Slow Cooker Reviews: Best Slow Cooker, Crock Pot

Best programmable slow cooker

*Est. $200 Compare Prices

The top-rated All-Clad programmable slow cooker lets you designate cooking times, unlike basic slow cookers, which are either on or off. And the All-Clad slow cooker can automatically switch to a keep-warm setting when… the cycle is done, so you don't have to worry about overcooking. Although this 6.5-quart slow cooker is more expensive than most, it receives the highest scores from both owners and experts of any slow cooker we found. It has a 26-hour timer and a dishwasher-safe ceramic insert. A more expensive version has an aluminum insert (which lets you brown foods on the stovetop before slow cooking), but it costs $100 more. Both have an attractive stainless-steel exterior.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Cook's Illustrated Magazine: Cook's Illustrated compares seven slow cookers in head-to-head tests. Editors test slow cookers on high and low temperatures with ...

Slate.com: Jill Pellettieri tests and rates eight slow cookers by preparing a wide variety of dishes. She also provides a brief history of ...

Real Simple: Real Simple says it tested more than 12 slow cookers but identifies just the three winners. One of the winners is the All-Clad ...

About.com: Diana Rattray, About.com's guide to Southern food, rates 10 slow cookers based on her experience as a cooking expert. The ...

Good Housekeeping: The All-Clad 6.5-quart slow cooker is Good Housekeeping's top-rated slow cooker. Editors say that it is heavy but creates tender ...

Woman's Day: While the staff-tested slow cookers in this article are not ranked, seven top picks are mentioned. Each slow cooker is given a ...

Amazon.com: Users at Amazon.com give the All-Clad 99009 an above-average score. Most say it's large and expensive, but worth the cost. ...

Cooking.com: Owner-written reviews at Cooking.com are not as critical as those at Amazon.com, and most write-ups are brief. The All-Clad 99009 ...

ConsumerGuide.com: Testing methods are unclear at this site, but the All-Clad 99009 slow cooker receives an overall perfect score. In the expanded ...

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Basic slow cooker

Hamilton Beach Stay-or-Go 33162

*Est. $40 Compare Prices

If you don't need a programmable slow cooker, the basic 6-quart Hamilton Beach Stay-or-Go slow cooker receives solid scores in expert reviews; owners praise the even cooking and excellent lid seal, as well as the lid… locks. Although it is not programmable, the Stay-or-Go has three temperature settings, a dishwasher-safe ceramic insert and large handles. It also comes with a serving spoon and recipe cards. While many slow cookers in this price range receive low scores for durability, the Hamilton Beach Stay-or-Go is notable for its better-than-average reliability in reviews.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: Editors of ConsumerReports.org test and rank 15 slow cookers, including the Hamilton Beach Stay-or-Go, all with 6- to 7-quart ...

Cook's Illustrated Magazine: Cook's Illustrated compares seven slow cookers in head-to-head tests, evaluating models on their ability to cook chili and beans ...

Amazon.com: Users at Amazon.com give the Hamilton Beach Stay-or-Go 33162H a near-perfect rating. Users love the design, ease of use, ...

Cooking.com: Owner-written reviews at Cooking.com are not as critical as those at Amazon.com, and most write-ups are brief. The Hamilton Beach ...

ConsumerGuide.com: Testing methods are unclear at this site, but the white version of the Hamilton Beach Stay-or-Go, the 33163, receives an overall ...

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Most versatile slow cooker

Hamilton Beach 33134 3-in-1

*Est. $50 Compare Prices

Singles and small families will appreciate the versatility of the Hamilton Beach 33134 3-in-1, which comes with three interchangeable cooking bowls in 2-, 4- and 6-quart sizes. Experts say that all three create tasty,… tender meals while allowing you to cater to crowds of all sizes. Users warn that the bowls are heavy but say they stack neatly, which is convenient for those who are tight on storage space. The 3-in-1, however, does not have programmable controls, such as a timer and automatic warmer.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Good Housekeeping: The Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 is one of Good Housekeeping's top-rated slow cookers. Editors say that the attractive machine creates ...

About.com: Jessica Harlan, About.com's guide to cooking equipment, gives the Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 33133 a high rating because of its ...

Amazon.com: Owner reviewers at Amazon.com love the versatility of the Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 as well as its attractive looks. A few complain ...

Cooking.com: The Hamilton Beach 3-in-1 Slow Cooker isn't reviewed as often at Cooking.com, but consumers there give the stainless-steel ...

Target.com: There are only a handful of user reviews at Target.com for the Hamilton Beach 3-in-1, but all of the reviewers commenting agree ...

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Best mini slow cooker

Proctor Silex 33015

*Est. $15 Compare Prices

The 1.5-quart Proctor Silex slow cooker is a tiny model that reviewers say is the perfect size for dips, appetizers, gravies and sauces, as well as single-serving meals. It has simple manual controls with three… temperature settings, including a keep-warm option. Unlike many other mini slow cookers, the Proctor Silex version has a removable insert that is dishwasher-safe. This simple model gets excellent scores from owners posting to Amazon.com.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Woman's Day: Editors at Woman's Day tested slow cookers and selected seven top picks. Each slow cooker is given a catchy tagline, and the ...

Amazon.com: The Proctor Silex 33015 gets a near-perfect score in more than 40 customer reviews at Amazon.com. Users like the small size for ...

ConsumerGuide.com: Testing methods are unclear at this site, but the Proctor Silex 33015 is given a Budget Buy award. Editors like the warming mode ...

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Amazon Marketplace

for $18.99

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