A slow cooker is the kind of appliance that at-home chefs like to use. After mixing up some ingredients and chucking them in the pot, you can forget about them for a few hours while you do other things around the house. But when you’re leaving your food in the hands of something else you want to make sure that the appliance you have on-hand is sturdy and reliable enough to get the job done. We’re here to break down what the best slow cookers are based on your price range so you can choose one that’s best suited for your needs.
How We Chose Our Products
Through extensive research and customer reviews, we gathered the best slow cookers based on price point and overall performance. Each selected item will have a break down of their reliability, their price point, why we chose them, and what makes them the best choice for your kitchen.
Best High-End Slow Cooker – All-Clad SD700450 Slow Cooker
- Price: $179.95
- Holds 6.5 quarts
- 4-20 hours of cooking time
At first glance, the aesthetic appeal and sleek design might catch your eye. If you’re willing to drop some dough on a slow cooker that you can keep for years without worrying about any wear and tear, this is the slow cooker you should look into.
It’s easy to use and you have the option of cooking for up to 20 hours with three different settings. Plus, once your food is done, you’re able to keep it on a warm setting until dinner is ready to be served.
Its attractive design not only adds to its charm but the glass cover also allows you to keep an eye on your food as it cooks. The countdown clock will remind you of when you need to check in on your dinner and the bigger size allows for you to add roasts and larger meals in with ease. This particular model also comes with cooling handles that remain at a safe temperature when it’s time to grab your food.
The only thing you need to be wary of with this one is the weight. Clocking in at nearly 20 pounds, you should keep it on the counter or a lower shelf so you can grab it easily without needing to hoist 20 pounds over your head every time you want some dinner.
Stick this stainless steel model in the dishwasher for easy cleanup and you’re good to go!
Best Mid-Range Slow Cooker – Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker
- Price: $44.99
- Holds 6 quarts
- Can cook up to 14 hours
If you’re more attracted to mid-range prices (and honestly, who isn’t) then all you need is the Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker to get the job done. This little gem is moderately priced and offers consumers a ton of incredible features like a clip-tight lid, a dishwasher-safe exterior, and three specific cooking times that each allows you to make dinner on your terms.
An ability to hold 6 quartz means this model is perfect for slow cooking roasts, chicken, or other larger meals for the family. You’ll be able to program this slow cooker to the temperature best suited for your meal and keep an eye on things with its glass cover. You’ll also be able to snap the lid shut, which prevents spills. The only admittable downside of this model is that it doesn’t have a countdown timer, so you’ll need to set a timer for yourself.
Just like the All-Clad model, this slow cooker will turn itself onto a warm mode once the allotted time has passed. You’ll be able to keep things at a toasty temperature until you’re ready to bring your creations to the table.
Perhaps one of the best (and coolest) things about this specific model is that it has a patented temperature probe. If you’re ever worried about how long you need to cook something, or whether or not your meal is done, you can poke the temperature probe into your food and it will tell you the exact temperature. This nifty little feature makes the Hamilton Beach Slow Cooker one of the best slow cookers out there.
Once you’re done with dinner you can pop this right into the dishwasher without worrying.
Best Budget Slow Cooker – Crockpot Mini Casserole Crock Slow Cooker
- Price: $34.79
- Holds up to 2.5 quarts
- Up to 10 hours of cooking time
Sure, some of the models out there can hold an entire chicken or cook a collection of side dishes for the family. But when it’s just you or your partner in the home, you maybe don’t need to have something quite that size. Enter the mini Crock Pot model, a slow cooker equipped with a clip lid, three settings for you to use, and its ability to double as an oven dish if need be.
The fact that this slow cooker can be used as an oven dish makes it even better, especially if you were hesitant about its smaller size. Not only can you pop something into the slow cooker and leave it be for a few hours, but you can also stick it into the oven and keep dinner going on the stove while potatoes or veggies bake in the oven.
This smaller model doesn’t hold something as huge as a family dinner, but it does come in handy for lasagnas, sloppy joes, or roasted vegetables. The good news is that this slow cooker also comes with a glass lid so you can keep an eye out on your food as it cooks and the lid snaps down to prevent any spilling.
This little guy weighs in at just over 7 pounds, making it a lightweight slow cooker you can store just about anywhere. Unlike the All-Clad model, you won’t need to sigh when you’re bringing it out of the cabinets. And, of course, the Crock-Pot slow cooker is another appliance you can place in the dishwasher for an easy clean.
These models are some of the best slow cookers on the market! If you’ve been hoping to purchase one for yourself, these three are a good place to start. With one available at every price point, you can’t go wrong in grabbing yourself this kitchen helper.
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