Crock-Pot 7-Quart Manual Slow Cooker vs Hamilton Beach 8-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker

Buy the Hamilton Beach 8-Quart if you want set-and-forget cooking: it is programmable from 30 minutes to 18 hours, counts down the remaining time, and switches itself to warm when done. Buy the Crock-Pot 7-Quart if you want the simplest possible controls and the oval stoneware shape that fits a whole chicken or a long roast. The Hamilton Beach rates higher with owners (4.7 from 166 ratings versus 4.2 from 81) and holds more, while the Crock-Pot is the more basic manual unit with a proven name.

• Choose the Crock-Pot Manual 7-Quart if you want a no-frills dial cooker with a warm setting and an oval crock that suits roasts and whole birds.
• Choose the Hamilton Beach 8-Quart if you want a timer that cooks, counts down and holds food warm without you being there.