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

Buy the Hamilton Beach 33474G if you want set-and-forget cooking: it has a programmable timer with 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 hour settings and shifts to keep-warm on its own. The Crock-Pot is the simpler manual unit with just High, Low and Warm, so it needs you to be around to turn it down. Both are 7-quart oval stoneware cookers rated 4.2 out of 5, and owners of each praise the size for big roasts and whole chickens. The Hamilton Beach adds a lid strap for travel and a touchpad; the Crock-Pot counters with a sturdier-feeling stainless body and a long-standing brand reputation for even, slow heat.

• Choose the Hamilton Beach if you want a programmable timer that switches to keep-warm by itself and a lid strap for carrying it to potlucks.
• Choose the Crock-Pot if you prefer simple dial-style High, Low and Warm control and don't need a timer.