If you’re a busy parent or work all day, you need a solution for making quick and easy meals that are healthy and delicious. You don’t have to be a fan of Asian cuisine to enjoy rice.
So, cook rice for dinner while you’re cooking something else for dinner, or throw a rice recipe in the crockpot next to your smoker, for a soak-all-day sort of meal.
Did you know that rice is one of the healthiest foods you can eat?
For thousands of years, rice has been used as a staple food throughout Asia, and is now becoming increasingly popular in Western countries. It is a great alternative to wheat, which should be cut down in your diet, to improve digestion.
All rice is great, but it fulfills the needs of your body better than brown, white or wild rice. It is also better than all other grains and starchy foods. Rice is easy to cook with the right tools, and you can cook it anywhere. Those are some of the reasons why rice is fast becoming the grain of choice of many Westerners.
If you’re looking to get more from rice, these are the best rice cookers we could find.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Aroma Housewares 20 Cup Cooked | Best Overall |  |
| Dash DRCM200BK Mini Rice Cooker Steamer | Budget Pick |  |
| Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 5-1/2-Cup Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Aroma Housewares 20 Cup Cooked
Pros:
- Large 10 cup uncooked or 20 cup cooked capacity.
- LCD clock with digital controls.
- Auto shut off or keep warm feature.
- Five menu settings.
- Dishwasher safe glass lid, body and stainless steel lid.
- Cute little melody to let you know it’s done.
- 20 minute delay start.
- Keeps rice warm after it’s done.
- No need to stand by and stir rice (it has a neat little spatula that you flip the rice with in the middle of the cooking time).
- Non-stick coated cooking pan is removable and dishwasher safe.
Cons:
- All parts must be washed by hand.
2. Zojirushi NS-TSC10 5-1/2-Cup
Pros:
- Makes rice taste great
- Steamer basket and spatula
- Easy to clean
- Can be used for brown rice
- Durable and sturdy
- Excellent customer service
- Easy to use
- Lots of features
Cons:
- Somewhat pricey
- Few replacement parts
- Comes with a metal bowl
- Brown rice takes longer to cook
Sizzling Brown.
This is the premium model of rice cookers available on the market today for its classy and sturdy look, and for the excellent rice it produces. This batch of Zojirushi rice cookers is a sleek looking machine, the hallmark of the manufacturer. It offers a variety of flavorful rice options.
It has a keep warm option that keeps your rice warm for up to 12 hours. It is extremely easy to clean. However, just like any other rice cooker, it is not dishwasher safe. You can use this rice cooker to steam other food items like seafood, veggies, poultry, etc. It has an automatic switch to warm feature.
3. Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
Pros:
- Manufactured in the USA
- Wide range of settings (pressure cooking, slow cooker, warming, etc.)
- Easy to use 6-quart design
- Quiet: bottom and top elements are are well insulated
- Long 10-year warranty
Cons:
- Lid can be difficult to lock into place
- Plastic components are generally more likely to break over time
Stainless Steel.
The instant pot is a versatile product. It can be used to pressure cook, slow cook, make rice, warm up food, and even make yogurt.
With 14 different pre-set functions, it makes cooking very simple. It also cuts the time of a number of different meals. Compared to other appliances, it helps save on energy use by up to 70%.
4. Tiger JNP-S55U-HU 3-Cup
Pros:
- Simple one-button operation
- Easy-to-clean stainless steel inner cooking pan and porcelain coated exterior
- Automatic keep warm function
- Polished finish with elegant tiger-style handle
- Stylish stainless steel outer housing
- 3 cup capacity (1 cup uncooked)
- Removable inner lid to prevent heat loss
- Cord storage
- Long lasting nonstick inner pan
- Auto shut-off
Cons:
- Units are not dishwasher safe
- Operating instruction is only in Japanese and Spanish
- Measuring cup that comes with the package is not accurate (the measuring lines are not calibrated properly)
- No on/off switch located on the outside of the rice cooker
- The cup that comes with the package is about ⅔ cup in capacity
Rice cookers are great for preparing a large variety of foods. These make-ahead appliances are great for households constantly on the go. Grab a couple of rice cooker recipes and whip up everything from meatloaf to lasagna. Uniquely designed to provide warmers and rice cookers with a variety of different functions, this tiger rice cooker ensures that rice is at its best.
5. Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 5-1/2-Cup Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer
Pros:
- 4-15 minutes automatic keep warm cycle
- Full Cooking Guide / Manual included
- Food Scheduling Feature
- Measuring Cup, Rice measuring cup, spatula and steam grid included
- Have the LED display
- One-touch cooking
- Easy to clean
6. TIGER JBV-A10U 5.5-Cup
Pros:
- Simple to use and clean
- Incredibly efficient
- User-friendly – just 8 buttons
- Can be programmed and keep warm
- Cost-effective and durable
- Has automatic features
Cons:
- May not be able to cook more than 4 cups rice
- The glass lid may get hots and get damaged
If you are looking for the best rice cooker to buy, then you should have a look at this cool TIGER JBV-A10U 5.5-Cup (Uncooked) Micom Rice Cooker with Food Steamer Basket. This thing is known for its consistency, quality, and speed. What’s more, it’s very quick to cook.
You can cook up to 5.5 cups of rice with it and get on with your day. The rice comes out perfect and ready to serve. Your bowl will never contain stuck or burnt rice again.
This rice cooker has nine cooking functions, which include, steam, cake, reheat, sushi rice, porridge, sweet rice, brown rice, and quick cooking. Simply put, this rice cooker has everything you will need for a home-cooked meal.
7. Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Food Steamer
Pros:
- Great for Asian and Western steaming
- Faster than microwaves
- Easy clean-up
- Timer up to 24 hours
Cons:
- High price point
- Can’t brown or sautŸ
- Not suitable for porridge
Like any kitchen tool, rice cookers serve a variety of purposes. They can cook rice, steam vegetables, cook porridge, make soup, or even cook dried goods for a long period of time. You can also make ramen or pho, but you’d have to brown your ingredients in a separate pan before adding them to the rice cooker.
A programmable rice cooker is a useful tool for variety of usages, but it is an expensive kitchen contraption. When we were evaluating the best rice cookers, we looked for convenience, durability, versatility, fast cooking time, easy clean-up, and of course a great taste.
The Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Food Steamer, 8 Cups Cooked (4 Uncooked), is our top pick as it has all of the features you need. It is designed for both Asian and Western cooking, and is fast and easy to clean.
8. Aroma Simply Stainless Rice Cooker
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Simple, stylish design
- 5-year limited warranty
- Easy to clean
- Great value for money
- Comes with cookbook
Cons:
- Instructions can be difficult to follow
- Slow cooking cycle
- The plastic lid can get hot so use an oven mitt.
We love the Aroma Simply Stainless Rice Cooker because it’s so easy to use and you can get great results every time. Whether you’re whipping up a flavorful chicken dish or creating a tasty dessert, this little cooker will definitely come in handy.
The Aroma rice cooker can hold up to three cups of uncooked rice and can cook up to eight cups of rice. It’s equipped with an easy to use interface with indicator lights. Simply choose your cooking option and it will automatically include the perfect ratio of liquid. You can also set the delay timer up to 12 hours in advance, and the unit will automatically start to cook at the desired time.
The Aroma Simply Stainless Rice Cooker comes with an instruction manual and special rice cup. It also comes with a measuring cup, a steaming tray, a serving spatula, and a rice paddle.
9. Aroma Housewares ARC-6206C Ceramic Rice Cooker/Multicooker
Pros:
- Solid construction
- Cooks rice perfectly
- Easy to clean
- Great size and weight
Cons:
- Non-stick insert peels off
- Cooking instructions are confusing
If you’re looking for the best rice cooker to help you whip up dinner recipes with minimal effort and without making a mess, then the Aroma Housewares ARC-6206C Rice Cooker/Multi-Cooker is a great option. This convenient appliance can also be used to cook other dishes like porridge or cake, where the steamer basket comes in handy.
The Aroma Housewares rice cooker also has a removable non-stick inner cooking pot that’s dishwasher safe, making it easy to clean the removable cooking pot. It also features a shaker that detaches for thorough cleaning.
A solid, well-made appliance that’ll come in handy for busy families looking to cook up quick and easy recipes.
10. Dash DRCM200BK Mini Rice Cooker Steamer
Pros:
- Compact and lightweight design
- Includes a measuring cup and rice spoon
- Includes a steamer tray for vegetables or meat
- Production time of only 12 minutes
- Easy to clean
Coming in at a close number 10 is another budget-friendly pick, which is the Dash DRCM200BK Mini Rice Cooker. It’s ideal for those on the go who love quick and easy fast, healthy meals.
This version is ideal for singles, couples, and small families or groups. The rice cooker comes with a removable pot that is made of non-stick material, so it’s easy to clean in the dishwasher.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the best rice cookers on the market?
I have personally used about six different rice cookers within the last couple of years. I know, I know, a little excessive for just rice. But, I love rice. After lots of testing and reading online, the Zojirushi and the Neuro Fuzzy cookers are my favorites.
The Zojirushi is fancy with its induction heating and fuzzy logic. It is the Cadillac of rice cookers. It does amazing rice and is probably the best you can buy.
Are rice cookers worth buying?
Rice cookers are easily available in the market nowadays and are worth a buy if you want to eat fresh and hot rice all the time.
With the help of a rice cooker, you can easily cook rice by just throwing in the rice and water and turning it on. Now, you don’t have to waste your valuable time to make rice on the stove and clean the mess made during the process.
They have timer settings, which would definitely help us a lot when you want to cook rice, and then do something else. If you leave the cooker on cooking mode after making rice, then there is no need to worry about the rice burning as it automatically turns off when enough water is evaporated.
You can buy a simple rice cooker, but I recommend buying the best rice cooker if you want good rice every time.
What is the best small rice cooker?
Most people want a small rice cooker in a compact size to fit in a limited space in their kitchen.
Depending on the features that you need, the best small rice cooker can be a simple one. It doesn't need to be too fancy, just the features that you need to cook a small amount of rice.
There are two common sizes of rice cookers, 10 cup and 5 cup. The 10 cup can hold rice for up to 10 people, while the 5 cup can hold 5 to 6 cups of uncooked rice.
If you cook a lot of rice for a family, then 10 cup rice cooker is the best suited for you, though the price would be a bit expensive than 5 cup.
Why are Tiger rice cookers so expensive?
With so many brands and models of rice cookers available at varying prices, choosing the right one can be quite a challenge to end-users. One of the most recognized rice cooker brand is Tiger, as it is very popular especially in the United States. The Tiger JNP-2000-W rice cooker is more expensive than other rice cookers, so why is that?
First, when comparing Tiger rice cookers with other brands, it’s the quality, convenience, efficiency and durability that makes it a unique choice for users. The Tiger brand is a well-known Japanese manufacturer that makes cooking appliances such as rice cookers, pressure cookers, microwaves, blenders, bread makers, etc. The brand’s philosophy is that a product should be built to last for a long time, and it needs to contribute positively to the lives of cooking enthusiasts.
Conclusion
There is a lot to consider when buying a rice cooker, but with the right approach, you can find an affordable rice cooker within your budget that will fit your needs. The best rice cookers on the market are built to help ensure perfectly cooked rice every time.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Aroma Housewares 20 Cup Cooked | Best Overall | |
| Dash DRCM200BK Mini Rice Cooker Steamer | Budget Pick | |
| Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 5-1/2-Cup Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer | Upgrade Pick | |