Slow cookers are truly one of the greatest culinary inventions ever! There is something amazing about throwing in a bunch of tasty ingredients in the morning, and coming home to a dinner that’s already made for you. But not every slow cooker is created equal. So, we’re going to show you reviews of the most common cookers on the market, courtesy of America’s Test Kitchen. Take notes!

Before we get into the nitty gritty of the reviews, let’s discuss why you should buy one in the first place. Our host, Lisa McManus, says that some slow cookers reign supreme in the realm of convenient meal planning because “coming home to a hot dinner, already making the house smell delicious” is pretty great.

So, now that we’ve sold you, let’s talk about which one will fit best in your household. America’s Test Kitchen reviewed eight of these slow cookers, with their prices ranging between $40 and $150. First, let’s look at the clear winner:

1. KitchenAid 6-Quart Slow Cooker $99

   According to McManus, this mid-priced slow cooker wipes out the rest of the competition! It comes equipped with all of the essential features that make this method of preparing food so simple.

   The testers in this experiment loved the fact that this cooker has a glass lid so that they could easily view the food as it cooks. It also comes with a handy digital/programmable heat system that allows for super accurate heat and cooking times.

   The appliance also comes with a unique shape that allows the home chef to grab the handles, pot holder-free! But most importantly, the testers were consistently impressed with the quality of food that came from the KitchenAid model. The dishes were evenly-cooked and tender—those holy grail results that we all look for in a slow cooker!

Despite this glowing review, it’s important to remember that there are so many of these guys on the market to choose from. If you find another model that works for you, then don’t ignore that culinary intuition! America’s Test Kitchen just recommends that you keep an eye out for ones with these following features:

• 6 to 7 quarts in size will fit most dishes
• An oval shape allows for more versatility than a round one
• Glass lid—otherwise you will have to open the pot to check on the food, which lets heat to escape during cooking
• Digital/programmable ones allow for more exact cooking times, especially if you plan on stepping away from the slow cooker for some time

To see the other seven candidates, be sure to watch America’s Test Kitchen’s video below. These folks take their testing seriously! You’ve got to see what their guest MIT scientist says about these particular slow cookers.

What do you think about this slow cooker test? Do you have a favorite that you’ve used for some time? What’s your signature dish that you make in your slow cooker? Tell us all about your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below!