We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. What to Buy Appliances Small Appliances The 5 Best Mini Slow Cookers, According to Our Tests We tested 21 slow cookers to find our favorite compact picks. By Nick DeSimone Nick DeSimone Nick DeSimone is a pasta-obsessed vegetarian chef who spent nearly 10 years in restaurants in Washington and Pennsylvania before becoming a food writer. They review kitchen products for Food & Wine and love plant-based and Southern Italian cuisines. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 21, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Our Favorite Mini Slow Cooker How We Tested Mini Slow Cookers Factors to Consider FAQ Other Mini Slow Cookers We Tested Our Expertise Photo: Food & Wine / Kevin Liang Slow cookers are the resourceful cook’s best friend. A little work the night before or in the morning pays off come dinner time. Slow cooker recipes are the pinnacle of “set it and forget it,” freeing up time and space in your kitchen. While traditional slow cookers, pressure cookers, and Instant Pots are great for serving crowds, a mini slow cooker is perfect for small households. The best mini slow cookers are also great for sever-layer taco dips, queso, and your favorite chili recipes. But not all mini slow cookers are created equal. To find which ones are worthy of your kitchen setup, we tested 21 slow cookers and compared attributes like size and capacity, added features, and ease of cleaning. Here are the best mini slow cookers, based on our tests. Our Top Picks Best Overall Mini Slow Cooker: Crock-Pot Mini Round Manual Slow Cooker at Amazon ($24) Jump to Review Best Value Mini Slow Cooker: Brentwood Slow Cooker at Amazon ($35) Jump to Review Best Splurge Mini Slow Cooker: Cuisinart Cook Central 4-Quart Multi-Cooker at Amazon ($130) Jump to Review Best Portable Mini Slow Cooker: Crock Pot Mini Casserole Slow Cooker at Amazon ($55) Jump to Review Best Multicooker: Instant Pot Duo Mini 3-Quart Pressure Cooker at Amazon ($80) Jump to Review Best Overall Mini Slow Cooker Crock-Pot Mini Round Manual Slow Cooker PHOTO: Amazon $22 at Amazon $31 at Walmart $31 at Wayfair Pros This cooker is straightforward with simple controls and is a breeze to clean. Cons The lack of settings can make some recipes more difficult to control. Our best overall pick impressed us in many ways, and we loved how easy it was to use. There are no confusing dials or controls — just one setting. Of course, the tradeoff is that this requires a bit of translation when it comes to slow cooker recipes that call for specific settings or times. Our tests showed that this mini slow cooker kept food warm steadily over long periods without scorching. In our dip tests, there was no breaking or separating. It weighs less than five pounds, so it’s a great tool to bring along tailgates or parties. We also loved how easy it was to clean; everything was dishwasher-safe, and the coating of the crock itself was extremely smooth, making cleaning up a snap. Capacity: 1.5 quarts | Weight: 4 pounds | Dimensions: 9.5 x 9.5 x 7.8 inches | Settings: On/off Food & Wine / Sara Luckey Best Value Mini Slow Cooker Brentwood Slow Cooker PHOTO: Amazon $22 at Amazon $45 at Target $32 at Walmart Pros We loved the super powerful heat this cooker generates and its sturdy design. Cons The outside of this slow cooker gets extremely hot. Another pick that’s just 1.5 quarts in size, this Brentwood slow cooker is small but mighty. For a mini cooker, we didn’t expect it to generate much power, but this little cooker gets just as hot as a full-size one. And at just five pounds, this is a lightweight option to travel with. We were surprised at how well it maintained heat over two hours during our dip test without scorching the food. We did notice that the outside of the pot gets extremely hot, especially the exposed part of the crock itself, so handle it with care. We were also impressed with how sturdy the cooker felt, especially the crock. All in all, this is a great value. Capacity: 2 quarts | Weight: 5 pounds | Dimensions: 9 x 9 x 6.8 inches | Settings: High, low, warm, and off Food & Wine / Jaclyn Mastropasqua Food & Wine / Jaclyn Mastropasqua Best Splurge Mini Slow Cooker Cuisinart Cook Central 4-Quart Multi-Cooker PHOTO: Amazon $130 at Amazon $200 at Sur La Table $130 at Walmart Pros We loved the deluxe features that made this slow cooker easy to use and extremely consistent. Cons This cooker is on the larger end, which might be too big for some. This slow cooker includes precise time and temperature controls, steam and sauté settings, and a steam rack. It’s a bit larger than other mini models, but the size, paired with all the handy features, makes it perfect for meal-prepping or busy families. If you’re often cooking for just one or two people, this might be too big, especially if you have limited storage space. When testing, this cooker was luxurious to use, yielding perfectly cooked results every time with no unevenness or scorching. The customizable settings make it easy to produce a wide array of recipes. We also loved how easy it was to clean — everything is dishwasher-safe, and the crock's interior is nonstick, making it simple to quickly scrub any caked-on bits. Just be sure to use only nonstick-safe materials like silicone spatulas to avoid scratches. Capacity: 4 quarts | Weight: 9.5 pounds | Dimensions: 10.5 x 16.5 x 8.7 inches | Settings: Slow cook, brown/saute, start/stop, steam, temp, time Food & Wine/Taylor Fox Food & Wine / Taylor Fox Food & Wine / Taylor Fox Best Portable Mini Slow Cooker Crock Pot Mini Casserole Slow Cooker PHOTO: Amazon $55 at Amazon $54 at Walmart Pros This crock pot is easy to transport and perfect for serving. Cons The oval shape makes this cooker more challenging to store. Due to its removable inner crock, this thoughtfully decorated cooker is great for on-the-go celebrations like potlucks, dinner parties, and tailgating. It can be placed in the oven or used as a serving vessel. Traveling with this model couldn’t be easier with the convenient side handles and locking lid to ensure safe transport. When cooking, choose between “high,” “low,” and “warm” settings. The shape can be slightly awkward since it’s oblong instead of circular. It can take up more space during storage, especially with the added length from the handles. Capacity: 2.5 quarts | Weight: 8.2 pounds | Dimensions: 7.3 x 13.4 x 13.5 inches | Settings: High, low, warm, and off The 4 Best Slow Cookers, According to Our Tests Best Multicooker Instant Pot Duo Mini 3-Quart Pressure Cooker PHOTO: Amazon $60 at Amazon $80 at Home Depot Pros This cooker has several extra settings and capabilities, making it incredibly versatile. Cons Added settings come with required time spent learning how to use all of its features. Not just a slow cooker, this Instant Pot 3 Quart Duo 7-in-1 can do it all. You get the classic slow cooker function, InstaPot’s signature pressure cooker setting, and more options for cooking rice, making yogurt, steaming, sautéing, and keeping food warm. This compact option can replace several countertop appliances, perfect for small spaces or anyone interested in streamlining their appliance collection. The tradeoff of all these handy features is that there’s a bit of a learning curve. Figuring out all the buttons and presents can initially be a bit intimidating. Capacity: 3 quarts | Weight: 8.65 pounds | Dimensions: 11 x 10.5 x 12 inches | Settings: Soup/broth, meat/stew, bean/chili, rice, porridge, steam, yogurt, pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, keep warm, and delay start Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Our Favorite Mini Slow Cooker The Crock-Pot Mini 1.5-Quart Round Manual Slow Cooker was our favorite because the controls made it easy to use, and clean-up was a snap. For a value pick, the Brentwood 1.5-Quart Slow Cooker impressed us with its power, despite its small size and price tag. How We Tested Mini Slow Cookers We tested 21 different models to find the best mini slow cookers. When testing, we looked at the setup and use, size, performance, included features and design, and overall value. To determine how well each mini slow cooker performs, we first prepared a dip (such as spinach and artichoke or queso) and held the dip at a low temperature for two hours. After two hours, we recorded whether the dip had begun to burn or break. We also incorporated the mini slow cooker into our normal cooking routine, using the "high," "low," and "keep warm" settings throughout the testing period. We paid attention to other available settings and features and how easy or intuitive they were to use. If the slow cooker pot was dishwasher-safe, we followed the manufacturer’s instructions to wash the pot in our dishwasher regularly. If the pot was not dishwasher-safe, we followed the manufacturer’s instructions to wash the pot by hand. 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, like the Instant Pot Duo. 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. Frequently Asked Questions 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. Other Mini Slow Cookers We Tested Strong Contenders Crock-Pot 2-Quart Classic Slow Cooker ($50 at Crock-Pot) We found this slow cooker to be easy to operate and a decent size, but it doesn't have a light to indicate when it's on, which was too big of a safety factor to overlook. Imusa USA 1.5-Quart Slow Cooker ($25 at Amazon) When judging this slow cooker, we didn’t necessarily have any major complaints. However, it didn’t wow us in a way that merited a spot on our list. Elite Gourmet Triple Slow Cooker, 2.5-Quarts ($148 at Amazon) This slow cooker is three separate crocks in one, and while that’s handy for events or parties, the size and shape can be cumbersome for everyday cooking where all three sections aren’t necessary. Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker ($47 at Amazon) At 4 quarts, it’s hard to call this slow cooker mini. Regarding counter space, you’re not saving much room with this model. What Didn't Make the List Of the 21 slow cookers we tested, some didn’t make the list. We tested slow cookers from Hamilton Beach, Cuisinart, Elite Gourmet, and more. Several didn’t win because of how hot the outside got, a safety concern we couldn’t overlook. Others heated unevenly, with the high setting scorching food or the lower settings causing food to separate. As this is the primary function, not measuring up in this category was a deal breaker. Others fell short in design and build. Whether in materials, dial construction, or lid design, some slow cookers weren’t up to our standards. Our Expertise Nick DeSimone is a writer for Food & Wine. 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. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit