Buying Guide
Best Slow Cookers UK
Slow cookers make it easier to prepare stews, curries, meat joints and batch-cooked meals with less hands-on cooking. This guide compares compact, family-sized and multi-function models, focusing on capacity, heat settings, pot design and ease of cleaning.
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Best Overall
Best for: Searing and slow cooking in one pot
The Morphy Richards Sear and Stew combines a lightweight 3.5L aluminium pot with low, medium and high heat settings. The hob-proof pot lets you brown ingredients before returning it to the base, while the transparent lid makes it easy to check cooking progress.
Hob-proof searing pot
Three heat settings
Dishwasher-safe pot and lid
Best for Large Families
Best for: Large portions and versatile slow cooking
The Crock-Pot SCV655B combines a roomy 6.5L ceramic bowl with low, high and keep-warm settings for simple everyday cooking. It can be used for soups, stews, curries, meat joints and desserts, while the removable bowl can be taken straight to the table.
Large 6.5L ceramic bowl
Low, high and keep-warm settings
Includes utensils and recipe booklet
Quick Picks
Best Multi-Function
Best for: Multi-function cooking and large portions
The Instant Pot Superior combines slow cooking, sautéing, steaming and keep-warm functions in one 7.1L appliance, with enough space for up to 10 portions. Its adjustable time and temperature controls add flexibility for different meals.
Large 7.1L capacity
Four cooking functions
Adjustable time and temperature
Here are our detailed reviews of the slow cookers selected for this guide. Each model has been compared for everyday use, key features, value for money and the type of buyer it may suit best.
Detailed Reviews
Product Reviews
1
The Morphy Richards Sear and Stew combines a lightweight 3.5L aluminium pot with low, medium and high heat settings. The hob-proof pot lets you brown ingredients before returning it to the base, while the transparent lid makes it easy to check cooking progress. Its non-stick pot and lid are also dishwasher safe for simpler cleaning.
Best for: Searing and slow cooking in one pot
Pros
Hob-proof searing pot
Three heat settings
Dishwasher-safe pot and lid
Things To Consider
Not suitable for induction hobs
No digital timer
3.5L capacity limits larger batches
2
The Tower Cavaletto offers a generous 6.5L capacity designed for up to eight portions, making it suitable for stews, curries, soups and casseroles. Its low, high and keep-warm settings keep operation simple, while the removable dishwasher-safe pot and cool-touch handles make serving and cleaning more convenient.
Best for: Large family meals and batch cooking
Pros
Large 6.5L capacity
Keep-warm setting
Dishwasher-safe removable pot
Things To Consider
Takes up more worktop space
No digital timer
Extended guarantee requires registration
3
The Crock-Pot SCV655B combines a roomy 6.5L ceramic bowl with low, high and keep-warm settings for simple everyday cooking. It can be used for soups, stews, curries, meat joints and even desserts, while the removable bowl can be taken straight to the table for serving.
Best for: Large portions and versatile slow cooking
Pros
Large 6.5L ceramic bowl
Low, high and keep-warm settings
Includes utensils and recipe booklet
Things To Consider
Bulky for smaller kitchens
No digital timer
Only low, high and keep-warm settings
4
The Swan Retro Slow Cooker combines a 3.5L ceramic pot with low, high and auto settings for casseroles, stews and soups. Its removable dishwasher-safe pot can be taken straight to the table, while the glass lid lets you check progress without lifting it and releasing heat.
Best for: Stylish everyday slow cooking
Pros
Three temperature settings
Dishwasher-safe ceramic pot
Glass lid with heat-retaining seal
Things To Consider
No digital timer
Optional guarantee extension needs registration
3.5L size may not suit larger batches
5
The Instant Pot Superior combines slow cooking, sautéing, steaming and keep-warm functions in one 7.1L appliance, with enough space for up to 10 portions. Its adjustable time and temperature controls add flexibility, while the lightweight non-stick pot, EasyGrab handles and dishwasher-safe lid make serving and cleaning easier.
Best for: Multi-function cooking and large portions
Pros
Large 7.1L capacity
Four cooking functions
Adjustable time and temperature
Things To Consider
Takes up substantial worktop space
More controls than a basic slow cooker
Large capacity may be excessive for smaller meals
Buying Guide
What to look for in an Slow Cooker
Capacity
Choose a capacity based on how many people you normally cook for. Smaller models may suit individuals or couples, while larger slow cookers are better for family meals, batch cooking and bigger cuts of meat.
Ease Of Use
Look for clearly labelled controls and settings that are simple to adjust. Straightforward dials may suit everyday cooking, while digital controls and timers can offer more flexibility.
Cleaning
Check whether the cooking pot and lid are removable and dishwasher safe. A non-stick or easy-clean pot can also make it simpler to remove food residue after longer cooking times.
Heat Settings
Most slow cookers include low, high and keep-warm settings. These give you more control over cooking time and help keep food warm until you are ready to serve.
Features
Consider which features you will genuinely use. Timers, automatic keep-warm modes, searing pots and digital displays can be useful, while a simpler model may be enough for basic meals.
Value For Money
Good value is not only about choosing the lowest price. Compare the capacity, build quality, controls, included features and ease of cleaning to decide whether a slow cooker is worth the money.