Our Top Picks
Crockpot® Programmable 7-Quart Cook and Carry Slow Cooker7 Quarts10.4 x 15.6 x 15.7 inchesCheck on Amazon
Crock-Pot MultiMeal Multicooker and Programmable Slow Cooker with8 Quarts12.25 x 18 x 9.25 inchesCheck on Amazon
Crock-Pot is the American brand name that became shorthand for the slow cooker, and today it sells manual and programmable slow cookers, portable Cook and Carry models, dual-pot cookers and small food warmers. It suits busy households, potluck hosts and anyone who wants cheap, forgiving, set-and-forget cooking. For most kitchens, a 6- or 7-quart programmable Cook and Carry is the best all-rounder, while a manual 7-quart model is the budget pick. Skip it if you want fast pressure cooking, searing in the same pot or a stovetop-safe insert.
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Crock-Pot at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Country / HQ | United States; sold by Sunbeam Products |
| Brand launched | 1971, when Rival relaunched the product it had acquired in 1970 as the Crock-Pot |
| Parent company | Newell Brands (through its Sunbeam Products division) |
| Signature products | Manual and programmable slow cookers, Cook and Carry models, MultiMeal dual-pot cookers, electric lunch boxes and food warmers, multi-cookers |
| Price positioning | Budget for manual slow cookers; mid-range for programmable, sous vide and multi-pot models |
| Warranty | Not confirmed on a fetched official page; check the manual and seller |
History and positioning
The slow cooker idea goes back to an earlier appliance called the Bean-Pot, made by Naxon Utilities Corp. in Chicago. In 1970 Rival, an American small-appliance maker, acquired Naxon and in 1971 rebranded the product as the Crock-Pot, supported by a recipe book. It became one of Rival’s top products and gave its name to a whole category: a “Crock-Pot” is a trademark, while “slow cooker” is the generic term, and not every slow cooker is a Crock-Pot.
Ownership has changed several times. Rival’s owner Holmes took over in 1999, Jarden acquired Holmes in 2005, and Newell Brands acquired Jarden in 2016. After the Jarden deal Crock-Pot was spun off as its own brand and its slow cookers no longer carry the Rival logo. Today Crock-Pot products are sold under Sunbeam Products, a Newell Brands division.
Brand histories you find online sometimes disagree on early dates and details, so treat older claims with caution. One investigation of manufacturing reports that Crock-Pot slow cookers are made in Mexico and its pressure cookers and multi-cookers in China, though origins can vary by model, so check the box. The brand has moved beyond classic round cookers into oval programmable models, travel-friendly locking lids, multi-pot cookers, enameled cast-iron cookware and portable lunch warmers.
Crock-Pot product-line map
| Line / type | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Manual slow cookers (2 to 10 quart) | Simple low, high and warm dials with removable stoneware | Budget buyers, dips, soups, roasts |
| Programmable slow cookers | Digital timers that switch to warm automatically; 4 to 8 quart | Work-day cooking and meal prep |
| Cook and Carry | Locking lids and carry handles, sometimes with a Little Dipper warmer or carry bag | Potlucks, tailgates, family gatherings |
| Design Series | Color-matched finishes in manual and programmable versions | Gifts and stylish kitchens |
| MultiMeal and dual-pot cookers | Two nonstick pots with a bake function for cooking two dishes at once | Main plus side |
| Sous vide Cook and Carry | A slow cooker with a removable temperature probe and sous vide function | Cooks who want more control |
| Lunch Crock food warmers | Electric portable lunch boxes of 20 or 28 ounces | Office and travel meals |
| Cookware and pressure/multi-cookers | Enameled braisers and Express Crock multi-cookers | Stovetop braising and pressure cooking |
Best sellers and picks
These products come from the Crock-Pot listings in this site’s product feed. Specs are taken from the listing titles; anything not shown there is marked as not listed.
Crock-Pot 7-Quart Manual Slow Cooker
Crock-Pot 7-Quart Manual Slow Cooker, Family Size Serves 8+ People & Fits 6-lb Roast, Removable Stoneware with Warming Setting, Dishwasher Safe for Easy Cleanup, Stainless Steel
One of the home product options compared in this guide.
Check Price on AmazonA family-size manual cooker in stainless steel that serves eight or more people and fits a 6-pound roast, according to the listing. It has removable stoneware, a warming setting and dishwasher-safe parts. This is the classic, low-cost Crock-Pot: set low or high, add food, and check back hours later. The limitation is control. It has no timer, so food keeps cooking until you turn it off or it reaches warm if the model supports it, which means it suits at-home days better than long work absences.
Crock-Pot 3-Quart Manual Slow Cooker
Crock-Pot 3-Quart Manual Slow Cooker, Serves 3+ People, Great for Small Meals, Dips, & Sides; Removable Stoneware is Oven & Dishwasher-Safe, Stainless Steel
One of the home product options compared in this guide.
Check Price on AmazonA small stainless cooker for dips, sides and meals for about three people, with oven-safe, dishwasher-safe stoneware. It is a good choice for one-person households, party dips and tiny kitchens. The limitation is capacity: you cannot cook a whole chicken or a large roast, and smaller cookers heat food faster, so recipes need shorter times. Follow the manual’s fill guidance.
Crock-Pot 8-Quart Manual Slow Cooker
Crock-Pot 8-Quart Manual Slow Cooker, XL Family Size Serves 10+ People, Removable Stoneware with Warming Setting, Dishwasher Safe for Easy Cleanup, Red
One of the home product options compared in this guide.
Check Price on AmazonAn XL red manual cooker for ten or more servings, with removable stoneware and a warming setting. It is aimed at holidays, tailgates and batch cooking for a crowd. The limitation is bulk: the stoneware is heavy when full, and a cooker this large needs counter space and a sturdy cabinet. Cooking times in a bigger cooker can run differently, so follow the manual, and do not fill beyond the recommended line.
Crockpot Programmable 7-Quart Cook and Carry Slow Cooker
Crockpot® Programmable 7-Quart Cook and Carry Slow Cooker, Grey | Touch Control, 4 Pre Programmed Settings, Removable Stoneware, and Locking Lid
One of the home product options compared in this guide.
Check Price on AmazonA grey 7-quart cooker with touch controls, four pre-programmed settings, removable stoneware and a locking lid. It is the best all-round pick for most households because the program settings and timer reduce guesswork. The locking lid is a practical feature for taking dishes to gatherings. The limitation is that the lid lock does not turn it into a pressure cooker, and the touch panel adds a part that can fail. See our best slow cookers and multi-cookers for context.
Crock-Pot 6-Quart Cook and Carry with Little Dipper Warmer
Crock-Pot 6-Quart Cook and Carry Slow Cooker with Little Dipper Warmer (Red)
One of the home product options compared in this guide.
Check Price on AmazonA red 6-quart cooker paired with a small Little Dipper warmer, which is useful for dips, sauces and queso at parties. The listing gives the capacity and warmer but does not describe controls, so check whether this edition is manual or programmable. The limitation is the warmer’s small size, and you must watch the heat on dairy-based dips.
Crock-Pot MultiMeal Multicooker and Programmable Slow Cooker
Crock-Pot MultiMeal Multicooker and Programmable Slow Cooker with Bake Function, Create 2 Dishes Simultaneously, Two 3.7qt Nonstick Pots Feed 8+ People, Dishwasher-Safe
One of the home product options compared in this guide.
Check Price on AmazonA programmable cooker with two 3.7-quart nonstick pots and a bake function, so you can cook two dishes at once and feed eight or more people. It fits dinners with a main and a side, or entertaining where you want one dish mild and one spicy. The limitation is that each pot is smaller than a single 6- or 7-quart crock, so a large roast may not fit. For more multi-pot choices, see our multi-cooker guide for weeknight meal prep.
Crock-Pot 7-Quart Cook and Carry with Sous Vide Function
Crock-Pot 7-Quart Cook & Carry Slow Cooker with Sous Vide Function, Family-Sized Slow Cooker Warms up to 30 Hours, Modern Digital Display, Travel-Proof Locking Lid & Removable Temperature Probe
One of the home product options compared in this guide.
Check Price on AmazonA 7-quart slow cooker with a sous vide function, a digital display, a travel-proof locking lid, a removable temperature probe and the ability to warm for up to 30 hours, per the listing. It is aimed at cooks who want one pot for slow cooking and low-temperature water-bath cooking. The limitation is complexity and price: it adds features some buyers will not use, and sous vide in a large crock is less efficient than in a purpose-built circulator. Our sous vide versus slow cooker comparison explains the trade-offs.
Crock-Pot Electric Lunch Box, 20-Ounce Food Warmer
Crock-Pot Electric Lunch Box, Portable Food Warmer for Travel, Car, On-the-Go, 20-Ounce, Blush Pink | Keeps Food Warm & Spill-Free | Dishwasher-Safe | Gifts for Women
One of the home product options compared in this guide.
Check Price on AmazonA portable electric food warmer in blush pink that keeps food warm and is described as spill-free and dishwasher safe. It is useful for office lunches and road trips, but it warms food rather than cooking it from raw. The limitation is capacity and safety: 20 ounces is a single meal, and food should be fully cooked and hot before it goes in. Do not leave perishable food warming for extended periods.
How Crock-Pot compares with rivals
| Brand | Positioning | Where Crock-Pot wins | Where the rival wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton Beach | Portable and programmable slow cookers, including stovetop-safe crocks | Brand recognition and more design choices | Some models have stovetop-safe or sear-and-cook crocks |
| Instant Pot | Pressure cookers and multi-cookers | Simpler, cheaper slow cooking | Pressure cooking speed and more functions |
| Ninja | PossibleCooker multi-function cooker | Lower entry price | Sear, steam and more modes in one pot |
| Chefman | Budget slow cookers, including triple-pot designs | Wider selection of sizes and finishes | Competitive prices on larger multi-pot cookers |
For a head-to-head view with a similar budget, read our cheap slow cooker comparison.
Buying tips for Crock-Pot
Reading Crock-Pot listings
Titles contain the details that matter: capacity in quarts (2, 3, 4.5, 6, 7, 8 or 10), Manual or Programmable, the words Cook and Carry (locking lid and handles) and extras such as Little Dipper, MultiMeal or Sous Vide. Model codes in retail listings usually combine the size and finish, but codes are not consistent between years, so rely on the title and the manual. Capacity guides: 2 to 3 quarts for dips and one or two people, 4 to 5 quarts for small households, 6 to 7 quarts for most families and 8 to 10 quarts for crowds.
Which line to choose by need
| Your situation | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest price, simple use | Manual 6 or 7 quart | Dial controls and few parts |
| Long work day | Programmable Cook and Carry | Timer and automatic warm |
| Party or potluck | Cook and Carry with locking lid | Travels without spilling |
| Dips and small sides | 2 to 3 quart manual | Small, cheap and easy to store |
| Main and side together | MultiMeal | Two pots, bake function |
| Precision cooking | Sous vide Cook and Carry | Probe and low-temperature control |
Safe use basics
Slow cookers are safe when used correctly. Thaw meat first rather than cooking it frozen, keep the lid on, and do not lift it often because each peek adds cooking time. Cooked food should stay hot, and leftovers should be moved to the fridge instead of sitting in the pot on warm. Do not use a slow cooker to reheat cold leftovers from the fridge, because it may not bring them up to temperature fast enough. Never put the stoneware on a stovetop burner or under a broiler unless the manual says it is safe, and avoid sudden temperature changes that can crack it. Keep the cord away from the edge of the counter.
What suits a slow cooker, and what does not
Slow cookers shine with tough, inexpensive cuts such as chuck roast, pork shoulder and chicken thighs, which soften over hours of gentle heat. They are also good for chili, soups, stews, beans (after proper pre-boiling where the manual requires it) and dips. They are weaker for quick-cooking foods: fish, tender vegetables, pasta and rice often turn mushy if cooked for the full day. Add dairy, fresh herbs and delicate vegetables near the end. A good rule is to fill the crock between one half and two thirds full, because too little food can overcook while too much may not reach a safe temperature in time.
- 1 to 2 people: 2 to 4 quarts, good for dips and small batches.
- 3 to 4 people: 4.5 to 6 quarts, enough for a small roast or chicken.
- 5 to 8 people: 6 to 7 quarts, the most flexible size; the listing says the 7-quart fits a 6-pound roast.
- Crowds and holidays: 8 to 10 quarts, heavy and needs storage space.
Cleaning and care
Let the crock cool before washing, since a hot ceramic dropped in cold water can crack. Removable stoneware is dishwasher safe on many models according to the listings, but hand-washing with a non-abrasive pad extends its life. Wipe the heating base with a damp cloth, never submerge it, and unplug it before cleaning. For stubborn stains, soak the crock in warm soapy water for a while instead of scraping. Replace lids that no longer fit well, and avoid using metal utensils that can scratch the glaze.
Warranty and service
We could not confirm warranty terms from a fetched official page. Read the booklet that ships with your model and keep the receipt. Replacement stoneware and lids are widely stocked for popular sizes, but check the model fit.
Common complaints to plan for
- Foods cook faster than old recipes say. Some owners report that newer cookers run hotter than older ones, so check roasts a little early the first few times.
- No searing. Most crocks cannot go on the stove, so browning meat needs a separate pan.
- Lid seal limits. A locking lid helps with transport but is not airtight for cooking.
- Heavy stoneware. Large crocks are heavy when full and can chip if dropped.
- Water-heavy results. Slow cookers keep moisture in, so reduce liquid compared with stovetop recipes.
Who should skip Crock-Pot
Skip the brand if you need to cook dinner in under an hour, if you want a stovetop-safe pot for browning, or if you prefer a single-pot multi-cooker with many functions. In those cases, consider the Ninja PossibleCooker (see our PossibleCooker Pro review) or a pressure cooker.
Frequently asked questions
Is Crock-Pot a brand or a type of cooker?
It is a brand and trademark. “Slow cooker” is the generic term, so not every slow cooker is a Crock-Pot.
Who owns Crock-Pot?
Newell Brands, through Sunbeam Products. The brand began with Rival, which acquired the original product in 1970 and launched the Crock-Pot in 1971.
What size Crock-Pot should I buy?
6 to 7 quarts for most families, 3 quarts for dips and one or two people, and 8 quarts or more for big groups.
Manual or programmable?
Choose manual for the lowest cost and simplest use. Choose programmable if you are away for long periods and want a timer and automatic warm setting.
Can I put frozen meat in a Crock-Pot?
It is safer to thaw it first, because frozen food may spend too long at temperatures where bacteria grow. Follow the manual.
Can the stoneware go in the oven?
Some listings say the stoneware is oven-safe, but not all models. Check the manual for your model and avoid sudden temperature changes.
Is a Crock-Pot the same as an Instant Pot?
No. A Crock-Pot is mainly a slow cooker. An Instant Pot is mainly an electric pressure cooker that also slow cooks.
Bottom line
Crock-Pot is the default choice for affordable, easy slow cooking. Buy a manual 6 or 7 quart for the lowest cost, a programmable Cook and Carry for most families, and a MultiMeal or sous vide model if you want more flexibility. Look elsewhere for speed, searing or pressure cooking.
Last updated: October 2026
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