Cook warm, comforting meals in a slow cooker this fall. (FOX News Composite)
A slow cooker cuts down on hands-on cooking time for hearty weeknight meals, letting soups, stews and other fall favorites simmer while you handle the rest of your day. We rounded up top-rated models from Crock-Pot, Hamilton Beach, Our Place and more, with options for everything from small kitchens to family gatherings and tailgates.
Best for feeding a crowd: Hamilton Beach Stay or Go extra large 10-quart slow cooker
Best-reviewed: Crock-Pot 7-quart manual slow cooker
Best programmable: Hamilton Beach portable 6-quart Set and Forget programmable slow cooker
Best mini slow cooker: Crock-Pot 2-quart manual slow cooker
Best multifunction: Our Place Dream Cooker
Best for easy cleanup: iCook 3.5-quart slow cooker with removable ceramic pot
Best for transporting: Crock-Pot Design Series 7-quart programmable slow cooker
This large-capacity slow cooker feeds a crowd. (Amazon)
Hamilton Beach’s extra-large slow cooker offers a deep cooking pot that fits large cuts of meat and family-size meals without taking up excessive counter space. One reviewer said it easily fits ribs alongside potatoes and onions, adding, “I can be the queen of the family gathering. No mess on the drive, plenty of food for everyone and so easy.”
Original price: $59.99
This classic slow cooker is a fan-favorite. (Amazon)
With more than 62,000 reviews, a 4.6-star rating and more than 9,000 bought on Amazon in the past month, this 7-quart Crock-Pot is a popular pick. Its roomy capacity handles everything from soups and stews to pot roasts and pulled chicken. “This has become one of the most-used appliances in my kitchen because it makes preparing delicious meals incredibly simple,” one reviewer wrote, adding that meals come out “tender, flavorful and perfectly cooked.”
Smart technology lets you set a target temperature, then switches to Warm once your food is ready. (Amazon)
Take the stress out of weeknight dinners with this programmable slow cooker. Three automatic cooking modes make it easy to prepare family-size meals with minimal hands-on effort. “Use the included thermometer probe to check if your meat — like chicken, turkey or pork — is cooked to your liking,” one reviewer wrote. Once the meat reaches your programmed temperature, the slow cooker automatically switches to Warm.
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Original price: $23.99
A practical pick for people short on counter space. (Amazon)
This 2-quart mini slow cooker is a practical option for anyone short on counter space or cooking for one to three people. “It’s simple to use, heats evenly and is great for soups, dips and shredded chicken,” one reviewer said. “Cleanup is easy, and it doesn’t take up much room.”
This ceramic nonstick multicooker handles everyday meals, batch cooking and more. (Amazon)
Replace several countertop appliances with Our Place’s Dream Cooker, a 6-quart multi-cooker that pressure cooks, slow cooks, sautés and keeps food warm. Its ceramic nonstick pot also makes cleanup easier. “I bought it for its aesthetics, and I’m not shy about displaying it on my countertop,” one reviewer wrote after using it for everything from fall-off-the-bone chicken to flavorful beans.
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Original price: $49.99
Amazon reviewers call this slow cooker a “kitchen gem.” (Amazon)
This 3.5-quart slow cooker is sized for three to four people and has a removable nonstick ceramic pot that goes straight into the dishwasher for easy cleanup. One Amazon reviewer called it a “kitchen gem,” noting that it makes “tender pot roasts, creamy soups and fall-off-the-bone stews with zero babysitting.” Cool-touch handles also make it easier to move from the kitchen to the table.
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Original price: $74.95
The locking lid lets you bring food to family gatherings, tailgates and more. (Amazon)
Bring this Crock-Pot to potluck dinners and tailgates thanks to its locking lid, which helps prevent spills in transit. One Amazon reviewer said they use it about three times a week for roast beef, turkey and pulled pork, noting that meats come out especially tender. They also use leftovers to stretch meals throughout the week, turning Sunday roasts and its juices into stew a few days later.
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