10 Best Rice Cookers – Reviews
ravi teja tadimallaBSc, Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition and Health Experience: 8 yearsRavi Teja Tadimalla is a senior editor and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over eight years. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificat... more
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A standard rice cooker has an outer body, an inner cooking pot, a heat source, and a thermostat to control the temperature. But with changing times, it is important to look beyond the ordinary. Today’s fancy rice cookers have other features like sensors, lights, heat cut-off function, etc. They are the real multi-purpose kitchen appliance.
Here, we have showcased the 10 best rice cookers available on the market. Check them out!
In This Article
10 Best Rice Cookers – Reviews
1. Aroma Professional Rice cooker
The Aroma Professional Rice cooker is a multi-purpose rice cooker that perfectly steams meat and vegetables on the top while cooking the rice at the bottom. It has a capacity of 4 cups (2.5 quarts) of uncooked rice. It is easy to use and has digital controls that can be programmed to your requirement. It also has an automatic keep-warm function. Its special function buttons allow you to cook white rice, brown rice, and steam rice.
It also has a 15-hour delay timer in case you are planning your meal to be cooked later. The Aroma Professional Rice Cooker also includes a steam tray, a rice measuring cup, and a serving spatula.
Its Saute-Then-Simmer function offers high heat sautéing and switches to the simmer mode once the liquid is added.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 8.5 x 9.13 x 9.25 inches
- Weight: 3.9 pounds
- Capacity: 4 cups
- Material: Stainless steel
- Warranty: Not included
Pros
- Programmable digital controls
- Flexible meal planning
- Saute and simmer functions
- Auto-warmer
- 15-hour delay timer
- Includes steam tray, rice measuring cup, and serving spatula
Cons
- Body may get heated
2. BLACK+DECKER Rice Cooker and Food Steamer
The BLACK+DECKER Rice Cooker and Food Steamer makes every meal a simple task. This cooker can hold 3 cups of uncooked rice. It takes just about 30 minutes to cook. It comes with a plastic cup for the perfect measurements. It has an automatic keep-warm function that keeps your food warm long after cooking is over. The indicator lights tell you if the cooker is cooking rice or just keeping it warm.
The steaming basket allows you to steam your vegetables, fish, or meat. The cooker can also be used to make soups, stews, or porridge. The plastic spoon provided keeps the non-stick bowl from getting scratched. The glass lid allows you to monitor your cooking. The rice pot and lid are dishwasher-safe.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 10 x 9 x 5.5 inches
- Weight: 3.7 pounds
- Capacity: 6 cups
- Material: Plastic
- Warranty: 2 years
Pros
- Dishwasher-safe
- Non-stick pot
- Tempered glass lid
- Indicator light
- Keep-warm function
- Fast cooking
Cons
- Not compatible with metal spoons
3. Dash Mini Rice Cooker Steamer
The Dash Mini Rice Cooker Steamer has a capacity of 2 cups. This unit allows portion control if you are dieting or simply cooking for a lesser number of people. Though it is a rice cooker, it also works great for oats, pasta, soup, quinoa, and steamed vegetables. It is simple to operate and cooks in just 20 minutes. It is small and compact, and its cool-touch handles keep you safe from scalding.
The cooker is perfect for a small kitchen, dorm, or even travel purposes. It also comes with many color options. A rice paddle, a measuring cup, a removable non-stick pot, a user manual, and a recipe book are included. The non-stick pot has a PFOA-free coating. The cooker’s keep-warm function turns on automatically to keep the food warm after cooking.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 8.3 x 6.5 x 16 inches
- Weight: 2.91 pounds
- Capacity: 2 cups
- Material: Plastic, metal
- Warranty: 1 year
Pros
- Dishwasher-safe
- Keep-warm function
- Compact
- Portable
- PFOA-free
- Non-stick
- Indicator light
- Cool-touch handles
- Recipe book included
Cons
- Not suitable for larger gatherings
4. Oster Rice Cooker with Steam Tray
When all you want is a perfectly cooked simple meal of fluffy rice and some vegetables or fish, The Oster Rice Cooker comes to your rescue. It can hold 3 cups of uncooked rice. The automated keep-warm feature keeps your rice warm till you are ready to eat it.
The cooker includes a steam tray that allows you to cook your vegetables or fish along with your rice. Its one-touch button use makes it very simple to operate. This cooker also includes a rice measuring cup and a ladle suitable for the non-stick pot. The non-stick pot can be popped out for easy cleaning.
The glass lid allows you to keep a watch over your food while it is cooking.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 9 x 10 x 9.3 inches
- Weight: 3.6 pounds
- Capacity: 6 cups of cooked rice
- Material: Plastic, metal
- Warranty: Not included
Pros
- Removable non-stick pot
- Tempered glass lid
- Automatic keep-warm feature
- Heat-resistant handles
- One-touch button use
Cons
None
5. Cuisinart Rice Cooker
The Cuisinart Rice Cooker is made of brushed stainless steel. It can make 4 cups of perfectly fluffy rice. Its automatic keep-warm function keeps your food at the optimum temperature till you are ready to serve. The cooker also comes with a stainless steel built-in tray to steam your vegetables or white meats.
It also has a steam vent engineered to help prevent splattering. Its chrome-plated handles are heat-resistant. It has a non-stick pot, and the tempered glass cover lets you monitor your food while cooking. The chrome-plated knob is heat-resistant as well. The cooker also has indicator lights that tell you if it is cooking food or just keeping it warm. It comes with a rice spoon and a measuring cup.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 7 x 10.1 x 9.9 inches
- Weight: 5.4 pounds
- Capacity: 4 cups
- Material: Brushed stainless steel with chrome-plated handles
- Warranty: 3 years
Pros
- Non-stick
- Rust-proof
- Tempered glass lid
- Keep-warm function
- Heat-resistant handles
- Heat-resistant knob
- Indicator light
Cons
- Lid is not spill-proof
6. Hamilton Beach Digital Rice Cooker and Food Steamer
The Hamilton Beach Digital Rice Cooker and Food Steamer is based on a simple technology that allows a one-pot meal with just the clicks of a few buttons. It cooks the rice and whole grains perfectly, and the integrated basket can be used to simultaneously steam seafood, poultry, and vegetables.
The cooker has four pre-programmed cooking settings for cooking white rice, whole grains, steamed vegetables, and hot cereal. This 8-cup capacity cooker can be digitally programmed to suit your cooking requirements. The steamer basket has a 2-in-1 function – in addition to steaming, it also can be used for rinsing grains before cooking. The cut-off timer and keep-warm function keep your food warm till you are ready to eat.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 8.25 x 9.74 x 9.88 inches
- Weight: 4 pounds
- Capacity: 8 cups
- Material: Stainless steel
- Warranty: Not included
Pros
- Dishwasher-safe
- Non-stick pot
- Perfect for one-pot meals
- Countdown timer
- Automatic keep-warm function
- High capacity
Cons
- Steamer may require pre-heating
- Longer cooking time
7. Panasonic Fuzzy Logic Rice Cooker
The Panasonic Fuzzy Logic Rice Cooker gets its name from its micro computer “Fuzzy Logic” that controls and adjusts the power depending on the quantity of rice being cooked in it. The cooker is facilitated with a 24-hour digital clock and a 12-hour keep-warm function.
It has a black pan with white anodizing that keeps your rice from acquiring any metallic taste or smell. This versatile cooker works well for white/brown/sticky rice, porridges, steaming vegetables, and even cakes. It has a total of 8 pre-programmed cooking modes. A rice scoop, measuring cup, and steaming basket come with the cooker.
The cooker can cook up to 10 cups of rice. Its digital display allows you to quickly check the cooking status. Its domed lid keeps the moisture from dripping back onto the cooked rice. Its push-button lid release adds to your convenience.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 10 x 13 x 8.25 inches
- Weight: 6.2 pounds
- Capacity: 10 cups
- Material: Plastic
- Warranty: 1 year
Pros
- Automatic power adjustment
- Keep-warm function
- 8 pre-programmed cooking modes
- Push-button lid
- High capacity
Cons
None
8. Cuckoo Rice Cooker And Warmer
The Cuckoo Rice Cooker can hold upto 12 cups of cooked rice. It comes with Fuzzy Logic and intelligent cooking algorithm that have 8 built-in smart programs to choose from. These programs include Glutinous, Turbo, Mixed Rice, Brown Gaba, Porridge, Steam, Baby Food, and Multi Cooking. Its reheating facility ensures you only serve hot food at the table.
Its patented ‘My Mode’ feature is a unique technology that adjusts the level of the softness or glutinosity of the rice. The cooker also has a detachable cover that allows easy cleaning. Its auto steam cleaning function uses a strong jet stream to clean and sanitize the cooker’s interiors with the touch of a button.
The aluminum pot is sturdy and tough, while the inner pot is specially Teflon-coated. The cooker comes with a rice scoop, a rice measuring cup, and a user manual.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 4 x 8.6 x 13 inches
- Weight: 7 pounds
- Capacity: 12 cups
- Material: Plastic, aluminum
- Warranty: 1 year (parts and labor)
Pros
- Auto steam cleaning
- Keep-warm function
- Pre-set timer
- 8 built-in smart programs
- Detachable cover
- Non-stick
Cons
- Certain features are complicated
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 1,821 customers have given the product positive reviews on Amazon.
9. IMUSA Electric Rice Cooker
The Imusa Electric Rice Cooker comes with only one on-off switch. The cooker has a reheating and warming feature as well if you are eating at a later time. This is a small rice cooker with a capacity of 3 cups of uncooked rice. It also saves energy. The glass lid makes it possible for you to keep a watch on your rice while it is cooking. The non-stick coating on the pot makes it very easy to clean. The Imusa cooker comes with a measuring cup and a spoon.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 8.25 x 9.10 x 6.40 inches
- Weight: 2.6 pounds
- Capacity: 3 cups
- Material: Plastic
- Warranty: Not mentioned
Pros
- Non-stick
- Indicator light
- Tempered glass lid
- Reheating feature
- Compact
Cons
- Too small
- Not versatile
10. Zojirushi Micom Rice Cooker and Warmer
The Zojirushi Micom Rice Cooker and Warmer has a capacity of nearly 11 cups of cooked rice. Its automatic keep-warm function keeps food ready for later consumption. The cooker’s built-in Fuzzy Technology helps maintain power and energy. The melody and beep signals are interchangeable and are very efficient to let you know when your cooking is done.
The cooker also has 2 delay time settings. The Zojirushi Cooker has 4 main pre-programmed settings for white rice, brown rice, steaming vegetables, fish or poultry, and cake. The menu settings also include White/Sushi, Mixed, Porridge, Sweet, Brown, Cake, Steam, and Quick Cooking. It also has a removable inner plate and a non-stick pot that make cleaning easy.
The steaming basket can be used for steaming vegetables. This cooker comes with a retractable power cord that makes storage compact and simple.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 10 1/8 x 14 x 8 ½ inches
- Weight: 75 pounds
- Capacity: 5.5 cups
- Material: Stainless steel
- Warranty: Not mentioned
Pros
- Automatic keep-warm feature
- Built-in retractable power cord
- Non-stick
- Easy to clean
- Easy-to-read LCD Display
Cons
- Needs a lithium metal battery
- Warranty issues
These are the top 10 rice cookers available online. Go through the following buying guide before picking one.
What To Consider Before Buying A Good Rice Cooker
- Frequency: You must be clear about how often you eat rice, and if it is a part of your diet plan. It could be an unnecessary investment if you would not use it often.
- Capacity: Rice cookers come in various sizes and capacities. Cooker capacities can vary from 3 to 10 cups. A smaller capacity cooker is good for someone living alone or a couple. A 6-cup capacity rice cooker would suit a household of 3 to 4 people. But if you entertain guests often or like to cook in larger quantities, a 10-cup capacity cooker would be ideal.
Also be clear if the quantity specified pertains to cooked or uncooked rice. Most manufacturers mention quantities of uncooked rice, which usually doubles as cooked rice. Brands like Hamilton Beach and Instant Pot give their cooked rice measurements.
- Fuzzy Logic or Algorithms: This refers to a microchip in the machine that can adjust power or heat to the desirable requirements, especially in the case of human error. It is an automated correction feature. It also allows your cooker to adjust to external heat and humidity factors, extending its life span. Though this is usually a feature found in the more expensive cookers, you can base your choice on your cooking skills and usage.
- Induction and Consistency: The rice cooker should be able to cook the rice evenly. If heat is not evenly distributed inside the pot, portions of rice could get soggy. The induction technology creates a heating field all around the pot to enable even cooking. The consistency of heat distribution and a perfectly cooked pot of rice is what you must aim for.
- Keep-Warm Setting: A keep-warm setting is a must in any rice cooker as we are not always ready to eat as soon as the rice is cooked. Some cookers, like the Panasonic Fuzzy Logic Cooker, have a 12-hour keep warm feature that allows you to cook your rice in the morning and eat it fresh in the evening.
- Reheating Feature: Some rice cookers also have a reheating feature. It helps especially with one-pot meals where you can cook rice and leave it and reheat it later in the day in the same pot. This will reduce your utensil usage and simplify your cleaning process.
- Multi-Grain Settings: A rice cooker does not only have to cook white rice. Some midrange multicookers are equipped to handle and cook various other grains like brown rice or long grain rice. Some also cook quinoa or millets, oats, and porridges. If you are looking at the cooker as a multi-purpose and long-term investment, you may go for a rice maker with the above functionalities.
- Cooking Speed: High-quality rice cookers take about 20 to 30 minutes to cook rice. Speed should be your consideration if you are always required to cook quick meals.
- Material: Check if the inside pot is Teflon coated or non-stick as rice may otherwise stick to the bottom of the pot. Cleaning and scrubbing can be a major problem if the pot is not non-stick. The outer body should be made of aluminum and preferably coated with a heat-resistant material to avoid burns or scalding. The handles and lid should also be made of plastic or silicon and a heat-resistant material.
- Accessories: A good rice maker should come with a plastic measuring cup and a scooping spoon for serving. If you enjoy one-pot meals or like to do some quick healthy cooking, you must look for a cooker with an additional steamer so you can cook your vegetables, fish, or tofu on top while your rice cooks at the bottom.
- Warranty: Do make sure your rice cooker comes with a manufacturer’s warranty.
The Bottom Line
These rice cookers encompass the best of technology, quality, and price. We believe this post has given you enough good options to choose from. Make your purchase today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I clean the rice cooker?
Clean the inner pot and steamer after every use with a sponge and warm water. You can use a light detergent and sponge for the exterior, which you can clean once a month or when needed.
Is a rice cooker better than a pressure cooker?
If you want to cook only rice and millets and steam some veggies, a rice cooker is enough. But a pressure cooker is a multi-purpose appliance that allows you to cook your curries and meats as well. Also, a pressure cooker cooks faster. But it is difficult to monitor a pressure cooker as it has no timer. Make a choice as per your requirements.
