10 Best Crockpots 2025 in the United States

The Crock-Pot Large 8-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker is an excellent choice for those who need to prepare meals for large groups, such as holiday dinners or family gatherings. With its 8-quart capacity, it can comfortably cook for over 10 people. Its oval shape is ideal for fitting various types of food, from roasts to stews. The digital timer is a handy feature, allowing you to set cooking times up to 20 hours and monitor the progress effortlessly. Additionally, the auto warm function ensures your food remains at an ideal serving temperature once cooking is complete.

Cleanup is a breeze thanks to the dishwasher-safe lid and stoneware pot, making it convenient for everyday use. The memory function is a thoughtful addition, as it resets to the previous settings in case of a power outage, so your cooking remains uninterrupted. The elegant black stainless steel design adds a stylish touch to any kitchen and is easy to clean. However, it's worth noting that the appliance is relatively heavy at 6.5 kilograms, which might be a consideration for some users when storing or moving it.

Despite its high wattage of 1500 watts, it remains energy efficient for slow cooking. This slow cooker is particularly well-suited for those who frequently cook for large groups and appreciate the convenience of programmable features and easy maintenance.

The Instant Pot Pro (8 QT) is a versatile kitchen appliance that stands out in the crockpot category due to its 10-in-1 functionality. It can serve as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, and more, making it suitable for busy families or anyone interested in meal prepping. One of its biggest strengths is its capacity, allowing you to cook for up to 8 people, which is perfect for larger families or batch cooking. Additionally, the inner pot is made from high-quality stainless steel, which enhances cooking performance and durability.

Another notable feature is the inclusion of 28 program settings alongside 5 programmable options, which makes it easy to prepare a wide range of recipes. The gentle steam release system is also a great touch, reducing noise and preventing splashes, while safety features like overheat protection and a safe locking lid add peace of mind during cooking.

While this Instant Pot excels in versatility, its size and complexity might be daunting for those who prefer a simpler, traditional crockpot. The multitude of settings can lead to a steeper learning curve for some users. Additionally, while it is designed for large meals, it may be considered bulky for smaller kitchens, taking up a significant amount of counter space.

The Instant Pot RIO Wide Plus is a versatile multi-cooker with a substantial 7.5-quart capacity, which is great for cooking large meals, making it an excellent choice for families or those who entertain often. Its wide shape offers more surface area for sautéing, comparable to a 12-inch skillet, which can be helpful for evenly browning larger cuts of meat or sautéing vegetables. The design is modern and the device is packed with features, including 9-in-1 functionality, allowing it to serve as a slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, and more. This multipurpose nature can save you both space and money by reducing the need for multiple kitchen appliances.

Additionally, a guided assistant feature and preset recipes make it easier to use, which is a big plus for those new to cooking or who prefer a more hands-off approach. The WhisperQuiet steam release is a thoughtful touch, reducing noise during operation, which many users will appreciate. However, at 17.9 pounds, it is relatively heavy, which might be a drawback if you plan to move it around frequently.

The outer lid design and stainless steel finish add to its durability and ease of cleaning, and it is also dishwasher safe. It's worth noting that some users found the touch controls a bit less responsive than expected, and the price point might be higher compared to simpler crockpots. If you are looking for a highly functional, user-friendly multi-cooker with a large capacity and modern conveniences, the Instant Pot RIO Wide Plus is certainly worth considering.