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Best Rice Cookers, the ultimate kitchen gadgets with limitless culinary potential, have revolutionized the art of rice preparation. In the days before the advent of gas or electric stoves, rice enthusiasts relied on traditional stone pots atop kamados, fueled by charcoal or wood. Mastering the delicate balance of fire control was essential to prevent scorching dishes. However, with the introduction of modern metal pots on gas stoves, achieving the perfect rice texture still necessitates precise heat management to prevent any undesirable browning.
Traditionally, medium-high heat and the right amount of water are used to cook rice on a stovetop. When the rice comes to a boil, the heat is turned down to low, and it cooks for about 10 to 15 minutes. Finally, the heat is turned off, which lets the steam take in or evaporate any leftover moisture. Even though this method seems simple, it can be difficult to get regularly good results.
But if you have a rice maker, you don’t have to guess and the process is easier. Even on the busy nights, a rice cooker makes it easy to make a bowl of fluffy sushi rice. It also lets you cook a lot of rice at once, which is great for making grain bowls or fried rice to eat all week long. Rice makers are easy to use and clean, and they make sure that the rice is always good every time.
We did a lot of testing on more than 20 highly ranked rice cookers to figure out which one was the best. After making a lot of cooked rice, we found one recipe that stood out as our favorite and always turned out the best. In the parts that follow, we give you more information about our top picks and explain how we tested each one.
Best Rice Cookers Comparison Table
| Product | Capacity | Heating Technology | Cooking Functions | Timer Setting | Keep Warm Function | Removable Inner Pot | Non-Stick Coating | Power Consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zojirushi 3-Cup Rice Cooker | 3 cups | Fuzzy logic | Multiple options | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 500 watts |
| Dash Mini Rice Cooker | 1 cup | Standard heating plate | Multiple options | No | No | Yes | Yes | 200 watts |
| Zojirushi Induction Heating System Rice Cooker | 5.5 cups | Induction heating | Multiple options | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 1230 watts |
| Toshiba TRCS01 Rice Cooker | 6 cups | Fuzzy logic | Multiple options | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 700 watts |
| Hamilton Beach Programmable Rice Cooker | 8 cups | Standard heating plate | Multiple options | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 700 watts |
| Cuckoo CR-0655F Rice Cooker and Warmer | 6 cups | Fuzzy logic | Multiple options | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 700 watts |
Zojirushi 3-Cup Rice Cooker
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 3 cups |
| Heating Technology | Fuzzy logic |
| Cooking Functions | White rice, mixed rice, porridge, etc. |
| Timer Setting | Yes |
| Keep Warm Function | Yes |
| Removable Inner Pot | Yes |
| Non-Stick Coating | Yes |
| Power Consumption | 500 watts |
This rice cooker is great for people who have never used one before because it is easy to use. The user only has to wash and drain the rice, add the right amount of water, and press a button for the rice to start cooking. White rice took only 21 minutes and brown rice only 38 minutes to cook. There was a small layer of crispy rice on the brown rice, but it wasn’t that obvious.
This rice cooker is great for a family of up to six people because it has a 9-inch width and can hold 3 cups. Even though it is less complicated and smaller than our winner, the style is not changed. Still, it’s easy to lift the pot out of the body, and the rice is easy to scoop up. This rice cooker comes with a steamer basket, so it’s easy and quick to make a whole meal.
The Good
- Small size, great for small rooms or for one person
- Fuzzy logic technology makes sure that food results are accurate and consistent.
- Different kinds of rice and mush can be cooked in a variety of ways.
- Easy-to-use timer for cooking at a later time
- The “keep warm” mode keeps the rice hot and ready to serve.
- Inner pot can be taken out for easy cleaning
- Non-stick covering keeps rice from sticking to the pot. Energy-efficient and uses little power.
The Bad
- Larger families may not be able to use it because of its limited size.
- Compared to higher-end models, it doesn’t have as many advanced features.
Dash Mini Rice Cooker
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1 cup |
| Heating Technology | Standard heating plate |
| Cooking Functions | White rice, quinoa, oatmeal, etc. |
| Timer Setting | No |
| Keep Warm Function | No |
| Removable Inner Pot | Yes |
| Non-Stick Coating | Yes |
| Power Consumption | 200 watts |
The Dash Mini Rice Cooker is also a good choice for people who are just starting out, and it works well in small areas like dorms and AirBnBs. With a width of 8.5 inches and a height of 6.5 inches, you can take rice with you wherever you go. It took 35 minutes to cook the white rice, but the water level was a little too high, so the rice was lumpy and sticky. This is one of the Best Rice Cookers.
If there had been less water, the rice would have been fluffy and soft. The brown rice, on the other hand, took 55 minutes and was soft and fluffy with a thin layer of crispy rice at the bottom. This is a no-brainer for college students who want to cook in their dorm or small room. It’s small and can hold 2 cups.
The Good
- Design that is very small and portable
- Single-serving cooking that is quick and easy
- Rice, grains, and other foods can be cooked in a variety of ways.
- The inner pot is easy to clean and can be removed.
- Low power usage and low energy use
The Bad
- Very little space, not good for families or big groups
- There is no way to set a timer or keep the food warm.
Zojirushi Induction Heating System Rice
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 5.5 cups |
| Heating Technology | Induction heating |
| Cooking Functions | White rice, brown rice, sushi rice, etc. |
| Timer Setting | Yes |
| Keep Warm Function | Yes |
| Removable Inner Pot | Yes |
| Non-Stick Coating | Yes |
| Power Consumption | 1230 watts |
There’s not much wrong with this Zojirushi, but if you’re not used to cooking rice in a precision rice cooker, you might be surprised at how long the cook times are. White rice takes about an hour, but brown rice can take up to two hours, which might seem like a long time to people who are used to cooking things faster.
We think, though, that this problem will go away once you get in the habit of starting your rice first or using the timer function. The quality of the rice will be worth it, we think. Aside from that, it would be great if it didn’t cost more than $300, but what can you do?
The Good
- Cooking with induction frying is more accurate and even.
- There are many ways to cook different kinds of rice.
- Easy-to-use timer for cooking at a later time
- The keep warm mode keeps the food at the best serving temperature.
- Inner pot can be taken out and cleaned easily because it doesn’t stick.
- Larger space, good for medium-sized families
- energy-efficient and uses a small amount of power
The Bad
- Compared to regular rice cookers, they have a higher price range.
- Size may need more storage room if it’s bigger.
Toshiba TRCS01 Rice Cooker
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 6 cups |
| Heating Technology | Fuzzy logic |
| Cooking Functions | White rice, brown rice, steam, etc. |
| Timer Setting | Yes |
| Keep Warm Function | Yes |
| Removable Inner Pot | Yes |
| Non-Stick Coating | Yes |
| Power Consumption | 700 watts |
The Toshiba TRCS01 is often compared to the Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy NS-ZCC10, a popular model that often tops other review sites (Editor’s note: We’ll be throwing a lot of alphanumeric model numbers at you because a lot of these companies make a lot of rice cookers and we want to make sure you’re finding the one you’re looking for). In a blind test, the TRCSO1 and Neuro Fuzzy produced equally chewy, fluffy, and tender white and brown rice.
While the Neuro Fuzzy has some advantages over the Toshiba (that retractable power cord<3), we felt that the Toshiba is the best programmable rice cooker for most American consumers, and we recommend the higher-end Zojirushi models for people who will use all their features. This is one of the Best Rice Cookers.
The Good
- Large size, good for bigger families or parties
- Fuzzy logic technology makes sure that the results of cooking are accurate.
- Cooking options, such as steam cooking, are available.
- Setting a timer makes it easy to plan meals.
- The “keep warm” mode makes sure the rice is ready to serve without cooking it too much.
The Bad
- Compared to some other types, it uses a lot more power.
- Some users might think the style isn’t as pretty.
Hamilton Beach Programmable Rice Cooker
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 8 cups |
| Heating Technology | Standard heating plate |
| Cooking Functions | White rice, whole grain, hot cereal, etc. |
| Timer Setting | Yes |
| Keep Warm Function | Yes |
| Removable Inner Pot | Yes |
| Non-Stick Coating | Yes |
| Power Consumption | 700 watts |
The Hamilton Beach 37548 rice cooker surprised us with how well it did in all of our tests. It kept up with much more expensive rice makers. Even though it had a much simpler control panel, fewer settings, and a less flashy exterior than its competitors, it was just as good at cooking long-grain rice as it was short- and medium-grain rice, and it was the clear winner when it came to cooking brown rice.
It also cooked rice faster than anything else on the market. We think the Hamilton Beach 37548 is the best rice cooker for most homes because it works well and doesn’t cost too much. This is one of the Best Rice Cookers.
The Good
- Large size, good for bigger families or gatherings
- Different types of rice and grains can be cooked in a variety of ways.
- A programmable timer makes it easy to plan meals.
- The “keep warm” mode keeps the rice at the right temperature for serving.
- Inner pot can be taken out and cleaned easily because it doesn’t stick.
The Bad
- Standard hot plates may not let you control cooking as precisely as more modern ones.
- Uses up more electricity than most.
- Some people may find the size too big to store or put on a counter.
Cuckoo CR-0655F Rice Cooker and Warmer
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 6 cups |
| Heating Technology | Fuzzy logic |
| Cooking Functions | White rice, mixed rice, porridge, etc. |
| Timer Setting | Yes |
| Keep Warm Function | Yes |
| Removable Inner Pot | Yes |
| Non-Stick Coating | Yes |
| Power Consumption | 700 watts |
The Hamilton Beach 34758 and Cuckoo CR-0655F rice cookers worked well in all of our testing. The Cuckoo is pricier than the Hamilton Beach, therefore we only recommend it for serious rice cooks. Another rice cooker worked somewhat better than the Cuckoo CR-0655F, but its greater price made us recommend the Cuckoo. This is one of the Best Rice Cookers.
The Cuckoo performs well, has a tiny kitchen-counter footprint, a stylish design, and several cooking presets, including one for germinated brown rice (GABA). The Cuckoo’s control panel isn’t as intuitive as we’d like, but once you get used to it, you can customize how long to soak, heat, and cook rice, which is especially useful for cooks who buy and eat different types of rice, including “new crop” rice.
The Good
- Fuzzy logic technology has been improved so that cooking results are accurate and consistent.
- Different kinds of rice and mush can be cooked in a variety of ways.
- Easy-to-use timer for cooking at a later time
- The “keep warm” setting keeps the rice warm and ready to serve.
- Inner pot can be taken out and cleaned easily because it doesn’t stick.
The Bad
- Compared to some other types, it uses a lot more power.
- Some users might think the design isn’t as pretty as other names or models.
FAQs
A: Yes, you can cook other grains like quinoa, barley, couscous, and more in many rice cookers. Some even have choices for different types of grains.
A: The inner pots of most rice cookers are easy to remove and clean. Just take the pot out and wash it with soapy warm water. Some types may have coatings that don’t stick, which makes them even easier to clean.