We looked for three key qualities in our final stews: tender and succulent meat, well cooked vegetables that retained some bite, and a flavoursome, slightly thickened sauce. There are high or low slow-cooking settings, as well as steam, reheat and simmer/buffet, making it perfect for entertaining. It has a modern-feel with intuitive controls and an outer casing that only gets warm to the touch, rather than excessively hot. The slow cooking process traps the condensation which then acts as a self-baster, so traditionally tough cuts of meat become tender and more succulent.

Some of the controls also confused us – the button that looks like an 'on/off' switch is actually just an 'off' switch, and we failed to find any reference to this in the manual. That’s based on a small roast for one, I would have saved nearer 50p on a more extravagant or slow cooked roast. Would it be suitable for us, especially as most of what I cook at home these days is either vegetarian or vegan dishes?A slow cooker is not a new phenomenon, like the air fryer, nor particularly hyped, but it's not one to overlook.

Always use easy-cook rice, rinsed well first – the more starch you rinse from the rice, the better the finished result.This pot is hob-safe (gas and electric), meaning you can sear any meat or cook ingredients on the hob before transferring it to the slow cooker. If you find an inaccuracy in our frequently asked questions, please let us know by using our contact form. The design is simple, but if you’re looking to add a pop of colour with your new slow cooker, this one is available in pink and navy blue, as well as simple black and grey. It has a relatively small footprint for a multi-cooker and the build is solid – all features feel robust and well-built, from the strong handles to the hinged lid. This guide is regularly updated with new models that have been tried, tested and top-rated by BBC Good Food's reviews experts.