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Who’s tired of sweating in the kitchen for hours making meals? Or waiting hours after you get home from work to finally eat dinner? Do you ever abandon your weekly meal plan to get takeout or eat at a restaurant because you don’t have the energy to cook at home? If the answer to any of these questions is a resounding “yes”, you may need a slow cooker.
Slow cookers are truly hero countertop appliances. They’re easy to use, safe, and trustworthy. The best part? The meals require no manual effort and very minimal cleanup.
To get the best slow cooker for you, you’ll want to think about things like overall size, capacity, temperature settings, timer settings, and more. This comprehensive guide will investigate the best slow cookers in Canada in 2024 and outline the criteria you should consider while making your purchase decision. Let’s dive right into our top five products.
Top Pick: Hamilton Beach Stay or Go Portable 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
Upgrade Pick: KitchenAid KSC6223SS 6-Quart Slow Cooker
Budget Pick: Maxi-Matic MST-250XS Elite Gourmet 1-1/2-Quart Slow Cooker
Runner-Up: Cuisinart PSC-350C 3.5 Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
Well-Rounded Choice: GreenLife Cook Duo 6QT Slow Cooker
In our opinion, the Hamilton Beach Stay or Go Portable 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker is the best one out there. A manual mode lets you cook without a timer, a programmable mode lets you set a timer and a cooking temperature, and the FlexCook mode lets you set a cook cycle with two temperatures for two different durations. You can’t beat that!
That’s not all we love about this option, though. If you like to travel to other people’s houses for dinners, and you’re the kind of guest that loves to bring food, this is your best option. The clip-on gasket lid will keep your food safe without letting any heat escape during your travels. Plus, the backlit LCD can’t be beat.
It was pretty difficult to find anything wrong with this option, but no product can ever be perfect for everybody. It only has two temperature settings, so if you prefer to play around with medium heat during your slow-cooking adventures, you’ll be disappointed. Otherwise, it’s a great model.
Reviewers could not be happier with the Hamilton Beach Stay or Go Portable 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker. It cooks every meal perfectly (the FlexCook mode is a huge hit), and the warming feature is amazing, too. People love how secure the lid is for travelling to potluck dinners.
Dimensions: 10.9” x 17.1” x 11.2”
Weight: 11.2 lbs
Colour: Silver
Capacity: 6 qt
Temperature Settings: 2
Timer: Yes
Automatic Shutoff: Yes to warm setting
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Warranty: 5 years
Pros:
FlexCook mode lets you set two temperatures and two timers for versatile cooking cycles
Can be used in manual mode without a timer
Large handles and clip-on gasket lid make it easy to bring meals to other people without spills
LCD screen is backlit for easy reading
Cons:
Does not have a medium temperature setting
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall, the Hamilton Beach Stay or Go Portable 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker is simply amazing. Whether your biggest priority is a large cooking pot to serve a big family, a programmable timer for cooking while you’re at work, or easy cleanup, this option has you covered.
The KitchenAid KSC6223SS 6-Quart Slow Cooker is one of our favourite slow cookers. The large capacity is perfect for week-long meal prep or serving a large group, but it can also be used for smaller portions and even desserts. Since it has three temperature settings and a 24-timer, you can really make anything your taste buds call for!
We’re pretty happy with the 3-foot power cord, too. It’s long enough to reach an outlet no matter where you set it up, but not so long that it’s difficult to manage for storage. The keep-warm function is another top feature—it can stay on for four hours! You won’t ever come home to a cold meal with this one. The controls are easy to use, too, even if you’re new to slow cookers and have no idea what you’re doing.
It’s no surprise that our upgrade pick doesn’t have much wrong with it. You’re paying more for a reason, right? Aside from the expensive price, we just want you to be aware of one other thing. This slow cooker is big, and the whole thing is just plain heavy. You’ll need to brace yourself for lifting the ceramic pot out, and it’s a good idea to find a permanent spot on your counter for it, rather than disassembling a cupboard.
Reviewers are impressed with the quality of the KitchenAid KSC6223SS 6-Quart Slow Cooker. Unlike other ones they’ve used, it doesn’t overcook their food or create any burn spots. They find the controls easy to use and the display is easy to read. The ceramic pot is pretty heavy, but people still like it. Reviewers also love the keep warm function so their meal is still perfect when they get home.
Dimensions: 17.25” x 11” x 10.75”
Weight: 13 lbs
Colour: Silver
Capacity: 6 quarts
Temperature Settings: 3
Timer: Yes
Automatic Shutoff: Yes to warm setting
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
3 ft power cord is great for every kitchen size
The 24-hour timer works for every food type
Keep warm function can stay on as long as four hours
Controls are very easy to use
Cons:
More expensive than most slow cookers
Fairly heavy and difficult to store
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 5/5
All in all, we are fans of the KitchenAid KSC6223SS 6-Quart Slow Cooker. It’s a big, heavy, and expensive option, but its cooking ability and ease of use far outweigh any frustration that comes from its bulkiness.
Budget-friendly slow cookers don’t get better than the Maxi-Matic MST-250XS Elite Gourmet 1-1/2-Quart Slow Cooker. Its smaller size makes it a perfect choice if you want to travel with it (camping, cottage time, etc.) or if you’re on the road for work but still want a warm lunch. Plus, you can store it pretty easily, even in kitchens with more stuff than space.
The two temperature settings and the keep-warm mode help minimize your role in time-keeping, which is great. The cool-touch handles and knobs make sure you won’t burn your fingers if you’re checking on your food or ready to serve. We’ve all been there, and it’s not fun.
We’re really happy to report that this slow cooker doesn’t come with too many downsides. Of course, its small capacity won’t be a good fit for large families or people who like to batch cook to the extreme. Otherwise, the only thing that might make you steer clear is the lack of a timer or automatic shutoff/keep warm. You’ll have to manage the time by yourself.
Reviewers are getting a lot of use out of their Maxi-Matic MST-250XS Elite Gourmet 1-1/2-Quart Slow Cookers. Some people have even found non-food-related purposes for it - —one person uses it as a pickle pot to clean small pieces of metal, and another uses it to make wax for their snowboard! The temperature settings are helpful and very easy to use, and there haven’t been any issues with finding a storage spot for it.
Dimensions: 8.75” x 26.5” x 12”
Weight: 4.3 lbs
Colour: Silver or white
Capacity: 1.5 qt
Temperature Settings: 2
Timer: No
Automatic Shutoff: No
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
Very user-friendly
Easy to store and travel with
Has a keep-warm setting
Cool-touch knobs and handles for safe handling
Cons:
Very small capacity
No timer or auto-off/warm
Performance: 4/5
Usability: 4/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
All in all, the Maxi-Matic MST-250XS Elite Gourmet 1-1/2-Quart Slow Cooker is our favourite budget-friendly slow cooker. The small capacity and simpler design may not work for everybody, but it’s a great travel companion and it does its job perfectly.
The Cuisinart PSC-350C 3.5 Quart Programmable Slow Cooker is a well-rounded slow cooker. It has all of the essentials for perfecting new meals and giving new life to old family recipes. The 24-hour timer is great for those extra-slow cooks, and since it automatically switches into the keep warm once the timer is up, your food won’t go cold while it’s waiting for you to come home and enjoy it.
This is also a great option if you haven’t ever used a slow cooker before. It comes with some recipes to help you get started, and the instruction manual is really easy to follow. The warm setting won’t overcook your food, so it’s super beginner-friendly there too. Since the handles are made of a stay-cool material, you can handle the pot safely at all times.
Like most countertop appliances, this one won’t be perfect for everybody. The capacity is fairly small, so it won’t be a good choice if you need more than two or three portions of a meal made at a time. The plastic handles feel a bit cheap, too, so you’ll need to be careful moving a full pot around the kitchen. Also, the timer can only be set in 30-minute blocks, so it isn’t the most customizable thing on the planet.
Reviewers are very pleased with the Cuisinart PSC-350C 3.5 Quart Programmable Slow Cooker. For many people, it’s the first slow cooker that doesn’t overcook their food while it’s supposed to be keeping it warm, and the temperature settings are perfect for all types of meals. They love that it comes with some recipes—a great addition for slow cooker newbies!
Dimensions: 14.25” x 16.5” x 11.75”
Weight: 10 lbs
Colour: Grey
Capacity: 3.5 qt
Temperature Settings: 3
Timer: Yes
Automatic Shutoff: Yes to warm setting
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Warranty: 3 years
Pros:
Timer can be set for up to 24 hours
Instruction manual includes recipes
Handles stay cool for safety
Warm setting is low enough that it won’t continue cooking food
Cons:
Only large enough for 2-3 portions
Timer can only be adjusted in 30-minute increments
Plastic handles feel cheap
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 4.5/5
Overall, the Cuisinart PSC-350C 3.5 Quart Programmable Slow Cooker is a solid choice for individuals, couples, and single-child families. It isn’t large enough for more than three portions at a time, but it’s got a ton of helpful features that will have new recipes and family favourites coming out perfectly.
We really like the GreenLife Cook Duo 6QT Slow Cooker. The delay timer can be set up to ten hours in advance of cooking, and it’ll automatically switch over to its keep-warm mode once the food has been cooked to perfection. The keep-warm will stay on for up to four hours, too, so even if you’re delayed from work or your family has staggered eating times, everyone will get an amazing hot meal.
By far, our favourite feature is the versatility of the removable cooking pot. It’ll let you sear meat on the stovetop for a quick start and bake things in the oven for a nice finish. Hello, chef-quality meals! The pot also weighs a lot less than other options, so it’s easy to handle, even when it’s filled to the brim with food.
There are only a handful of small things that might make you think twice about buying this one. The lid isn’t oven-safe, so it isn’t a good choice as a fully enclosed baking option. The display buttons can also be a bit hard to press, and we won’t blame you if you don’t want to deal with that. Because of the larger size of this option, you will need an entire shelf of a cupboard to store it.
Reviewers are very happy with the GreenLife Cook Duo 6QT Slow Cooker. The display buttons can be a bit hard to press and some people would prefer that the lid is also oven-safe, but otherwise, there are no complaints. The timer length works for most people and the three temperature settings are perfect. People love the option of using the pot to sear meat on the stove before turning on the slow cooker.
Dimensions: 11.5” x 15.3” x 10”
Weight: 8.2 lbs
Colour: Black, white, or pink
Capacity: 6 qt
Temperature Settings: 3
Timer: 10 hours
Automatic Shutoff: Yes to warm setting
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Warranty: Lifetime
Pros:
Pot can also be used in the oven or on the stove
Has a keep-warm setting
Food stays warm for 4 hours after cooking
Pot is very lightweight for easy handling
Cons:
Takes up a fair amount of storage/counter space
Lid is not also oven safe
Display buttons can be hard to press
Performance: 4.5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall, we’re impressed with the GreenLife Cook Duo 6QT Slow Cooker, and we bet you will be too. The price is very reasonable considering how much you can do with it, and the performance more than makes up for its handful of minor disadvantages.
Slow cookers can be priced as low as $30 for a manual unit or $200+ for something fancier. Most people can find a great option for less than $100, though. In general, more expensive slow cookers will be larger and will offer more versatility.
The number of temperature settings a slow cooker has will affect how long your food takes to cook, and what types of food you can cook. All slow cookers will at least have two settings, but some include a third for extra versatility.
Slow cookers will range in size from one quart to over six quarts. Larger capacities will come with a higher price tag but will allow you to batch cook much easier. Most families can get away with a three or four quarts.
Most slow cookers will have dishwasher-safe lids and cooking pots, and if you plan on using yours regularly, you might appreciate the added convenience of a lower-effort cleanup.
Since many people put slow cookers on while they’re at work or asleep, it’s usually important to have an automated off or keep-warm function. Not only is this a safety thing, but it also makes sure the food is as delicious as it’s supposed to be when you’re ready to eat it.
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.