Now, who said you need a slow cooker that's full-sized? Think of all the wonky and weird slow cooker recipes you'd love to try with one that is sized according to your needs! Then, take a good read of our reviews and buying guide below. You'll see finding the smallest programmable slow cooker isn't that hard. Shall we start?
Here are the smallest programmable slow cookers you can buy in 2024:
- Best For Couples: Cuisinart PSC-350
- Best For Seniors: Hamilton Beach 33443
- Most Versatile: Zavor ZSELL01
- Best For Soups: TianJi DGD40-40SWD
- Easy To Clean: Leuwd Slow Cooker With Lid Lock
- Lightweight: Calphalon SCCLD1
| 6 Smallest Programmable Slow Cookers | ||
|---|---|---|
Best For Couples | Cuisinart PSC-350 | |
Best For Seniors | Hamilton Beach 33443 | |
Most Versatile | Zavor ZSELL01 | |
Best For Soups | TianJi DGD40-40SWD | |
Easy To Clean | Leuwd Slow Cooker With Lid Lock | |
Lightweight | Calphalon SCCLD1 | |
Best For Couples: Cuisinart PSC-350
- Ideal for couples - 3.2 quarts of capacity
- Cook your meals while you’re sleeping/on the go - 24-hour LCD countdown timer
- Safe to touch and portable – a ceramic pot with cool-to-touch handles
- At high setting, the cookers let a few bubbles escape
- Not really programmable
At 3.2 quarts of capacity, the Cuisinart PSC-350 is perfect for couples who live modern and busy lives. It sits nicely on the counter and is easy to use, with four cooking modes and a visual touchpad control panel.
But the biggest selling point is its 24-hour LCD countdown timer, which lets you wake up or come home to an already-cooked meal. Once the cooking time is up, the slow cooker automatically shifts to warm so your meal will be ready when you are.
The ceramic pot with cool-to-touch handles is another handy feature, as it can go right from the unit to the table or fridge.
| Cuisinart PSC-350 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimensions | 9-1/2 in H x 9.1 in W x 12.67 in L |
Weight | 9.5 Pounds |
Materials | Stainless Steel |
Capacity | 3-1/2-Quart |
No of Settings | 4 |
Highlight Features | 3.2 quarts of capacity 24-hour LCD countdown timer a ceramic pot with cool-to-touch handles |
If you are a couple looking for a compact yet functional slow cooker, you won’t do better than the Cuisinart PSC-350
Best For Seniors: Hamilton Beach 33443
- Comfortable and easy to lift – a lightweight pot
- Suitable seniors - soft physical buttons, large text, and nice program features
- Extra safety - auto-shutoff function
- Let some bubbles splatter out the lid
- Not automatically switch to warm after cooking
We find the Hamilton Beach 33443 is the favorite pick of many people, especially those looking for a slow cooker for their parents, grandpas, or elderly relatives.
This model features a lightweight pot for comfortable lifting and a control panel with soft physical buttons, large text, and nice program features, making it super-easy to use. And the auto-shutoff means extra safety in the kitchen.
While the Hamilton Beach 33443 has no learning curve, its programming options are flexible—with five different hour choices and three heat settings—to meet your unique cooking needs.
| Hamilton Beach 33443 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimensions | 9.84"D x 15.16"W x 9.06"H |
Weight | 8.3 Pounds |
Materials | Stainless Steel |
Capacity | 4-Quart |
No of Settings | 3 |
Highlight Features | a lightweight pot soft physical buttons, large text, and nice program features auto-shutoff function |
Built with nice programmable options, a straightforward control panel, and extra safety features, the Hamilton Beach 33443 is perfect for seniors.
Most Versatile: Zavor ZSELL01
- The most versatile – 33+ programmable settings
- Ability to delay cooking – a 6-hour delay timer
- Easily know the cooking stage - Assisting icons on the panel
- A high learning curve
- The power cable is flaky
The Zavor ZSELL01 is perfect for the home cook who loves experimenting with new recipes. It can be a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, and more.
With over 33 programmable settings, it's easy to find the perfect cooking time and temperature for your meal. All the food settings have their own pressure level or temperature and preset cooking time for the best results.
And if you need to delay cooking time, no problem! The time delay feature allows you to delay cooking for up to 6 hours.
Assisting icons on the panel show when the unit is preheating, cooking, and even if the lid needs to be opened or closed.
ETL approved, this multi-cooker won’t open if there is pressure inside.
| Zavor ZSELL01 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimensions | 11.4 x 10.6 x 12.6 inches |
Weight | 12.18 Pounds |
Materials | Stainless steel |
Capacity | 4 Quarts |
No of Settings | 33 |
Highlight Features | 33+ programmable settings a 6-hour delay timer |
The Zavor ZSELL01 is packed with the most programmable options in our review, making it the most versatile.
Best For Soups: TianJi DGD40-40SWD
- Great nutrient retention – high-quality purple clay design
- Even heating - three-dimensional heating function
- The control panel looks a bit clunky
If you're looking for a healthier alternative to cooking soups, stews, and porridge for 3-6 people, look no further than the TianJi DGD40-40SWD.
Featuring a 4.2-quart capacity, it's large enough to cook 10 bowls of soup at a time. The purple clay design is durable, toxin-free, and retains nutrients in your food better than other materials.
With its pre-setting timer and automatic keep-warm function, the TianJi is easy to prepare your meal in advance.
But the best part is its three-dimensional heating function which evenly heats ingredients for nutrient-rich meals every time.
| TianJi DGD40-40SWD Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimensions | 30.5"D x 30.5"W x 29.5"H |
Weight | 13.27 pounds |
Materials | Metal |
Capacity | 4.2 quarts |
No of Settings | 8 |
Highlight Features | high-quality purple clay design three-dimensional heating function |
The TianJi DGD40-40SWD is the ideal choice for those who love to cook soups, porridge, or stews.
Easy To Clean: Leuwd Slow Cooker With Lid Lock
- Easy to clean – dishwasher-friendly ceramic pot and glass lid & stainless-steel shell
- Suitable for large families or batch cooking - a 5.3-quart capacity
- Allow for precisely setting the cooking time – up to 24-hour digital timer
- Difficult to see the control set labels
- The lid is a little finicky
The Leuwd Slow Cooker with Lid Lock is safer to use and easier to clean than other slow cookers on the market. Its ceramic pot and glass lid of this slow cooker are dishwasher-safe once cooled down, making cleanup a breeze. Besides, the stainless-steel housing is simple to wipe-clean.
With a 5.3-quart capacity, this slow cooker can serve 8 people without taking up much counter space, perfect for large families or batch cooking.
The digital timer allows you to precisely set the cooking time anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours, so you can get your meal started before you even begin preparing it.
And if you're not going to be home when it's done cooking, no worries! The delay-start timer ensures that your food will be ready and waiting for you when you are.
| Leuwd Slow Cooker With Lid Lock Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimensions | 10.9"D x 16.5"W x 10.1"H |
Weight | 14 Pounds |
Materials | Stainless Steel |
Capacity | 5.3 QT |
No of Settings | 3 |
Highlight Features | dishwasher-friendly ceramic pot and glass lid & stainless-steel shell a 5.3-quart capacity |
The Leuwd Slow Cooker With Lid Lock is easy to clean, whether in the dishwasher or washed by hands.
Lightweight: Calphalon SCCLD1
- Easy to transport, lift, and clean – the weight of 9.83 pounds
- Able to transfer food from the stovetop to the oven - oven-safe and multiple-cooktop-compatible pot
- Expensive
The Calphalon SCCLD1 lets you cook delicious meals for a big family with minimal effort with its four practical functions-sear, brown, sauté, and slow cook.
Best of all, it's not as heavyweight as other large-sized slow cookers we tested, so it is effortless to clean, lift up, or transport.
Another highlight is, the cooking pot is oven-safe and compatible with electric, gas, and induction cooktops, so you can easily transfer your food from the stovetop to the oven.
With the measurement of 14.37"D x 17.78"W x 23.19"H, it isn't cumbersome at all.
| Calphalon SCCLD1 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimensions | 14.37"D x 17.78"W x 23.19"H |
Weight | 9.83 pounds |
Materials | Stainless Steel |
Capacity | 5.3 Quarts |
No of Settings | 4 |
Highlight Features | the weight of 9.83 pounds oven-safe and multiple-cooktop-compatible pot |
Lightweight, durable, and flexible, the Calphalon SCCLD1 is ideal for home cooks who want the best of both worlds: performance and maneuverability.
How To Choose The Smallest Programmable Slow Cooker?
Dimensions
When it comes to slow cookers, size does matter. The dimensions of a slow cooker can vary greatly, so it's important to choose one that will fit your needs.
Here are factors that influence a slow cooker’s dimensions:
Countertop Area
The countertop area is one of the most important places in the kitchen. It's where you prepare food and it's also where you clean up. So, when choosing a programmable slow cooker, make sure to pick one that will fit well on your countertop.
There are a few things to consider when picking the right size for your countertop.
How much space you have to work with—if you have a small countertop, then you'll want to choose a small slow cooker.
What you'll be using the slow cooker for—If you only use it for occasional meals, a small slow cooker will be just fine. But if you're planning on using it frequently, a larger size will be handier as it lets you cook more food at once.
Are there other appliances that might be taking up space on your countertop—if you have a dishwasher, for example, next to your slow cooker, then make sure that the slow cooker is small enough to not interfere with this appliance.
Capacity
Slow cookers come in a variety of sizes, from small 2-quart models to large 8-quart ones.
If you're single or have a small family, you don't need a huge crockpot. A 3-quart slow cooker will do the trick. If you have a larger family or entertain often, opt for a 5- or 6-quart cooker.
If you're not sure how much food you'll need to cook, err on the side of caution and get a bigger pot. You can always scale down your recipes if needed.
Shape
Slow cookers come in both round and oval shapes. Round slow cookers are better for soups and stews, while oval slow cookers are better for roasts and other large cuts of meat.
Choose the shape that best suits your needs.
Number Of Settings
Some slow cookers have as few as two settings, while others have six or more.
If you plan on using your slow cooker for various dishes, you'll want one with more settings to get the perfect results every time.
Other Features
Some models come with removable inserts that make cleanup a breeze. Others have timers that automatically turn off the cooker when the food is done.
Choose the features that are most important to you and find a model that has them.
Which Brands Make The Smallest Programmable Slow Cooker?
Cuisinart
Cuisinart has been creating innovative, functional, and high-quality kitchen appliances since 1971. They've won numerous awards and accolades including Gold Summit International Awards, Gold Hermes Awards, and Good Design Awards. Their commitment to designing new appliances is unmatched with their other industry peers.
Hamilton Beach
Hamilton Beach Brands was founded in 1905 and is a US company that creates innovative kitchen appliances, restaurant equipment, and other products. They're best-known for their high-quality slow cookers, blenders, mixers, toasters and more.
FAQs
Can I program a slow cooker to start at a certain time?
Yes, you can. As long as your slow cooker has a delay timer, you can program it to start at a certain time.
What does a programmable slow cooker do?
A programmable slow cooker can:
- Help you slow-cook different dishes effortlessly by choosing among the cooking modes it offers
- Automatically switch to warm when done the cooking
- Auto-cook at the set time
Can I get a slow cooker with a timer?
Yes, you can. There are many slow cookers with built-in timers that allow users to flexibly start the cooking cycle at a certain time.
Can I leave the slow cooker on for 24 hours?
While some slow cookers feature a 24-hour timer, it’s not recommended leaving the device on for such a long period.
Does meat need to be submerged in a slow cooker?
Yes, it does.
Ensure that meat is all submerged in a slow cooker, but don’t overfill the device because that might cause bubbles to escape out of the lid.
It’s recommended to fill ½ to 2/3 of the cooking pot.
Conclusion
There you have it – six of the smallest programmable slow cooker options on the market. Perfect for small apartments or when you're short on counter space, these cookers are still packed with features and can help you make some amazing meals.
So why not give one of them a try? You might just be surprised at how much you love it.
Jane Orta
