Best slow cooker

Looking for the best slow cooker out there? Slow cookers are back in vogue, and with good reason: they make healthy, delicious cooking super easy. Plus, you can cook really tasty, hearty food in them at a very low cost and with little cooking experience. And, with all the fresh veggies and fragrant spice blends at our disposal, it would be a bit of a shame not to own a slow cooker.

There is now such a wide range of slow cookers, in fact, that it can be hard to figure out which one is worth the spend. We've trawled through tons of them to help you choose from the best models out there (don't worry, we've dwindled it down).

Our top slow cookers below are perfect for preparing everything from casseroles and curries to ragu and rice pudding. They are also great for batch cooking and are extremely energy efficient, as they have a low wattage that uses time rather than energy, to cook. 

Get more for your money by splashing out on this professional-looking design, which is a pressure and slow cooker in one. With the Sage Fast Slow Pro, it automatically adjusts the time, temperature and pressure between fast and slow cooking to make sure you get the most from your meals.

Multi function
Simply press one button and the cooker will decide how to cook your food. There are sensors both at the top and bottom that will keep a check on its progress, setting the temperature and pressure needed.

Auto steam
Some people are scared of using a pressure cooker, as they imagine the designs of old where the steam shot up without warning. Today’s models are completely safe, and this model has a hands-free automatic steam release, which can be Quick, Pulse or Natural.

Easy cleaning
As well as a three-way safety system, the lid is also removable and can be cleaned in the dishwasher while the ceramic cooking bowl can also double as a serving dish.

This Morphy Richards Sear & Stew Hinged Lid Slow Cooker is a redesign of the original Sear & Stew, as it now comes with a hinged lid that makes it easier to add ingredients as you’re cooking. The aluminium non-stick pot can be used on the hob before slow cooking, allowing you to sear meat for a nice brown finish. Perfect for curries and stews. There are three heat settings – low, medium and high – as well as cool-touch handles.

Hinged lid
An update on the original Sear & Stew design, this new model has a hinged lid, which makes it easier to add ingredients, herbs or spices, as you cook.

Sear and stew
Simply remove the non-stick pot before you start and use it on a gas or ceramic hob to sear or seal meat before returning to the slow cooker to carry on with stock and vegetables. This means less mess and less washing up.

Aluminium pot
Lightweight and hardwearing, the non-stick bowl inside can not only be used on the hob but it can also be taken directly to the table for serving. It won’t crack or shatter if you drop it either and it’s dishwasher-safe, too.

Ideal for cooking everything from casseroles and soups to tagines and chocolate puds, this Crock-Pot slow cooker has a large capacity bowl, which makes it perfect for families. It’s also great for entertaining or batch cooking to store in the freezer for the busy week ahead. There are just three settings – low, high and keep warm, so nothing fancy.

Digital timer
Set your cooking time from 30 minutes to 20 hours, ideal for having dinner ready when you get home from work or Saturday’s footie match with the kids. It also has a keep warm setting so there’s no rush to eat as soon as it’s ready.

Hinged lid
This makes serving and stirring while cooking so much easier and less messy. No more splashes and spills on the worktop when you remove the lid. It’s also dishwasher safe, too.

Large capacity
The 4.7L bowl is great for cooking larger quantities and it’s also removable, dishwasher safe and oven-proof.

Kids will love this Russell Hobbs Chalkboard Slow Cooker, as it has a matt black finish that you can write on with chalk – so you can let the family know what’s for dinner before you get home! Or why not use it to leave notes such as, ‘stir and add seasoning at 5pm’. This family sized model is ideal for soups, stews, curries, chillis and more and can easily serve a family of four.

Large capacity
The 3.5L black ceramic bowl makes this model a perfect choice for families, those who like to have friends round for meals or those who freeze food for later on in the week. It easily cooks up to four portions so is also a great buy for singles or couples.

Matt black coating
Use the two pieces of chalk that come with the slow cooker to write menus on the side, or instructions or notes for the family.

The Crock-Pot Red is the original slow cooker. Made in 1971, the product soon became hugely popular in North America and now, worldwide – we find it very easy to see why. Although very much affordable, it's most definitely up there with the best slow cookers you can buy since it's easy to use, clean and store – and it comes in a range of colours to jazz up your worktop.

Family-friendly
Featuring a 3.4 litre capacity, the Crock-Pot Red can happily serve three to four people or two adults and three children. It also features dishwasher friendly components for easy cleaning, as well as cool touch handles for safety reasons. 

A bargain
With an RRP of just £36.99, this slow cooker is a steal. Not to mention it's usually on sale, too. Included in the price is also three machine compatible utensils. This Crock-Pot is cheap and cheerful, but it has three useful settings and it comes in different colours, too, so you can pick one to suit your kitchen.