The fastest places to buy a slow cooker right now

You can buy a slow cooker today at a big-box retailer like Walmart, Target, or Costco, where models are usually in stock and you can take one home when ready. If you want to order online, Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, and the retailers' own websites ship within two to five business days. Specialty kitchen stores like Williams Sonoma and Sur La Table carry higher-end models but cost more. Department stores like Macy's and Kohl's stock them seasonally—usually fall and winter—and often run sales during back-to-school and holiday periods.

The choice depends on what you want to spend, whether you need it today, and what features matter to you. A basic 6-quart round model costs $25 to $50 at Walmart; a programmable oval model with a timer runs $60 to $120; a high-end brand like Le Creuset or All-Clad can exceed $300. Knowing where each type lives saves you time and money.

Key Takeaways

  • Walmart, Target, and Costco have slow cookers in stock for same-day pickup or when ready purchase, with basic models starting around $25.
  • Amazon and retailer websites ship within two to five business days and often show customer reviews that help you compare models side by side.
  • Department stores and specialty kitchen shops carry premium brands but charge more and may have limited stock outside fall and winter months.
  • Warehouse clubs like Costco offer better prices on mid-range models if you have a membership, and often include return windows longer than standard retailers.
  • Seasonal sales in September and October and around Black Friday can save you 20 to 40 percent on most models.

Big-box retailers: same-day pickup and low prices

Walmart and Target stock slow cookers year-round in their kitchen appliance sections, usually near the pressure cookers and rice cookers. Both stores carry basic 6-quart models for $25 to $40, mid-range programmable models for $60 to $100, and a few premium options up to $150. You can walk in, pick one up, and leave within minutes. Both also offer same-day pickup if you order online—you order through their website or app, and the store holds it for you to collect within a few hours.

Target's website shows stock levels by location, so you can check before you drive there. Walmart's app does the same. Both stores accept returns within 90 days if the cooker doesn't work or you change your mind, though you'll need your receipt or the card you used to pay. If you're buying as a gift or want to compare models side by side, this is the easiest route.

Warehouse clubs: better prices if you have a membership

Costco and Sam's Club sell slow cookers at lower per-unit prices than traditional retailers, but you need a membership to shop there. Costco typically stocks two to four models at any time—usually a basic 6-quart oval for $35 to $50 and a programmable model for $70 to $110. Sam's Club carries similar options. Both warehouses rotate inventory, so what's in stock changes every few weeks. Check their websites or call ahead to confirm a model is available before you visit.

The advantage is price: a mid-range programmable slow cooker that costs $90 at Target might be $75 at Costco. Costco's return policy is also generous—you can return almost anything within two years, no questions asked. If you already have a membership and plan to use a slow cooker regularly, the savings add up. If you don't have a membership, the annual fee ($60 for a basic Gold Star membership at Costco) may not be worth it for a single appliance.

Online retailers: widest selection and customer reviews

Amazon carries the largest selection of slow cooker brands and models—basic, programmable, digital, oval, round, 4-quart, 6-quart, 8-quart, and specialty versions like ones designed for meal prep. Prices range from $20 for a no-frills model to $400 for a high-end brand. Shipping is usually two business days with Prime membership, or five to seven days without. Customer reviews on Amazon are detailed and often include photos of the cooker in use, which helps you see how big it actually is and whether the controls are straightforward to read.

Walmart.com and Target.com also ship slow cookers, often with free shipping on orders over $35. Both sites show stock levels and delivery dates at checkout. Bed Bath & Beyond's website carries premium brands like Cuisinart and KitchenAid and runs frequent coupons—you can often find 20 percent off a single item if you sign up for their email list. All three sites accept returns by mail or in-store within 30 to 60 days.

Specialty kitchen stores: premium brands and informed staff

Williams Sonoma, Sur La Table, and Crate and Barrel focus on higher-end cookware and appliances. Their slow cookers start around $100 and go up to $300 or more for brands like Le Creuset and All-Clad. The staff in these stores usually know how to use the products and can answer questions about capacity, heat settings, and warranty. If you want a slow cooker that will last 15 years and look good on your counter, this is where to look.

These stores are less common than big-box retailers—you may not have one nearby. Their websites ship nationwide, but shipping costs more and takes longer than Amazon. They also run sales less frequently than mass-market retailers, though they often have promotions around the holidays. If budget is your main concern, skip these stores. If you want a durable, attractive appliance and don't mind paying for it, they're worth a visit.

Department stores: seasonal stock and frequent sales

Macy's, Kohl's, and JCPenney stock slow cookers in their kitchen sections, but mainly from August through December. Outside those months, selection shrinks or disappears entirely. When they do carry them, prices are competitive with Target and Walmart—$30 to $100 for most models. The real advantage is sales: these stores run promotions constantly, and you can often stack a percentage-off coupon with a sale price. A $80 slow cooker might drop to $50 during a holiday sale if you have a coupon.

Check their websites before you visit, because in-store stock varies widely by location. Both Macy's and Kohl's accept returns within 60 days with a receipt. If you shop at these stores anyway and have a rewards card, buying a slow cooker here during a sale can save you money compared to other retailers.

What to check before you buy

Capacity matters more than you might think. A 6-quart slow cooker fits a 3-pound chicken or a pot roast with vegetables. A 4-quart is tight for a family of four. An 8-quart is useful only if you cook for more than six people or like to make large batches for freezing. Check the product photos and dimensions on the retailer's website—a cooker that looks small in a photo can surprise you when it arrives.

Shape affects what fits inside. Oval slow cookers accommodate whole chickens and large cuts of meat. Round ones are better for soups, stews, and smaller portions. Programmable models with a timer cost $20 to $40 more than manual ones but let you set a cooking time and automatically switch to warm when done—useful if you're away from home. Manual models require you to turn them on and off by hand, which is fine if you're home or cooking overnight.

Check the warranty before you buy. Most slow cookers come with a one-year manufacturer's warranty that covers defects in the heating element and electrical parts. Premium brands like Le Creuset offer longer warranties. Read the fine print on the retailer's website or ask in-store—some warranties are voided if you use the cooker in ways the manufacturer didn't intend, like cooking on high for more than eight hours continuously.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I return a slow cooker if I've used it?

Most retailers accept returns of used slow cookers within 30 to 90 days if they don't work properly. Walmart and Target accept returns within 90 days. Costco accepts returns within two years, even if you've used the item. If the cooker works fine but you just changed your mind, some retailers will take it back; others won't. Check the return policy on the retailer's website or ask before you buy.

Are expensive slow cookers worth the money?

A $30 slow cooker and a $150 one cook food the same way. The difference is durability, design, and warranty. Budget models may develop heating problems after three to five years. Premium brands like Le Creuset last 15 years or longer. If you cook with a slow cooker several times a week, a mid-range model ($60 to $100) is a good balance. If you use it once a month, a basic model is fine.

What's the difference between a slow cooker and a Crock-Pot?

Crock-Pot is a brand name owned by Sunbeam Products. A slow cooker is any appliance that cooks food slowly with moist heat. All Crock-Pots are slow cookers, but not all slow cookers are Crock-Pots. Crock-Pot brand models are sold at the same retailers as other slow cookers and cost about the same.

Do I need a programmable slow cooker?

A programmable model is convenient if you want to set it in the morning and have dinner ready when you get home. A manual model works just as well if you're home to turn it on and off. Programmable models cost $20 to $40 more. If you cook with a slow cooker regularly and have a predictable schedule, it's worth the extra cost. If you cook occasionally or prefer to be home while food cooks, save the money.

Where can I find slow cookers on sale?

Slow cookers go on sale most often in September and October (back-to-school and fall cooking season) and in November and December (Black Friday and holiday shopping). Department stores like Macy's and Kohl's run sales year-round. Amazon and Walmart.com show price history if you use a browser extension like CamelCamelCamel, so you can see whether a price is actually discounted or just normal.