Comparison: 4 Qt To 6 Qt Best Slow Cooker (Updated | Dec 8th)
Stuck between a 4 qt and 6 qt slow cooker? You’re not alone! This size dilemma can make or break your meal prep game. Whether you’re cooking for two or feeding a hungry family, we’ve done the delicious research to help you choose. Get ready to discover which capacity perfectly suits your lifestyle and why your next favorite kitchen gadget is waiting in our comprehensive guide!
- Best for family gathering choice: Hamilton Beach 6-Quart Slow Cooker with 3 Cooking Settings
- Best for simple manual control: Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Slow Cooker with 3 Cooking Settings
- Best for programmable travel-ready: Crock-Pot 6 Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker with Digital Timer Stainless Steel (CPSCVC60LL-S) pack of 1
- Best for classic basic cooker: FYNORI 4-Quart Classic Slow Cooker
- Best for flexible programming: Hamilton Beach 4 Quart Programmable Slow Cooker with Flexible Easy Programming
- Best for stylish vintage design: Crock-Pot® Manual Design Series 4.5 Quart Slow Cooker
- Best for oval crockery style: West Bend Slow Cooker 4-Quart Manual Crockery Style with Dishwasher Safe Oval Ceramic Crockpot and Glass Lid Two Temperature Settings Plus Keep Warm
- Best for compact versatile cooker: Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Slow Cooker with 3 Cooking Settings
- Best for effortless cleanup helper: Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners
- Best for space-saving design: Hamilton Beach 6 Quart Slow Cooker with Space-Saving Folding Handles
Product Comparison: 4 Qt To 6 Qt Best Slow Cooker
Hamilton Beach 6-Quart Slow Cooker with 3 Cooking Settings, Dishwasher-Safe Stoneware Crock & Glass Lid, Silver (33665G)
- PERFECT FOR FAMILY MEALS AND ENTERTAINING: The slow cooker has a large 6 quart stoneware crock that holds enough to serve 7+ people. It will fit a whole 6 lb. chicken, a 4 lb. roast or enough barbecue to make up to 25 sliders
- EASY TO CARRY: With full-grip handles, the large slow cooker is easy to lift and hold onto when carrying to the table to serve a meal or when taking food to gatherings.
- DELICIOUS MEALS WITH MINIMAL EFFORT: The Hamilton Beach slow cooker makes it simple to create delicious, flavorful meals without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. It’s sure to become your go-to slow cooker. Just add ingredients and turn the dial.
- MAINTAIN THE IDEAL TEMPERATURE WITH 3 HEAT SETTINGS: Just turn the dial to choose from 3 heat settings. Cook your meal on Low or High, and then switch to Keep Warm when cooking is complete for food that’s warm and ready when it’s time to eat.
- FAST AND EASY CLEANUP: The removable stoneware crock and durable glass lid are both dishwasher safe.
- BUILT FOR LONG-LASTING PERFORMANCE: The easy-to-use slow cooker is made of quality materials for years of cooking, and it’s backed by a 1 year limited warranty.
- SURPRISING THINGS YOU CAN MAKE IN YOUR SLOW COOKER: Make a wide variety of foods, from breakfast casserole and blueberry cobbler to lasagna, and even mulled wine.
- TAKES THE STRESS OUT OF FAMILY MEALS: The Hamilton Beach slow cooker does the cooking for you, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with the ones you love.
- WHAT’S INCLUDED: slow cooker base, stoneware crock, glass lid
Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Slow Cooker with 3 Cooking Settings, Dishwasher-Safe Stoneware Crock & Glass Lid, Stainless Steel (33140G)
- EASILY COOK FLAVORFUL MEALS: This Hamilton Beach slow cooker has simple manual controls that make it easy to create flavorful meals with minimal effort and great results. Just turn the dial. No watching needed.
- FEEDS THE WHOLE FAMILY: The 4 quart slow cooker has a stoneware crock that’s perfect for one-pot meals, meat and poultry. It will hold a 4 lb. chicken or a 2 lb. roast. Serves 4+ people.
- MAINTAIN THE IDEAL TEMPERATURE: This slow cooker lets you cook your meal on Low or High, and then switch to Keep Warm when cooking is complete to maintain the ideal temperature until you’re ready to eat.
- EASY SERVING: The removable stoneware crock makes it easy to carry meals from the slow cooker to the table.
- SIMPLE TO CLEAN: This slow cooker has a removable stoneware crock and glass lid that are dishwasher safe and easy to clean. The crock can also be used in the oven or microwave
Crock-Pot 6 Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker with Digital Timer Stainless Steel (CPSCVC60LL-S) pack of 1
- Programmable Digital Timer: Control cooking times from 30 minutes up to 20 hours
- Serve a Crowd: 6 quart Cook & Carry Slow Cooker serves 7 plus people
- Locking Lid: Lid gasket provides extra seal for less mess during transport
- Interactive Cooking: Safe for use in oven up to 400 degree F, and microwave
- Worry-free Travel: Secure locking lid and rubber gasket prevent spills
- Material: Contains Aluminum, Stainless Steel (Iron, Chromium, Nickel, Manganese, Copper, Phosphorus)
- Environmentally Friendly: Energy efficient at 240 Watts at 120V A.C; and 60Hz
FYNORI 4-Quart Classic Slow Cooker, Black, Dishwasher-Safe: Stoneware And Lid Are Both Dishwasher-Safe, For Easy Cleaning, SCV400-SS
Hamilton Beach 4 Quart Programmable Slow Cooker with Flexible Easy Programming, 5 Cooking Times, Dishwasher-Safe Crock & Lid, Silver (33443)
- VERSATILE COOKING WITH 15 PROGRAMMABLE OPTIONS: Mix and match warm, low or high heat settings with your choice of 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 hours of cooking time.
- SET IT AND FORGET IT: The programmable slow cooker automatically switches to keep warm after cooking is complete. No watching or stirring needed. You can set it and forget it.
- PERFECT FOR FAMILY MEALS, POTLUCKS AND PARTIES: The 4 quart slow cooker has a stoneware crock that can fit a variety of foods, from lasagna and desserts to meat. It will hold a 4 lb. chicken or a 2 lb. roast. Serves 4 plus people.
- EASY TO CARRY: This Hamilton Beach slow cooker has full-grip handles that make it easy to carry.
- EASY TO CLEAN: This Hamilton Beach slow cooker has a removable stoneware crock and glass lid that are dishwasher safe, and the touchpad easily wipes clean.
Crock-Pot® Manual Design Series 4.5 Quart Slow Cooker, Macaroon Blue
- Elevated Design: Features a streamlined design, modern-vintage aesthetic, and light blue Macaroon color
- Manual Control: 3 manual cook settings—High, Low, and Warm—provide cooking flexibility
- Large Capacity: 4.5-quart size feeds 5+ people; perfect for chilis, soups, stews & more
- Warm Setting: Manual Warm setting keeps food at serving temperature until it’s time to eat, or can be used as a food warmer
- Dishwasher- and Oven-Safe: Removable stoneware and glass lid are both dishwasher-safe; the stoneware is also oven-safe
West Bend Slow Cooker 4-Quart Manual Crockery Style with Dishwasher Safe Oval Ceramic Crockpot and Glass Lid Two Temperature Settings Plus Keep Warm, 210-Watts, Black
- 4QT CAPACITY: Designed to feed 4and above people, this slow cooker is perfect for family gatherings, dinner parties, or meal prep for the week ahead
- 3 HEAT SETTINGS: Turn the dial to choose from 3 heat settings. Cook your meal on High or Low and then switch to Keep Warm until ready to serve
- EASY CLEANUP: Includes a dishwasher-safe ceramic crock and tempered glass cover; cleanup has never been easier
- KEEP WARM FUNCTION: The convenient WARM setting ensures your meals stay at the ideal serving temperature, so you can enjoy your food when you’re ready
- CONVENIENT: Stay cool handles for safety and removable stoneware insert doubles as a serving dish
Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Slow Cooker with 3 Cooking Settings, Dishwasher-Safe Stoneware Crock & Glass Lid, Brushed Gray(33240)
- EASILY MAKE DELICIOUS ONE-POT MEALS: In the Hamilton Beach slow cooker, you’ll cook delicious, flavorful meals with minimal effort. No watching needed.
- SERVES 4+ PEOPLE: The 4 quart slow cooker slow cooker is compact yet has plenty of cooking space. It will hold up to a 4 lb. chicken, two 2 lb. roasts or 16 cups of macaroni and cheese.
- MAINTAIN THE IDEAL TEMPERATURE: This slow cooker lets you cook your meal on low or high, and then switch to warm when cooking is complete to maintain the ideal temperature until you’re ready to eat. Simply turn the dial to choose your setting.
- VERSATILE COOKING: The compact slow cooker is the perfect size for making and serving side dishes, appetizers and desserts. Make everything from meatballs and macaroni and cheese to fruit cobblers and cakes.
- FAST AND EASY CLEANUP: This slow cooker has a removable stoneware crock and glass lid that are dishwasher safe and easy to clean. The crock can also be used in the oven or microwave.
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 20 Count
- SLOW COOKER LINERS: This package contains twenty Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, each measuring 13 x 21 inches to fit 3- to 8-quart round and oval slow cookers
- EASY CLEANUP: These strong, reliable slow cooker bags shorten your slow cooker cleanup to eight seconds or less, guaranteed
- NO SOAKING OR SCRUBBING: Line your slow cooker with these slow cooker bags to prevent stubborn, stuck-on messes
- BPA-FREE & SAFE FOR HIGH TEMPS: Each slow cooker bag is made with a BPA-free nylon-blend construction that’s safe for low, medium & high settings
- MAKE MEALS EASY: Use a Reynolds slow cooker liner next time you make chili, pulled pork, pot roasts, soups & more to spend less time scrubbing & more time with your loved ones
Hamilton Beach 6 Quart Slow Cooker with Space-Saving Folding Handles, 3 Heat Settings, Dishwasher Safe Stoneware Crock and Glass Lid, Black (33664)
- UNIQUE FOLDING HANDLES: The full-grip handles lift up for carrying and down when storing the slow cooker or when you need to make more space on the countertop. The handles are easy to grasp when carrying food to the table or to gatherings.
- PERFECT FOR FAMILY MEALS AND ENTERTAINING: The large slow cooker has a 6 quart stoneware crock that holds enough to serve 7+ people. It will fit a whole 6 lb. chicken, a 4 lb. roast or enough barbecue to make up to 25 sliders
- MAINTAIN THE IDEAL TEMPERATURE WITH 3 HEAT SETTINGS: Just turn the dial to choose from 3 heat settings. Cook your meal on Low or High, and then switch to Keep Warm when cooking is complete for food that’s warm and ready when it’s time to eat.
- FAST AND EASY CLEANUP: The removable stoneware crock and durable glass lid are both dishwasher safe.
- TAKES THE STRESS OUT OF FAMILY MEALS: The 6 quart slow cooker does the cooking for you, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with the ones you love.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
What’s the right size slow cooker for me?
A 4-quart model is ideal for couples or small families, perfect for dips, side dishes, or smaller meals. A 6-quart cooker is better for larger families (4+ people), batch cooking, or making bigger cuts of meat like a whole chicken or a pot roast. Consider your typical recipe size and whether you enjoy leftovers when choosing.
How do I compare different slow cooker features?
The most basic models offer only ‘Low’ and ‘High’ settings, while more advanced ones include a ‘Warm’ function to keep food ready to serve. Look for a digital timer and automatic shut-off for convenience and safety, as these prevent overcooking. A locking lid is a crucial feature if you ever plan to transport your cooker to a potluck or party.
Is an oval or round slow cooker better?
The shape is largely a matter of personal preference and the types of food you cook. Oval slow cookers are better suited for longer, larger cuts of meat like brisket or a whole chicken. Round models are great for stews, soups, and chilis, and can be slightly more compact for storage.
Are more expensive slow cookers worth the extra cost?
Premium models often justify their price with features like programmable timers, searing functions, and more durable materials like a metal-clad exterior. A basic, less expensive model is perfectly capable of making delicious food if you’re on a budget. The added value comes down to how much convenience and advanced functionality you need for your cooking style.
How much wattage does a slow cooker use?
Slow cookers are very energy-efficient, typically using between 70 and 250 watts depending on the setting. Even on the ‘High’ setting, they consume far less energy than a standard electric oven. This makes them an economical choice for long, slow cooking sessions.
How do I choose between a programmable and a manual slow cooker?
A manual slow cooker requires you to be present to switch it to the ‘Warm’ setting or turn it off when cooking is complete. A programmable model allows you to set a specific cook time, after which it will automatically switch to ‘Warm,’ giving you much more flexibility if you’ll be out of the house. For ultimate convenience and peace of mind, a programmable slow cooker is the superior choice.
What is the best way to clean a slow cooker?
Always check if the ceramic insert and lid are dishwasher-safe, as this is the easiest cleaning method. For stubborn, baked-on food, fill the insert with warm, soapy water and let it soak before washing. To prevent future messes, consider using a disposable slow cooker liner for a quick and effortless cleanup.
