6 genius slow cookers for convenient and delicious weeknight dinners

The Crock-Pot is a true staple in the world of slow cookers. With over 2,160 five-star reviews on Amazon, this appliance proves you don’t need multiple fancy gadgets to cook up a storm. Its large 6.5L capacity is perfect for feeding a big family or meal prepping, while the removable ceramic pot makes clean-up easier than ever.

“First time owning a slow cooker and not sure why I waited so long,” wrote a five-star reviewer. “I use this every weekend to cook the meat for our Sunday roast and midweek when we are short on time. The food is always beautifully tender and tasty. The cooker itself is incredibly simple to use. It has two heat settings and a “keep warm” option. There is no light but it really isn’t needed.”

Material: Aluminium

Key features:

• 6.5L capacity
• Three heat settings: low, high, and keep warm
• Oven-safe ceramic bowl is perfect for browning or finishing dishes
• Dishwasher-safe pot
• Includes a recipe booklet and three handy kitchen utensils

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.

“We already had a Breville Slow Cooker which we used a lot but we needed another one,” said a reviewer on the Breville website. “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.”

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

Key features:

• 6L capacity
• 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:

• $199 at Bing Lee
• $213 (usually $269) at Appliances Online
• $228.65 (usually $269) at Myer
• $239 at Breville
• $269 at David Jones

Sleek, stylish and spacious, this 7L slow cooker is the ideal way to feed a big crowd. With its stylish matte black finish, it won’t look out of place on even the most modern kitchen counter.

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 consider other models.

Material: Ceramic

Key features:

• 7L capacity
• 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:

• $59.96 (usually $79.95) at Myer
• $66 (usually $79) at Billy Guyatts
• $69 (usually $79) at Betta Home Living
• $79 at The Good Guys
• $80 at Spotlight

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. “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!”

Material: Stainless steel

Key features:

• 6L capacity
• 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:

• $129 at The Good Guys
• $149 at Betta Home Living
• $156 (usually $180) at Appliances Online
• $161.95 (usually $179.95) at Harris Scarfe

If you have limited storage space or a smaller household, this 3.5L gadget might be the one for you. It features a hob-proof inner pot for added versatility and is generally praised for its ease of use and cleaning. With a toughened glass lid for monitoring, a shatterproof design and dishwasher-safe components, it really is a jack-of-all-trades.

80 per cent of 8,599 Amazon reviewers gave this slow cooker a five-star rating, with one happy customer writing: “I love my new slow cooker! Life legitimately changes after you buy one and it’s made a lot easier. Also who knew you could make anything in them, from curry, stews and soups through to cakes and desserts and jams. Mind blown.”

Material: Aluminium

Key features:

• 3.5L capacity
• Hob-proof cooking pot for searing and slow cooking in one
• Dishwasher-safe cooking pot and glass lid
• Toughened glass lid for easy monitoring
• Shatterproof pot
• Not compatible with induction hobs

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

Materials: Metal wrap construction with a stainless steel finish

Key features:

• 5.5L capacity
• 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:

• $48 (usually $69) at Billy Guyatts
• $49 (usually $69) at Betta Home Living
• $59.46 (usually $69.95) at Myer