Morphy Richards Sear & Stew
A practical slow cooker (3.5L, manual dial, sear-in-pot) for easy, budget-friendly slow-cooked meals.
Are Slow Cookers Cheap to Run? (UK 2026)
Slow cookers run for hours, which makes people wonder if they're expensive on electricity. In fact they're one of the cheapest ways to cook - here's why.
Why they're cheap to run
A slow cooker draws very low power - far less than an oven or hob. Even though it runs for several hours, the total energy used is small, often less than a fraction of what a conventional oven uses to cook the same meal. The low, steady heat is efficient because it's well insulated by the pot and lid, losing little energy. That's a big part of why slow cookers are so popular for budget-conscious cooking.
Getting the most from it
To keep costs down, use the Low setting where you can (it's even gentler on energy), keep the lid on (lifting it lets heat out and lengthens cooking), and fill the cooker sensibly between half and three-quarters full. Cooking cheaper cuts of meat - which slow cookers tenderise beautifully - and batch cooking to freeze portions stretch your money further still. All told, a slow cooker is one of the most economical appliances in the kitchen.
Our top picks
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Morphy Richards
A practical slow cooker (3.5L, manual dial) for easy, budget-friendly slow-cooked meals.
#3 
Morphy Richards Sear and Stew
A practical slow cooker (6.5L, sear-in-pot) for easy, budget-friendly slow-cooked meals.
#4 
Crock-Pot
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#5 
Morphy Richards
A practical slow cooker (6.5L) for easy, budget-friendly slow-cooked meals.
#6 
Morphy Richards DuoServe
A practical slow cooker (3.8L) for easy, budget-friendly slow-cooked meals.
Frequently asked questions
Are slow cookers cheap to run?
Yes - despite running for hours, slow cookers draw low power and are well insulated, so they use far less energy than an oven to cook the same meal. They're one of the cheapest ways to make a hot meal, which is a big part of their appeal.
Does leaving a slow cooker on all day use a lot of electricity?
No - a slow cooker uses little power, so running it all day on Low still costs only a small amount, typically less than using the oven for a fraction of that time. Keeping the lid on and using Low keeps costs lowest.
Bottom line
Our top pick is the Morphy Richards Sear & Stew (our score 9.6/10) - A practical slow cooker (3.5L, manual dial, sear-in-pot) for easy, budget-friendly slow-cooked meals..