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The Best Slow Cooker Brands According to Our Test Kitchen

We bet you never thought twice about your trusty slow cooker, but it turns out, there are plenty of differences between slow cooker brands (beyond just size and color). Some offer expanded cook options outside the basic low and high, while others advertise themselves as being travel-friendly with special clips to keep that lid on tight—who among us hasn’t tipped over a slow-cooked dish to pass on the way to a potluck?

Considering all these features and how much we rely on this appliance, our Test Kitchen had to find the best slow cooker out there.

What We Tested to Find the Best Slow Cooker

Our culinary team used several slow cooker options to prepare your recipes. Over several months, our cooks and food stylists got a feel for each brand. Then we created a series of tests where we could see how each performed side by side. To find out which brand was best, our staff recorded how each gadget handled these essential tasks:

  • Slow cooking dishes in our Test Kitchen: We test dozens and dozens of recipes every month. How did the slow cookers do prepping our readers’ recipe submissions? (Share your best recipes with us!)
  • Slow cooking a beef pot roast: We cooked beef on the slow cooker’s lowest setting. How tender did the meat become?
  • Controls, settings and features: Were the controls and settings easy to understand and use? Were the extra features useful?
  • Price: Is the product affordable? Is it well priced for how well it performed?

Our Test Kitchen-Preferred Slow Cookers

After weeks of testing, a few slow cookers rose to the top. Find out which fit your slow cooking style.

Best Features: KitchenAid 6-Quart Slow Cooker

KitchenAid KSC6223SS 6-Qt. Slow Cooker with Standard Lid - Stainless Steel

When it comes to controls, most slow cookers give you high, low and warm—not KitchenAid. This KitchenAid 6-Quart Slow Cooker boasted an extra setting (medium) and featured a timer allowing you to program the start of your dishes up to 24 hours in advance—perfect for slow cooker bread. Our Test Kitchen loved the versatility that this machine offered and found that it performed perfectly recipe after recipe. In monitoring temperatures, our squad of experts found that KitchenAid kept the most steady heat throughout for true low-and-slow cooking.

  • Capacity: 6 quarts
  • Features: 4 temperature settings, 24-hour programmability
  • Price: $100

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Best for Big Batches: Cuisinart 6.5-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker

Cuisinart® 6.5 qt. Programmable Slow Cooker

Have a big family? Host a lot of parties? Chances are a little three- or five-quart slow cooker just won’t cut it. If you like to work in big batches, try the Cuisinart 6.5-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker. This slow cooker can hold a lot of your family’s favorite chili recipe or an oversized pot roast without you having to worry if it’ll simmer over.

Our Test Kitchen found that this slow cooker made perfectly tender pot roast and chicken breasts—nothing was dry our tough coming out of the crock. And when everything was cooled down, our cooks loved how the cord curls up inside of the mechanism (no dangling cords in your kitchen cupboards!).

  • Capacity: 6.5 quarts
  • Features: 24-hour timer, automatic warming function, included wire rack for steamed dishes
  • Price: $100

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Best Slow Cooker to Take On-the-Go: Crock-Pot 7-Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker

Crock Pot 7qt Cook & Carry Programmable Easy-Clean Slow Cooker - Premium Black Stainless Steel

If you tend to take your slow-cooked dishes to get-togethers, you’ll want to invest in a slow cooker designed for easy transport like the Crock-Pot Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker. This Crock-Pot comes fitted with special clips that keep the lid secure while you tote your slow cooker from kitchen to kitchen. Besides this trip-ready functionality, our Test Kitchen found the controls to be simple to use and the slow-cooked dishes prepped inside to be hot and tender—in other words: perfect!

  • Capacity: 7 quarts
  • Features: 20-hour timer, locking lid
  • Price: $60

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Best for Slow-Cooked Casseroles: Crock-Pot 3.5-Quart Casserole Crock Slow Cooker

Crock-Pot® 3.5-Quart Casserole Crock Slow Cooker SCCPCCM350

Some of our Test Kitchen’s favorite slow cooker meals come in the form of a casserole. Your go-to slow cooker will do in a pinch, but if you’re serious about slow cooker lasagna, green bean casserole and baked french toast, investing in a casserole-ready cooker is wise. For these dishes, the Test Kitchen recommends the Crock-Pot Casserole Crock Slow Cooker. Besides being the perfect size and shape for all these go-to dishes, our Test Kitchen loves how you can bake in the oven-safe insert and then place in the base to keep it warm. Like Crock-Pot’s Cook & Carry model, this one also comes with clips to keep the lid in place if you’re on the move.

  • Capacity: 3.5 quarts
  • Features: Snap-tight lid for transport, the removable insert is oven-safe
  • Price: $58

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What to Make in Your Slow Cooker

We know you’re a slow cooker pro at this point, but who doesn’t love a few new recipes? These recipes take advantage of our favorite slow cooker’s A+ low-and-slow cooking and all-in-one crock. They’re the perfect dishes to prepare and let heat on a long, lazy weekend. Our favorite new recipe? A slow-cooked cinnamon roll—it’s a great way to make breakfast for the holidays without taking up valuable oven space.

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Creamy Celery Beef Stroganoff

Cream of celery soup adds richness to a recipe that has become a family favorite. It’s so simple to prepare and, oh, that flavor! —Kim Wallace, Dennison, Ohio
Cube Steaks with Gravy

Cube Steaks with Gravy

Here's a hearty home-style dinner your family will love after a busy day. The slow-cooked beef is wonderful served over mashed potatoes or noodles. —Judy Long, Limestone, Tennessee
Tangerine Chicken Tagine

Tangerine Chicken Tagine

My family and friends love foods from around the world, especially Moroccan entrees, so I created this flavorful dish. Cooking it in the slow cooker keeps each morsel moist and rich in flavor. —Brenda Watts, Gaffney, South Carolina
Spiced apple oatmeal

Spiced Apple Oatmeal

These easy, apple-y oats give your family a warm and cozy breakfast no matter how busy you are. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Slow-Cooked Peach Salsa

Slow-Cooked Peach Salsa

Fresh peaches and tomatoes make my salsa a hands-down winner over store versions. As a treat, I give my co-workers several jars throughout the year. —Peggi Stahnke, Cleveland, Ohio
Beef Brisket in Beer

Beef Brisket in Beer

One bite of this super tender brisket and your family will be hooked! The rich gravy is perfect for spooning over a side of creamy mashed potatoes. —Eunice Stoen, Decorah, Iowa
Slow-Simmered Meat Ragu

Slow-Simmered Meat Ragu

After a day of simmering in the slow-cooker, this ragu is not your typical spaghetti sauce. It's almost like a stew, so feel free to skip the pasta. —Laurie LaClair, North Richland Hills, Texas
Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Cider

Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Cider

Spiced with cinnamon sticks, allspice and caramel, this warm-you-up sipper will chase away winter's chill. Serve brimming mugs alongside a platter of festive cookies at your next holiday gathering. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Beer-Braised Pulled Ham

Beer-Braised Pulled Ham

To jazz up ham, I slow-cooked it with a beer sauce. Buns loaded with ham, pickles and mustard are irresistible. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts
Barbecue Chicken Cobb Salad

Barbecue Chicken Cobb Salad

I turned barbecue chicken into a major salad with romaine and carrots, sweet peppers and avocados. That’s how I got my family to eat more veggies. —Camille Beckstrand, Layton, Utah
Very Vanilla Slow-Cooker Cheesecake

Very Vanilla Slow-Cooker Cheesecake

Cinnamon and vanilla give this cheesecake so much flavor, and making it in the slow cooker creates a silky, smooth texture that's hard to resist. —Krista Lanphier, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Beef 'n' Bean Torta

Beef 'n' Bean Torta

This zesty dish is a favorite of mine because it has a wonderful Southwestern taste and is easy to prepare. I serve it on nights when we have only a few minutes to eat before running off to meetings or sports events. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Creamy Artichoke Dip

Creamy Artichoke Dip

My sister Teresa got this recipe from a friend and she passed it along. It's loaded with cheese, artichokes and just the right amount of jalapenos for a crowd-pleasing flavor. —Mary Spencer, Greendale, Wisconsin
Steak Burritos

Steak Burritos

Slowly simmered all day, the beef is tender and a snap to shred. Just fill flour tortillas and add toppings for a tasty meal. —Valerie Jones, Portland, Maine
Bandito Chili Dogs

Bandito Chili Dogs

These deluxe chili dogs are a surefire hit at family functions and tailgates. Adults and children alike love the cheesy chili sauce, and the toppings are fun! —Marion Lowery, Medford, Oregon
Slow-Cooked Chicken Enchilada Soup

Slow-Cooked Chicken Enchilada Soup

This soup delivers a big bowl of fresh comfort—just ask my husband. Toppings like avocado, sour cream and tortilla strips are a must. —Heather Sewell, Harrisonville, Missouri
Slow-Cooked Green Beans

Slow-Cooked Green Beans

I spent hours in search of sides for a cooking demo to present to women from my church. These easy green beans became my star attraction. —Alice White, Willow Spring, North Carolina
Slow-Cooker Roast Chicken

Slow-Cooker Roast Chicken

It's easy to make a whole chicken in a slow cooker. We save the shredded chicken to use during busy weeks. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Spinach & Feta Stuffed Flank Steak

Spinach & Feta Stuffed Flank Steak

If you need a main dish recipe from a slow cooker that offers an upscale feel, this one is a great choice. Elegant enough for company, the rolled flank steak looks pretty on a plate. —Steven Schend, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Peachy Baby Back Ribs

Peachy Baby Back Ribs

It's easy to get a smoky outdoor barbecue flavor from your slow cooker. Trust me, I've fooled many people on more than one occasion with these ribs. —Mary Louise Lever, Rome, Georgia
Slow-Cooker Creamed Corn with Bacon

Slow-Cooker Creamed Corn with Bacon

Every time we take this super rich corn to a holiday potluck or work party, we leave with an empty slow cooker. It's decadent, homey and so worth the splurge. —Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia
Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Buffalo Chicken Sliders

I got the idea for these Buffalo chicken sliders from my mom and dad, who'd made a similar version for a family get-together. It's a versatile recipe, and I sometimes use several different styles of Buffalo sauce and let guests mix and match their favorites. —Christina Addison, Blanchester, Ohio
Harvesttime Chicken with Couscous

Harvesttime Chicken with Couscous

Even on busy days, I can start this chicken in a slow cooker and still get to work on time. When I come home, spinach salad and crescent rolls round out the menu. —Heidi Rudolph, Oregon, Illinois
Slow-Cooker Chai Tea

Slow-Cooker Chai Tea

A wonderful sweet and spicy aroma wafts from the slow cooker as this pleasantly flavored chai tea cooks. —Crystal Jo Burns, Iliff, Colorado
Brunch Burritos

Brunch Burritos

I like to use a second slow cooker to keep the tortillas warm and pliable when I serve these hearty burritos. Just place a clean wet cloth in the bottom, then cover it with foil and add your tortillas.—Beth Osburn, Levelland, Texas
Herbed Turkey Breasts

Herbed Turkey Breasts

Fresh thyme and marjoram lend amazing flavor to turkey breast. It comes out of the slow cooker perfectly tender. —Laurie Mace, Los Osos, California
Slow-Cooked Potatoes with Spring Onions

Slow-Cooked Potatoes with Spring Onions

I love the simplicity of this recipe, as well as the ease of preparation with my slow cooker. And everyone always likes roasted potatoes, even my pickiest child! If desired, top with shredded or crumbled cheese. —Theresa Gomez, Stuart, Florida
Slow-Cooker Apple Pudding Cake

Slow-Cooker Apple Pudding Cake

A satisfying dessert, pudding cake is a superb treat on a chilly night. It has three separate layers—apples, cake and sauce—and I like to serve it in a bowl. —Ellen Schroeder, Reedsburg, Wisconsin
Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Lasagna

Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Lasagna

When I make this tasty chicken lasagna at home, I use a whole bottle of Buffalo wing sauce because my family likes it nice and spicy. Increase the pasta sauce and use less wing sauce if you prefer. —Heidi Pepin, Sykesville, Maryland
Red Clam Sauce

Red Clam Sauce

This recipe tastes like an Italian restaurant specialty and cooks while you take care of other things. What a marvelous way to jazz up pasta sauce! —JoAnn Brown, Latrobe, Pennsylvania
Potluck Candied Sweet Potatoes

Potluck Candied Sweet Potatoes

To make it easier to bring this traditional southern staple to a potluck or gathering, I updated it so that it can be cooked in a slow cooker. It's hard to go wrong with candied sweet potatoes when it comes to pleasing a crowd. —Deirdre Dee Cox, Kansas City, Missouri
Slow-Cooker Cheddar Bacon Beer Dip

Slow-Cooker Cheddar Bacon Beer Dip

My tangy, smoky dip won the top prize at our office party recipe contest. Use your favorite beer or ale, but steer clear of dark varieties. —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Slow-Cooker Peach Crumble

Slow-Cooker Peach Crumble

I look forward to going on our beach vacation every year, but I don't always relish the time spent cooking for everybody. This slow-cooker dessert (or breakfast!) gives me more time to lie in the sun and enjoy the waves. Melty ice cream is a must. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Moist Corn Spoon Bread

Moist Corn Spoon Bread

Enjoy this easy take on a southern specialty by using the convenient slow cooker. Here's an excellent side dish for Thanksgiving, Easter or any special feast. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Red Bean Vegetable Soup

Red Bean Vegetable Soup

Cajun seasoning boosts the flavor of this brothy soup. The easy recipe makes a big batch that's loaded with beans and fresh veggies. —Ronnie Lappe, Brownwood, Texas
Maple-Walnut Sweet Potatoes

Maple-Walnut Sweet Potatoes

Topped with dried cherries and walnuts, this side is downright delicious. Even people who aren't into sweet potatoes will grab a second scoop. —Sarah Herse, Brooklyn, New York
Slow-Cooked Cajun Corn

Slow-Cooked Cajun Corn

My husband loves corn on the cob, and I love this slow cooker recipe because I don't have to stand at a hot stove. We like a little spice, so the Cajun seasoning works well for us, but any spice blend works. —Audra Rorick, Scott City, Kansas
Slow-Cooker Spinach & Artichoke Dip

Slow-Cooker Spinach & Artichoke Dip

With this creamy dip, I can get my daughters to eat spinach and artichokes. We serve it with chips, toasted pita bread or fresh veggies. —Jennifer Stowell, Montezuma, Iowa
Slow-Cooked Turkey with Berry Compote

Slow-Cooked Turkey with Berry Compote

We love to eat turkey, and on hot summer days, here's how we get our fix. For golden-brown turkey, broil for a few minutes before serving. —Margaret Bracher, Robertsdale, Alabama
Country Ribs Dinner

Country Ribs Dinner

Ribs slow-cooked with carrots, celery, onions and red potatoes are pure comfort food for us. To add a little zip, we sometimes sprinkle in cayenne. —Rose Ingall, Manistee, Michigan
Sassy Pot Roast

Sassy Pot Roast

I love walking into my home after a long day and smelling this lovely pot roast. You can add potatoes and carrots to round out the meal, and the leftover meat makes a comforting soup for the next night. —Susan Burkett, Monroeville, Pennsylvania
Slow-Cooked Blueberry French Toast

Slow-Cooked Blueberry French Toast

Your slow cooker can be your best friend on a busy morning. Just get this recipe going, run some errands and come back to the smell of French toast ready to eat. —Elizabeth Lorenz, Peru, Indiana
Turkey Chili

Turkey Chili

I've taken my mother's turkey chili recipe and made it thicker and more robust. It's a favorite, especially in fall and winter. —Celesta Zanger, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Crunchy Candy Clusters

Crunchy Candy Clusters

These cereal and marshmallow clusters are so simple that I make them for the holidays each year, as my family looks forward to them. —Faye O'Bryan, Owensboro, Kentucky
Slow-Cooker Chicken Taco Salad

Slow-Cooker Chicken Taco Salad

We use this super duper chicken across several meals, including it in tacos, sandwiches, omelets and enchiladas. My little guys love helping measure seasonings. —Karie Houghton, Lynnwood, Washington
Spaghetti & Meatball Soup

Spaghetti & Meatball Soup

A couple of nights a week our family ends up eating in shifts because everyone is going every which way, all at the same time. Having a hearty soup simmering in the slow cooker is an easy way to give them all a warm meal. —Susan Stetzel, Gainesville, New York
Lemon Red Potatoes

Lemon Red Potatoes

Butter, lemon juice, parsley and chives enhance this simple side dish. I usually prepare these potatoes when I'm having company. Since they cook in the slow cooker, there's plenty of room on the stove for other dishes. —Tara Branham, Austin, Texas
Spiced Coffee

Spiced Coffee

I’ve found that those who aren’t necessarily coffee fans often change their tune when they get a whiff of this chocolaty coffee drink. I like to serve up a big batch at parties. —Joanne Holt, Bowling Green, Ohio
Slow-Cooker Turkey Pesto Lasagna

Slow-Cooker Turkey Pesto Lasagna

My cheesy, noodle-y lasagna makes any slow-cooker skeptic a believer. It's easy to prep while my kids nap, and dinner's ready when their dad walks in the door at night. We bring more pesto and marinara to the table for our resident sauce lovers. —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, VA
Pineapple Upside-Down Dump Cake

Pineapple Upside-Down Dump Cake

This dump cake recipe is wonderful topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. It works well with gluten-free and sugar-free cake mixes too. —Karin Gatewood, Dallas, Texas
Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls

Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls

One of my favorite slow cooker recipes is this impressive buffalo chicken egg rolls appetizer. You can wrap the filling in egg roll wraps and bake, or, for a bite-size version, use smaller won ton wraps. —Tara Odegaard, Omaha, Nebraska
Slow-Cooker Pizza Dip

Slow-Cooker Pizza Dip

I created this dip for my daughter's pizza themed birthday party. It was an instant hit and I've continued to bring this along to other gatherings. Everyone loves it! —Stephanie Gates, Waterloo, Iowa
Rich & Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Rich & Creamy Mashed Potatoes

It's a cinch to jazz up instant mashed potatoes with sour cream and cream cheese, then cook and serve them from a slow cooker. For a special touch, sprinkle the perfect-for-party time potatoes with chopped fresh chives, canned french-fried onions or fresh grated Parmesan cheese. —Donna Bardocz, Howell, Michigan

How to Take Care of Your Slow Cooker

You may love your slow cooker (who doesn’t?), but are you taking care of it the right way? A little dish soap works wonders, and guess what: With our cleaning method, you won’t even have to remove the insert if you don’t want to!

The post The Best Slow Cooker Brands According to Our Test Kitchen appeared first on Taste of Home.



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