cooking (which is particularly user-friendly), searing/sautéing, air-crisping, grilling, drying, baking/roasting, yogurt-making, pressure-cooking, and steaming are all on the table. It seems fresh and new, with simple buttons and a case that doesn’t get too hot to the touch. It’s the best tool there is for cooking.
Daewoo slow cooker
Best budget slow cooker
Star rating: 4.5/5
- Pros: two-year warranty, dishwasher-safe pot and lid, three heat settings
- Cons: warm outer, ‘keep warm’ setting isn’t the most powerful
Although it’s more expensive than its competitors and made of less expensive steel, the Daewoo comes out on top when it comes to gentle cooking thanks to its capacity to produce beautifully delicate meat pieces for beef stew and softened veggies overnight without singeing around the interior. A family of four may be fed using this 210W slow cooker, or two people can eat well and have leftovers.
Morphy Richards Easy Time Slow Cooker
Best simple slow cooker with timer
Star rating: 5/5
- Pros: hob-safe cooking pot, auto-keep warm setting, easy to use controls, clear countdown timer, non-stick pot, lid forms a good seal
- Cons: pot not suitable for induction
Even if basic, manual slow cookers do a fine job, a timer is frequently all that’s needed to take them to the next level (without making things too complicated). Fortunately, the Easy Time slow cooker meets all of those requirements. There are three intensity levels (high, medium, and low) and a timer that can be programmed for up to 12 hours of use at a time. And because we all know that life sometimes give us curveballs, the Easy Time slow cooker will maintain your food at the ideal temperature for two hours after the timer has rung. A slow cooker with a few added features.
Swan 6.5L retro slow cooker
Best slow cooker for low and slow cooking
Star rating: 5/5
- Pros: stylised 1950s design, large size, effective cooking
- Cons: impractical cream-coloured dish, cheap-feel lid handle
This appliance is ideal for slow cooking a complete extra-large chicken overnight to serve a family of six or making a huge quantity of stew to freeze for later use. After an eight-hour test, the meat just fell apart without burning, proving that it cooks very gently but effectively. The dish’s pale hue is a little inconvenient and might become discolored with time. The 1950s style isn’t for everyone, but if you’re into it, you can pick from more than a dozen different hues.
Ninja Foodi OP300UK
Best multi-tasking slow cooker
Star rating: 4.5/5
- Pros: great price for multiple gadgets
- Cons: bulky, requires two heavy lids
This multi-cooker is made nicely and serves numerous purposes. Some examples are air frying, roasting, grilling, and slow cooking/pressure cooking. When using the sear option, you may cook meat and vegetables without dirtying any more dishes. It’s ideal for large meals and households. All of the tried and true dishes were top notch, with rich sauces and bright flavors.
Sage the Fast Slow Pro
Best slow cooker and pressure cooker
Star rating: 4.5/5
- Pros: stylish appearance, impressive functions
- Cons: expensive
For its attractive design, searing, sautéing, and reducing capabilities, the Fast Slow more than justifies its higher price tag compared to other multi-cookers. It’s compact in size for a multi-cooker, and it’s clearly well-made; everything from the sturdy handles to the hinged lid feels substantial and well-made.
Crock Pot Sizzle and Stew
Best hob-safe slow cooker
Star rating: 4.5/5
- Pros: large capacity, main pot can be used on the hob, simple design, dishwasher-safe pot
- Cons: carrots still a little firm, no recipes in manual
When people think of slow cookers, they immediately think of Crock Pot. Crock Pot’s Sizzle and Stew is a fantastic illustration of their ability to create basic yet ingenious products. The 6.5-liter volume of this model makes it a good choice for hosting large gatherings or feeding a large family. The Sizzle and Stew’s pot is composed of durable aluminum, which is in contrast to the porcelain bowls that come with competing versions. Since this pot is stovetop safe (both gas and electric ranges), you may brown meat or vegetables on the stovetop before moving them to the slow cooker. This method eliminates wasted ingredients and reduces cleanup time.
Crock Pot Time Select
Best slow cooker for automatic functions
Star rating: 4.5/5
- Pros: lots of useful functions, bowl and lid dishwasher and oven-safe, capacity markings on bowl
- Cons: no recipes in the manual
Here we have another option from the ubiquitous Crock Pot brand. While the Sizzle and Stew above yielded great results, the Time Select is far more high-tech. Various types of meat and poultry, in addition to soup and vegetables, may be cooked automatically with this model. Once you’ve chosen your primary ingredient, entered its weight and the time you’d like to have the dish ready by, the Time Select will automatically adapt the cooking time and temperature for you. There’s also a manual mode for when you want to stick to your tried and true recipes.
Tower 3.5L Cavaletto Slow Cooker
Best no-nonsense slow cooker
Star rating: 4/5
- Pros: available in a range of designs, simple to use, dishwasher-safe pot
- Cons: a little plasticky
Tower’s little slow cooker is a convenient, space-saving choice. It’s a basic choice with only low, high, and maintain warm temperatures, but it does the job. Even though it has a minimalist appearance, this slow cooker comes in a variety of colors, including black, grey, pink, and navy blue.
The model is simple to set up and worked wonderfully with our beef stew recipe, producing delicate meat and crisp vegetables. The sauce still had a touch too much liquid, which was our only complaint.
Russell Hobbs Slow Cooker and Sous Vide 25630
Best slow cooker for experimental cooks
Star rating: 4.5/5
- Pros: temperature probe included, lid locks into place, clear control panel, digital display
- Cons: control panel isn’t intuitive, power cord quite short, no sous vide bags provided
If you’re a home cook who enjoys experimenting with new methods and toys, this slow cooker is a great choice. This device is more than just a slow cooker because it comes with a sous vide function and a temperature probe. Our beef stew was pleasantly reduced, but the meat was ever-so-slightly dry, and the lid stayed securely in place thanks to the locks.
The only interface is a set of symbols, thus reading the documentation is recommended before usage. However, we think this Russell Hobbs model is a terrific choice because to its adaptability and the high quality of its output.
How to use a slow cooker
- Since a slow cooker doesn’t let any liquid out, you should cut the amount of liquid in a dish that wasn’t made for a slow cooker by a third when converting it.
- Keep the cover on the pot and try not to open it too often.
- Before you begin cooking, make sure the inner pot is at room temperature. You must let a slow cooker meal get to room temperature before using it if you have stored it in the refrigerator.
- There is a wide range of slow cookers on the market, so it’s important to consult the handbook for your specific model for advice on cooking temperatures and timings.
- Most rice and pasta recipes benefit from being cooked on high heat for as little time as possible. Use only easy-cook rice, and rinse it thoroughly before cooking; the more starch you remove, the better the dish will turn out.
- Brown the meat well before serving. Given that slow cookers have a tendency to leach meat of its color, it’s vital to brown them thoroughly before cooking. Since the volume of the liquid will not decrease, you should add as much flavoring as possible.