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Hamilton Beach Portable 6-Quart Set & Forget Programmable Slow Cooker vs Ninja Everyday PossibleCooker Pro, 6.5 Qt
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Hamilton Beach Portable 6-Quart Set & Forget Programmable Slow Cooker ranks higher (#1 vs #3 of 8) and scores better on even cooking, easy cleaning, lid seal & portability, durability.
The biggest complaint about the Hamilton Beach Portable 6-Quart Set & Forget Programmable Slow Cooker is small handles, short probe, heavy crock; for the Ninja Everyday PossibleCooker Pro, 6.5 Qt it's pot gets very hot to the touch. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Hamilton Beach Portable 6-Quart Set & Forget Programmable Slow Cooker | Ninja Everyday PossibleCooker Pro, 6.5 Qt | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in slow cookers | #1 | #3 |
| Price tier | $$ | $$ |
| Type | Programmable | Multi-function |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 5% | 6% |
| Overall score | 4.0 | 3.2 |
| Even cooking | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Settings & timer | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Easy cleaning | 3.5 | 3.0 |
| Lid seal & portability | 4.5 | 2.0 |
| Durability | 3.5 | 3.0 |
Price tiers: $ under $60 · $$ $60–150 · $$$ over $150. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Hamilton Beach Portable 6-Quart Set & Forget Programmable Slow Cooker
- Small handles, short probe, heavy crock
Wirecutter says the crock's small handles at the ends of the oval are hard to grab and make pouring difficult, and the probe is too short for smaller pieces of meat. Food Network says the probe can be hard to insert accurately, and The Spruce Eats calls the ceramic crock heavy and not stovetop-safe.
- Can run hot
In Serious Eats' test the pot's edges bubbled and the beans came out overcooked and mushy. Amazon's review summary calls temperature control mixed, with some owners saying it overheats when done. Wirecutter, by contrast, found it held a gentle simmer.
- Crock breaking
Amazon's review summary says durability is a concern, with multiple owners reporting the crock breaking after average use. The warranty is one year (Wirecutter).
Ninja Everyday PossibleCooker Pro, 6.5 Qt
- Pot gets very hot to the touch
Serious Eats measured 140°F on the outside because the pot sits on a stand rather than inside a housing. Food & Wine says it gets incredibly hot and wouldn't recommend it to anyone with small children, curious pets or general clumsiness.
Source: Serious Eats, Food & Wine - Uneven heat: scorching or underdone pork
Food & Wine says the pot bottom ran hot and scorched food that was a pain to scrub off. Serious Eats' pork wasn't shreddable by the end of the cook time.
Source: Food & Wine, Serious Eats - Coating chips
Amazon's review summary calls durability mixed, with reports of the protective coating chipping after minimal use. Serious Eats says the nonstick lasts longer if hand-washed.
Who should pick which
Pick the Hamilton Beach Portable 6-Quart Set & Forget Programmable Slow Cooker if
Potlucks and tailgates (clip-down lid)
Cooking roasts to a set temperature
Most families wanting one good all-rounder
Skip it if: You want to sear in the same pot; You need a timer longer than 12 hours; You want light, easy-to-pour crock handles
Pick the Ninja Everyday PossibleCooker Pro, 6.5 Qt if
Searing, rice and pasta in the same pot
Cooks who adjust time and heat mid-cook
Lifting and serving straight from the pot
Skip it if: You have small children or pets nearby; You want a classic insulated crock; You won't hand-wash a nonstick pot
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