Hamilton Beach 7 Qt Programmable Slow Cooker vs Crock-Pot Programmable Countdown Slow Cooker

Buy the Hamilton Beach 7 Qt if you cook for a crowd and want a locking lid that travels to potlucks without spills. Buy the Crock-Pot Programmable Countdown if you want finer timing control: it counts down from 30 minutes to 20 hours and holds warm for up to 6 hours. Both are simple programmable cookers with dishwasher-safe stoneware and glass lids, and owners of both brands report years of steady use. The Hamilton Beach has the edge in capacity and portability; the Crock-Pot has the edge in timer flexibility.

• Choose the Hamilton Beach 7 Qt if you need to serve 9 or more people and carry the cooker to gatherings with the lid clipped on.
• Choose the Crock-Pot Programmable Countdown if you want a precise countdown timer, short cooks under 2 hours, or a long keep-warm window.