Low Volatility Online Slot Machines

These online casino games are great for players with a small bankroll. Moreover, some of the most popular online slots have low volatility. You’ve probably heard of Starburst or the land-based slot machine favorite Da Vinci Diamonds. Both these slot titles are low-variance games. They are the opposite of high volatility slots which you can read about in another guide.

This page will take you through the concept of low volatility and how it affects your gameplay. You’ll also find tips on how to optimize playing low-volatility slots. But first, we’ll start with a list of the top low-volatility online slots on the market.

10 Most Popular Low-Volatility Slots

Below we’ve highlighted 10 of the most popular low-variance online slots and the US online casinos where you can play them.

#1 Starburst – NetEnt

Starburst was one of the first slots to propel NetEnt to global stardom when it was released in 2012. It’s a 5-reeler with an outer space theme, transparent reels, and many sparkly gems.

It uses lucky 7s and Bar symbols, giving it a retro feel. However, it brings a barrage of features from expanding symbols to respin Wilds, Spreading Wilds, Wild Rush, etc. Players can win across 10 paylines that pay both ways.

We can argue that this is the most popular low-volatility slot on the market. In terms of payouts, Starburst offers a max win of 500x your stake. The RTP ranges up to 96.09%, a good payout ratio by industry standards.

#2 Empress of the Nile – High5Games

This is a low-volatility slot option for players who enjoyed playing IGT’s Cleopatra slot. Empress of the Nile has an RTP of 96.5% with a max win per spin of x263. It plays out on 5 reels and 3 rows with 50 paylines that pay both ways.

Visually, this game is very impressive. Symbols appear on transparent reels flanked by stone columns, and the backdrop is a view of an ancient Egyptian castle towering over the city. Its significant features include a bonus games round with up to 7 bonus spins. During this round, you can also trigger the Golden Scarab bonus, where collecting bonus symbols will launch a pick-me game with various instant credit prizes up for grabs. You can win as much as 20x your bet.

Empress of the Nile also has a Super Symbols feature that activates during the base game. Symbols can cover three adjacent reel positions at a time.

#3 Da Vinci Diamonds – IGT

This game is not famous for its graphic quality, which is basic at best. Instead, players love it for the bonus spins round, which offers up to a whopping 300 bonus spins. Da Vinci Diamonds is based on the Renaissance period, and you’ll find the Mona Lisa and other inspirational paintings as part of the reel symbols.

The game starts with 6 bonus spins, and you can retrigger the feature for up to 300 bonus spins. Of course, it’s unlikely you’ll get the maximum number of spins, but it’s the thought and potential that counts. A Tumbling Reels feature allows you to create successive wins as you play.

The RTP is 94.93%, which isn’t particularly memorable. Fortunately, the max win is. This slot can award up to 5,000x your stake. The slot variance is about low – medium, and you’ll land a win roughly once in 5 spins.

#4 Dazzle Me – NetEnt

Dazzle Me is a unique game made up of unusual reels. There are 5 reels, like any regular video slot, but each column has a different number of rows. With a 3-3-4-4-5 layout, it looks like a pyramid that’s fallen on its side. Everything else about the game is simple: brightly colored gemstones and classic symbols like bells and sevens.

The slot has three bonus features – expanding wilds, bonus spins, and linked reels. The first two are pretty self-explanatory. On the other hand, the linked reels feature comes into play thanks to the game’s layout. During each bonus spin, reels 1 and 2 will mirror each other. The same goes for reels 3 and 4. With identical symbols appearing on two adjacent reels, you’re in a better position to land a win. The RTP is a respectable 96.9%, with 76 paylines.

#5 Bloodsuckers II – NetEnt

This slot was released to much anticipation following the massive success of the original. The first installment was a fan-favorite for its impressive 98% RTP and low volatility. Although this one has a slightly lower payout rate at 96.94%, it maintains the same slot variance level.

Bonus features here include two random modifiers – the Scatter Shot and Bonus Shot features – both increase your chances of entering the bonus rounds. The game also has two different bonus rounds. One awards bonus spins with multipliers, and the other is a pick-me game with different levels. Make your way to the last level for a chance at the max win.

There’s never been a more thrilling vampire-themed slot. The daunting Transylvania castle, wicked creatures of the night, and chilling background music deliver an overall impressive Gothic-style design.

#6 Thunderstruck II – Microgaming

Although this slot is often listed as a high-variance game, the consistency of wins places it more accurately in the low-variance category. In 50 spins, we won a dozen times, and it took us only a few spins to trigger the bonus spins bonus game.

The latter is a level-based bonus feature named The Great Hall of Spins. As you play, you can progress through four bonus spin rounds represented by four gods Valkyrie, Loki, Odin, and Thor. Each one offers a certain number of bonus spins with a distinct modifier. The more you trigger the feature, the more gods you unlock.

This Norse mythology-inspired 5-reeler has 243 ways to win, and the RTP comes in at 96.65%. Watch out for the randomly triggering Wildstorm feature. It can turn up to 5 reels Wild for massive wins. A max win of 8,000x your stake is available on a lucky spin. In US gambling sites, Thunderstruck 2 is powered by the DGC software provider, which licenses Microgaming slots for this jurisdiction.

#7 Guns N’ Roses – NetEnt

This is the first branded slot on our list and was inspired by the legendary band from the 80s. A concert stage backdrops the 5 reels with the famous band members (Axl, Slash, and Izzy) popping up as reel characters. Accompanying the gameplay is the best rock music from among Guns N’ Roses hits, including Welcome to the Jungle, Sweet Child O’ Mine, November Rain, etc.

This slot undoubtedly became a cult favorite among rock enthusiasts because of its theme. However, the presence of 7 bonus features was the major draw for other fans of the game. The expanding Wild is the most frequently occurring, and players can also randomly trigger three extra features ranging from bonus spins and multipliers to more wilds. The bonus wheel feature offers another trio of bonus rounds.

Aside from the very high RTP of 96.98%, this 20-payline game is the best rock and roll slot around.

#8 Jack Hammer – NetEnt

Jack Hammer is a perfect example of why simple slots sometimes hold the best appeal. The comic-style graphics with a 1930s flavor is as simple as it gets, and the storyline is standard hero vs. villain. We see detective Jack Hammer fighting to save the city from the schemes of the evil Dr. Wuten. There are 25 paylines in this slot, and it comes with a pretty good RTP of 96.69%.

This low volatility slot is about a Sticky Win feature and a bonus spin round. With the Sticky Win, winning symbols lock in place on the reels while others respin. This increases your chances for more payouts. On the other hand, the bonus spins feature awards up to 30 bonus spins with a 3x multiplier.

#9 Wild Scarabs – Microgaming

Microgaming’s Wild Scarabs is a simple slot that takes you to the Egyptian realm. Rather than down into the tombs, you get a landscape view that offers a new perspective on the popular theme.

The game plays out on a simple 5×3 grid with a mix of gem symbols and Egyptian deity icons. If the name didn’t already give you a hint, wild features are the highlight of this slot. Firstly, Wild Deal awards up to 4 random Wilds on any non-winning spin in the base game. The Stashed Wilds feature will award guaranteed wins when 3 or more non-winning wilds are collected during the bonus spins round.

Despite being a low volatility game, Wild Scarabs has 243 ways and a max win of 1,733x your bet. It also boasts a generous RTP of 96.28%.

#10 Asgardian Stones – NetEnt

Asgardian Stones is a modern slot that brings the best of NetEnts unique game mechanisms. The graphics are beautifully done with stone tablets of Asgardian gods and the god city in the backdrop. We’re almost tempted to say it’s the best low-volatility casino game graphically. It certainly is one of NetEnt’s best works. The game is even more impressive because of the colossal symbols that regularly drop on the reels covering up to 3×3 grid positions.

Avalanche reels and bonus spins are also available. After the first avalanche, a Colossal Crush feature will see colossal symbols crushing regular symbols beneath it. There are win multipliers for each successive row of crushed symbols. Finally, a bonus wheel will randomly reward you with coin wins, bonus spins, or both.

Asgardian Stones is a 5-reeler with 20 paylines and a 96.31% RTP.

What is Volatility in Slots?

Many new slot fans think that all slots are the same. Since the gameplay simply involves tapping the spin button, this is an understandable misconception.

In reality, every slot game is slightly different. The gameplay differs from one title to another unless the design is a complete graphical re-skin of an old machine. There are also several distinctions in design mechanics, and volatility is one such defining factor. You may have heard it referred to as variance; both terms are similar and frequently used to explain how a slot will play over time.

Slot volatility and variance simply refer to how a slot game is designed to pay. This differs from the RTP, which is a theoretical value indicating what the slot returns to the player over millions of spins. Volatility is more tangible because it affects how regularly individual winning combinations land.

Different Volatility Levels in Slots

Generally, volatility has to do with two factors – the frequency of wins and the value of wins. The volatility level depends on how these two factors combine in a slot game.

Low Volatility

As mentioned earlier, low volatility refers to high win frequency and low win values. You can expect to land winning combinations often with low volatility slots, but they’ll come in small amounts based on your bet size.

Such games are great for casual players who are not keen on taking significant risks. You can place small bets and rake in frequent small wins to keep your bankroll alive. Since they’re low-risk, don’t expect massive jackpot wins. If you’re lucky, you’ll win enough times to offset any losses and take home a small profit.

High Volatility

This is the stark opposite of low volatility. It implies low win frequency and high win values. High variance slots are high risk because they promise big wins and enormous jackpots, but these cash prizes are far between. You can often go on an extended dry run before you eventually land a win.

With these games, you’ll need a lot of patience. You’ll also need a sizable bankroll because a small one may get depleted before you get the chance to land that coveted win. If you don’t have a significant gambling budget but still wish to play high variance games, then a bankroll management plan is in order.

Medium Volatility slots

Medium volatility is the in-between. Essentially, medium variance games pay less frequently but offer bigger potential wins. These slots are great for players who don’t appreciate any of the extremes.

There are also variations like low-medium volatility and medium-high volatility. If you’re unwilling to place huge wagers but can do more than the minimum bet value, any variation of medium volatility slots will do the trick.

Our Favorite Low-Volatility Slots to Play

Starburst is one of the best low-volatility slots. It’s also simply one of the best slots of all time. We don’t know of any player who’s tried it and not loved it. So, it stays our number one favorite low variance slot.

Thunderstruck II is also up there among the best low-volatility games. We’re great supporters of gamification in slots, so we appreciate the achievement-based bonus feature. The feature is triggered frequently, so players can advance significantly in a single session.

Blood Suckers 2 and Guns N’ Roses are pretty even for the third spot. Both of these are among our favorite NetEnt games. The themes on these low volatility slots are super cool, with many surprises to uncover. Gameplay aside, these games are also enjoyable to watch just because they’re so intricately delivered.

Tips for Playing Low-Volatility Slots

Low variance slot games have their advantages and disadvantages. It is crucial to maximize your gameplay by reducing the cons and enhancing the pros. Note that these low volatility slot tips are not game strategies like with blackjack, roulette, or poker. Slots are 100% dependent on chance, so there’s no way to influence the outcomes except through hacking or some other illicit manipulation.

These tips are smart decisions you can make before you spin the reels. Expert slot players have the best tricks at the back of their minds. As such, they can increase their winning chances or, at the very least, minimize their losses.

Play Low Variance Slots with High RTP

Variance doesn’t limit the importance of the RTP in slots. The RTP tells the game’s overall generosity, regardless of how the winnings are spread out to players. Playing low-variance slots with a high RTP will always be the better option. A good tip is to look out for slots with RTPs of at least 96% – the industry standard for online slots.

Place Larger Bets

Low rollers can get the most value for their bets when playing low-variance slots, even with the minimum bet. However, the higher you bet, the more you get in return. Increasing the bet level does not harm conservative bettors. Wins occur regularly, so you’ll be able to get returns that correspond to the bigger bet. At the end of the day, you’re not risking any more than you were with smaller bets, and you stand a higher chance to profit if you get lucky with bonus features.

This tip will also be useful for risk-takers looking to diversify away from high-variance slots. Suppose you want to try Blood Suckers 2, one of NetEnt’s most remarkable releases and the best vampire-themed slot. Although the max win is about 1,298x your stake, you can place the max bet and rake in sizable potential payouts.

Check Coin Values

To place bigger bets, you must check that the slot allows varied coin values. Some games have limited bet ranges. Others have coin values that start at $0.01 but go as high as hundreds of dollars.

Knowing the coin values is valid even if you wish to stick to small stakes. You should know how low you are allowed to bet or how high, as the case may be. This knowledge will also help you effectively create a bankroll management plan.

Extra Factors That Determine Slot Payout

Although we have hinted at the various aspects affecting online slots gameplay, except volatility, we explain each below.

RTP – Return to Player

Besides volatility, RTP is the other significant factor that determines slot payout. Here’s an illustration of how RTP works:

Imagine a slot X with a 96% RTP. If 100 players were to bet $10 each, the game would have accepted a total of $1,000 in bets. According to the design, the slot should return $960 to players in winnings. The remaining $40 is for the house edge.

RTP isn’t calculated based on a single gaming session but on multiple bets placed over a long period. Our illustration is only an attempt to explain the concept in clear terms. In reality, it may take several thousand or millions of spins for the RTP to realize.

It is also possible to understand the concept of volatility from the example above. We’ve determined that slot X will pay $960 to players, one way or the other. Whether the amount comes in large chunks at a time or small bits is a function of the volatility.

Number of Paylines

Online slots have different paylines, and with the invention of Big Time Gaming’s Megaways mechanic, slots now have an indefinite number of ways to win. The more the paylines, the greater the chances of winning since there are literally more ways for matching combinations to land.

However, it still boils down to the RTP. When win lines vary on the same game, so will the RTP, and the more the number of active lines, the higher the payout percentage. Beware that a game with a massive number of win lines will likely be a high-variance slot or could pay out very low on each particular win line to compensate for the vast array of winning ways.

Progressive Jackpots

While you may not go searching for casino games with mind-boggling payouts, it’s unlikely you’d turn away from a low-volatility slot machine that also offers jackpot prizes. Unlike fixed jackpots, progressives grow as players bet on the slot or group of slots linked to the prize. This is because progressive jackpots accumulate a small portion of every bet placed. In the same way, these jackpots also take some part of the RTP.

For instance, Mega Moolah is a 96.92% RTP slot. However, 88.12% is for regular gameplay, while 8.80% goes to the jackpot. This is a significant difference because the game offers 4 different progressive jackpot prizes. This means that all players who don’t win the jackpot feature only play the regular game with an 88.12% payout percentage. Progressive jackpots, therefore, influence the slot payout.

Note that while Mega Moolah base game payouts are designed with low volatility, the jackpot bonus game is high variance because it has a hit frequency of less than 1%. The Mega Jackpot lands approximately once in 30 days.

In-Game Bonus Features

Online slot games come with all sorts of in-game bonuses. Special features include Sticky Wilds, Expanding Wilds, scatter pays, multipliers, bonus spins, and more. Usually, the bonus round is where you can rake in the max win on most slots. You’ll land special symbols more often in this round, and there may sometimes be a separate, more rewarding paytable for winning combinations during the bonus game.

This is especially so with video slots and online slots, which often have several mechanics like cascading reels and expanding reels to deliver a mix of thrilling gameplay and increased payout potential. Cascading reels that were first introduced as ‘avalanche reels’ in the famous Gonzo’s Quest allow consecutive wins on a single spin. On the other hand, expanding reels will increase the grid size, often leading to more ways to win.

Generally, bonus features should increase the max payout potential of a slot. The most feature-packed slots tend to have a high max win. Since huge wins don’t mix with low variance, these are often high-volatility games.

Where to Find  Game Developers of Low Volatile Slots

Even if a developer is recognized for high variance games, they may still have low volatility slots releases. Varied volatility levels are one of the ways game developers diversify their portfolios. So most developers will have at least one low-variance slot machine.

That said, the clear leader in terms of low volatility slots is NetEnt, responsible for more than half our list of best low variance slots. You may know this developer as the brains behind Gonzo’s Quest, a high-volatility slot that pioneered the avalanche reel mechanism.

Other developers with a healthy selection of games for those who wish to play low-volatility slots are:

• Microgaming
• Blueprint Gaming
• High5Games
• IGT
• Betsoft
• Yggdrasil
• Novomatic
• Slingo Originals

You’ll find these developers’ slot titles at our recommended online casinos. Rest assured; we’ve only included legal operators in US states that allow online casino apps. Our recommended casinos are top-rated in the industry and will offer several online bonuses for new and existing players. Most casino apps don’t parade the volatility level of their games. Although you can’t filter according to slot variance, you can select games based on the developer. Search for any of the developers we’ve listed, and you should have an easier time finding low volatility slot machines to play.

Summary

With all we’ve said about low variance so far, it’s clear that this aspect of slots is important to your gaming experience. The thing with volatility is that there is no right or wrong volatility. Low variance has benefits depending on the slot player you are. Same for high volatility.

Players not interested in massive wins but prefer consistent rewards should go for low volatile slots. Those who enjoy winning big and are open to taking risks and placing the most significant bets will find high-volatility slots best suited for their style of play. It’s simply a matter of player preference.

Also, it’s necessary to understand that these slot terms are also subjective; there is no definitive way to categorize slots, so while one player may consider a slot low variance, another may consider it medium variance. The developers also have different ratings, which can vary wildly; the only true way to learn is to play a broad range of machines, find out which games you enjoy playing, then explore the offerings from the same developer.