Best Online Slots - Reviewed in 2023

Before going into which games you want to be playing, we'll start off with the very basics. In general, slots are extremely simple and not much thought is needed to play a game. Actually, the only thing you will need is lady luck on your side and you could be taking home some massive real money jackpots. Unlike stand-alone slot machines which are usually 3-reel and have one winning payline, online slots have a number of variations. Below we have included information on the different types of slots you can expect to find online.

Also known as classic slots, these are the closest variation to what you would expect to find in a land-based casino. 3-reel slots are also the simplest type out there. Usually, they have a single payline and less in-game features. Don't be fooled by their vintage look, you can still expect a top-quality gaming experience with this type of online slot machine. Mega Joker, for instance, is similar to a fruit machine you would expect to find in Las Vegas brick and mortar casinos. It does have some special features though such as the option to play in Supermeter mode.

Forget about the plant-based fad, fruit machines have been around since the very beginning. We're talking about brick and mortar casino days before iGaming even existed. They're still available today and not just in land-based establishments. Fruit slot machines are also available online. Several providers have looked to give players that nostalgic feel of what it was once like to play a game of this kind. With the surge of mobile gaming, we were sad to see some of the older ones go offline, like Microgaming's Fruit Salad. There are still some options out there but there becoming harder to come by as technology continues to thrive. For what it's worth Fruit Shop Slot by NetEnt should give you a relatively decent trip down memory lane. Did we mention that there's also a Christmas edition?

As technology improved slot sites moved away from much-loved classic games to offer new features through the launch of 5-reel slots. Obviously, the increase in reels increases the house edge but it also leads to higher payouts. They are a popular type of online slot machines as they provide a good trade-off on payout percentage. Obviously, added complexity has lead to unique features. Multiplier symbols, wild symbols and bonus games are a few examples. Barcrest's Rainbow Riches is a good example of this type of slot and many online casinos like Casumo will even offer no deposit free spins on this as part of their welcome bonus.

The most popular type out there, video slots have taken over casino games online. There are literally thousands of options to choose from and they vary in terms of their in-game features as well as RTP rate and bonus rounds. Paylines can be anywhere up to 50 and you can expect some big wins with these. They are particularly common with new players looking for good 1st deposit bonuses to claim. Thunderkick's Flame Buster is just one of the many options out there and Videoslots is just one of the online casinos which offer sign-up spins on the game. One thing to note is that most online casino bonuses won't accept deposits using e-wallets such as Neteller and Skrill.

Most online slot players won't even consider a slot game if it isn't a bonus slot. Basically, this type of online slot machine gives bonus spins when you land 3 or more symbols. Although most popular games offer this, Machina Megaways is one of the more recently launched examples of this. It also has a pretty fair RTP percentage of 96.59 - 97.42 and a perfect slot for high rollers looking to land a big win.

If you are a regular online slots casino player then you are bound to have come across the likes of Mega Moolah and Mega Fortune. They are the highest paying jackpot slots out there and the perfect example of our last type of slot. They do however come with some disadvantages. For instance, in a lot of cases, you'll need to wager the maximum deposit to trigger the bonus round. If you would like a more in-depth review to be sure to check out our piece on progressive jackpots. We give information on other slots of this kind as well as their relative return-to-player.

You now know where you want to be playing and some of the best bonuses out there. But what if you are somewhat new to slots? With thousands of different titles out there, it's probably a good idea to start with some basics. As we showed you above, there are actually different types of slots out there. 3-Reel and 5-reel are two variations and we have also mentioned jackpot slots a few times too.

If you are wondering how to play slots, its pretty simple. You place your bet, spin the reel and hope for the best. If luck is on your side you'll land 3 or more identical symbols in the same line and in turn you'll accumulate real money. Nowadays though things are slightly more complex. Video slots are constantly being made more innovative to make them more fun to play. As well as improving quality and interface, bonus rounds and other special features have also been included.

So what are slot machines after all? Basically, slots have been around for centuries now and started out in land-based casinos. Classic slots which have 3 reels can still be found in brick and mortar casinos today. With the rise of virtual casinos, we saw the birth of video slots. These are much more complex and can have up to 9 reels. They also have multiple paylines and special bonus rounds. Of course, this means better payouts but also makes online slots more volatile.

In order to earn real money playing slots online, you'll need to understand the various special features out there. There are a number of different symbols out there and you can expect to come across a few according to the online slot game you opt for. Below we provide information on some of the most common ones and what they actually mean.

Basic wilds can be used to replace other symbols hence it suddenly becomes easier to land a winning line. There are some exceptions though for instance scatter symbols cannot be replaced. As well as the normal wild, there are three other types out there. Expanding Wilds basically means that the wild expands to cover more area. Stacked wilds refer to wild symbols stacked under each other. Walking Wilds are those that automatically move to the side with each respin. Fruit Zen by Betsoft is one example of a game with wild symbols. In this case, wilds are of the expanding type. Dunder Casino is one of the many places you can try this feature out.

Scatters have a number of benefits. Firstly they multiply the total bet and payout if there are several of them in a reel. Most online slots players also love them because they unlock free spins rounds. In some cases, they can also unlock bonus games which are especially attractive when there are big jackpots at stake. Book of Dead is a great slot to mention at this point. It's 'Book' symbol is both a wild and scatter symbol. Energy is the perfect Play N' Go online casino to head to for this.

These are usually in the form of scatter symbols. As the name implies their main role is to trigger a bonus round within the actual game. In progressive slots, this is often a direct portal to trying your luck at winning the jackpot. Microgaming's massive jackpot Mega Moolah is the perfect example. LeoVegas is just one of the many real money casinos you can head if you are looking to land real money at the multi-million jackpot.

Colossal symbols are similar to expanding wilds. Basically, it's a symbol that expands to take up several places on different lines. It thus increases your chances of winning real money on casino slots. Playson has several real money slot machines which include colossal symbols, for instance, Wild Warriors. 

As well as symbols, some slots also have other special features. Re-spins are one example and when triggered it will allow you to spin the reel for free whilst keeping other reels locked. Free spins, on the other hand, will allow you to spin all reels for free. Tumbling reels are another example and they basically mean that as you win, the symbols will disappear and others will fall down to take their place. Multipliers will come into play here too and as the name implies they'll multiply your subsequent wins accordingly. Another way to increase winnings is through the gamble feature. To make things easier, we have listed the various bonus features out there below:

• Re-spins
• Free Spins
• Tumbling/ Cascading Reels
• Multiplier
• Gamble Feature

As mentioned previously, slots rarely offer all the features above. Instead, you'll come across different features on different slots. In fact, it's probably a good idea to figure out which features you like and choose your slot accordingly. Break Da Bank Again is a money slot with quite a few of these features and 32Red is just one of the places you can play it at.

If you are looking for a secret formula to winning real money on slots then we are about to disappoint you. The only thing that will help you land big wins is a lot of luck. And if we are being honest then this is the same for all casino games. House edge does vary though according to casino game. For instance, blackjack has one of the lower house edges whilst roulette is considered to have a higher house advantage in the world of table games. Unfortunately, slots have one of the highest house edges, thus making it even harder to build a strategy. Of course, some slots are more favourable than others and it is important to understand why. We have included information on this below and the good news is that game providers do include some statistics. We would also suggest looking at paytables when playing slots online.

Although you can't control landing a win, understanding the trends can help. Win hit rate gives you the statistics on how regularly players on the specific slots land wins. Usually, though there is a trade-off with the payout. Online slot games with lower win hit rates will always pay better.

When it comes to slots online whether real money or free, there is a lot of talk about RTP. Mostly because this is something which is made fully transparent, so it's easy to compare slot games. This will usually range between 90 and 99%. Some slots such as Ugga Bugga by Playtech will even go beyond that. The name in itself is self-explanatory and the closer to 100%, the more the slot gives back to players. This again will affect the level of payout as slots with high RTP will obviously pay less. Whereas slots with big jackpots will obviously have a lower RTP.

Volatility is basically how well the slot pays. Online slots with low volatility will pay little amounts more frequently. On the other hand, online slot machines that are highly volatile will pay larger amounts but much less often. Lucky Larry's Lobstermania 2 is an example of a real money slot with high volatility. This said if you are in it for the long run it's a great game to win big jackpots on.

With literally thousands of real money slots out there, choosing which one to play is bound to get confusing. On top of this, brand-new slots are constantly being launched every day. Their aggressive marketing strategy further adds to the difficulty of making a choice. Although previously players opted for games with higher RTP, it is no longer that simple to pick out your favourite casino slots. High-quality graphics and gameplay also make slots games more attractive. To top it off many real money casinos are using slots to target new players by tying in welcome bonuses such as first deposit bonuses. Thus, the dilemma many slot players are faced with.

Luckily, we are here to help by giving you the lowdown on some of the best slots machines online. At the heart of every game is the software provider. Although some of the top ones such as Evolution Gaming have yet to experiment with online slots, there are still many experts out there. Below are some of our favourite software providers and their top slots games. We have even included information on the slots RTP.

Also known as Net Entertainment, they are one of the top-rated software providers out there. Although they are heavily focused on slots, NetEnt is just as successful in other areas such as live casino games. If you a regular at real money casinos online then you are bound to have across Starburst at some point. Often players will even be able to opt-in for free spins on sign up making this a popular game for new players too. It is one of the simpler 5 real 3D slot games and yet it is widely played. Perhaps it is the bonus rounds and features such as re-spins paired with top quality graphics and sound that keep players coming back for more. There are a number of alternative's out there such as NextGen's Starmania but for some reason, none have reached the same heights.

Simsalabim is another popular 5-reel slot by NetEnt. Although it is one of the older games, its mysterious name and magical theme make it intriguing. Most software providers will also include a western-themed slot and it is no surprise that another NetEnt slots favourite is Wild Wild West. This said it has a lower RTP than a lot of the other country and western slots on the market and less attractive bonus round features. Quickspin's Sticky Bandits could be a great alternative money slot. If you are looking for a high RTP online slot game then Blood Suckers is probably your best option. Don't let its vampire theme scare you, it's an extremely entertaining way to pick up prizes in the form of money online.

If you are a regular player at online casinos then Microgaming is another name you have definitely come across. Known as the software provider behind the biggest payout ever in the history of jackpot slots, they are particularly popular within the UK. For players who look beyond RTP rates, Break the Bank Again, is a popular title at slots casinos. Being a remake of the original Break da Bank, the provider has aimed to tick any boxes it didn't in the first version. In fact, it is extremely user-friendly and tends to be a popular online slot to meet wagering requirements. In fact, new customers at online casinos use this slot as a could opportunity to convert bonuses into real money.

Being a fierce rival of NetEnt, it is no surprise that they have created slots on the same theme. Microgaming's Immortal Romance, for instance, is another successful video slot playing on the vampire theme. Known as being a high payout slot, it attracts a lot of players. This said it has not managed to live up to Blood Sucker's high RTP.  Microgaming has also managed to offer unique slots that set it apart from its competitors. It's Playboy slot is the best example of this. Boasting the infamous Playboy logo and featuring attractive models, it targets fans from all over the world.

Up until a few years ago, Playtech was synonymously known for its Marvel Avengers Slots online.  They even had some progressive jackpots and with so many people trying their luck, the prize pool was sky-high. Their Marvel themed progressive slots were one of the best ways to win real money. Unfortunately, this all changed when Disney withdrew their rights to use the characters. Today, Age of the Gods has taken their place. Again some of their options come with some great progressive jackpots.

If you are someone who is looking for fewer risks then you'll be pleased to know that this provider has slot games with a very high RTP. Of course, real money slots are never risk-free but this is probably the closest you are going to get unless you opt for free options. Ugga Bugga and Goblin's Cave are what you want to be playing. They are both simple 3 reel slots with some great bonus options. Goblin's Cave has a slight edge over the other slot online when it comes to payout percentage.

Even though we have given you some important tips to ensure your gaming experience is a safe one, real money slots are still a form of gambling. There is also an abundance of generous welcome bonuses for new customers including deposit bonuses and free spins. This and the various payout percentages can make video slots addicting, especially when it comes to jackpots. If you are looking to completely eliminate the risk of losing real money then your only option is to turn to free slots. Most slots sites will, in fact, offer a free version of your favourite titles.

Of course, you won't be able to pick up any deposit bonuses or wager real money. This said it is actually easy to get caught up in bonuses. This is especially true if you fail to read the full terms which include minimum deposit caps and wagering requirements.