I have this Cuisinart 3.5 quart slow cooker which is awesome because it's just me and my boyfriend and I don't need a TON of food. I also like it because you can program it easily and it turns off to WARM after the time is up. Love it. http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-PSC-350-2-Quart-Programmable-Cooker/dp/B001E5CWVU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1360269852&sr=8-2&keywords=slow+cooker+cuisinart

What Editor said. I rarely use my slow cooker because it's really too small (I love me my pork butt), I can't brown the meat/veggies in the crock thus makes for additional cleaning, only has low and high temps (not enough), and doesn't have the auto warm. It's in the garage.

I bought this one a few months ago: Cuisinart MSC-600 3-In-1 Cook Central Multi-Cooker. I can't speak to durability because mine is relatively new, but, so far, I love it. The browning feature is so great. I used to avoid recipes that called for browning because I did not want to dirty an extra pan, but now I happily make everying. I would also say go ahead and get a big one. Most things you cook in a slow cooker are stew-ish and are great to eat again later in the week, or even freeze for later.

I absolutely love my Rival Crock-Pot (7 quart), the same one that is in the photograph above (except mine is white). It's great for pulled pork, chili, pot roasts, soups, etc. - we are a family of four and I use mine at least once a week.

I've also got a smaller (3.5 quart) slow cooker (can't remember the brand), which I don't use, because it is a "manual" one with only "High", 'Low" and "Off" as the options on the dial. It will be going out to the next yard sale, and will be replaced with a smaller version of the one we have ... can't do without the automatic switch over to the "Warm" setting! 'Cause sometimes I don't want to have a ton of leftovers ...

Although I have yet to use it very much, I LOVE my All-Clad Deluxe Slow Cooker from Williams-Sonoma! http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/8260341/

The fact that the insert can be put directly onto the stove to brown the meat is AMAZING! you can also control the temp and duration very easily. I really love it!

5 to 7 quart one with warm, low and high. nothing else needed for me.

We had a nice, contemporary, removable-crock Rival slow cooker, but it burnt everything (talk about hard to clean!). If the meals you plan on making are the sort where you want to put everything in first thing in the morning, and have dinner ready when you get home 8-10 hours later, look into an older model. We gave away our fancy new slow cooker and picked up a charmingly vintage model like the one below- and couldn't be happier! And yes, it handles a whole pork butt!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Rival-Slow-Cooker-Crock-Pot-in-Avocado-Green-/330868148653?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d094749ad f

I love mine:

http://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-33967-6-Quart-Programmable/dp/B001AO2PXK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360273261&sr=8-1&keywords=programmable+slow+cooker+hamilton+beach

I joke that my summer husband is George Foreman and my winter husband is Hamilton Beach.

Love my Cuisinart multicooker. It has a sear function that is fantastic. Big enough - 7qts with a glass lid so its easy to check how your food is doing without opening the lid. Had it for almost 2 years now.

newton9: I had that crockpot model (hand-me-down from my mom) and I hated it. It's a pain to clean since the ceramic liner is not removable. I bought a new Rival with removable crock to replace it and it works fine for me (never had it burn anything).

I have a West Bend Slow Cooker (not a crock pot) that I prefer when something needs to cook long and slow. My latest crock pot's low temperature is too high.

MIne is an older verion with a glass lid, which makes it nice if it ever needs to go in the oven.
http://www.amazon.com/West-Bend-84905-5-Quart-Oblong-Shaped/dp/B001AH5H0A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360278980&sr=8-1&keywords=west+bend+crock+pot

This is a small slow cooker that won't hold a larger roast.

You can never go wrong with a Cuisinart. A little more expensive, but definitely worth the price.

I have this one that I use just for bone broth. It's simple but HUGE. Perfect for cooking two turkey breasts or two roaster chickens. Hamilton Beach 33182 8-Quart Oval Slow Cooker, Black<img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=neohomestea-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003UV8L6G" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />

I haven't tried it, but apparently there IS a Holy Grail of crock pots---the Ninja 3-in-1 Multi Cooking System: http://www.amazon.com/Ninja-3-in-1-Cooking-System-MC700/dp/B009T7H0QM/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hg_4

It's...kind of awe-inspiring.

Luv, no LUV my slow cooker!

Have the 4 quart, programable Cuisinart and use it all the time. Especially helpful as an apartment dweller, when hosting dinner parties I always make the menu based on the main course being prepared in the slow cooker. Leaves the oven for sides and desserts.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VA48PM/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B001E5CWVU&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1P2FVEAG2DQKMXQZ3NPJ

I have the All Clad Slow Cooker and I have to say I've never been totally satisfied with it! The food always tastes a bit... stale to me. Call me old-fashioned, but I prefer slow cooking in a Le Creuset French Oven.

Thanks for all the comments and feedback! Seeing as I'm a slow cooker virgin, I'm not exactly sure what functions are must-haves. I like the idea of being able to sear meats, but not sure if its a deal-breaker. The Cuisinart, Ninja, and Hamilton Beach all seem like good options, and if I win the lottery tomorrow then the way expensive All-Clad is too. @Emma, which model Rival do you have?

I've had this one ... http://www.electricmartini.com/rival-scvi600b-oval-verseware-crock-pot-slow-cooker ... for many years now and been very satisfied with it. Since I work out of our home, I didn't need a timer and I don't mind using another pan for searing so I purchased a basic one. I tend to favor simplicity. This one now comes with a timer.

But in whatever you select, it will help to "learn" it. Mine apparently has a lower low setting and a higher high setting than what some recipes used to determine their cooking times so it pays to check in the last hour. Oh and I always start it up on high to get the stoneware quickly warmed but most of my recipes have been cooked on low.

i have a one that has a rubber-like gasket around the lid. It looks like it would be nice, but its somehow not adhered properly and does not form a solid seal to the pot. I can see through the small gaps between the lid and the pot...kinda of annoying. avoid the gasket rimmed lids!

I also have this Hamilton Beach one and I really enjoy it. Some highlights:

1. Multiple settings - High or Low; Probe setting - It cooks the meal until it reaches a certain temperature; Manual - You can cook it on high or low for a certain time and then it will go to warm setting

2. It is easy to transport and comes with a serving spoon.

3. You can fit a LOT of food in this crockpot.

4. Easy to clean - You take the middle bowl out and clean it. It can also go in the dishwasher although I'd recommend handwashing it.

I looooooooove my Ninja slow cooker!

Hamilton Beach with stove proof insert (invaluable for browning/searing for that better flavor) and gets used for recipe development and testing 5 days a week. It's lasted me a year so far, I can highly recommend it! I have a small 2 qt crock pot alongside it for smaller recipes which I find runs slightly hotter but still works well.

Here's the Hamilton Beach http://www.target.com/p/hamilton-beach-stovetop-slow-cooker-black-silver-6-quart/-/A-13742427?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Google_PLA_df&LNM=%7C13742427&CPNG=Appliances&kpid=13742427&LID=PA&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=13742427

I have the All Clad six quart slow cooker, but I do not have the insert that can be put on the stovetop. It costs about $175 and that was five years ago. It has a digital panel with low and high settings, both that automatically switch to warm when finished. Nothing has ever burned, which was a problem I had with crock pots of the past, especially Rival. I paid a lot of money, but it is an appliance I use often and that serves me well.

American Test Kitchen recommends the Crock-Pot Touchscreen. It sells around $129.

I personally use a basic 7 qrt crock pot that I purchased under $30. I recommend the larger size cookers. There is only two of us but I cook large portions and freeze half of the recipe for later. I was anti crockpot until I moved to Florida and didn't want the expense of running an oven while running the house air conditioner. I am hooked. I have no problem using a separate pan to brown my meat.

Test Kitchen also recommends that whatever slowcooker you get, you should test to see what temp your actually cooker gets to. Fill your cooker with 4 qrts of water cover turn the temp to high or low for 6 hrs. Take a take a reading of your water temp. It should be between 195 to 205 degrees.

For me, Hamilton Beach set 'n forget 33967 hits the point. It's reasonable for quality and price. About $50 for programmable crock pot.

But if you ask for the most loved for mine now is Cuisiart-MSC-600. This all-in-one is no regret.

I have 2 crock-pots.
I have a white one like the author posted with the 4,6,8 and 10 hour options with auto-warm downgrade as well as a 3 quart one for smaller meals.

The large one gets used mainly for chili and pulled pork.

I got two, 4-quart simple one for side dishes, appetizers or small meals.
And I recently bought a 6-quart all-in-one pot for main dishes or big meals, which is more useful for preparing food (it can sear or brown) for whole family of four.

These sites are useful for me for decision:
www.consumerreports.org/cro/slow-cookers good paid info
http://what-a-crock.livejournal.com/906898.html for ATK testing results
www.allslowcookerreviews.com for clarified reviews.