If you love food, but don't love the idea of prepping and cooking a nightly meal with multiple dishes and utensils, a slow cooker is a brilliant investment. You can use it to make hearty stews and soups, tasty casseroles, pasta dishes, and tons more, simply by combining your ingredients, pushing a button, and letting it sit for hours.
If your stomach is starting to growl and you're ready to place your order, we got you covered. There's a perfect model for every type of chef, so scroll down to find the perfect slow cooker for your needs.
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Most high-tech: All-Clad Slow Cooker with Aluminum Insert, $249.95
You like your slow cooker like you like your electronics — as smart as possible. This slow cooker lets you customize exactly how you want your meal cooked. With an easy-to-use LCD screen, choose either high or low temperature and set the amount of time you'd like it to be on for. Once you set it, you can feel secure knowing that it will automatically lower the temperature when cooking is complete. All you have to do is throw in your ingredients and this slow cooker will take care of the rest.
If you find yourself thumbing through cookbooks daily, you're going to want something that can keep up with your tastebuds. This slow cooker has four settings: slow cook, brown, steam, and rice. This way, you're not committing to a kitchen gadget with only one function. With a nonstick aluminum insert and a five-hour keep-warm setting, you can easily go from cooking to serving at your next fancy party. (Your guests might start coming over every night for dinner.)
If you're looking for a slow cooker that cuts prices but not corners ... this is the one. It has everything you need, including a digital timer that goes up to 20 hours, an automatic warm setting when cooking is complete, and a durable black stainless steel housing. If you're a no-frills chef that just wants toasty meals after a long day, you've found your perfect pot.
Most versatile: Crock-Pot Choose-A-Crock Digital Slow Cooker, $99.99
If you're feeling limited by all of these one-trick pony slow cookers, you may need something that gives you a bit more options. The Choose-A-Crock digital slow cooker lets you go from four-quart to six-quart to a split two-and-a-half quart just by switching out the stoneware. And with a universal lid, you can benefit from size flexibility without having too many extra pieces to deal with. Enjoy easy cleanup, a digital timer, and a warming setting when you bring this bad boy into your house.
Most convenient: Calphalon Digital Saute 5-Qt Slow Cooker, $119.95
The whole reason you're thinking about purchasing one of these things is that you don't want to have to think about dinner ever again. Well, this slow cooker does everything for you. It's safe to put it on any stovetop or in the oven. You can also sauté, brown, and sear food right in the pot before you start slow cooking. And with a double nonstick ceramic coating, you can spend more time eating and less time cleaning.
Best multi-cooker: Breville Fast Slow Pro Multicooker, 6-Quart, $249.95
Struggling with commitment issues? We understand. Sometimes purchasing something that can only do one thing makes you mourn the loss of your counter space. You can easily fix this by getting a slow cooker that is multi-talented. This Breville Multicooker has eight pressure settings for fast cooking along with a low setting for slow cooking. You can also sear, sauté, reduce, simmer, and steam using the different settings. Your opportunities for meals are endless.
Best traditional: 360 Cookware 6-Quart Slow Cooker Set, $359
If you're looking for simply the best, this slow cooker is for you. It's a bit of an investment but has rave reviews from everyone who brings it into their home. You can use the provided base or put it straight on your stovetop. It also has ergonomic handles and is oven-safe. If you're looking for a traditional slow cooker that always pulls through and makes mouthwatering meals, this is your chance to make that happen.