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The best slow cooker 2026: our shortlist, tried and tested by Mumsnet
They’re the ultimate gadget for easy, energy-efficient cooking - and with a little prep, you can have a home-cooked meal ready as soon as you walk through the door. Here are the best slow cookers 2025, tried and tested by MNHQ.
By Natasha Gregson | Last updated Dec 30, 2025
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 families. You can throw in your food and cook it slowly overnight or as you go about your day.
Best slow cooker UK: at a glance
Best slow cooker overall: Crockpot Lift and Serve Digital Slow Cooker |
£69£41 (-41%)Best budget slow cooker: Cookworks 6.5L Slow Cooker | £33
Best slow cooker for families: Russell Hobbs Good-to-Go Multicooker |
£90£52 (-42%)Best slow cooker for searing meat: Morphy Richards Sear and Stew Slow Cooker | £70
Best slow cooker for style: Swan Retro Slow Cooker |
£35£27 (-23%)
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 also a wise investment to help you weather the cost of living crisis.
Looking to kit out your whole kitchen? We also have guides to the best kettles and toasters, as recommended by Mumsnet editors.
How we tested the best slow cookers
To find the best slow cookers for every household and budget, we began by researching trusted recommendations from real people on the Mumsnet forums - the UK’s largest online parenting network. These first-hand accounts of the slow cooker models and brands our users have tried and rated gave us honest insights into the most reliable performers for family cooking.
Next up, we analysed verified consumer reviews, as well as feedback from food industry experts, noting down the slow cookers that consistently earned praise for performance, durability and value.
We then carried out our own independent hands-on testing. Mumsnet's home and kitchen editor Natasha Gregson, along with MNHQ tester Amelia Stamp and writer Roanna Day, put each shortlisted slow cooker through its paces in real home kitchens, cooking a range of dishes from hearty stews and curries to slow-roasted meats. Each model was then assessed for ease of use, ease of cleaning, performance, features, capacity and overall value for money.
Only the models that impressed across these areas made it onto our list. You can find full, in-depth reviews linked under each slow cooker featured below.
Best slow cooker overall
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
Bulky
Hinged lid makes it tricky to remove the pot
Key specs
Price on writing: £41 (was £69) | 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
Reviewed by Mumsnet kitchen editor Natasha Gregson: Read our in-depth Crockpot Lift and Serve Digital Slow Cooker review
Impressively easy to 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 I 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, I was 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.
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Best budget slow cooker
Excellent value
Large capacity
Easy to use
Has a keep warm setting
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
Reviewed by Mumsnet tester Amelia Stamp: Read our in-depth Cookworks Slow Cooker review
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's super easy to use; just pop your ingredients in, turn the dial to your chosen setting and then it gets to work. I was 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 I 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.
Related: The best dual air fryer according to Mumsnet users
Best slow cooker for families
Eight settings
Can sear meat in the same pot
Large capacity
Fantastic value
Bulky
Control panel icons aren't intuitive initially
Key specs
Price on writing: £52 (was £90) | 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
Reviewed by Mumsnet kitchen editor Natasha Gregson: Read our in-depth Russell Hobbs Good-to-Go Multicooker review
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, rice cooker and steamer settings to name a few. And with an impressive 6.5-litre capacity, I found it was ideal for batch cooking meals, including everything from curries and stews to chilli and casseroles.
The slow cooker function worked well in testing, making delicious meals that packed plenty of flavour. What really set this multi-cooker apart from others, however, was having the ability to sear your meat in the pot; I didn't need to faff around with browning it on the hob first. It was also excellent at cooking rice, but bear in mind it is quite a bulky unit.
Best slow cooker for searing meat
Morphy Richards 461020 Sear and Stew Slow Cooker
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
Pricey
No keep warm setting
Key specs
Price on writing: £70 | 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
Reviewed by Mumsnet tester Roanna Day: Read our in-depth Morphy Richards Sear and Stew Slow Cooker review
Whether you are doing a Sunday roast for a big brood or batch cooking for the week, 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.
Related: The best soup makers for winter
Best slow cooker for style
Stylish retro design
Great value
Super easy to use
Excellent results
Claims to have a keep warm setting, but this is just the low setting
Pot isn't hob safe
Small capacity
Key specs
Price on writing: £27 (was £35) | 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
What Mumsnet users say
Reviewed by Mumsnet kitchen editor Natasha Gregson: Read our in-depth Swan 3.5-Litre Retro Slow Cooker review
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. I 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, I think this is a great value slow cooker that does the job exceptionally well.
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 beef stews and casseroles.
Read next: The best juicers for busy families
What to consider 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 cooker 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:
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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How we chose the best slow cookers
Mumsnet user recommendations
We know that our Mumsnet users are the real experts when it comes to cooking up delicious yet easy meals so, as always, we began by consulting our forums to see which slow cookers parents loved.
Expert opinions
Once we had our long list, we considered reviews and feedback from trusted industry experts. We want to be confident that the slow cookers we recommend are fit for purpose, so we looked out for award-winning products or those that were well regarded in the marketplace, including those used and recommended by food experts.
Verified customer reviews
We then completed our triple-check verification process by cross-referencing our shortlist against verified customer reviews. We paid attention to those that were bestsellers and those with plenty of rave reviews.
Extensive testing
Finally, once we'd whittled down our shortlist, we tested out all these slow cookers in-house to see how they really fared in a kitchen and to ensure we're only recommending the very best.
About the author
Natasha Gregson is a Senior Content Editor at Mumsnet, overseeing all home and kitchen 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.
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