With the weather cooling down and the desire to curl up indoors growing, it’s the season for slow cooking and roasts.
But if you want to go out and return to a truly delicious “set and forget” meal, you’re going to need a slow cooker.
Slow cookers have grown exponentially in popularity in recent years, thanks to their ease and convenience, as well as their ability to deliver really tasty meals.
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Whether you’re keen to cook a roast, a casserole, a tender stew or a soup, the humble slow cooker will have you covered — and before you know it, you’ll be telling everyone about your new kitchen buy.
Below, Best Picks rounds up the seven best slow cookers on the market right now, as well as who they are perfect for.
Enjoy.
1. Best new slow cooker and all-rounder: Instant Pot Superior Slow Cooker, $179
Looking to level up your stews and casseroles and ready to take the plunge into the latest and greatest in slow cooking?
Instant Pot’s new Superior Slow Cooker ($179) — available at Myer, The Good Guys, Instant Brands, Harvey Norman, Kitchen Warehouse and other leading retailers — will give you one pot magic in an instant.
This impressive little gadget offers four clever functions.
Whether you’re in the mood to slow cook, steam, saute/sear or just keep your meals warm, its generous 1.7L capacity can cook up to 10 portions, meaning if you have a family, it’s easy to cook in bulk.
For those who think slow cookers are large and cumbersome, this slow cooker will prove you wrong.
You can effortlessly transition from cooking to serving thanks to Instant Pot’s easy-grab handles.
And there are customisable time and temperature controls so you can fiddle around in order to get the best results every time.
While relatively new to market, there is one five-star review on Myer so far.
“Spacious, easy to clean, user friendly, good looking. It makes cooking enjoyable!” the shopper writes.
2. Best multi-cooking device: Nutri Ninja Multi Cooker, $298
If you’re someone who hates clutter on your benchtops at home (and who doesn’t?), this Ninja device might be the one for you.
Available for $298 at Amazon Australia, as well as Bing Lee and Ninja, the device has 11 programmable cooking functions, and it combines the best of pressure cooking, slow cooking and air frying in one non-stick pot.
The 11 functions include air frying, baking or roasting, grilling, pressure cooking, steaming, slow cooking, searing or sauteeing, keeping your food warm, sous vide, yoghurt and dehydrating.
This means not only can you turn out a delicious savoury dish, but you can also do cakes, sweets and yoghurt in the multi cooker too.
Intuitive controls allow you to easily toggle between the various functions.
And there are two lids: a pressure lid to slow cook, pressure cook, sous vide, yoghurt, dehydrate, sauté and steam, and a crisping lid to air crisp, bake, roast and grill.
Those who have invested in the Ninja gadget have raved about it.
“Now, with the Ninja Foodi in my life, my life is complete!” writes one.
“The Ninja Foodi replaces all kitchen appliances.
“From slow cooker, pressure cooker, air fryer and dehydrator to yoghurt maker. Yes! You read right, the Ninja Foodi also makes yoghurt, good yoghurt, that the kids eat. The Ninja Foodi makes me feel like a chef, serving amazing, well cooked meals.”
3. Best easy-to-use cooker: Breville Slow Cooker, $179
Hate all the tech that comes with modern kitchen devices?
You need the Breville Smart Temperature Slow Cooker ($179).
Available at The Good Guys and Myer, there is much to love about this easy-to-use machine.
With a digital display that lets you know how much cooking time is left, as well as a dishwasher safe cooking bowl and lid, it has a six-litre capacity for all your cooking needs.
There’s also a clever wrap-around heating element that ensures constant even temperatures.
Those who have invested in this slow cooker love its classic stainless steel finish and performance.
It has a 4.7 star rating from over 200 reviews on the Myer website.
“Very handy having the warming setting! It automatically warms for up to six hours once the cooking time is finished which is so handy for getting home from work, dinner is ready but not overcooked!” one shopper writes.
“Excellent buy, saves so much time. Good for young families and you can cook healthy meals,” another adds.
4. Best budget buy: Russell Hobbs Slow Cooker, $99
If you’re tempted to try out slow cooking but don’t want to spend more than $100, this Russell Hobbs buy is the slow cooker for you.
Perfect for families, it has a six-litre aluminium cooking pot that can cook up to eight servings at a time.
The removable pot has cool-touch handles and a tempered glass lid, making it easy to carry straight to the table if you’re wanting to serve there.
It also costs just $99 from Amazon Australia or The Good Guys.
Many like how lightweight (or relatively lightweight) this gadget is compared to other slow cookers at 2.7kg.
The keep warm function is also handy if you’re feeding kids or planning to eat a bit later on.
This particular slow cooker is popular on Amazon Australia, where it has a 4.8 star rating from more than 150 reviews.
“Nothing to dislike, the fact that it sears is a real bonus, the size is great. I’m pleased I chose a large one, so I’m very happy with my choice and the price was acceptable,” one shopper writes.
“Just want I needed for my first slow cooker. Nothing too fancy and over complicated. I’ve already used it so many times and it’s perfect. The timing system is an added bonus and works for me whilst I’m at work!” another adds.
5. Best for families: Philips All In One Cooker, $249
Next up, it’s the Philips All In One Cooker, $249, from Amazon Australia and The Good Guys.
This multi cooker in sleek silver makes meal prep a breeze with 16 smart programs including slow cook, pressure cook, sear, and keep warm.
The six litre capacity is perfect for cooking family-sized portions.
And it heats up 25 per cent faster and has a ProCeramic-coated pot for even heating and easy cleaning.
Those who have invested in this cooker have raved about its smart LED display and intuitive controls, saying they’ve used it to whip up everything from risottos to stews and curries.
Like many of the best slow cookers, it also has a keep warm function.
The auto keep warm function holds your meal at the perfect temperature for up to 12 hours.
It has a 4.4 star rating from more than 500 reviews on Amazon Australia.
“Love it, great for week night meals,” writes one.
“I’m very impressed with the amazing meals I’m making — beef ragu, and ham and pea soup, outcome is very tender meat falling apart,” another adds.
6. Best for easy cleaning: Sunbeam Slow Cooker, $69.95
This slow cooker by Sunbeam, available at Amazon Australia for $69.95, is praised often for being super easy to clean.
With a 5.5 litre ceramic pan, once again, it’s good for a crowd or a family.
There are also a variety of low, high and keep-warm heat settings.
Many who have bought it love how easy it is to clean with its dishwasher-friendly parts.
There’s also a handy wrap around element for even heating and no sticking, so you don’t have to loiter by the cooker stirring all the time.
There’s a 4.3 star rating from 87 reviews on the Amazon Australia website, where many have praised how budget-friendly it is.
“Love this slow cooker,” one shopper writes.
“The Sunbeam 5.5L slow cooker is absolutely brilliant. With two easy cook settings (low and high), and a food warming setting, it is easy to use, and the capacity of the unit is just what I need.”
Another says: “Love this slow cooker. It’s a great size for meals of 4-6 serves. Nice heavy crock insert and clear glass lid. Easy to use if you’re new to slow cooking and ceramic makes it easy to clean”.
7. Best stylish buy: Greenpan Elite Slow Cooker in Black, $319
Last but not least is this stylish buy from Greenpan, which costs $319 at Myer.
Create tasty dishes and family-sized meals with massive flavour with this slow cooker.
You can sear your food to start, then cook it low and slow to draw out maximum flavour.
Those who have it love the removable dish that can be put in the dishwasher after cooking.
Others have praised the convenient programs, allowing you to start cooking with one click of a button.
“Best on the market! Brilliant searing function! Dishwasher safe. Best slow cooker,” writes one reviewer.
“Best slow cooker ever. Great features and settings,” another adds.