Comparison: 6 Qt Best Slow Cooker With Timer (Updated | Dec 9th)
Tired of rushing home to turn off your slow cooker, or worse, returning to overcooked, disappointing meals? You’re not alone! That’s why we’ve done the delicious research for you, exploring the top 6-quart models that promise both convenience and incredible flavor. In this guide, we’ll break down the best slow cookers with timers, comparing their features, performance, and value to help you find the perfect kitchen companion. Get ready to reclaim your schedule and discover the freedom of perfectly timed, melt-in-your-mouth meals every single time.
Hamilton Beach Portable 6 Quart Set & Forget Digital Programmable Slow Cooker with Lid Lock
Precision Temperature Control
- Best for travel-friendly design: Crock-Pot 6 Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker with Digital Timer Stainless Steel (CPSCVC60LL-S) pack of 1
- Best for precision temperature control: Hamilton Beach Portable 6 Quart Set & Forget Digital Programmable Slow Cooker with Lid Lock
- Best for easy clean ceramic: Crock-Pot 6 Quart Programmable Slow Cooker with Timer and Auto Food Warmer Setting
- Best for smart defrost function: Hamilton Beach 6 Quart Set & Forget Programmable Slow Cooker with Defrost Function
- Best for 9-in-1 versatility: Hamilton Beach 6 Quart 9-in-1 Programmable Slow Cooker with Sear
- Best for simple digital timer: HOMECOOKIN 6-Quart Digital Programmable Slow Cooker with Timer – Small Kitchen Appliance for Family Dinners – Serves 6+ People – Heat Settings: Keep Warm
- Best for sous vide capable: Hamilton Beach Portable 6 Quart Set & Forget Digital Programmable Slow Cooker with Lid Lock
- Best for toxin-free ceramic: GreenLife 6QT Ceramic Slow Cooker
- Best for healthy ceramic interior: GreenLife 6QT Slow Cooker
- Best for non-toxic cooking: GreenLife 6QT Slow Cooker
Product Comparison: 6 Qt Best Slow Cooker With Timer
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
Hamilton Beach Portable 6 Quart Set & Forget Digital Programmable Slow Cooker with Lid Lock, Temperature Probe, Dishwasher Safe Crock & Lid, Stainless Steel (33969A)
- NOT YOUR MOM’S SLOW COOKER: Smart technology allows you to cook a recipe to either a desired cooking time or specific temperature, before automatically switching to Warm when it’s done.
- PATENTED TEMPERATURE PROBE: Place the temperature probe into large cuts of meat to cook to a precise temperature. The control panel will display the food’s exact temperature as it cooks.
- CLIP-TIGHT GASKET LID: The lid clips securely in place, perfect for taking the slow cooker to a party, potluck or tailgate. The tight seal helps prevent messy spills along the way.
- EASY TO CLEAN: Removable and dishwasher safe crock and glass lid make cleanup simple.
- 6 QUART CAPACITY: Spacious size is perfect for a 6 lb. chicken or 4 lb. roast.
- YOUR CHOICE COOKING: Three smart settings – probe, program and manual – allow you to cook foods to a specific temperature, for a set number of hours or on High, Low or Warm settings for up to 24 hrs
- POWER INTERRUPT PROTECTION: During a momentary power interruption of 5 seconds or less, the slow cooker will remember the programmed heat and time settings and continue cooking.
Crock-Pot 6 Quart Programmable Slow Cooker with Timer and Auto Food Warmer Setting, Stainless Steel
- 6-Quart capacity Fits a 6 lb. Roast and can serve 7+ people
- Easy to clean non-stick ceramic coating requires less effort to clean by hand compared with traditional stoneware
- Program to cook on high with 4 or 6 hour selections or low with 8 or 10 hour selections
- High and low settings are perfect for making chilis, stews, sauces, and more; automatically shifts to Warm setting to keep food at the perfect serving temperature
- Dishwasher-safe Glass lid
- This product contains Aluminum, Stainless Steel (Iron, Chromium, Nickel, Manganese, Copper, Phosphorus)
Hamilton Beach 6 Quart Set & Forget Programmable Slow Cooker with Defrost Function, Flexible Programming, Adjustable Countdown Timer, Large Dishwasher Safe Stoneware Crock and Glass Lid, Black (33765)
- UNIQUE DEFROST FUNCTION SAFELY DEFROSTS MEAT, THEN COOKS TO PERFECTION: Simply press defrost, then select high or low and your cooking time — the Hamilton Beach slow cooker will do the rest, then switch to warm when food is ready.
- PERFECT FOR FAMILY MEALS AND ENTERTAINING: This 6 quart slow cooker has a stoneware crock that will hold a 6 lb. chicken, a 4 lb. roast or enough barbecue to make up to 25 sliders. Serves 7+ people.
- FLEXIBLE PROGRAMMING: Cook a variety of foods with the flexible programming options and countdown timer. Choose high, low or warm and set the countdown cooking timer between 30 minutes and 24 hours or cook without setting a time with the manual mode.
- THOUGHTFULLY DESIGNED WITH EASY-TOUCH CONTROLS: The easy touch controls on the programmable slow cooker are intuitive to use, with lights that show the current time and heat settings. Simply wipe the control panel to keep clean.
- SET & FORGET: The defrost slow cooker automatically switches to the warm heat setting after cooking is complete. No watching or stirring needed. You can set it and forget it.
Hamilton Beach 6 Quart 9-in-1 Programmable Slow Cooker with Sear, Browning, Rice, Steam, Sauté, Roast Delay Start & Keep Warm Functions, Nonstick PFAS-Free Dishwasher Safe Crock, Black (33604)
- 9 COOKING OPTIONS: Cook multiple ways with one versatile appliance. As a slow cooker, choose high or low heat, or select white rice or whole grain to use as a rice cooker. You can also sear, brown, sauté, roast, steam or keep food warm.
- SEAR OR BROWN RIGHT IN THE POT: Sear or brown right in the ceramic nonstick pot — no stovetop necessary. Improve the color and flavor of every dish you make in this searing slow cooker by searing or browning before you roast or slow cook foods.
- SLOW COOK ONE-POT MEALS, SIDE DISHES, APPETIZERS AND DESSERTS: With our versatile slow cooker, you can make and serve everything from lasagna, meatballs and macaroni and cheese, to fruit cobblers and cakes. Choose low or high heat settings .
- PERFECT FOR FAMILY GATHERINGS AND ENTERTAINING: The Hamilton Beach slow cooker has a removable, 6 quart rectangular pot that fits a variety of foods. It will hold a 6 lb. chicken, 4 lb. roast or enough barbecue to make up to 25 sliders. Serves 7+ people.
- DELAY START FUNCTION FOR RICE, WHOLE GRAINS and STEAM: Delay start adds to this multi-cooker’s convenience and makes meal planning easier. You can set the delay cooking time from 1 to 15 hours to begin cooking rice or grains or steaming food while you are away from home or busy with other tasks.
- Thoughtfully Designed with Easy-Touch Controls The easy touch controls are intuitive to use. You can set your own time and temperature for most programs.
- The time counts down on the screen, so you can track the remaining cook time and know when food is ready. When food is ready, the slow cooker automatically switches to warm. Simply wipe the control panel to keep clean.
- Easy to Carry This slow cooker has full-grip handles that make it easy to lift and carry.
- Easy to Clean The removable, ceramic nonstick pot is PFAS free. The pot, roasting/steaming rack and glass lid and are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
- Great for roasting meat to the perfect tenderness every time. Place meat on top of the rack in the pot and set roasting time up to 3 hours. The timer countdown begins when the cooking temperature reaches 375°F (190°C), and when food is ready, the searing slow cooker automatically switches to warm.
HOMECOOKIN 6-Quart Digital Programmable Slow Cooker with Timer – Small Kitchen Appliance for Family Dinners – Serves 6+ People – Heat Settings: Keep Warm, Low and High
- PROGRAM COOK TIMER UP TO 20 HOURS – Set digital timer to cook from 30 minutes to 20 hours max. Slow cooker will beep once timer is up, then automatically switch to “KEEP WARM” mode for your convenience.
- SERVES A GROUP OF 6+ PEOPLE – This 6-quart slow cooker pot would be perfect to serve a group of 6 or more people. Enough food for a typical family dinner!
- MAKE STEWS, ROASTS, PASTA, & MORE – cook up a variety of food options for all kinds of occasions. Never again worry about getting bored with the same old dish day in, day out!
- DISHWASHER-SAFE POT INSERT & GLASS LID – Nobody wants to spend time cleaning up the mess after a long day. The ceramic pot insert and glass lid are dishwasher-safe for easy clean up!
- MULTIPLE HEAT SETTINGS – Select between “Low” or “High” cooking temperatures. Depends on what you are cooking and how long you want to slow cook for. Also, use the “Keep Warm” setting to keep your food warm for hours after you are finished cooking.
Hamilton Beach Portable 6 Quart Set & Forget Digital Programmable Slow Cooker with Lid Lock, Temperature Probe, Dishwasher Safe Crock & Lid, Black Stainless (33866)
- Integrated Temperature Probe: Track Your Food’s Temperature With the Probe, Minimizing the Chances of Overcooking and Helping to Ensure Food Safety When Cooking Beef, Pork & Poultry
- Multiple Cooking Functions: Cook on Low, Medium or High With or Without the Probe; When the Food Is Ready, the Slow Cooker Shifts to Keep Warm or Holds It at the Selected Temperature
- Expand Your Cooking Options: Hold Temperature Function Lets You Sous Vide, Prepare Yogurt, Poach, Simmer, Braise, Make Fondue & More
- Digital Display: Countdown Timer Displays Remaining Cooking Time and Toggles Between the Selected Food Temperature and a Current Internal Temperature When the Probe Is in Use
- 6 Quart Capacity: Perfect Size for a 6 LB. Chicken or 4 LB. Roast
GreenLife 6QT Ceramic Slow Cooker, PFAS-Free, Programmable, Removable Healthy Nonstick Pot for Family Meals, Sear on Stovetop, Keep Warm, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Crock, Turquoise
- EXTRA-LARGE 6QT CAPACITY: The spacious 6QT pot fits a 6 lb. chicken, a 4 lb. roast, or enough to serve 7+ people—ideal for family dinners, meal prep, or feeding a crowd.
- TOXIN-FREE CERAMIC NONSTICK INTERIOR: Our coating is free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium so you can make every meal healthier. Its healthy and easy-to-clean ceramic nonstick coating is derived from sand and delivers effortless release with quick cleanup.
- EASY-TO-USE CONTROL PANEL: Choose from 3 modes (Low/Medium/High), use the Delay Timer, and rely on Keep Warm to serve when you’re ready.
- PERFECT FOR MEAL PREP: Cook from 30 minutes to 20 hours, program up to 10 hours in advance, and it stays warm for 4 hours—ideal for make-ahead meals, busy mornings, or prepping big batches.
- STOVETOP READY POT: The pot is lightweight and removable for stovetop and oven use, so you can start with a sear, finish slow, and get more flavor.
- CLEAR GLASS LID: A clear glass lid lets you keep an eye on your meal.
- DISHWASHER-SAFE COMPONENTS: Removable inner pot and lid for hassle-free maintenance and easy cleaning.
GreenLife 6QT Slow Cooker, Non-Toxic PFAS-Free Ceramic Nonstick Removable Interior Bowl, Programmable, Family Friendly, Keep Warm, Stovetop & Oven Safe, Dishwasher Safe Crock, Timer, Glass Lid, Black
- EXTRA-LARGE 6QT CAPACITY: The spacious 6QT pot fits a 6 lb. chicken, a 4 lb. roast, or enough to serve 7+ people—ideal for family dinners, meal prep, or feeding a crowd.
- TOXIN-FREE CERAMIC NONSTICK INTERIOR: Our coating is free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium so you can make every meal healthier. Its healthy and easy-to-clean ceramic nonstick coating is derived from sand and delivers effortless release with quick cleanup.
- EASY-TO-USE CONTROL PANEL: Choose from 3 modes (Low/Medium/High), use the Delay Timer, and rely on Keep Warm to serve when you’re ready.
- PERFECT FOR MEAL PREP: Cook from 30 minutes to 20 hours, program up to 10 hours in advance, and it stays warm for 4 hours—ideal for make-ahead meals, busy mornings, or prepping big batches.
- STOVETOP READY POT: The pot is lightweight and removable for stovetop and oven use, so you can start with a sear, finish slow, and get more flavor.
- CLEAR GLASS LID: A clear glass lid lets you keep an eye on your meal.
- DISHWASHER-SAFE COMPONENTS: Removable inner pot and lid for hassle-free maintenance and easy cleaning.
GreenLife 6QT Slow Cooker, Non-Toxic PFAS-Free Ceramic Nonstick Removable Interior Bowl, Programmable, Family Friendly, Keep Warm, Stovetop & Oven Safe, Dishwasher Safe Crock, Timer, Glass Lid, White
- EXTRA-LARGE 6QT CAPACITY: The spacious 6QT pot fits a 6 lb. chicken, a 4 lb. roast, or enough to serve 7+ people—ideal for family dinners, meal prep, or feeding a crowd.
- TOXIN-FREE CERAMIC NONSTICK INTERIOR: Our coating is free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium so you can make every meal healthier. Its healthy and easy-to-clean ceramic nonstick coating is derived from sand and delivers effortless release with quick cleanup.
- EASY-TO-USE CONTROL PANEL: Choose from 3 modes (Low/Medium/High), use the Delay Timer, and rely on Keep Warm to serve when you’re ready.
- PERFECT FOR MEAL PREP: Cook from 30 minutes to 20 hours, program up to 10 hours in advance, and it stays warm for 4 hours—ideal for make-ahead meals, busy mornings, or prepping big batches.
- STOVETOP READY POT: The pot is lightweight and removable for stovetop and oven use, so you can start with a sear, finish slow, and get more flavor.
- CLEAR GLASS LID: A clear glass lid lets you keep an eye on your meal.
- DISHWASHER-SAFE COMPONENTS: Removable inner pot and lid for hassle-free maintenance and easy cleaning.
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 features are most important in a 6-quart slow cooker?
Look for a programmable timer that automatically switches to a ‘keep warm’ setting, which is essential for flexible cooking. A digital display is much easier to read and set than an old-fashioned dial. Additionally, a locking lid is a crucial feature for safe transport to potlucks or family gatherings.
What’s the difference between a manual and a programmable slow cooker?
A manual cooker requires you to physically turn it off, offering less flexibility and risking overcooked food if you’re not home. A programmable model allows you to set a specific cook time, after which it will automatically shift to a warm setting to maintain the perfect temperature. For busy lifestyles, a programmable timer is a non-negotiable convenience.
Is a 6-quart size too big for a small family?
Not necessarily. While it’s ideal for large roasts or feeding a crowd, a 6-quart cooker is versatile enough for smaller meals. The key is to ensure the cooker is at least half-full for optimal performance, so you can make a large batch and enjoy leftovers. Many models also offer smaller settings that work well with less food.
How do different brands of 6-quart slow cookers compare?
Crock-Pot is a well-known, reliable brand offering a wide range of models at different price points. Brands like Hamilton Beach and Cuisinart often compete by offering more advanced features like temperature probes or searing functions at a similar price. Comparing specific models is key, as a premium model from one brand may have more in common with a mid-range model from another.
Are more expensive slow cookers worth the extra cost?
Higher-priced models often justify their cost with features like a searing function, which allows you to brown meat directly in the pot, saving cleanup. They may also offer more precise temperature controls, a more durable non-stick insert, or a longer warranty. If you plan to use your slow cooker frequently and want more cooking versatility, the investment can be worthwhile.
What’s the difference between a ceramic and a metal insert?
Ceramic inserts are the traditional standard, offering excellent, even heat retention and are generally non-stick. Some premium models feature a non-stick aluminum or metal insert that is lighter and can often be used on the stovetop for searing. While ceramic is durable, a metal insert provides greater multi-functionality for the serious home cook.
How can I determine the best value for my money?
The best value isn’t always the lowest price, but the best feature set for your needs. Identify your must-have features, like a timer or a locking lid, and find a model that includes them within your budget. Reading user reviews can also provide insight into a cooker’s long-term reliability and real-world performance.
Is a ‘keep warm’ setting standard on all models?
Most modern slow cookers, especially those with a timer, include an automatic ‘keep warm’ function. This setting activates once the programmed cooking time is complete, keeping your food at a safe serving temperature without overcooking it. Always check the product description, as some very basic or older models may not have this essential feature.