The 6 Best Mini Slow Cookers of 2023

Our Favorite

Our best all-around pick, the Crock-Pot 3-Quart Round Manual Slow Cooker hit all the marks, regardless of your needs and preferences. If you’re in the market for a multitasker that’s up to more than just slow cooking, look no further than the Instant Pot 3-Quart Duo 7-in-1.

Factors to Consider

Size

When shopping for a mini slow cooker, understandably, it will be much smaller than your standard cooker. But even in the world of mini varieties, there are several sizes. Usually, you’ll find mini cookers in the 1-quart to 3-quart range. What size is best depends on your needs and what you generally like to cook. A 1 or 1.5-quart model is great for a solo eater who doesn’t usually make bigger batches of recipes or anything with a lot of liquid. If you like leftovers or recipes that use a lot more liquid, something closer to a 2.5 or 3-quart is better.

Cooking Features

Different features might be super helpful or totally unnecessary, depending on what you like to cook. The simplest cookers usually have a dial or knob with just a few settings like “low,” “high,” “warm,” and “off,” while others will have more sophisticated displays with many different settings. When shopping, take a peek at any extra features and settings and see if they align with what you usually like to eat.

Ease of Cleaning

Most slow cookers have a removable crock for easy cleanup, and many of these crocks as well as lids are dishwasher-safe. Be sure to check the box or manufacturer information about specific cleaning instructions. Depending on what’s important to you regarding cleanup, a dishwasher-safe model might be a better purchase.

Pro Panel Q+A

What is the smallest size slow cooker?

Generally, the smallest size you’re likely to find is around 1.5 quarts, though some brands might have a 1-quart size. At that size, that extra half quart doesn’t make much difference.

What size slow cooker do I need for one person?

What size is best depends on what you’re most likely to make. You could likely get away with a 1.5-quart model if you usually don’t make any recipes where things like meat need to be submerged, but for soup for one, 1.5-quarts is generally fine. If you know you like leftovers or want to braise a chicken breast or two, a 2- or 3-quart will likely suit your needs slightly better.

Yester Banuchyan, chef, CEO, and Founder of CookOnMonday.com, a site dedicated to helping home cooks learn to cook, agrees that a 3-quart is a good investment. She says, ”3-quart cookers are easier to manage than the smallest size. Having a little bit of extra room in the cooker doesn't hurt, but is helpful if you need to cook a larger portion or have guests.” It’s always best to have a little extra space as insurance against a bubble over, so it’s better to err on the side of a slightly larger size.

What is the alternative to a slow cooker?

In terms of appliances, a pressure cooker is sometimes considered an alternative to a slow cooker. Instead of cooking something slowly over a long period of time, it cooks it quickly over a shorter period. Some pressure cookers also have slow cooker capabilities. If you don’t have any appliances to get the job done, a large pot with a lid or a Dutch oven on the stove can work in a pinch. However, it’s generally unsafe to leave the stove on all day while no one is home, whereas a slow cooker is perfectly fine to be left alone.

Can slow cooker inserts be used in the oven?

Some slow cooker inserts can go from the cooker to the oven, but not all can. If you’re curious about your cooker’s capabilities, always check the manual or the manufacturer’s instructions before putting anything in the oven.

How can you tell when meat is done cooking in a slow cooker?

Most meat in a slow cooker aims for a super moist and tender texture that easily shreds or falls off the bone. It can be harder to tell when it comes to firmer meats or recipes without a braising liquid. In any cooking method, using a meat thermometer is the best and safest way to know when the meat is done.

Our Expertise

Nick DeSimone wrote and compiled this list. They have nearly a decade of experience in professional kitchens and are an avid home cook. Nick has used countless slow cookers over the years at home, making their favorite recipes for dinner and doing off-site cooking with slow cookers at work. Nick also spoke to an expert, chef Yester Banuchyan. Chef Yester runs a food blog for home cooks, helping them with cooking basics and tips and tricks.