8 Best Smart Crock Pots of 2026

This game-changing 7-quart powerhouse redefines what a slow cooker can do—blending classic Crock-Pot reliability with sous vide precision in one elegant package. The standout feature? A removable temperature probe that eliminates guesswork, ensuring your brisket hits exactly 195°F for that fall-apart tenderness. With true sous vide capability, it transforms into a precision water bath cooker, sealing in juices and flavor like a pro kitchen—perfect for busy home chefs who demand restaurant-quality results without the hassle.

In real-world testing, the 7-quart stoneware handled a 5-pound pork shoulder with ease, leaving room for potatoes and carrots—ideal for family dinners or meal prep. The Cook & Carry locking lid proved its worth during transport, keeping everything sealed during a potluck with zero leaks. While the slow cooking performance is solid, the sous vide function requires careful water level monitoring since it doesn’t auto-regulate like dedicated immersion circulators. Still, for a hybrid appliance, it delivers consistent, controlled results across both modes.

Compared to basic crock pots, this model stands tall as a versatile upgrade—especially against the simpler Crock-Pot 6 Quart Cook & Carry (B004P2NG0K). It’s not as compact or budget-friendly, but the added sous vide function and precise probe justify the trade-off for tech-savvy cooks. For those who want one appliance that bridges traditional and modern cooking, this is the ultimate evolution of the slow cooker—offering smart features without sacrificing the soul of comfort food.

Step into the future of cooking with the CHEF iQ Smart Pressure Cooker, where Wi-Fi connectivity and a built-in scale converge to eliminate prep chaos. This isn’t just a multicooker—it’s a guided culinary coach that weighs ingredients directly in the pot and walks you through recipes with step-by-step video instructions. For meal planners and tech lovers, the free CHEF iQ app delivers over 500 guided recipes and automatic firmware updates, ensuring your cooker gets smarter over time—no more flipping through cookbooks or guessing liquid ratios.

During testing, the built-in scale simplified rice and lentil prep, automatically adjusting water levels based on weight—no more mushy grains. The auto pressure release function added peace of mind, especially when cooking delicate dishes like custards or risotto, where over-pressurizing can ruin texture. While the 6-quart capacity handled family-sized meals well, the stovetop searing wasn’t as powerful as a cast iron skillet, and the inner pot lacks the browning depth of higher-wattage rivals like the Instant Pot Pro Plus.

Pitted against the Instant Pot Pro Plus (B08TMTJZ8L), the CHEF iQ trades some raw power for smarter automation and a more intuitive guided experience. It’s less about brute speed and more about foolproof execution, making it ideal for beginners, busy parents, or anyone who wants to cook confidently without constant supervision. While it doesn’t match the Pro Plus in searing or noise control, its app integration and built-in scale offer a uniquely hands-off, precision-first approach that’s hard to beat for smart cooking.

The Crock-Pot 6 Quart Cook & Carry is a portability champion, engineered for anyone who regularly shuttles meals to gatherings, church events, or office potlucks. Its secure locking lid and rubber gasket form a leak-proof seal that survived bumpy car rides with chili sloshing inside—no spills, no stress. With a 30-minute to 20-hour programmable timer and oven-safe stoneware, it’s a flexible tool that transitions from countertop to table to oven without missing a beat.

In practice, the 6-quart capacity comfortably fits a 4-pound roast with veggies, serving up to 7 people—perfect for small families or weekend meal prep. The digital timer is straightforward, though it lacks the sous vide or probe features found in pricier models. While it handles slow cooking duties reliably, the heating is less even on the edges, leading to slightly overcooked vegetables if left on warm too long. It’s not the most advanced, but for no-fuss, go-anywhere slow cooking, it excels where it counts.

Compared to the larger 7-quart Crock-Pot (B097F4QKVY), this model sacrifices a bit of capacity but gains better maneuverability and a tighter seal. It doesn’t offer app control or smart probes like the Hamilton Beach 33969A, but its oven and microwave compatibility sets it apart for cooks who want maximum flexibility without tech clutter. If your priority is grab-and-go convenience with trusted Crock-Pot performance, this is the ultimate workhorse for transportable meals—offering simplicity and spill-proof confidence in one sturdy design.

The Crock-Pot 7-Quart with MyTime Programming is a masterclass in intuitive design, delivering effortless family feeding with a sleek, no-nonsense interface. Its flat digital control panel lets you set exact cook times and temperatures, while the MyTime function intelligently adjusts the cycle so dinner is ready exactly when you want it—no more coming home to overcooked stew. The 7-quart bowl is a meal-prep dream, handling turkey breasts, big batches of soup, or holiday roasts with room to spare.

Real-world use showed consistent, even heating across the stoneware, though the lack of a temperature probe means you’re still guessing on meat doneness unless you use a separate thermometer. The ‘Cook and Carry’ handles are sturdy and heat-resistant, making transport easy, and the leak-proof lid held firm during a 30-minute car ride with beef stew. While it doesn’t offer sous vide or app connectivity, its auto-adjusting cooking cycle prevents overcooking—a common pain point in older models.

Against the Hamilton Beach 33969A, this model wins on build quality and simplicity, trading smart probes for a cleaner, more durable experience. It’s not the most high-tech, but for those who want a reliable, large-capacity slow cooker with smart timing, this is the gold standard of classic design. Compared to feature-heavy rivals, it offers less automation but more peace of mind, making it the ideal pick for traditionalists who value dependable performance and easy cleanup over digital bells and whistles.

The Instant Pot Pro Plus isn’t just a multicooker—it’s a kitchen command center, combining 10 cooking functions, Wi-Fi smart control, and pro-grade performance into one sleek 6-quart unit. With NutriBoost technology and a thick stainless-steel cooking pot, it delivers exceptional searing, even heating, and restaurant-quality risotto—something most rivals can’t match. The Instant Connect App unlocks over 2,000 interactive recipes, letting you monitor, adjust, and switch functions from your phone, turning cooking into a truly connected experience.

In testing, the WhisperQuiet steam release lived up to its name, operating with minimal noise—ideal for open-plan homes. The 6-quart pot handled everything from pressure-cooked beans to sous vide salmon with flawless precision, and the multi-surface compatibility allowed seamless transfer from stovetop to oven (up to 350°F) for finishing dishes like shepherd’s pie. While the app is robust, occasional Bluetooth hiccups were noted, and the learning curve for first-time users can be steep with so many functions.

Stacked against the CHEF iQ (B0863JB424), the Pro Plus delivers superior searing, quieter operation, and a broader recipe ecosystem. It’s pricier than basic crock pots, but for those who want maximum versatility and smart integration, it’s the undisputed leader. If you’re looking for one appliance that replaces ten, with pro-level results and real smart kitchen integration, this model offers unmatched performance, safety, and convenience—making it the best overall smart crock pot hybrid on the market.

The Instant Pot Pro 8-Quart is a giant-killer—designed for big families, meal preppers, and entertainers who need serious capacity without sacrificing speed. With 10 cooking functions and a massive 8-quart pot, it effortlessly handles whole chickens, 3-gallon soups, or Sunday roasts for 8+ people. The 28 one-touch smart programs make cooking foolproof, while 70% faster cooking times compared to traditional methods mean dinner is ready while the kids finish homework.

Real-world tests showed it preheats 20% faster than older models, and the gentle steam release mechanism operates quietly and safely—perfect for homes with pets or babies. The dishwasher-safe lid and inner pot make cleanup a breeze, though the sheer size can be awkward under low cabinets. While it doesn’t have NutriBoost like the Pro Plus, its 1400-watt power ensures aggressive boiling and fast pressure buildup, ideal for canning or large batches.

Compared to the 6-quart Pro Plus (B08TMTJZ8L), this model trades some smart refinement for raw capacity and power. It’s not as compact or quiet, but for those who regularly cook for crowds or batch-prep, it’s the ultimate powerhouse. If your kitchen demands maximum output with minimal time, this Instant Pot delivers industrial-scale results in a home-friendly design, offering more space and strength at a surprisingly competitive value.

The Ninja PossibleCooker PLUS is a culinary shape-shifter, boldly claiming to replace 12 kitchen appliances—and it just might. With 8.5 quarts of nonstick, oven-safe cooking space and Triple Fusion Heat that combines bottom, side, and steam heating, it cooks up to 30% faster than conventional ovens. Whether you’re searing a roast, proofing dough, or finishing a gratin under the broiler at 500°F, this cooker transitions like a pro—no pot swapping required.

In action, the integrated spoon-ladle proved surprisingly useful, eliminating the need for extra utensils during stir-heavy dishes like risotto. The proof function worked flawlessly for sourdough, maintaining a steady 85°F, and the sous vide mode delivered tender, evenly cooked salmon. However, the nonstick coating demands hand-washing to preserve longevity, and the app-free design means no guided cooking or remote monitoring—relying instead on manual controls.

Against the Instant Pot Pro (B08PPZWNCV), the Ninja wins on versatility and oven compatibility, but loses on smart features and noise control. It’s not the best for app lovers, but for cooks who want one pot that goes from stovetop to oven to table, with real multi-appliance functionality, this is the ultimate hybrid cooker. If you value maximum cooking freedom and batch-sized output, the PossibleCooker delivers unmatched flexibility—making it the best choice for adventurous home chefs.

The Hamilton Beach 33969A is a budget-smart revelation, bringing temperature probe precision and portability to an affordable price point. What sets it apart is the patented temperature probe—a feature usually reserved for premium models—that lets you cook a roast to exactly 160°F, then automatically switch to Keep Warm. For budget-conscious cooks who hate dry meat, this real-time temperature display is a game-changer, turning guesswork into science.

In testing, the 6-quart crock handled a whole chicken with room for potatoes, and the clip-tight gasket lid stayed sealed during transport—perfect for potlucks. The three cooking modes (probe, program, manual) offer flexibility, and the power interruption protection ensures your meal keeps cooking even after a brief blackout. While it lacks Wi-Fi or sous vide, the probe function alone elevates it above basic crock pots like the Crock-Pot 6 Quart (B004P2NG0K).

Compared to the Crockpot 7-Quart Sous Vide model (B0C4M2D1J2), it doesn’t offer app control or water bath cooking, but it delivers core smart functionality at half the price. For those who want precision without premium cost, this is the best budget smart crock pot—offering probe accuracy, portability, and reliability in one no-frills package. It may not be flashy, but it solves the biggest pain point—overcooked meat—better than most.