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10 best slow cookers for fuss-free meals, tried and tested

They’re the ultimate gadget for easy cooking, use less electricity than a lightbulb and, with a bit of organisation, you can have a home-cooked meal on the table within minutes of arriving home. It’s no wonder so many Mumsnet users swear by their slow cooker for fuss-free, midweek meals.

By Natasha Gregson | Last updated Mar 8, 2024

Selection of the best slow cookers

Whether you need help putting a healthy dinner on the table during a busy work week or are planning a more elaborate meal for a special occasion, the best slow cooker can quickly become a kitchen essential.

Much like the best air fryer, slow cookers excel at versatility. Beyond classic comfort foods like curries, stews and soups, you can use your slow cooker to start the day off with creamy porridge or jazz up dinner with pulled pork, mushroom risotto or the tastiest seafood paella. Best of all, the latest slow cooker models are multi-functional and great for busy people. You can throw in your food and cook it slowly overnight or as you go about your day.

As if their time-saving capabilities are not reason enough to invest in a slow cooker, the fact they can cut your energy bills and allow for batch cooking means it's a wise investment to help you weather the cost of living crisis.

How we tested the best slow cookers

To help you choose the best slow cooker for your kitchen, we thoroughly scoured the Mumsnet forums - the largest online network of parents in the UK - to see the makes and models our users love. We then also analysed the opinions of food industry experts and verified consumer reviewers to whittle down our shortlist.

From there, we conducted our own extensive testing, cooking up a range of meals to see how each slow cooker performed, carefully evaluating their ease of use, ease of cleaning, capacity, features and those all-important results. We also enlisted Mumsnetters' help for their own honest reviews to see how the slow cookers fared after long-term use in a real family home.

1
Best slow cooker overall

Crockpot Lift and Serve Digital Slow Cooker

What we like
  • Easy to use

  • Features a countdown timer on the display

  • Automatically switches to keep warm setting when cooking is complete

  • Lid and bowl are dishwasher safe

  • Two-year guarantee

  • Good capacity for families

What we don't like
  • Bulky

  • Hinged lid makes it tricky to remove the pot

  • Can't use the pot on the hob

  • Only has a slow cooking function

Key specs

Price on writing: £49 | Capacity: 4.7 litres | Dimensions: 26.8 x 34.2 x 33.8cm | Weight: 5.3kg | Digital display: Yes | Dishwasher-safe parts: Yes, bowl and lid | Settings: Three | Wattage: 220W

What Mumsnet users say
Roserunner · Recommended brand
We have a Crockpot, I think we've had it at least 10 years and it's still as good as new. The bowl and lid go in the dishwasher so it's easy to clean.
See Post
Our verdict

Impressively easy use and clean, the Crockpot Lift and Serve is a must-have kitchen gadget. It's not the cheapest model out there for a device that functions as a slow cooker only, but we think it offers good value for money thanks to its versatility – meats, casseroles, and stews were all a doddle to cook in it.

When your tasty dish is ready to serve, this clever slow cooker automatically switches to the 'keep warm' setting, so you can have a hot dinner ready at a time that suits you without having to warm it through in the microwave. It has a hinged lid for easy access, however, we were a little disappointed with the design of this feature and found it allowed condensation to drip.

All in all though, this Crockpot is an excellent choice for busy parents and those looking for a convenient and hassle-free way to prepare a range of meals, including beginners.

Read our full Crockpot Lift and Serve Digital Slow Cooker review

2
Best budget slow cooker

Cookworks 6.5L Slow Cooker

What we like
  • Excellent value

  • Large capacity

  • Easy to use

  • Has a keep warm setting

What we don't like
  • Hand wash only

  • No timer

  • No auto keep warm function

Key specs

Price on writing: £33 | Capacity: 6.5 litres | Dimensions: 29.2 x 41 x 23.7cm | Weight: 3.59kg (inner pot only) | Digital display: No | Dishwasher-safe parts: No | Settings: Three | Wattage: 320W

What Mumsnet users say
ProcrastinationIsMySuperPower · Tried & Tested
Argos have a 6.5L Cookworks one with great reviews - my Dad has had the smaller version for a few years, no problems at all with it. Ceramic pot.
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Our verdict

Even if you're on a tight budget, you can still get in on the slow cooking action. Despite its pocket-friendly price, this gadget has an impressive 6.5-litre capacity, so it's great for families or batch cookers who want to stock up the freezer.

It was super easy to use; just pop your ingredients in straight from your food processor or chopping board, turn the dial to your chosen setting and then it gets to work. We were delighted with the results it produced too – coq au vin and beef ragu with pasta were particular highlights from this slow cooker.

It doesn't include fancy features like a timer or an automatic keep warm function, but we think it offers fantastic value for money. You can't bung it in the dishwasher, however, so a little effort is still required post-meal.

Read our full Cookworks Slow Cooker review

3
Best slow cooker for families
What we like
  • Eight settings

  • Can sear meat in the same pot

  • Large capacity

  • Fantastic value

What we don't like
  • Bulky

  • Control panel icons aren't intuitive initially

Key specs

Price on writing: £60 | Capacity: 6.5 litres | Dimensions: 29.9 x 48.5 x 24.4 cm | Weight: 3.25kg | Digital display: Yes | Dishwasher-safe parts: Yes, pot | Settings: Eight functions | Wattage: 750W

What Mumsnet users say
OrangeBlossom28 · Tried & Tested
I have the Russell Hobbs Good-to-Go Multi-Cooker which I love. You can sauté everything then put it on four or eight hours to slow cook. You can also use it as a sous vide and roast.
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Our verdict

The Russell Hobbs Good-to-Go Multicooker is a versatile eight-in-one kitchen appliance that is great for families and experimental cooks alike. Aside from the slow cooking and handy auto keep warm functions, it also includes roast, boil, sous vide, and steamer settings to name a few. And with an impressive 6.5-litre capacity, we found it was ideal for batch cooking meals from our best slow cooker recipe books.

The slow cooker setting worked well in testing, making tasty dishes that pack plenty of flavour. What really set this cooker apart from others, however, was having the ability to sear your meat in the pot; we didn't need to faff around with browning it on the hob first. It's also excellent at cooking rice, but bear in mind it is quite a bulky unit.

Read our full Russell Hobbs Good-to-Go Multicooker review

4
Best luxury multi-tasking slow cooker
What we like
  • Cooks nine different ways

  • Includes an air fryer

  • Large capacity

What we don't like
  • Pricey

  • Lid isn't suitable for all functions (the extra lid is included though)

  • Heavy

Key specs

Price on writing: £199 | Capacity: 6 litres | Dimensions: 32 x 43 x 36cm | Weight: 11kg | Digital display: Yes | Dishwasher-safe parts: Yes | Settings: Nine cooking functions | Wattage: 1,460W

What Mumsnet users say
QueenOfTheHighCs · Tried & Tested
I've hardly used my oven since buying my 9-in-1. We've already had a cut on our bills too! I've used it for everything from cake to daal.
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Our verdict

Foodies rave about the multi-function Ninja 9-in-1 Multi-Cooker and it is not difficult to see why. This blowout option is extremely versatile; it comes with nine different settings, including bake, grill, and sauté, to name just a few, but it was the slow cook and air fry functions that we found the most impressive – it produced delicious stews, casseroles, and tender joints of meat.

Despite the wealth of culinary options available, the Ninja Foodi is surprisingly less complicated to use than you would think and the controls were super easy to understand and to operate. It is true that the price is eye-watering, but tests show that a Ninja Foodi could save you up to 45% on your energy bills, so you may feel it is worth the investment if you have enough counter space.

Read our full Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 Multi-Cooker OP350UK review

5
Best budget multi-tasking slow cooker

Drew&Cole CleverChef 14-in-1 Intelligent Digital Multi-Cooker

What we like
  • 14 cooking functions

  • Great value for money

  • Stylish, sleek design

  • Easy to use

What we don't like
  • Doesn't have an air fry or pressure cook mode like some multi-cookers

  • Slightly smaller capacity than some other options

Key specs

Price on writing: £70 | Capacity: 5 litres | Dimensions: 24 x 31 x 23cm | Weight: 3.9kg | Digital display: Yes | Dishwasher-safe parts: Yes, inner pot | Settings: 14 cooking functions | Wattage: 860W

What Mumsnet users say
TopShelf · Tried & Tested
I use this one. I couldn't do without it. It roasts, slow cooks, simmers, and bakes cakes and bread etc. And it's a doddle to clean. I don't use my cooker at all.
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Our verdict

If you find your kitchen cupboards have been overtaken by multiple appliances, and everything from the best bread maker to your trusty rice cooker is sat gathering dust, ditch all the clutter and streamline down to one nifty device. The Drew&Cole CleverChef has 14 preset cooking programmes, and while it's not strictly a slow cooker, our testers found this multi-cooker functioned easily as one with high and low cook settings.

It produced a variety of delicious dishes, including everything from stews, casseroles and risottos to a whole chicken for your Sunday roast. The aluminium pot was easy to clean too thanks to its non-stick coating, and while it was missing an air fry and pressure cook function like some other multi-cookers, we thought it offered fantastic value for money.

Read our full Drew&Cole CleverChef Multi-Cooker review

6
Best slow cooker for searing meat

Morphy Richards 461020 Sear and Stew Slow Cooker

What we like
  • Big capacity - great for big families or large gatherings

  • Pot and lid can go in the dishwasher

  • Can be used on hob to sear meat first

What we don't like
  • Pricey

  • No keep warm setting

Key specs

Price on writing: £45 | Capacity: 6.5 litres | Dimensions: 41 x 39 x 32cm | Weight: 4.3kg | Digital display: No | Dishwasher-safe parts: Yes, pot and lid | Settings: Three | Wattage: 290W

What Mumsnet users say
Ronconcoke · Recommended
I decided to buy a 6.5L Morphy Richards one that you can use on the hob for browning first.
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Our verdict

Whether you are doing a Sunday roast for a big brood or batch cooking for the week (see our guide to the best Tupperware for clever food storage solutions for this), the Morphy Richards 6.5 Litre Slow Cooker covers all bases. We were impressed with the removable hob-proof aluminium pot; it allows you to sear and stew in the same pot for less clean-up and more flavour.

Unlike its clunky counterparts, the inner pot of the Morphy Richards is made of aluminium rather than traditional ceramic, so it's lighter and easier to carry. This slow cooker is expensive, but we found it easy to use, and it produced delicious results that the whole family enjoyed - fussy toddlers included! Our only grumble was that it didn't have a keep warm function, which we'd expect at this price point.

Read our full Morphy Richards Sear and Stew Slow Cooker review

7
Best basic slow cooker

Tower T16042BLK Cavaletto 3.5 Litre Slow Cooker

What we like
  • Easy to use with a simple dial setting

  • Lightweight

  • Stylish

  • Affordable

What we don't like
  • No digital display or timer

  • Does not automatically turn to keep warm mode when food is ready

  • Basic model

Key specs

Price on writing: £30 | Capacity: 3.5 litres | Dimensions: 25 x 35 x 24.5 cm | Weight: 3.16kg | Digital display: No | Dishwasher-safe parts: Yes, pot | Settings: Three | Wattage: 210W

What Mumsnet users say
ronconcoke · Recommended brand
I love my Tower slow cooker - it's been around since the 60s according to my mum!
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Our verdict

While it may not rival the versatility of the best multi-cooker, the Tower Cavaletto is an excellent high-quality choice if you want a hard-working, basic slow cooker. It's not all functionality over style, however - available in three colours (the midnight blue was our fave) with rose gold accents, this is one sleek kitchen gadget you'll be proud to display on your countertop.

We loved how easy it was to use and clean, but its simplicity was also its downside; there's no digital display or timer, plus it doesn't automatically turn to the keep warm mode when the food is ready like some other models. Despite this, we thought it was a great gadget that offers fantastic value for money.

Read our full Tower 3.5L Cavaletto Slow Cooker review

8
Best slow cooker for style
What we like
  • Stylish retro design

  • Great value

  • Super easy to use

  • Excellent results

What we don't like
  • Claims to have a keep warm setting, but this is just the low setting

  • Pot isn't hob safe

Key specs

Price on writing: £32 | Capacity: 3.5 litres | Dimensions: 25.8 x 36.6 x 22.4cm | Weight: 3.6kg | Digital display: No | Dishwasher-safe parts: Yes, pot and lid | Settings: Three | Wattage: 200W

Our verdict

If you want a kitchen gadget you can proudly place on display on your countertop, the Swan Retro Slow Cooker could be just what you're after. We loved the trendy 1950s look and bright red colourway (there are nine other colours to choose from, too), but it's not all style over substance. It was super easy to use, and the results it produced during testing were tasty and tender – it particularly excelled at cooking meats.

The main drawback is that it's quite a basic model, and there isn't a separate keep warm setting as suggested on the packaging; the brand recommends you use the low setting if your model doesn't include this. That said, we think this is a great value slow cooker that does the job exceptionally well.

Read our full Swan 3.5-Litre Retro Slow Cooker review

9
Best slow cooker for high-tech features

Instant Pot Pro Plus Multi-Cooker

What we like
  • Versatile

  • Can be controlled remotely

  • Sleek design

  • Great results

What we don't like
  • Pricey

  • Doesn't include an air fryer

Key specs

Price on writing: £200 | Capacity: 5.7 litres | Dimensions: 33.5 x 33.1 x 32.3cm | Weight: 7.05kg | Digital display: Yes | Dishwasher-safe parts: Yes | Settings: 10 functions | Wattage: 1,500W

Our verdict

We were thoroughly impressed by this versatile kitchen gadget, which combines the functions of a slow cooker and a pressure cooker, plus so much more. While it took some time to navigate the online instructions and understand the different settings, once mastered, we found it was user-friendly and intuitive to use, and the Wi-Fi connectivity was a useful addition.

Our main gripe was the absence of an air fryer function, a standard feature of many multi-cookers at this price range. Nevertheless, it's a fantastic choice for families who want convenient and high-tech kitchen tool that delivers tasty, mouthwatering results - it particularly excelled at slow cooker stews and casseroles and is one of our best Instant Pot models on the market today.

Read our full Instant Pot Pro Plus Multi-Cooker review

10
Best versatile slow cooker
What we like
  • Excellent results

  • Good capacity

  • Multi-functional

What we don't like
  • Pricey

  • Lid can be tricky to close

  • Takes some getting used to

Key specs

Price on writing: £199 | Capacity: 6 litres | Dimensions: 37 x 30 x 32cm | Weight: Not specified | Digital display: Yes | Dishwasher-safe parts: Yes, lid | Settings: Six functions, 11 pressure cook settings | Wattage: 1,100W

What Mumsnet users say
nong45 · Tried & Tested
I had the Sage The Fast Slow Pro for Christmas and it is the business. It sears, slow cooks, pressure cooks and has a warming function. We can have a proper risotto ready in about 15 minutes!
See Post
Our verdict

Another favourite amongst Mumsnet users, the Sage The Fast Slow Pro is a slow cooker and pressure cooker in one, with additional preset settings including searing, sautéing, reducing and steaming. It took a bit of time getting used to operating it at first, but once we'd got to grips with it, we were delighted with the results. We loved that you didn't have to brown meat separately on the hob before slow cooking too.

The main downside is the cost; it's a pricey gadget, but it offers excellent versatility and high-tech features if you can afford to splash out.

Read our full Sage The Fast Slow Pro Multi-Cooker review

What are the benefits of slow cooking?

A slow cooker is a handy kitchen appliance that allows you to cook food at a low temperature over a long period of time. They are a great energy-efficient option for busy families who want to come home to a hot meal that's ready to serve up at the end of the day.

Mumsnet users love slow cooking for its time-saving qualities, but it also has some culinary pros too; the gentle heat combined with the long cooking process helps to tenderise tough and cheaper cuts of meat and enhance the flavours of staple dishes like stews and casseroles.

Read next: The best soup maker for busy families

What to look for when buying a slow cooker

There are so many options on the market, it can be tricky deciding on the best slow cooker for your family. Here are a few things to consider:

  • Cooking modes: Are you looking for a basic, manual slow cooker to prepare family favourites like chicken soup and chilli, or do you want to unleash your inner Masterchef with a multi-cooker that's kitted out with extras like a pressure cooking mode and a temperature probe? Think about your budget, too – multi-functional gadgets will be pricey, whereas you can pick up a slow cook-only model from as little as £20.

  • Capacity: Slow cookers can range in size from 1.5 litres to a whopping seven litres. Your choice will depend on your family size and kitchen space. As a general rule, 3.5 litres should be enough for a family of four, whereas larger families will want to size up to 6 litres.

  • Features: A keep warm function is handy for busy families – it keeps your meal hot without the risk of overcooking it. On basic models, you'll have to manually switch to this setting, whereas more expensive slow cookers may have a timer that makes this change automatically when your meal is ready.

  • Cooking pot: Some models have inner pots that can be used to sear meat on the hob before you start slow cooking, saving you extra washing up. Ceramic pots are not hob safe, however, so you will need to use a separate frying pan or saucepan if you want to brown meat or soften veggies before adding them to your slow cooker.

Are slow cookers cheap to run?

On the whole, yes, it is generally cheap to run a slow cooker. They tend to use less energy than ovens, and they are designed to cook food at a low temperature over a long period of time, usually between four and eight hours.

How to use a slow cooker

Here are five tips to help you get the most out of using your slow cooker:

  1. Cut your ingredients into similar sizes to ensure even cooking. You can also prep ingredients in this way the night before and store in your fridge; expert Heather Whinney, author of The Slow Cook Book, advises having a meal plan so "you have your ingredients at the ready for the pot the morning before supper."

  2. It's optional, but if you have time you can brown meat before adding it to the slow cooker to add extra flavour and to prevent it from becoming tough.

  3. Layer ingredients in the slow cooker with ingredients that take longer to cook at the bottom (where it's hottest) and lighter ingredients that take less time to cook on top.

  4. It may be tempting to see how your food is doing, but don't lift the lid too often as this will release the heat and extend the cooking time. If you'd like to keep an eye, opt for a model with a glass lid so you can take a peek while the lid is on.

  5. Heather advises that "you will find you need less liquid than in the oven with slow cooking as it doesn't evaporate at the same rate". As a general rule of thumb, you should reduce the liquid you would usually add by a third.

Read next: Best kitchen scales for precise measuring

How we tested

First up, we sought out the trusted opinions of Mumsnet users to get their feedback on their favourite slow cooker. We also considered feedback from trusted industry experts and investigated genuine, in-depth customer reviews to whittle down our shortlist to the 10 best slow cooker models.

We then tested selected slow cookers in house, putting them through their paces to cook up a range of dishes, including casseroles, stews and bolognese. During testing, we carefully scored them on their ease of use and cleaning, design, features and those all-important results.

About the author

Natasha Gregson is an Affiliate Content Editor at Mumsnet, overseeing home and lifestyle product round-ups and reviews. With several years of editorial experience under her belt, she has also had work published in The i Paper, Stylist Magazine, Gransnet and Exposed Magazine.

An avid foodie, she's always whipping up new creations and experimenting in the kitchen. Over the past year, she's been on a quest to try the top slow cookers for Mumsnet and has become somewhat of an expert in this area; she uses her trusty slow cooker collection on a weekly basis and knows exactly what makes a standout kitchen gadget, bringing this know-how to every review she writes.

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust and we spend hours scouring the Mumsnet forums and online bestseller lists to find products that real parents rate.

Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about where we find our recommendations. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their own friends and family.

Read next: The best mandoline slicers for easy, precise food cuts