The 6 Best Slow Cookers of 2025

Choosing a Slow Cooker

Check the Capacity 

A slow cooker works optimally when filled between one-half and three-quarters full, making the most important question, “How much do you want to cook?” The standard six-quart slow cooker can accommodate a whole chicken, a large roast and big batches of soups and stews, comfortably feeding at least six people. For smaller servings or for making warm dips and spreads for gatherings, look for smaller or mini slow cookers. If you typically cook for a big group or attend potlucks or tailgates with your cooker, there are eight-quart options on the market that can feed a crowd.

Note the Footprint

Similar to knowing how much you want to cook, you also want to note how much space you have for cooking and storage. If you are short of space but need a larger capacity, consider purchasing a multifunctional cooker that can centralize the function of multiple appliances and, therefore, free up space in your kitchen or cupboard.

Pick the Right Shape

Most slow cookers are round or oval. Though I tested a couple with rectangular footprints, I found those were specific to a particular function. Oval cookers are touted to handle large cuts of meat, as birds and roasts are most often longer than wide. Round cookers are therefore best for soups, stews, baking and side dishes. Round cookers are also often smaller in capacity than their oval counterparts. 

Though these distinctions are very general, both round and oval cookers will do well if the cooker itself is a strong machine. If you truly want to put the whole cut in the cooker, buy an oval cooker. However, a round cooker can easily perform well on cubed pieces of larger cuts of meat or chicken pieces instead of the whole. 

Features, Features, Features!

It seems harder to find a simple slow cooker today than a blinged-out model with multiple functions, making it important to pinpoint what you want from your machine. From searing in the base, specific settings for rice and oats, and even sous vide capability; there are a host of add-ons that can increase the value of your slow cooker and likely the price as well. If you are hoping to replace a number of other appliances, a more tricked-out slow cooker can stand in for many common kitchen appliances. Multiple functions are also beneficial if your space cannot fit a lot of items, making a condensed machine a win. Programmability, delayed cook settings and temperature-controlled cook times (by way of a probe) can all help with more accurate cooking or to have meals ready when you are. As with any appliance, balancing the functions with the price is personal but important. 

Our Tests

To find the best slow cookers, I conducted several rounds of testing on each model to evaluate their design, features, ease of use and ease of cleaning. I first made a dish using a large cut of meat to evaluate the tenderness of the cut after cooking. Fork-tender was the goal, as was shreddable in some cases. 

Next I made a soup or stew to test the heat stability, whether an added slurry could heat enough to thicken when added at the end, and wilted greens to finish the soup. Throughout the tests, I gauged the temperature of the contents and the cookers themselves with my hands and an infrared thermometer. I checked the handles, lids and sides to see what stayed cool and what didn’t. I pushed the models around on the counter when filled to see if their feet held them firmly on the counter and I cleaned them all, inside and out, by hand and in the dishwasher when possible to assess ease of cleaning.

When testing the mini cookers, smaller-format dishes were prioritized, like warm dips and sauces, while the casserole cooker was tested with a hash brown dish. Both specialty-type cookers were also tested with a more evergreen recipe to evaluate their flexibility.

We Also Considered

In addition to our winning slow cookers, we tested other models. Some of these included:

Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker ($50 at Walmart): This line features a traditional oval design, highlighted by fun colors and floral pattern finish options, but it was harder to clean than some of the other models I tested, and it ran a little too hot.

Crock-Pot Programmable 6-Quart Slow Cooker with Sous Vide, Oat Milk ($120 at Amazon): I loved the clean aesthetic and the sous vide option this Crock-Pot model offered, and it performed well on my tests, but I felt the price was higher than other models that worked just as well.

Elite Gourmet Maxi-Matic Triple Slow Cooker ($80 at Amazon): With three 2.5-quart vessels in one rectangular base, the Elite is an entertaining workhorse, but I didn’t have much use for its large size outside of parties.

GreenPan Elite 8-in-1 Programmable 6-Quart Slow Cooker ($200 at Amazon): While I liked the design, ease of use, and quick cleanup, the GreenPan didn’t deliver on performance, especially at the relatively steep price.

Hamilton Beach Defrost & Go™ Programmable Slow Cooker ($50 at Walmart): The lid clips are handy for taking finished foods to a gathering, but they get in the way during cooking. Without any silicone on the feet, this unit slides very easily on the countertop.

Ninja 8.5-Quart Foodi PossibleCooker Pro ($150 at Amazon): I liked its roomy size and ease of cleaning, but its unreliable temperature settings led to overcooked food.

Ninja 6.5-Quart Foodi PossibleCooker Pro ($120 at Amazon): This cooker is loaded with functions and a touch smaller than the 8.5-quart model. However, it operated at a hard boil, evaporating the liquid and drying out my recipe.

Our Place Dream Cooker, 6 Quart Multi Cooker ($175 at Our Place): This combination cooker was simple to operate. However, the pressure cooker design made it clunky for slow cooking, and I found temperature regulation challenging.

Common Questions

Are slow cookers dishwasher-safe? 

All of the models I tested had removable crock or inserts, and all of our winners featured dishwasher-safe lids and inserts. As with all cookware, to properly clean anything you heat, it must cool completely before hitting the water. This ensures the piece will not warp or crack from the drastic shift in temperature and applies equally to dishwashers as with hand washing. The base of all slow cookers contains electrical components and therefore should not be submerged in water but wiped clean with a damp cloth instead.

Are slow cookers toxic? 

Nonstick finishes and toxicity are a hot topic these days and much of the information is confusing. While PFOA and PFOS can no longer be used to create nonstick coatings like Teflon, nonstick surfaces are still a premium. Scientists and manufacturers have developed new nonstick coatings using newer types of PFAS (made of smaller molecules), all approved for use and deemed safe by the FDA. That said, there are few things you can do to protect your family from any chemical exposure, regardless of their composition. Following the manufacturers’ recommendations for use and cleaning is key. This ensures that any harsh cleaning chemicals, unsafe practices or potentially damaging utensils cannot mar the surface of the cooking pot. 

Taking an eye to your crockpot cooking vessel regularly to ensure the surface hasn’t been cut, nicked or chipped will ensure any harmful compounds or particles inside the pan don’t make it into your food. Furthermore, replacing your pot immediately if imperfections are discovered is a final step to keeping any potentially toxic elements out of your food.

What is best to cook in a slow cooker? 

Slow cookers are extremely versatile as long and slow cooking works well with so many proteins and vegetables. At the same time, the ability to cook for shorter times and keep the dish warm extends the overall value of this appliance. Braising tougher cuts of meat or slow-cooking fattier cuts to fork-tender both take time. Soups, chilis and stews are easy to combine and benefit from the long cook to marry and concentrate the flavors. While it cooks in less time than longer cuts, chicken is very easy to cook on the delay setting to perfect shredability when you are ready to eat. 

The list can go on as side dishes, casseroles, lasagna and some baked goods are easy and better when made in the slow cooker. With the sky being mostly the limit, checking out great recipes for your sized slow cooker will generate lots of delicious options.

What should you not cook in a slow cooker? 

Lean meats generally require some fat to cook properly in a slow cooker but do better with other methods. If you are making a dish that includes pasta, cooking the noodles separately and stirring them in at the end will ensure they aren’t overcooked. Additionally, slow cookers are not made for crispy dishes, so those items are best cooked in the oven—unless your cooker is ovenable, in which case you can pop it in for a short time (at the end, usually) to crisp the top.

Are slow cookers the same thing as Crock-Pots? 

Crock-Pot is a brand name for a type of slow cooker. All Crock-Pots are slow cookers; not all slow cookers are Crock-Pots. 

Slow cookers vs. Instant Pots: What’s the difference? 

Instant Pots are actually branded multi-cookers but work mostly as pressure cookers, building pressure inside the pot to break down meats and beans quickly and beautifully. Slow cookers utilize time and temperature, creating a steady heat over a long period of time to bring foods to the right texture. 

Can you cook rice in a slow cooker?

Absolutely! Many of the models I tested have specific presets for cooking rice, and instructions for other models can likely be found on their respective sites. A slow cooker’s slow and steady cooking style is great for preparing rice. If, however, you are adding rice to a dish or soup in the slow cooker, it is recommended to cook the rice separately so it doesn’t overcook with the other ingredients. 

Our Trusted Expertise

Tiffany Vickers Davis tested the slow cookers featured in this article. She is a chef, writer and food entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience. She started in high-profile commercial kitchens and spent 14 years in the test kitchen at Cooking Light magazine, ending her tenure as the Director. She now operates a fresh-prepared meal company that ships nationally. She has a six-quart, old-school Crock-Pot brand slow cooker that she received as a wedding gift in the early aughts, and it still works great!

This article was edited and reviewed by Brierley Horton, M.S., RD, an EatingWell senior editor with more than 15 years of experience reporting, writing and editing nutrition and health content. She, too, loves using her slow cooker for a mostly hands-off dinner that’s ready when she gets home.