Best Slow Cookers of 2023

Last Updated on November 22, 2022

Our editors independently research the best products online to produce this list. We may receive commission on purchases made from the links below but this will never affect our product choices.

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Top 10 Best Slow Cookers

1. Morphy Richards 460012 (Editor’s Choice)
2. Lakeland Digital Family Sized (Luxury Choice)
3. Crock-Pot CSC078 (Best Value)
4. Crock-Pot Lift & Serve (Best Digital)
5. Morphy Richards Sear and Stew (Best Lightweight)
6. Swan Retro (Best with Colour Options)
7. Russell Hobbs Chalkboard (Best with Small Footprint)
8. Russell Hobbs 23200 (Best Easy Clean)
9. Prestige Mechanical (Best Large)
10. Tower Scandi T16034GRY (Best Stylish)

Slow cookers are a revolutionary kitchen appliance that has evolved from a basic crockpot to today’s multi-functioning devices. It gives you the flexibility of cooking your meals without having to watch the pot boil; they use steam and low temperatures to cook your food to perfection every time.Meals cooked in slow cookers are rich in flavours. This is because the slowed cooking time allows all the flavours to blend flawlessly.

If you are in the market for the best slow cooker in the UK but overwhelmed by the available choice, then look no further. We have done all of the work for you with these top 10 slow cooker reviews for your consideration.

Read on to find which is the best slow cooker for you and your home!

How We Compared Slow Cookers

To find the right slow cookers we considered multiple factors, including:

• Capacity
• Material
• Ease of Cleaning
• Efficiency
• Smart Features

Our editorial team carefully researched and selected products that would suit a wide range of needs to take your kitchen experience to the next level. We set out this list after assessing customer reviews and evaluating pros and cons in line with the above comparison points.

Find more about our behind-the-scenes process here.

Slow Cooker Reviews

Morphy Richards 460012 (Editor’s Choice)

If you’re looking for a day-to-day slow cooker that can prepare healthy meals for an entire household, then the Morphy Richards 460012 is an ideal pick. From meat joints to casseroles and curries, this slow cooker allows you to prepare healthy and nutritious meals.

The Morphy Richards 460012 boasts a removable pot for effortless table serving and a hinged lid that offers convenience and minimises mess. The glass lid allows you to monitor the cooking progress without releasing all of the steam inside.

Control-wise, it has three heat settings – low, medium and high, for slow cooking flexibility. The lack of an inbuilt-timer on this slow cooker may mean you will need to monitor the food.

Although marketed as non-stick, the coating may peel off, so be sure not to scrub at it with a scouring pad as it could damage it even further. Finally, the glass lid may not be completely heat resistant, so you might want to grab an extra cloth if you need to give your meal a stir halfway through.

Lakeland Digital Family Sized (Luxury Choice)

Are you looking for a digital slow cooker with a modern design? If yes, then the Lakeland Digital Family Sized could be the best slow cooker for you. It has features that make this appliance the best slow cooker with timer functions on our list.

This cooker comes with a wipe-clean powder-coated exterior. Not only that, but it also has a digital control panel and a clear glass lid that allow you to monitor your meal easily when it’s cooking.

This modern-looking slow cooker has an easy-to-read LED display that clearly indicates the different temperatures you can use for all of your slow-cooking needs. Additionally, plus and minus buttons allow you to adjust the timer settings for different recipes. Plus, a cancel button that allows you to end the slow cooking whenever you need to.

The removable inner pot is both oven and hob safe. Furthermore, its deep lipped rim and sturdy handle allow it to be moved around safely and securely; however, be careful as it can get hot during the cooking process.

Crock-Pot CSC078 (Best Value)

In this digitally saturated world, owning a manual appliance is a breath of fresh air sometimes. With no bells and whistles, the Crock-Pot CSC078 is just a simple dial with three different temperatures to choose from and makes our list the best value slow cooker we could find.

The design of this crockpot is simple and clean, and the removable stoneware ceramic pot is ideal for table serving. With a capacity of 6.5 litres, the Crockpot slow cooker can make up to eight servings in one go. Its ample room makes it ideal for large cuts of meat such as a large chicken or a lamb’s leg.

The Crockpot slow cooker is also ideal for making chilli, casseroles and curries. You can also use it to prepare desserts as well as soups and pot roasts. Meanwhile, you can use the ceramic bowl for browning a roast or a cheese-topped dish in the oven.

The sleek black finish on this slow cooker adds a stylish touch to any kitchen. Furthermore, this slow cooker comes with three-handy kitchen utensils and a recipe booklet.

The main downfalls of this slow cooker would be the lack of functionality. We would love to see variable temperature settings as well as an automatic shut-off function for added safety. Also, the hinge may not be the best quality, and you may find it breaks after a few uses. However, this is likely dependent on how you use it.

Crock-Pot Lift & Serve (Best Digital)

The crockpot lift and serve is the best digital slow cooker for the best slow cookers. With three heat settings and an oven-safe feature, this kitchen appliance offers a great means of preparing mouth-watering meals with minimum effort.

This 3.5-litre slow cooker is a great option if you have a small family, while its removable ceramic bowl makes serving at the table a no-brainer. The crockpot Lift and Serve has a hinged lid that prevents condensation marks on the kitchen working space.

It comes with an inbuilt timer that can be set from 30 minutes to 20 hours of cooking time. This crockpot gives you the ultimate flexibility when cooking different types of meals. Additionally, it’s clever to keep warm setting will ensure your food doesn’t get cold before you’re ready to serve.

Furthermore, this model comes complete with a user guide and a recipe book making it the best crock pot for beginners.

The lid and the bowl are dishwasher friendly; however, the hinged lid could make it more difficult to clean. What’s more, the circular design is a great shape for your kitchen counter, but it could make it difficult to fit certain meat joints inside.

Morphy Richards Sear and Stew (Best Lightweight)

The Morphy Richards Sear and Stew will definitely make a statement in your kitchen from its contemporary design and its black and rose gold finish. This 3.5-litre slow cooker features a non-stick bowl that can be used to sear meat before leaving it to cook and tenderise on low heat; great if you want slow cooker pulled pork for dinner or a tasty casserole.

This simple slow cooker comes with a choice of three temperature settings. Its toughened glass lid allows one to monitor the cooking progress without having to lift off the cover.

Cleaning it after use is no hassle since both the lid and the removable pot is dishwasher safe. This is made even easier by its lightweight design.

However, it’s important to note that this slow-cooker lacks an in-built timer, and the searing pot is not compatible with induction hobs. Finally, the rose gold accents may not suit every kitchen decor, so you may want something a little more neutral in design.

Swan Retro (Best with Colour Options)

Funky yet functional are the terms that best describe the Swan 3.5 litre slow cooker. This slow cooker makes your meal preparation task an easy process with variable heat control and temperature settings.

Most slow cookers only come in black or silver, but the Swan Retro collection is available in a variety of bold colours. So, we are sure you will find something that suits your style.

With a convenient keep-warm setting, this slow cooker ensures the food doesn’t go cold before you get round to eating it. In addition, if you prefer preparing tender meat meals, the shape of this slow cooker is well suited for large joints with ample room for your accompanying vegetables to stew in the juices.

While it lacks a timer, its toughened glass lid allows you to monitor the progress of the meals without letting the heat escape. After you are done using it, you can easily clean the removable pot since it is dishwasher-friendly. However, some consumers have found that the lid does not fit properly. This could release heat, affecting the cooking time, and the inner pot may be prone to cracks if you are not careful.

Although one of the best slow cookers that we could find, it is not without its faults. Without a timer function, your meal will continue cooking for as long as you leave it on, meaning it may not be suitable if you plan to leave the house for long periods.

Russell Hobbs Chalkboard (Best with Small Footprint)

Good looks, sturdy construction and neat size are just three of the reasons why this chalkboard slow cooker joins our list as the best small slow cooker in the UK we could find. Its 3.5-litre capacity and small footprint make it ideal for households that only cook for a few people at a time or don’t have much kitchen counter space.

The Russell Hobbs Chalkboard Slow Cooker has a basic dial with three temperature settings – high, low and warm. The low setting is great if you want a longer cooking time while you are out at work.

Its glass lid gives you an easy view when the food is simmering, while its cool-touch handles on the main body allow you to handle it safely if you need to.

The chalkboard feature on this slow cooker makes group cooking easy. Since you can either write down what should be added next when the food will be ready, you can leave clear instructions on how temperatures should be adjusted.

Unfortunately, the non-stick may fail you at times, so be prepared to leave the pot to soak after use. Also, while you can leave your slow cooker on when you leave the house, without a timer function, it will keep on cooking until you get home to turn it off. This, even on a low setting, could affect your meal.

Russell Hobbs 23200 (Best Easy Clean)

The Russell Hobbs Slow Cooker 23200 is another worthy contender when it comes to the best slow cookers around. The capacity of this crockpot allows you to prepare up to four portions of food, while the control panel of this cooker has a basic dial that has temperature settings and a keep-warm function.

This slow cooker boasts non-slip feet that allow it to stand firmly, even on slippery kitchen tops. What’s more, its glass lid makes viewing food easy while it’s still cooking. Finally, it has a removable ceramic pot that you can remove from the stainless-steel housing for easy serving.

We recommend not touching the stainless-steel sides as they can get quite hot. So, always use the cool-to-touch handles to avoid burning yourself. Although 3.5L is a great size for most situations, some larger families may need something slightly bigger.

Prestige Mechanical (Best Large)

If you’re looking for a large slow cooker that sits well with batch cooking, then the Prestige Mechanical Slow Cooker is a solid option. The 5.6-litre slow cooker comes with a basic temperature dial function with three settings – low, high and a keep-warm function.

This slow cooker has a removable ceramic container that is ideal for table serving. It’s glass-lid allows you to keep an eye on the food without having to lift it. You can remove the ceramic bowl and clean it easily when you are done using it, thanks to its ceramic design.

From puddings to joints, chilis to stews, the Prestige Mechanical Slow Cooker is a practical and durable slow-cooking pot with a power illuminated indicator that lights up when it is in use.

Despite being the best slow cooker for families, we must admit that the lid may not cover it perfectly. Thus, allowing heat to escape and slowing down the cooking time. Finally, the lid handles are not the most secure and may come off too easily if you’re not careful.

Tower Scandi T16034GRY (Best Stylish)

The Tower Scandi Slow Cooker boasts straightforward functionality. Aesthetically, it has an elegant appeal, while the Scandinavian design adds glam to any kitchen countertop.

This slow cooker comes with two different temperature settings and a keep-warm function so that your food can stay warm until the whole family is ready to eat. Its 3.5-litre capacity allows you to prepare enough food to serve up to five portions, and the removable inner bowl makes it easy to do so. The non-slip feet of this cooker provide it with added stability on the kitchen countertop.

The Tower Scandi T16034GRY Slow Cooker has a lid with a cool-to-touch handle for safe handling.
However, this slow-cooker may not be hob-safe nor dishwasher-friendly. Therefore, you may be a little more restricted with your choice of dishes.

What To Consider When Buying A Slow Cooker

A slow cooker is a must-have kitchen appliance, from saving your time to creating healthy delicacies that are less fatty. But before shopping for one, here are some of the factors and features you need to consider to help you find the best slow cooker in the UK for your needs.

Capacity

Before settling for your desired slow cooker, the first thing you should consider is the capacity that it holds. However, note that the capacity may not necessarily translate to the amount of food since you shouldn’t fill the slow cooker to its brim. Leaving a gap allows the food to bubble and simmer properly.

When shopping for slow cookers, you will notice that their sizes range from a compact 1.5 litre to a 6.5-litre bowl. So, always settle for one that is suitable and works well for your household.

Here is a rough guide that will help you when shopping.

A 1.5-litre slow cooker may be suitable for one to two people, 3 to 5 litres may be suitable for three to four people, and 5.5 to 6.5 litres would be ideal for batch cooking and large families.

Material

The body of a slow cooker is generally made of either porcelain or ceramic material. These different materials distribute heat evenly, and they help in reducing any possibility of hotspots that may cause food to be unevenly cooked.

On the other hand, the material of the lid is always important. You will definitely not want to raise the lid when using your slow cooker since you don’t want the steam and heat to escape.

So, always go for a slow cooker with a ceramic lid or a glass cover that allows you to monitor the food without lifting off the lid and disrupting the progress.

The outer housing is often made of stainless steel and can get hot during the cooking process, so avoid touching it whenever possible.

Also, look at the design of your slow cooker; hinged lids can make it awkward to get your appliance clean. That is why some may prefer a lid that is completely removable.

Efficiency

When shopping for a slow cooker, always consider the placement of the heating element. While most crockpots have the heating component at the bottom, it’s advisable to settle for a crockpot that distributes heat along the sides and the bottom of the pot, too.

This will ensure the safe and even preparation of meals, especially those with meat joints as part of the recipe.

Smart Features

Different slow cookers have different smart features that come in handy, from built-in timers to keep-warm functions to keep your food hot for when you get home.

Many digital slow cookers tend to offer different smart functions that allow you to set the desired temperature and count down timer. However, most basic slow cookers may only have a twist dial and three heat settings. Digital models can also have an inbuilt timer, digital sensors, and hands free-automatic steam release.

Consider which you would benefit from as there are people who don’t need the additional features.

How to Distinguish a Slow Cooker From Similar Appliances?

There are some appliances that look the same as a slow cooker and others that will even perform the same functions as one. However, it’s important to know the difference so that you can make the best choice for your needs.

Slow Cooker vs Pressure Cooker

Pressure cookers are used to steam foods quickly until they are thoroughly cooked. Unlike a slow cooker, a pressure cooker works well if you have more culinary skills as they tend to be somehow complex to work around them to get the right results.

When using a pressure cooker, you cannot lift off the lid while it’s still on the stove. This hinders you from telling whether your food is thoroughly cooked and ready to be served.

It is important to note that some modern slow cookers have combined the capabilities of pressure cookers, making them multifunctional kitchen appliances.

On the other hand, a slow cooker is much easier and safer to use when compared to a pressure cooker. Despite that it will not prepare your meals as fast as the pressure pot, you can prep your meals in advance. This could be in the evening or the night before. Then, leave it on all day while you go out to work, coming home to a perfectly cooked meal as soon as you get home.

Slow Cooker vs Rice Cooker

While slow cookers and rice cookers may appear to have a similar appearance, rice cookers deploy a different type of technology. Unlike slow cookers that are designed to simmer your food for several hours, rice cookers are made to cook rice.

If you try to cook rice in a slow cooker, it will take a lot longer, and the end results may not be desirable.

What Can I Cook With a Slow Cooker?

You can cook a range of dishes in a slow cooker same as in an oven, and you are only as limited as your imagination!

Slow cookers can cook large joints of meat, casseroles, curries and stews. Whatever you do, be sure not to overfill or underfill your slow cooker. You need the heat to circulate to be able to cook your dinner.

Why Should You Get a Slow Cooker?

While some people may prefer a pressure or multi-cooker, here are a few reasons why we think a slow cooker is a great option.

Quick and Easy to Use

Slow cookers make cooking healthy meals a simple task. You simply need to prepare all your ingredients, put them into a cooker, and then set them to cook.

Food in a basic slow cooker takes approximately eight hours to cook on low heat. On high heat, food will approximately take three to four hours to get ready.

Preparing food using a slow cooker allows you to cook your food without worrying about overcooking and serving the meal at your desired timing, especially since the keep warm mode doesn’t allow your food to get cold.

Flavour

Slow cookers allow food to cook slowly and can produce a more appetizing flavour than traditional cooking. Since the food is left to stew for hours, the meat becomes tender and sauces richer as the flavour is released. And, since the food is cooked in a sealed slow cooker, no flavour is lost through evaporation.

Affordable

Conveniently, the types of delicacies that work best with slow cookers are budget-friendly ones. Cuts of meat like shanks or casserole meat are the best type to use as well as affordable lentils and pulses. In addition, a slow cooker is not only energy efficient but also environmentally friendly.

Conclusion

Every option of the reviews of the best slow cooker in the UK above will definitely make a great choice. However, if we have to be just over the best overall slow cooker, then we would go for the Morphy Richards 460012.

Its option to sear meat on the hob first without using another pan caught our attention. Additionally, its oven-safe feature gives you even greater flexibility with different meal options. The Morphy Richards 460012 is extremely lightweight and durable. Furthermore, it also boasts of a shatterproof cooking pot. Generally, this has to be the best crockpot to settle for.

What features are you looking for in a slow cooker?

Additional Resources

• Best Halogen Oven
• Best Induction Pan
• Best Fridge Freezer