Comparing Bella Slow Cooker Models

Slow cooker brands tend to produce a large range of different models, often only varying slightly from one another. This can make shopping incredibly confusing, especially as the differences between the individual models are not always obvious. For example, the number of models from Crock-Pot and Hamilton Beach alone is pretty overwhelming.

In contrast, Bella takes a simpler approach to slow cookers. The company doesn’t actually have all that many models and in most cases, the differences between them are pretty clear. However, you’ll find that there are a lot more options than normal in terms of visual appearance.

This means that many of the models come with multiple different choices for color. Those color differences don’t tend to affect performance. Nevertheless, they’re a great option if you’re trying to color coordinate your kitchen, or if you’re just looking for something a little unusual.

5-Quart Slow Cookers

5-Quart Programmable Stainless Steel Slow Cooker

• Model Number: 13973
• Size: 5 quarts

This first model is fairly standard for a programmable slow cooker. So, like other brands, the slow cooker offers three temperature settings, which are low, high and warm. You can use the timer to set how long you want the slow cooker to run for and the timer goes from 30 minutes up to 20 hours. That’s actually a larger range than many other slow cookers that I’ve seen.

While the model may not be especially unique it is still effective and functional. Reviews on Amazon give it a 4.3-star rating and almost all of them are positive. At the same time, the price is very reasonable for a programmable slow cooker.

==> Get It From Amazon Here!

5-Quart Linea Slow Cooker with Locking Lid

• Model Number: 14389
• Price: NA [November 3, 2016 11:02 AM]
• Size: 5 quarts

In terms of function, this model is pretty much identical to the previous one. However, the design is significantly different both in terms of the control panel and the slow cooker as a whole.

One cool thing is that the design features a locking lid and attached spoon. While the spoon may be considered a bit of a gimmick, the ability to lock the lid is incredibly handy if you’re transporting the slow cooker from one place to the next.

Another thing to note is that this slow cooker is part of the Linea collection. There are a few different collections like this and they come in a wide range of colors. For example, Bella’s site shows a purple, red, pink blue and green version, although only some colors seem to be present on Amazon at the time of writing.

==> Get It From Amazon Here!

5-Quart Dots Programmable Slow Cooker

• Model Number:  13963
• Price: NA [November 3, 2016 11:18 AM]
• Size: 5 quarts

Speaking of collections, Bella also has a Dots collection and the reason for the name should be fairly obvious. In this case, the model is a programmable slow cooker and the control panel is almost identical to the previous item in the list.

However, one key difference is that this one doesn’t come with a locking lid. This may make the previous model a better choice if you plan to move your slow cooker around while full. But, if you don’t, then this model is equally viable.

Personally, I’m not a huge fan of Bella’s design for lid locking, so I would probably prefer this style. Also available in blue and a few other colors 🙂

==> Get It From Amazon Here!

6+ Quart Slow Cookers

6-Quart Manual Slow Cooker

• Model Number: 13898
• Size: 6 quarts

There are quite a few differences between this model and the previous ones. Perhaps the biggest of those is that this is a manual slow cooker, rather than a programmable one. At the same time, this model is a little larger and also has a different overall style.

With a manual slow cooker, you have to switch it to warm (or off) yourself. But, this isn’t always a disadvantage and some people do prefer having more control over their food. You can also cook great dishes regardless of which type of model you choose.

In this case, there seem to be Diamonds (pictured) and Dots collections for the same slow cooker. So, there is no shortage of different physical styles, although the function of the model should be the same regardless.

==> Get It From Amazon Here!

6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker with Locking Lid

• Model Number: 13722
• Price: NA [November 3, 2016 10:57 AM]
• Size: 6 quarts

Visually, this model is similar to the Lidea one that I mentioned earlier, although the size is a little larger here and the control panel is different. For some people, this model may be more appealing, as 6 quarts does provide you with more room to make food. In fact, 5 quarts can feel a little small for many families.

This model is also one that I’ve used and reviewed for this blog. Personally, I found the locking lid to be a little frustrating and more awkward than I would like to open. But, in fairness, I don’t tend to move my slow cooker around, so a locking lid isn’t all that useful for me. For some better locking lid capabilities, read up on Crock Pot's Cook and Carry lineup, or Hamilton Beach's Stay or Go series.

Still, it is a good model overall and you can check out the full review for more information about what this one offers and how it performs.

==> Full Review of Bella 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker

==> Get It From Amazon Here!

6.5-Quart Searing Slow Cooker with Locking Lid

• Model Number: 14124
• Size: 6.5 quarts

The style of this model is completely different than any of the others on this list and the size is unusual too. Essentially, the model is an automatic slow cooker with a bit of a twist. Now, the model is advertised as ‘searing’ suggesting that you can sear meat. That’s true but the implication is misleading.

In particular, you don’t actually sear meat inside the slow cooker. Instead, the inner pot is aluminum, rather than the ceramic that you typically see in slow cookers. Because of this, it is safe to use it on the stove and sear meat that way. This does still make prep work easier and means you have to use one less pot if you want to sear meat and then slow cook it.

However, the style is likely to appeal to some people more than others. In particular, some people may prefer the idea of using a slow cooker with a ceramic bowl, especially as those are less complicated to clean.

==> Get It From Amazon Here!

If six and a half quarts isn't big enough, see our list of extra large slow cookers, which get up to 8.5 quarts!

*In the featured image, you'll see a picture of the Bella 2.5 quart connectible entertainment system, which I didn't feature in this post but have previously reviewed. It's a niche item, that most people wouldn't use. If you'd like to see more extra small slow cookers like this, see our list of mini slow cookers.