The best slow cookers for making easy, hands-off meals

We know a title with "instant" in it doesn't seem to go with "slow" cooker, but trust us — they do. These wildly intelligent pressure cookers took the small appliance world by storm with their ability to replace multiple kitchen devices (and brands with single-use cookers were so scared, they all tried to release their own version of an Instant Pot). Aside from the versatility packed into the three-, six-, or eight-quart devices, Instant Pots(opens in a new tab) are also said to cook 2-10 times faster and use 70% less energy than average cookers. Boom.

Our personal favorite is the 10-in-1 Ultra(opens in a new tab), or what Instant Pot refers to as "the next generation of kitchen appliances." The first number stands for the number of appliances an Instant Pot can replace, and in this case it's a slow cooker, rice cooker, egg cooker, steamer, warmer, sauté pan, yogurt maker, and cake maker, and is also equipped with handy personalized programming to remember your settings for specific recipes.

The Ultra also features built-in smart programs like bean/chili, meat/stew, soup/broth, and more, so you may be tempted to use this handy cooking device at every single meal.

Instant Pots(opens in a new tab) come in nine (!!!) other models: the best-selling 7-in-1 Duo(opens in a new tab) and 9-in-1 Duo Plus(opens in a new tab), the budget-friendly Duo Nova,(opens in a new tab) the air-frying Duo Crisp(opens in a new tab), the 12-in-1 Max(opens in a new tab), the 7-in-1 Smart WiFi series(opens in a new tab), the 11-in-1 Aura Pro(opens in a new tab), and the new high-tech Instant Pot Pro(opens in a new tab) and Pro Crisp(opens in a new tab). There's truly one for every budget and skill level, and we are in love.

It's Crock-Pot's time to shine. After getting (hilariously) obliterated by the media during a fire mishap in an episode of This Is Us, we felt like it was necessary to give them the props they deserve. Some feel like there's a steep learning curve that comes the Instant Pot — if you were intimidated by those nine functions but still want something programmable, the Crock-Pot Cook & Carry 6-quart programmable slow cooker(opens in a new tab) is a smart, yet simple choice. Plus, its lid locking feature and double seal lid gasket make it ideal for no-mess transporting to potlucks, parties, or tailgates. All parts are dishwasher safe, and the removable stoneware can even go in the microwave.

The programmable digital countdown control lets you set cook times anywhere from 30 minutes to 20 hours on high or low temperature settings. When time is up, Crock-Pot will automatically shift to warm to prevent overcooking. If you're one of those people who hates reading instructions, this is the slow cooker for you.

The 6-quart size of this Crock-Pot makes it great for feeding the whole family, or for simply cooking up a *huge* batch of beans or steel-cut oats for the entire week.

Hamilton Beach rocks nearly every appliance category they're in, and their 6-Quart Programmable Slow (opens in a new tab)Cooker(opens in a new tab) is not messing around. They took the words right out of our mouths when they dubbed it "not your mom's slow cooker." It has three smart features (probe, program, and manual) that can cook a recipe to a desired cooking time or specific temperature, before automatically switching to warm when it’s done. It's called Set & Forget, and it's the handiest thing ever. Instead of just high and low temperature settings, this Hamilton Beach cooker lets you choose your exact temperature and will display the numbers on the screen to make sure heating is precise.

The included temperature probe offers a huge helping hand when it comes to large cuts of meat. Simply *stab* your roast and the probe's screen will relay the temperature in the middle, so you can be sure nothing is under or overcooked. The clip-tight gasket lid makes for easy transportation without spills, and has a spot to use the probe while the lid is closed, meaning you can take the temp without opening the cover to release any precious heat. (See photo for what we mean). 

As if the temperature probe wasn't enough good news for roast obsessives, this oval shape will make laying slabs flat and poking the middle much easier than a cylindrical model.

On this episode of Referring To Kitchen Appliances as "Adorable:" Instead of making way more food than you need, the Elite Gourmet 1.5-quart cooker(opens in a new tab) is just right for college students, couples, or homes with less-than-ample storage space. Dips, soup, and all those times that you don't need a giant 7-quart pot just got a whole lot easier.

If you've done your own shopping for a compact cooker, you know how hard it is to find a small-capacity slow cooker that doesn't short you on features. (Some don't have an off button — really?) Like any other top contender, this one is armed with a three-setting dial, cool-touch handles, and dishwasher safe stoneware. Elite Gourmet may not be as immediately recognizable as other brands in the list, but they really should be.

Sometimes, foods just need to lay flat. Casseroles, baked ziti, chicken parmesan, and multiple other dishes just don't cook right without that shallow, 9 x 13 size and shape, but we somehow don't see a lot of that in the slow cooker market. Y'all know Crock-Pot has it covered, though. The Crock-Pot 3.5-Quart Casserole Crock Manual Slow Cooker(opens in a new tab) is your saving grace in the world of cylindrical slow cookers, with the quality of Crock-Pot that you trust. 

Unlike the other Crock-Pot cooker that we mentioned earlier, this one is manual and doesn't have smart programs — but that just means it's simpler to figure out. This slow cooker features a high, low, and warm temperature setting, as well as a lock and carry system to take your dish on the go. (That rectangular shape also makes storing leftovers on a fridge shelf a breeze.)

The 3.5-quart size is perfect for casseroles to feed three or four people, and makes serving right out of the container a breeze. 

This is also one of the models in our list with color options, which we love — hello, kitchens need to match.

Remember the good ol' days when you'd come home from school to the smell of a pot roast cooking in the crockpot? It seems like we've abandoned family dinners consisting of short ribs and potatoes and instead settled for eating handfuls of shredded cheese in front of the fridge at 10 pm because we forgot to eat. Can you blame us? Who has the time to prepare such a meal in this crazy life? Well, thanks to Hamilton Beach, you do have the time and you are going to cook a huge meal that could feed your entire neighborhood if needed. No seriously, the Hamilton Beach Set & Forget has a clip-locked lid...so technically speaking, you could secure the pot and travel from door to door — delivering your neighbors a delicious meal — with zero spills.

And we've been going on and on about pot roasts and short ribs and 6lb whole chickens because unlike the other slow cookers out there, this Hamilton Beach Set & Forget cooker has a connected temperature probe attachment. Meaning...you can safely cook large cuts of meat and not give your entire family food poisoning. Just insert the probe, set the desired temperature, and your trusty slow cooker will take care of the rest.

Okay — back to that busy, crazy life we also mentioned. We say "cook" solely for bragging rights. You actually don't have to cook anything at all, but when the time comes for everyone to compliment the delicious meal in front of them, you 100% can take all the credit. All you have to do is decide from a wide range of recipes you'd like to whip up, do the necessary preparations in the morning before you go off to work, and allow Hamilton Beach to work its magic. Thanks to its smart technology, the Set & Forget will cook your desired meal for a specific amount of time to a specific temperature and then warm it all up right before it's time to eat. (It's kinda like having a personal chef if you think about it.) But if you're one of those who are skeptical of technological advances and don't completely trust self-driving cars or your pressure cooker to safely cook your meat, you can always double-check the temp with the thermometer probe attachment. Full tummies, smiling faces, and no trips to the hospital. Win.