Crock-Pot 4-Quart Manual Slow Cooker vs Hamilton Beach 33561 6-Quart Portable
Both made our Best Slow Cookers Under $50 shortlist, at #1 and #2. Here's how they differ and who each one suits.
- BuyOnceRight Research Desk
- Updated
- 4 min read
Quick verdict
Choose the Crock-Pot 4-Quart Manual Slow Cooker SCV400-B if you want 4-quart insert is right-sized for 1-3 person households without wasted capacity. Choose the Hamilton Beach 33561 6-Quart Portable Slow Cooker with Clip-Tight Lid if you'd rather have programmable timer and auto keep-warm at a lower typical price than the Crock-Pot equivalent. Overall we rank the Crock-Pot 4-Quart Manual Slow Cooker SCV400-B higher: #1 versus #2 in our Best Slow Cookers Under $50 list.
Winner overall: Crock-Pot 4-Quart Manual Slow Cooker SCV400-B
Crock-Pot 4-Quart Manual Slow Cooker SCV400-B vs Hamilton Beach 33561 6-Quart Portable Slow Cooker with Clip-Tight Lid compared
Every difference that matters, in one table.
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Our ranking | #1 of 12 in Best Slow Cookers Under $50 | #2 of 12 in Best Slow Cookers Under $50 |
| Pick label | ||
| Brand | Crock-Pot | Hamilton Beach |
| Key features | 4-quart round stoneware insert; Low, warm, and high rotary knob settings; Removable, dishwasher-safe insert | 6-quart oval stoneware insert; Programmable digital timer with auto keep-warm; Clip-tight silicone-sealed lid for transport |
| Biggest strength | 4-quart insert is right-sized for 1-3 person households without wasted capacity | Programmable timer and auto keep-warm at a lower typical price than the Crock-Pot equivalent |
| Main trade-off | No programmable timer or auto-warm shift, must be present to turn off | Dial-and-button interface is less precise than a full touchpad |
| Best for | Most buyers | Most buyers |
Which should you buy?
#1 pick
Choose the Crock-Pot 4-Quart Manual Slow Cooker SCV400-B if…
- 4-quart insert is right-sized for 1-3 person households without wasted capacity
- Simple rotary knob has no learning curve or menu to navigate
- Removable stoneware insert is dishwasher safe
Prefer the alternative? See the Hamilton Beach 33561 6-Quart Portable Slow Cooker with Clip-Tight Lid section.
#2 pick
Choose the Hamilton Beach 33561 6-Quart Portable Slow Cooker with Clip-Tight Lid if…
- Programmable timer and auto keep-warm at a lower typical price than the Crock-Pot equivalent
- Clip-tight silicone-sealed lid resists spills better than a top-latch design at steep angles
- 18,000+ Amazon ratings at 4.5 average
Prefer the alternative? See the Crock-Pot 4-Quart Manual Slow Cooker SCV400-B section.
Pros and cons of each
Crock-Pot 4-Quart Manual Slow Cooker SCV400-B
Pros
- 4-quart insert is right-sized for 1-3 person households without wasted capacity
- Simple rotary knob has no learning curve or menu to navigate
- Removable stoneware insert is dishwasher safe
- Crock-Pot's proven decades-old heating platform
Cons
- No programmable timer or auto-warm shift, must be present to turn off
- Round shape is not ideal for whole chickens or long roasts
- No locking lid, not suitable for transport
- Insert is not stovetop compatible
Hamilton Beach 33561 6-Quart Portable Slow Cooker with Clip-Tight Lid
Pros
- Programmable timer and auto keep-warm at a lower typical price than the Crock-Pot equivalent
- Clip-tight silicone-sealed lid resists spills better than a top-latch design at steep angles
- 18,000+ Amazon ratings at 4.5 average
- 6-quart capacity matches the top-selling Crock-Pot at the same price point
Cons
- Dial-and-button interface is less precise than a full touchpad
- Runs 5 to 10 degrees hotter than the Crock-Pot on High
- No digital temperature display, only a keep-warm indicator light
- Insert is not stovetop compatible
Crock-Pot 4-Quart Manual Slow Cooker SCV400-B vs Hamilton Beach 33561 6-Quart Portable Slow Cooker with Clip-Tight Lid: common questions
Which is better, the Crock-Pot 4-Quart Manual Slow Cooker SCV400-B or the Hamilton Beach 33561 6-Quart Portable Slow Cooker with Clip-Tight Lid?
Choose the Crock-Pot 4-Quart Manual Slow Cooker SCV400-B if you want 4-quart insert is right-sized for 1-3 person households without wasted capacity. Choose the Hamilton Beach 33561 6-Quart Portable Slow Cooker with Clip-Tight Lid if you'd rather have programmable timer and auto keep-warm at a lower typical price than the Crock-Pot equivalent. Overall we rank the Crock-Pot 4-Quart Manual Slow Cooker SCV400-B higher: #1 versus #2 in our Best Slow Cookers Under $50 list.
What is the difference between the Crock-Pot 4-Quart Manual Slow Cooker SCV400-B and the Hamilton Beach 33561 6-Quart Portable Slow Cooker with Clip-Tight Lid?
The Crock-Pot 4-Quart Manual Slow Cooker SCV400-B stands out because 4-quart insert is right-sized for 1-3 person households without wasted capacity, while the Hamilton Beach 33561 6-Quart Portable Slow Cooker with Clip-Tight Lid stands out because programmable timer and auto keep-warm at a lower typical price than the Crock-Pot equivalent. The trade-offs differ too: the Crock-Pot 4-Quart Manual Slow Cooker SCV400-B's main caveat is that no programmable timer or auto-warm shift, must be present to turn off, and the Hamilton Beach 33561 6-Quart Portable Slow Cooker with Clip-Tight Lid's is that dial-and-button interface is less precise than a full touchpad.
Is the Crock-Pot 4-Quart Manual Slow Cooker SCV400-B worth it over the Hamilton Beach 33561 6-Quart Portable Slow Cooker with Clip-Tight Lid?
For most buyers, yes: it's our #1 pick. Consider the Hamilton Beach 33561 6-Quart Portable Slow Cooker with Clip-Tight Lid instead if no programmable timer or auto-warm shift, must be present to turn off is a deal-breaker for you.