Best Programming Slow Cookers of 2026
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Slow cookers are a great kitchen appliance for anyone looking to save time and effort in meal preparation. With programming capabilities, these devices allow for the user to set a specific cooking time and temperature, ensuring that meals are cooked to perfection. This feature is especially useful for those who have busy schedules and want to come home to a warm, home-cooked meal without having to spend hours in the kitchen. Programming slow cookers come in a variety of sizes and styles, making it easy to find the perfect fit for any household.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 7 Programming Slow Cookers
Crockpot 8 Quart Slow Cooker
The Crockpot 8 Quart Slow Cooker is a great choice for large families or those who love to entertain. This slow cooker has a digital timer that counts down cook time up to 20 hours, and automatically keeps food warm after cooking is done. It also comes with a removable, dishwasher-safe lid and stoneware pot, and recipes included. Customers have praised its large size, timer function, and ease of cleaning.
Crock-Pot SCCPVL610-S-A 6-Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker
The Crock-Pot SCCPVL610-S-A 6-Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker is a great choice for those who want to cook delicious meals with ease. It features a 6-quart capacity, digital countdown control, a locking lid with a lid gasket, and a removable stone insert that can be used in the microwave and oven up to 400 degrees F. Customers love the convenience of the timer and programming settings, as well as the portability of the slow cooker. However, some have noted that the interior coating isn't as great as it used to be and that the pot doesn't have a lot of grip.
Crockpot Portable 7 Quart Slow Cooker
The Crockpot Portable 7 Quart Slow Cooker is a great choice for busy families. It features a locking lid, auto-adjust cooking cycle, manual cooking options, and a sleek, intuitive design. It also has a 7-quart capacity, making it perfect for large meals. Customers love the timer feature and the ability to transport food safely.
Hamilton Beach Programmable Slow Cooker
The Hamilton Beach Programmable Slow Cooker is a great choice for those looking for a reliable and easy-to-use slow cooker. It features flexible programming options, a 4-quart capacity, and more programming options than Crock-Pot Smart-Pot slow cookers. It also has an easy-to-program meal setting, so you don't have to watch or stir. Customers have praised its even cooking and automatic warm setting, as well as its easy-to-clean design.
GreenLife Cook Duo Ceramic Nonstick 6QT Slow Cooker
The GreenLife Cook Duo Ceramic Nonstick 6QT Slow Cooker is an excellent kitchen appliance with a 6-quart capacity pot, which allows you to cook family-sized meals. The pot is lightweight, removable, and can be used on the stovetop and oven, providing more flavor to your meals. With a healthy ceramic nonstick coating that is derived from sand, it is free of toxic substances like PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium, allowing for easy release of food and worry-free cooking. The easy-to-use control panel has a delay timer, mode, keep warm, and on/off features, and it has three modes of cooking: low, medium, and high.
Elite Gourmet Digital Programmable Slow Cooker (8.5 Quart, Stainless Steel)
The Elite Gourmet Digital Programmable Slow Cooker is perfect for feeding the masses with its 8.5-quart size. The jumbo oval shape makes cooking fork-tender roasts and poultry a breeze. It is programmable up to 20 hours, giving you ultimate control over meal preparation. The dishwasher-safe clear tempered glass lid and removable oval crock make for easy clean-up, and the brushed stainless steel heating unit is easy to maintain. This slow cooker is UL listed and makes a thoughtful housewarming or wedding gift.
BELLA 6.0 Qt Slow Cooker
The BELLA Slow Cooker is designed for big batch cooking, making it perfect for family meals or meal prep. Its 6-quart capacity allows you to prepare soups, chili, or even a whole roast chicken with ease. You’ll appreciate the EverGood Ceramic Nonstick Coating, which is free from harmful chemicals, ensuring a safe cooking experience and easy cleanup. The smart cooking presets let you plan your meals in advance, with options for 4, 6, 8, or 10 hours, so your food is always ready when you are. Plus, you can adjust the temperature settings for precise cooking, whether you're making a slow-simmered stew or a quick dish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you program a slow cooker to start at a certain time?
A delay start allows you to put the ingredients in the crockpot and start the cooking process at the desired time. So now, you can put the ingredients in before leaving for work, and set the timer to start cooking at 10:30 a.m. When you get home from work, the smell of a freshly cooked meal greets you.
2. What setting do I put my slow cooker on?
To qualify as a safe slow cooker the appliance must be able to cook slow enough for unattended cooking yet fast enough to keep food above the danger zone. In general, Low setting on a slow cooker = 190 degrees F and High setting = 300 degrees F....Slow Cookers – Times, Temperatures and Techniques.
3. Is it better to use low or high setting on slow cooker?
It is best to cook on low in a slow cooker to soften the food and allow flavors to develop, especially for a meaty stew or soup. Cooking on high is suitable for lean meats or vegetables. To swap a recipe from high to low setting, double the cooking time. Avoid swapping from low to high settings.
4. What do the settings on a slow cooker mean?
The low and high setting will peak at 215ºF, however the low setting cycles on and off that temperature more frequently. Therefore, the high setting will cook the food in a shorter period of time than the low setting. On the warm setting, the Crock-Pot will be between 165 to 175ºF.
During our programming slow cooker research, we found 16 programming slow cooker products and shortlisted 7 quality products. We collected and analyzed 485,457 customer reviews through our big data system to write the programming slow cookers list. We found that most customers choose programming slow cookers with an average price of $66.77.
The programming slow cookers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of programming slow cookers, including Crock-Pot, Hamilton Beach, GreenLife, Elite Gourmet, BELLA. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Rebecca Cantu grew up in a family-owned retail store for home and kitchen products. She worked online and gave assistance to people to buy ideal products for their sweet home after graduating from Northwestern University with a marketing degree. She has been writing content for online shopping guides since 2011 with her professional knowledge and natural sensitivity of appliances.