6 genius slow cookers for convenient and delicious weeknight dinners

Standout features: Sear function, multiple heat settings, large capacity, stainless steel finish

This slow cooker from Breville goes beyond the basics. It lets you sear your meat directly in the pot before slow cooking, giving you that restaurant-quality browned goodness typically lacking in regular slow cookers. It also features a range of temperature settings for ultimate control over your meals.

In fact, it’s a favourite in this author’s very-own kitchen, regularly used for everything from soups to slow-cooked roasts thanks to its versatility and generous capacity.

As one reviewer put it on the Breville website: “We already had a Breville slow cooker which we used a lot, but we needed another one. Having bought this recently, I’d say this one is even better than our other Breville with being able to sauté vegetables or cook meat before adding the other ingredients. It’s permanently on our kitchen workbench as we use it a lot for slow cooker meals. We love it.”

Capacity: 6L

Colour: Brushed stainless steel

Materials: Toughened glass lid with steam vent, large stainless steel steaming trivet and aluminium non-stick bowl

Key features:

• Sear function for restaurant-quality flavour
• Multiple cooking settings
• Sleek stainless steel design
• Large capacity for feeding the family
• Easy-to-use control panel
• Removable non-stick bowl for easy cleaning

Also available at:

• $219 (usually $249) from The Good Guys
• $239 (usually $279) from Appliances Online
• $249 from Breville

Standout features: Large capacity, dishwasher-safe ceramic pot, three heat settings, modern matte black

Spacious and easy on the eyes, this 7L slow cooker is a solid pick for feeding a crowd. The matte black finish gives it a modern edge, so it won’t stick out on your benchtop in the wrong way.

Plus, the positive reviews speak for themselves – this is a reliable and affordable option. Customers appreciate its value, size and performance, noting that it cooks well and is simple to use. Some do mention it doesn’t have a light indicator, so if that’s a deal breaker for you, you might want to keep that in mind.

Capacity: 7L

Colour: Matte black

Material: Ceramic

Key features:

• Cooks up to eight servings
• Dishwasher-safe pot and tempered glass lid
• Three heat settings: Low, high and keep warm
• Premium matte black finish with cool-touch handles
• Built-in lid holder for convenience
• Wrap-around heating elements for even heat distribution

Also available at:

• $63 (usually $79) from Betta Home Living
• $63 (usually $79) from Billy Guyatts
• $79 from The Good Guys
• $80 from Spotlight

Standout features: Intelligent temperature sensor, programmable settings, even heat distribution, stainless steel

Another great option from Breville, this appliance eliminates the guesswork with its savvy temperature sensor, which automatically adjusts the heat for perfect cooking every time. This means less time babysitting the food and more time enjoying your day or indulging in some well-deserved relaxation.

“The Smart temperature slow cooker weighs your ingredients and automatically sets the cook time on the digital read out,” wrote a reviewer who left five stars on the Myer website. “Easy clean and streamlined operation makes cooking a dream.”

Another added: “This slow cooker is a serious upgrade and has been the hard-working hero of my kitchen since I bought it. Cooks really evenly and the keep warm function is fantastic. Looks great on the benchtop too!”

Capacity: 6L

Colour: Stainless steel

Material: Stainless steel

Key features:

• IQ temperature sensor prevents overcooked meals
• Programmable low, medium and high settings
• Wrap-around heating element ensures constant even temperatures
• 230/240 V

Also available at:

• $149 from Betta Home Living
• $151.96 for members (usually $189.95) from Myer
• $182 from Appliances Online

Standout features: Multi-function (slow cook, pressure cook, steam, sauté), 8L capacity, 20 presets, fast cooking

Looking to save time without sacrificing flavour? The Philips All-In-One makes it easy. With a generous eight-litre pot, it’s built for big batches and busy weeknights. It cooks up to 35 per cent faster and comes with 20 pre-set programs, so you can go from stew to steamed veg at the push of a button. The non-stick pot and removable lid keep cleanup hassle-free, and built-in safety features help take the pressure off (literally!).

“This is a dream come true to be able to do all the functions of three appliances in the same pot,” shared a recent reviewer on the Myer website, where this cooker holds an impressive 4.5-star rating from over 650 reviews. “I wasn’t convinced but after using it, it really does need only one pot, from browning the ingredients and then cooking risotto or pressure cooking the chicken and then cooking the chicken and vege soup. It cooks fast or slow, you are in control. It is really good.”

Capacity: 8L

Colour: Silver

Materials: Aluminium alloy inner pot with a ProCeramic+ non-stick coating

Key features:

• 1500 watts of heating power speeds up cooking time by around a third
• Large eight-litre capacity cooks up to 14 servings
• 20 pre-set cooking programs
• Multi-function: slow cook, pressure cook, steam, sauté and more
• Detachable inner lid for easy cleaning
• Includes steaming tray, scoop and measuring cup
• Nine built-in safety protection systems

Also available at:

• $239.20 for members (usually $299) from Myer
• $252 (usually $299) from Appliances Online
• $299 from Bing Lee
• $299 from The Good Guys
• $299 from David Jones

Standout features: Wrap-around heating, keep warm function, dishwasher safe, mid-size

This Sunbeam option is a solid all-rounder with a decent capacity and user-friendly controls. While it might not have all the bells and whistles of some others on this list, it excels at delivering tender, flavourful meals with very little effort. The wrap-around heating element promises even cooking and prevents sticking, while the keep-warm setting keeps your meal ready until you are.

One reviewer shared: “This cooker is extraordinary. We have used it several times since purchase and are very happy with its performance.”

Another confirmed: “This slow cooker is exactly what I was looking for. The size is perfect for both small and large meals. It is easy to use with low, high and keep warm settings. Good value for money.”

Capacity: 5.5L

Colour: Brushed stainless steel

Materials: Metal wrap construction with a stainless steel finish

Key features:

• Wrap-around heating element for even cooking
• Keep warm setting to prevent overcooking
• Dishwasher-safe pan and lid for easy cleaning
• 12-month replacement warranty

Also available at:

• $66 from Billy Guyatts
• $69 from Betta Home Living

Standout features: Multi-function (slow cook, pressure cook, steam, sauté), 13 one-touch programs, delay start, dishwasher safe

The Crock-Pot Express Easy Release doesn’t mess around. It pressure cooks, steams, sautés and slow cooks dinner without asking for much in return (besides a spot on the bench, of course). The 5.7L pot easily feeds a family, and with 13 built-in programs and a delay start, you can set it and forget it. Once you’re done, the pot goes straight in the dishwasher.

It has a solid 4.8 out of 5 stars from 230 reviews at The Good Guys, with most people sharing positive feedback. Many say it’s easy to use and makes dinner quicker and less stressful. Some love that they can throw in ingredients before work and come home to a finished meal, while others say it makes great soups, stews and even lentil dishes. One person mentioned using it daily for things like ribs, roasts and tagines.

“A very efficient cooker,” a recent shopper confirmed. “Slow cooked meals are excellent. No mess, all functions work well. Very pleased with this cooker.”

Capacity: 5.7L

Colour: Stainless steel

Materials: Stainless steel, non-stick aluminium, heat-resistant plastic

Key features:

• 5.7L capacity serves up to six people
• 13 one-touch programs for a variety of meals
• Pressure cooks up to 70 per cent faster than conventional methods
• Steam release dial keeps hands safely away
• Delay start function for flexible meal planning
• Removable non-stick cooking pot is dishwasher safe
• Replaces eight appliances in one
• Includes steaming rack, serving spoon and recipe book

Also available at:

• $149 (usually $189) from Stan Cash
• $175.20 for members (usually $219) from Myer
• $199 from The Good Guys