If you’re new to the online casino world, slot variance or slot volatility refers to how frequently you’re likely to win on a slots game and how big those payouts can be. Some people prefer small frequent win slots with high return to player payout rates (low variance slots), while others prefer jackpot slots with less frequent bigger wins. This blog talks you through what low variance slots are, how these slots work, best sites for low variance slots based on RTP, payout, popularity, software developer and fresh titles. Money Reels is one great modern casino site containing top low variance slots titles, so why not check this one out soon!
HOW DO LOW VARIANCE SLOTS WORK?
There are three types of slots in terms of variance level. Low, medium and high variance. In the online casino world, slot variance or slot volatility refers to how frequently you’re likely to win on a slot game and how big these payouts can be. These two factors (win size and win frequency) are related. When the wins are frequent, payouts are smaller, while slot games with big money wins don’t come along as often!
16 TOP LOW VARIANCE SLOTS BY RTP
Higher RTP goes with low variance, and you can expect more regular smaller payouts compared with jackpot slots with their high variance and less frequent wins. The return to player value of a slot game determines what to expect to lose when playing a particular slot over a long period of time. The average RTP of slot games is 95% at the time of writing. Any slot that falls between 95% and 97.99% RTP is considered a medium range RTP.
An RTP below 94.99% could be classified as a low RTP slot. Over 98% are the highest RTP slots. RTP is a long-term calculation. Slots use ‘Random Number Generator’ (RNG) technology to ensure they are entirely random, and many modern slots are audited for their RTP and their use of these tools.
The below table lists low variance slots by RTP percentage rate:
1429 Uncharted Seas: 98.6% RTP | Jewel Blast: 96.52% RTP |
Bloodsuckers: 98% RTP | Sunny Shores: 96.2% RTP |
Esqueleto Explosivo: 97.6% RTP | Starburst: 96.09% RTP |
Simsalabim: 97.5% RTP | Moonshine: 95.96% RTP |
Sherlock Holmes: 96.8% RTP | The Mummy: 95.51% RTP |
Viking Runecraft: 96.7% RTP | Bar Bar Black Sheep: 95.32% RTP |
Thunderstruck II: 96.69% RTP | Pharaoh’s Secrets: 94.00% RTP |
Tomb Raider: 96.56% RTP | Jewel Blast: 96.52% RTP |
* All values are subject to change at any time.
BEST LOW VARIANCE SLOTS – TOP TITLES
Let’s unpack a few of the low variance slots in terms of top titles today. No list of low volatility slots would be complete without these three games in our honest opinion…
Starburst by NetEnt is one of the most popular releases. Starburst renders us starstruck with its twinkly theme since its inception in 2012. Its 5-reels, 10 pay lines, and racey pace create an entrancing environment. It features a pay-both-ways win feature when Starburst lands and replaces all other symbols before activating up to 3 respins if you get 3 consecutive wilds.
Thunderstruck II by Microgaming was released in 2010 and must be worth mentioning here as a winner of the hearts and minds of many slot players with its classic 5-reels and 243 ways to win. Bonus rounds permit you to choose from free spins and multiplier combos, while its RTP of 96.1% is above average, suitable for those frequent smaller win odds you’re looking for in a low variance site.
Bloodsuckers II has become a prime release by NetEnt and a bit of a classic. There are 5 blood curdling reels, 25 pay lines, scatters, wilds and multipliers. The whopping 97% RTP low volatility makes this a great low risk, frequent payout game to play.
BEST LOW VARIANCE SLOTS BY SOFTWARE PROVIDER
NetEnt, the maker of legendary Starburst, one of the biggest low volatility slot games, means NetEnt deserves a mention. There are many other great titles of low variance by this gaming developer. Triple Edge Studio is a good choice. They have built exciting themes like Agent Jane Blonde, a cool low variance slot. Let's face it, and if you go to the trouble of conjuring secret agents with symbols of gadgets on the reels, you need a mention. There are five pay reels, 15 paylines, and a generous RTP of 96.6%, where 300 times your stake is possible.
Play’n GO has created some great low variance slots. Gemix, for example, is one of them with its 7 x 7-reel fantasy of little wizards and dwarves set in a land of gems as you spin. While bets start as low as 0.10, there is the potential to win up to 1,000 times your stake. One for those who love slots but want something less damaging on the wallet. IGT has some great low variance slots, such as Greek themed, soft glowing Golden Goddess, which offers more paylines than some of the above low volatility slots. Golden Goddess has 40 paylines on four rows and can be played for as little as 0.40 a spin. There are multiple ways to win, and a rose bonus scatter symbol and free spins slot bonus.
BEST NEW LOW VARIANCE SLOTS
There are a bunch of fresh title low variance slots to look out for today. Those released as recently as 2020 include Disco Danny (NetEnt) Valley of Fortune (High 5 Games), Golden Ticket 2 (Play’n Go), Mystery Museum (Push Gaming) Curse of the Werewolf (Megaways), Spartacus Megaways (Scientific Gaming), Star Bounty (Pragmatic Play) and Wild Wild Riches (Pragmatic Gaming).
Take, for example, Mystery Museum, a low variance slot released in September 2020. Here you are teleported to Ancient Egypt to enjoy the sultry mystery stacks feature. Every time 3 mystery stacks land, you get a payout. Rage of the Seas is a pirate-themed low variance slot by NetEnt based on 5 reels with 4 expandable rows and up to 5,488 ways to win. The RTP of 96.04% is above average, and you can get free spins, boost symbols, stacked wilds and other fab features that make this 2020 release one to add to your low variance list.
THE VERDICT
There are lots of low variance slots out there with regular payouts, likeable RTP and great gameplay. Choosing your favourite one does depend a bit on preference to some degree – are you a high roller or a penny slotter or somewhere between. One great modern casino site you can find top low variance titles on today includes Money Reels, so why not give that one a spin!
All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Win, etc.) mentioned in relation to this slot game are subject to change at any time.