




No time to prepare food? Slow cookers are the answer to your problem! Slow cooker, you say? Yes, the one your lola uses to cook caldereta on Christmas. But now, with the variety of slow cooker recipes available online, a slow cooker can be used to prepare tasty food every day, and not just on special occasions.
A slow cooker uses low heat to cook food for hours without drying it out. You just toss the ingredients in, set the timer, then leave it until it's done! Imagine all the time you'll have for other things! Tempted to get one? Read our guide, fact-checked by Chef Terence Fereday Jr., to help you find the best slow cooker.
Quick List - Top Slow Cookers

Chef Terrence has 30 years of experience working in the professional kitchen. He graduated from the Professional Culinary Institute in California, USA, and he was a former Culinary Instructor, Corporate Chef, and Executive Chef. He also won several awards in culinary competitions and is the founder and owner of Zilla Pizza.

Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
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A slow cooker is a handy tool to have in the kitchen if you're too busy to prepare food. You can just leave it on your countertop, and it will do the work for you. This way, you have extra time on your hands to handle other tasks that need to be done. Think of it as a rice cooker for your ulam, that's slowly cooking your food to perfection.
Slow cookers are used for soups and stews since its slow cook time is ideal for tenderizing tough meat and bringing out its flavors. There are many other recipes that could be done with it like slow cooker pulled pork tenderloin or slow cooker adobo. You can also cook pasta sauce in a slow cooker and even bake a cake in it, so the possibilities are endless!
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
The first thing you want to consider before buying a slow cooker is its size, keeping in mind that it works best when half-full and not filled to the brim. Slow cookers typically come in three sizes, small, medium, and large, and with the capacity measured in quarts or liters.
Take note that usually, recipes are designed for 6-quart or 6.5-liter cookers, and this size is ideal if you want to work with large pieces of meat like, for instance, a whole chicken. There are also cookers that have sizes that go up to 10 quarts or 11 liters.

For a slow cooker, start with a cooking capacity of 4 to 5 quarts. This will be ideal for a family of 4. If you live alone, this works as well, as you can batch-cook your meals for the week.
Slow cookers come in two basic shapes, oval and round. There isn't any significant advantage of one shape over the other, but selecting one would depend on your usage. Round-shaped cookers are smaller and less expensive. They're perfect for soups, stews, and curries. They can even be used to serve sauces during parties.
On the other hand, oval-shaped cookers are larger, so they can fit more food, such as large cuts of pork and beef, a whole chicken, and a rack of ribs. Because of their wider surface area, they also cook food much faster. This makes them perfect for large families and gatherings.

Go for the oval-shaped cooker for versatility. It works for soups, stews, and even on large cuts of meat like a braise. The larger cooking surface and roomier interior of this design allow you to cook faster and have an adequate amount of sauce for your guests.
Another thing to consider when buying a slow cooker is choosing between its available settings. Slow cookers come in two settings, manual and programmable. A manual slow cooker is inexpensive and can provide basic functions, while a programmable slow cooker is more expensive but lets you have more control over your cooking.
Manual cookers are fairly straightforward. They usually have a button or knob with low, medium, and high settings. Some manual models do not have a timer setting, so you would have to monitor the cooking process to keep the food from drying out or becoming overcooked.
Newer models, however, have a "keep warm" setting, although it would have to be adjusted manually. It keeps meals warm but doesn't overcook them. It is inexpensive and ideal if you are just a beginner at using a slow cooker.

You cant rely 100% on the cooker. Monitor the food item you're cooking for doneness. Start out by making notes on the cooking times and settings for each type of protein you do, so you will have a guide next time you cook.
Programmable cookers have advanced settings and features that allow you to “set and forget,” meaning you could pre-set the cooking time, leave for work, and return to a cooked meal without worrying about burning or overcooking it. Some cookers even have additional functions, such as a sear function, so you don’t have to brown meat on the stove.
Once the timer is done, it automatically switches to keep warm mode, which stops the cooking process and keeps your food warm for hours. This type of slow cooker is more expensive, but it gives you more control since you can customize the cooking process. This is ideal if you are already experienced in using slow cookers.

Take note that the warm mode does not stop the cooking process completely, residual heat in the food continues to cook the food.
The pot of the slow cooker, where the food is placed and cooked, is called a crock pot insert. It is usually made of materials such as ceramic, stoneware, aluminum, or stainless steel, and is also removable making it easy to clean and maintain.
Ceramic and stoneware crock pot inserts are heavy and sturdy; therefore they are ideal for home use. These pots are usually non-stick, making cooking and cleaning easier. They are also safe to use on the stovetop and even in the oven. Most of all, when exposed to high temperatures, they do not emit toxic fumes or toxins.

This type of cookware surface requires minimal oil because of its nonstick surface. The fact that it's oven and stovetop-proof is a bonus.
If you want a crock pot insert that can brown meat without having to sear it on the stove, then one made of aluminum and stainless steel is best for you. It is lightweight and ideal for browning, searing, or caramelizing different ingredients inside the cooker. Some variants of this pot also have a non-stick coating and can be placed in a microwave or oven for reheating.

For a much better sear on your cooker, make sure to dry the surface of the item and use a minimal amount of oil, and preheat the cooker properly.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Programmable | Shape | Crock Material | Capacity | |||||
1 | Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 | ![]() | Dinner, Fast-Tracked | Round | Stainless Steel | 7.5 L | ||
2 | Instant Pot Instant Pot RIO | ![]() | Revolutionize Your Kitchen: One Pot, Endless Possibilities | Round | Stainless Steel | 5.7 L | ||
3 | Kyowa Oval Slow Cooker |KW-2856 | ![]() | Effortless Flavor, Even Heat, Anytime Cooking | Oval | Ceramic | 6.5 L | ||
4 | Imarflex Digital Slow Cooker|ISC-601DS | ![]() | Slow-Cooked Perfection, Patiently Crafted for You | Round | Ceramic | 5.6 L | ||
5 | Tough Mama Stackable Multicooker|NTM-MC15 | ![]() | Your Reliable Kitchen Companion | Round | Aluminum | 1.5 L | ||
6 | Kyowa Round Slow Cooker |KW-2802 | ![]() | Where Taste Meets Tenderness | Round | Ceramic | 3 L | ||
7 | Union Multi-Cooker 12-in-1 |UGMC-308 | ![]() | One Meal at a Time, with 12 Functions | Round | Aluminum | 3 L | ||
8 | Tough Mama Manual Pressure Cooker |NTM-MPC | ![]() | Cook Faster, Cook Safer, Cook Smarter | Round | Aluminum | 3 L, 7 L, 11 L | ||
9 | Imarflex Slow Cooker |ISC-370B | ![]() | Simply Delicious, Slowly Done | Round | Ceramic | 3.5 L | ||
10 | Hanabishi Multi Cooker |HMC550SS | ![]() | Bringing Home-Cooked Happiness to Your Table | Round | Non-Stick | 3 L | ||
Features and benefits:
Reviews mention:
The lid and quiet steam release are frequently recognized as convenient and safe features. The spacious capacity and consistent cooking performance have made it a top choice for family meal preparations. This appliance is lauded for its durable construction and ease of cleaning. Some owners express concerns regarding the necessity of regularly cleaning the sealing rings and accessories to ensure optimal functionality.
| Programmable | |
|---|---|
| Shape | Round |
| Crock Material | Stainless Steel |
| Capacity | 7.5 L |
| Programmable | |
|---|---|
| Shape | Round |
| Crock Material | Stainless Steel |
| Capacity | 5.7 L |
Features and benefits:
Reviews mention:
Positive comments highlight the retention of food moisture and tenderness, ease of use with simple controls, and the multiple size options catering to both small and large families. The slow cooker is considered energy efficient with moderate power consumption relative to its capacity. Some users find the cooker to be basic without advanced features like sautéing functions; sautéing needs to be done separately.
| Programmable | |
|---|---|
| Shape | Oval |
| Crock Material | Ceramic |
| Capacity | 6.5 L |
Features and benefits:
Reviews mention:
Many cooks appreciate the precise temperature control which helps achieve perfect slow-cooked dishes. The large capacity and even heat distribution make it suitable for family-sized meals. The sleek stainless steel design with cool-touch handles is praised for kitchen aesthetics and safety. A few reported that the slow cooker size may be too large for small households or limited kitchen space.
| Programmable | |
|---|---|
| Shape | Round |
| Crock Material | Ceramic |
| Capacity | 5.6 L |
| Programmable | |
|---|---|
| Shape | Round |
| Crock Material | Aluminum |
| Capacity | 1.5 L |
| Programmable | |
|---|---|
| Shape | Round |
| Crock Material | Ceramic |
| Capacity | 3 L |
| Programmable | |
|---|---|
| Shape | Round |
| Crock Material | Aluminum |
| Capacity | 3 L |
| Programmable | |
|---|---|
| Shape | Round |
| Crock Material | Aluminum |
| Capacity | 3 L, 7 L, 11 L |
| Programmable | |
|---|---|
| Shape | Round |
| Crock Material | Ceramic |
| Capacity | 3.5 L |
| Programmable | |
|---|---|
| Shape | Round |
| Crock Material | Non-Stick |
| Capacity | 3 L |
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by professional chef Terence Fereday.
Frozen chicken breast may take 6 to 8 hours to cook in a slow cooker. To shorten the cooking time, it would be better to thaw the frozen chicken breast in the refrigerator for a minimum of 6 hours, or in a microwave oven for 15 to 30 minutes, before cooking. Once the chicken breast has been thawed, pat it dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture before placing it in the slow cooker.
On the high setting, pork usually cooks for 40 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the toughness of the meat.
You can cook soups, stews, and braises—usually moist cooking methods wherein you have a sauce at the end of cooking.
For multi-cooking functionality and convenience, I would recommend a slow cooker. A pressure cooker is used for a singular purpose, which is to tenderize tough cuts of meat.
Having new appliances can encourage you to get creative with cooking instead of seeing it as a chore. Check out these other picks to get inspiration for your next meal.
Author: J. Cuizon
Re-editor: Carmina Milan
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Instant Pot|Duo Plus 9-in-1
No. 2: Instant Pot|Instant Pot RIO
No. 3: Kyowa|Oval Slow Cooker |KW-2856
No. 4: Imarflex|Digital Slow Cooker|ISC-601DS
No. 5: Tough Mama|Stackable Multicooker|NTM-MC15
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.

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