The use of slow cookers has vastly evolved from its initial use as a means to cook tough meat. Nowadays, there are used to make anything from soups to vegetables and rice. There are even dedicated slow cookers for diets like paleo and low-carb diets to keep up with feeding trends.

Simply put, the modern slow cooker is a master at many trades. However, deciding which slow cooker to buy can be pretty challenging as there are many options to choose from. This is why we tested some of the best-reviewed slow cookers in the stores and selected five of the best. Here are our recommendations.

1. Instant Pot Aura Pro Multi-Use Programmable Slow Cooker

This slow cooker from Instant Pot is a chef’s dream come through. It can be programmed to bake, slow cook, roast, and others from the ten programmable functions. However, it does not have a pressure cook functionality.

To get the perfect meals, you can customize the cooking time and temperature to your preferred options. It comes with a ceramic-coated nonstick removable cooking pot. The cooking pot, lid, and roaring rack are all dishwasher safe. The slow cooker retails for $129.95.

2. All-Clad Gourmet Slow Cooker with All-in-One Browning, 7-Quart

Selling at $ 329.95, this slow cooker by All-Clad can be used to roast and cook rice, among other functionalities. Its slow cooking functionality is also superb as it cooks meat to tender perfection and neither get overly hot nor had uneven temperature during the cooking process.

3. Deluxe Slow Cooker with Cast-Aluminum Insert

The Deluxe Slow Cooker from All-Clad can be used for browning, steaming, and cooking rice. It comes with a removal aluminum insert which sadly isn’t dishwasher safe. However, the digital controls on the slow cooker allow for various cooking settings and the programmable 20-hour timer. Additionally, it has an automatic 5-hour keep warm function to hold the food at serving temperature once the cooking is complete. This cooker sells for $250.

4. Digital Sauté Slow Cooker

A great product by Calphalon that turned out rich, tender, and well-cooked meals and heated evenly while cooking. This slow cooker’s nonstick cooking insert is oven safe and doubles as a sauté pan that can only be used on a stovetop as the slow cooker does not support the sauté functionality. It has dial feature settings to choose from low, high or warm options.

This slow cooker sells for $130

5. Crock-Pot 7-Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker

This basic slow cooker by Crock-pot uses simple dial options to choose cooking settings. It cooks meat tender and flavorful. The insert is large, and it has a simple design. This slow cooker can keep your food warm at serving temperature for as long as possible. You can buy this slow cooker for $39.99

There you have it, our recommendations on the five best slow cookers to buy. Remember that every item on the list was tested based on ease of use without the instructional manual, safety features, consistency during cooking, richness, and development of flavor, “-warm” functionality, and good temperature control.