The Top 11 Best Rice Cookers

Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Rice Cookers

Looking to purchase a rice cooker for your kitchen but don’t know which one you should get? You’ve come to the right place! There are several rice cookers in the market, but not all of them will give you value for your money. 

In this rice cooker buying guide, we’ve listed the best rice cookers to help you make an informed choice on your investment.


Our top picks

Editor’s choice

Zojirushi NS-ZCC18 Neuro Fuzzy® Rice Cooker & Warmer

Best Overall

Zojirushi NS-ZCC18 Neuro Fuzzy® Rice Cooker & Warmer

The NS-ZCC rice cooker boasts cutting-edge technology, enabling the smart home appliance to think for itself.

Functionality
Quality
Price

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Tiger JBV-A10U Multi-Functional Rice Cooker

Best for Beginners

Tiger JBV-A10U Multi-Functional Rice Cooker

This cooker is both easy to operate and has a complete set of capabilities that essentially reinvent the cooking experience.

Functionality
Quality
Price

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Cuckoo CRP-P0609S Rice Cooker

Best Multifunctional

Cuckoo CRP-P0609S Rice Cooker

Due to its versatility and ability to serve as both a pressure rice cooker and a steamer, this rice cooker is among the ranks of the best.

Functionality
Quality
Price

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Compared at a glance

At a glance comparison
Photo Model Best for What stands out Buy
Zojirushi NS-ZCC18 Neuro Fuzzy® Rice Cooker & Warmer Best Overall Low maintenance Check price
Tiger JBV-A10U Multi-Functional Rice Cooker Best for Beginners All accessories are dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup Check price
Cuckoo CRP-P0609S Rice Cooker Best Multifunctional Non-stick inner pot Check price
Aroma Housewares 6-Cup Pot Style Rice Cooker Doubles as a steamer Check price
Zojirushi NP-NVC10 Induction Heating Pressure Rice Cooker Wide range of rice menu selections Check price
Panasonic Rice Cooker Steamer & Multicooker SR-3NAL 3 cups cooked rice capacity Check price
Instant Pot Lux Mini Rice Cooker Compact and portable Check price
Black+Decker RC3406 Rice Cooker and Steamer Budget-friendly Check price
Tiger JKT-S10U IH Stainless Steel Multi-Functional Rice Cooker With Tacook Cooking Plate Stainless steel design Check price
Hamilton Beach Digital Simplicity Rice Cooker 37549 Large capacity Check price
Aroma Professional Digital Rice Cooker ARC-2000ASB Makes 12 cups of cooked rice Check price

Every pick reviewed

Functionality
Quality
Price

#1 Best Overall

Zojirushi NS-ZCC18 Neuro Fuzzy® Rice Cooker & Warmer

Functionality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Quality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Price:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

There’s no question why the Zojirushi NS-ZZ10/18 is the best rice cooker. It’s made with the innovative Neuro Fuzzy logic and Micom rice cooker technology that learns and masters the cooking settings for any kind of rice (or other food!) you wish.

Whether it be white rice, short grain, brown rice, sweet rice, sushi, or porridge, the winning Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 (5.5 cup-rice cooker) and NS-ZCC18 (10-cup rice cooker) can make it for you. By utilizing its temperature sensor and heat settings according to the selected rice menu option, it can yield tasty and fluffy cooked rice every time.

Since this is one of the higher-end rice cookers on the list, some may not be a fan of its price tag. However, we think each penny is worth all the functions and features that come with this appliance. We’ve also featured this model in our Best Zojirushi Rice Cookers guide. 

Other features are: 

  • 10 different menu settings – can cook different types of rice like white rice (softer or harder), sushi rice, mixed, porridge, sweet, semi-brown rice, brown rice, rinse-free, and quick cooking. 
  • Microcomputer technology – this MICOM cooker adjusts settings like temperature and heat on its own, eliminating the need for you to monitor the cooking progress. It’s also the only rice cooker that has a distinct induction heating system and induction heating capabilities to evenly balance the heat inside the pot.
  • Automatic Keep Warm and Extended Keep Warm Setting – these Keep Warm functions let you maintain your rice at optimal serving temperature for long periods of time.

 


What we like

  • Low maintenance
  • Advanced technology
  • Variety of menu settings
  • Has Zojirushi induction technology
  • Easy to carry and transport
  • Extra large, easy-to-read LCD display
  • Micom Rice Cooker

What we don’t

  • Might be difficult to navigate
  • Basic body design
  • A little pricey

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Functionality
Quality
Price

#2 Best for Beginners

Tiger JBV-A10U Multi-Functional Rice Cooker

Functionality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Quality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Price:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Second, on our list as the best rice cooker is a Tiger unit. The Tiger JBV-A10U is a multifunctional electric rice cooker perfect for beginners and those who easily get confused with buttons and digital controls.

This cooker has a full range of functions and features not found in most rice cookers that rewrite the cooking experience.

Equipped with Tiger brand’s unique “Tacook” function, you can steam your viand simultaneously with the rice in one cycle without having the flavors and textures affect each other.

The non-stick inner pot ensures an easy clean-up afterward. The JBV-A10U gives you the freedom to choose between 4 different settings adjusting to your cooking styles.

It also has slow cooking and synchro-cooking functions. Upon choosing an option, the unit will adjust its heat, cooking time, and temperature settings to prepare your great-tasting rice.


What we like

  • Best for beginners
  • All accessories are dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup
  • Easy to clean
  • Solid and reliable

What we don’t

  • Short lifespan
  • The inner pot is prone to nicks and scratches

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Functionality
Quality
Price

#3 Best Multifunctional

Cuckoo CRP-P0609S Rice Cooker

Functionality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Quality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Price:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐  

The battle between Cuckoo vs Zojirushi continues with this guide. While the latter is the most popular brand in the market, the Cuckoo CRP-P0609S is more than what you would expect. 

The Cuckoo CRP-P0690S has multiple functions and can double as a pressure rice cooker and steamer. This high-quality rice cooker is also equipped with a heating plate that’s programmed to cook different rice varieties. From standard white and brown rice to flavorful grains such as basmati rice, long-grain white rice, and short-grain white rice.

Other notable features of the Cuckoo CRP-P0609S include: 

  • 3-Language Voice Navigation – you can turn on the audio instructions to help you cook white rice, which can be delivered in the English, Chinese, and Korean languages. This is a staple in any Cuckoo model.
  • Auto Clean Button – If you’re too busy or lazy to wash the cooker after your meals, you can always just press the Cuckoo Auto Clean button which will prompt the device to release strong steam which can clean and sanitize the entire unit. 
  • Water drainage system – gets rid of excess liquids to prevent over-cooking. The result is perfectly cooked and flawless white rice after every cooking cycle, not to mention the best part — a clean and sanitized cooker.

What we like

  • Non-stick inner pot
  • Detachable inner lid for ease in cleaning
  • Can double as a pressure cooker
  • High-quality build

What we don’t

  • Heavy weight despite its medium capacity

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Functionality
Quality
Price

#4

Aroma Housewares 6-Cup Pot Style Rice Cooker

Functionality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Quality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 
Price:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 

If you think the Aroma Housewares Digital Cooker ARC 743-1NGR can only make rice, you’re in for a treat. This unit can prepare an entire meal during a single cycle.

Equipped with an aluminum steaming basket/tray, you can steam veggies, meat, fish, and even dumplings with your rice underneath. You can even experiment with soups, chili, jambalaya, and more.

Are you the type to get confused with too many buttons and settings? Well, this Aroma rice cooker makes the process easier with its simple, one-touch operation. All it takes is one press of a button, and your cooker can prepare fluffy and tasty rice in no time.

This device is great for both the cooking pro/home chef and the ultimate beginner! In fact, we named this model our choice for the best overall Aroma rice cooker.


What we like

  • Doubles as a steamer
  • Simple one-touch operation
  • BPA-free

What we don’t

  • No off button
  • Lack of menu settings to cook different rice varieties

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Functionality
Quality
Price

#5

Zojirushi NP-NVC10 Induction Heating Pressure Rice Cooker

Functionality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Quality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Price:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

The NP-NVC10 rice cooker and warmer or the Zojirushi Induction Rice Cooker is one of the brand’s best top-of-the-line rice cookers. Similar to the previous NS-ZCC model, this unit makes use of advanced Neuro Fuzzy logic technology with artificial intelligence to aid the cooking cycle and yield high-quality and perfectly cooked rice, exactly how you like it.

This stainless steel rice cooker and warmer is also equipped with several rice menu settings you can choose from. It has the ability to cook any type of rice you want, including 2 healthy meal options.

Whether you’re craving white rice, brown rice, jasmine rice, sushi rice, sweet, GABA brown, or porridge, the NS-NVC10 has got you covered.

This product is similar to previous models such as the NS-TSC10 but has more precise and improved technology than the NS-TSC10 owing to its more advanced features.

Other features of the NP-NVC10 include: 

  • Zojirushi Induction Heating technology – it uses an induction heating system and heating element to balance the temperature inside the unit to help cook perfectly fluffy rice every time.
  • Pressure cooker system –  pressure cooker function traps steam in the pot, which makes for softer and fluffier rice.
  • Keep Warm Setting – can detect how many times the lid of the unit has been opened and for how long. This will help it determine the amount of rice left in the cooking bowl and adjust its temperature to heat the remaining quantities of rice optimally.

Just like all Zojirushi rice cookers, this model comes with a rice paddle, measuring cup, and a nonstick pot. It has all you would need to cook rice.


What we like

  • Wide range of rice menu selections
  • Healthy cooking options
  • Non-stick coating in the inner cooking pan
  • Stainless steel material
  • Has Zojirushi induction technology
  • Best for experts and professionals

What we don’t

  • A lot of buttons
  • Difficult to understand without reading the user manual
  • One of the most expensive rice cookers in the market

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Functionality
Quality
Price

#6

Panasonic Rice Cooker Steamer & Multicooker SR-3NAL

Functionality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Quality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Price:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Almost all cookers these days have various advanced features to produce the best rice, but those features also come with quite a price tag. What if you just want a basic, decent rice cooker that can deliver perfectly cooked rice without breaking the bank? Here’s a good high-quality rice cooker for you.

The Panasonic Rice Cooker, Steamer & Multicooker SR-3NAL is a compact rice cooker that can cook perfect rice and other meals without a hitch.

Many rice cookers of today come with several buttons for various menu options but the plain and simple SR-3NAL has a one-touch button for operation. It can cook fluffy white rice, steam vegetables, and make soups and stews with just one press. 

It has a tempered glass lid that allows you to check your food without disturbing the process. No more guessing how long the cooking time is or if your rice is done; you can see it all through the clear glass lid. The inner pot also has a non-stick coating, allowing you to clean it up fast and easily.

 


What we like

  • 3 cups cooked rice capacity
  • Compact rice cooker
  • One-touch cooking button
  • Tempered glass lid
  • Aluminum non-stick inner pot

What we don’t

  • No advanced features

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Functionality
Quality
Price

#7

Instant Pot Lux Mini Rice Cooker

Functionality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 
Quality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Price:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 

If you want to cook rice and more, then the Instant Pot Lux Mini is the one for you. It’s rated among America’s best brands for cooking appliances and is one of our top picks for the best small rice cookers.

Another one of the products beloved by almost every reviewer, there’s no mistaking the Instant Pot model as an incredible device. While it’s no Instant Pot Duo, the Instant Pot Lux Mini has earned its title due to its multiple cooking functions and 10 smart programs that give you a vast range of cooking options.

Unlike other rice cookers, the Instant Pot Lux Mini can slow cook and more!

What makes the Lux Mini a family favorite rice cooker is that it has 6 appliances built into 1 piece of equipment, thereby reducing clutter in the kitchen, creating more counter space, and making it easier to clean up after meals. The Instant Pot also comes equipped with a keep-warm function that keeps your food warm even when you’re finished cooking.

The Instant Pot Lux Mini promises a safe user experience. With this device, you don’t have to worry about accidents and kitchen hazards. It has 10 safety mechanisms in place, like the steam release, anti-block shield, safety lid lock, lid position detection, automatic temperature control, overheat (burn) protection, automatic pressure cooking control, electrical fuse, thermal fuse, and leaky lid detection.

It definitely does more and acts more than what you’re used to from traditional rice cookers.


What we like

  • Compact and portable
  • Innovative functions despite small build
  • 6 appliances in 1
  • 10 smart programs that offer more food versatility
  • Very affordable

What we don’t

  • Users complain about the pressure cooking function having a week steam valve
  • Has a tendency to burn the rice at the bottom because of the lack of an induction heating feature

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Functionality
Quality
Price

#8

Black+Decker RC3406 Rice Cooker and Steamer

Functionality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 
Quality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 
Price:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 

The Black + Decker RC3406 is one of the most reasonably-priced rice cookers in the market, making it a top choice for a multi-functional cooker in our Black + Decker Guide.

It’s best for single-family households since it only has a small capacity of 3 cups of uncooked rice or 6 cups of delicious well-cooked rice.

Despite the simplicity of the RC3406, cooking white rice is not all that it can do. This cooker also doubles as a food steamer, equipped with a plastic steamer basket that can hold a small portion of meat, veggies, or fish, among others. With this inclusion, you can steam vegetables, fish, and your main dish while cooking your rice.

Its 2 main functions: rice cooker and warmer, can be navigated through the flick of a switch, and the selected function is shown through indicator lights. After the quick and easy cooking cycle, your batch of rice is done and you have a complete and ready-to-eat meal on the table.


What we like

  • Budget-friendly
  • Doubles as a food steamer
  • One-touch navigation

What we don’t

  • Lack of innovative functions and features
  • Lack of menu settings

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Functionality
Quality
Price

#9

Tiger JKT-S10U IH Stainless Steel Multi-Functional Rice Cooker With Tacook Cooking Plate

Functionality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 
Quality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 
Price:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 

Tiger rice cooker vs Zojirushi rice cooker is also another battle worth mentioning. But Tiger takes its game to the next level with the Tiger JKT-S10U, which holds the best innovations that Tiger has manufactured.

This model is equipped with Tiger’s unique Tacook Cooking Plate and induction heating technology, both coming together to help you prepare two tasty dishes simultaneously.

This model produced by Tiger also has slow cooking, synchro-cooking, and bread-baking functions. Whether you like to cook white rice, brown rice, plain, or mixed, the JKT-S10U can do the trick.

Plus, it comes complete with accessories from a spatula with a nonstick coating, a cooking plate, a rice measuring cup, and a cookbook.


What we like

  • Stainless steel design
  • Detachable parts for easy cleaning

What we don’t

  • Lack of accessories and items
  • Heavy weight

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Functionality
Quality
Price

#10

Hamilton Beach Digital Simplicity Rice Cooker 37549

Functionality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 
Quality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 
Price:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

The Hamilton Beach Digital Simplicity Rice Cooker is highly raved, with everyone wanting to have it in their homes. One of the best budget rice cooker models in the market, this Hamilton Beach rice cooker model can cook anything, from quinoa to oatmeal.

It has a large capacity and can yield up to 14 cups of perfectly cooked rice, enough to serve the whole family plus several other dinner guests during dinner parties.

One of the best features of this Hamilton Beach multi-cooker is the delay timer, making it best for busy people who like preparing their meals in advance or someone who eats rice regularly. With this feature, you make rice by simply popping the grains into this cooker and setting the cooking cycle to start for as late as 15 hours.

In contrast, if you’re in a hurry, this rice cooker’s quick rice function can also help you greatly. All in all, this cooker from Hamilton Beach is convenient to have in the kitchen.


What we like

  • Large capacity
  • Can cook more than just rice
  • Has a unique heat/simmer feature
  • Up to 15 hours delay timer

What we don’t

  • Inner pot is not induction heating, so there's a tendency for the rice at the bottom to burn

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Functionality
Quality
Price

#11

Aroma Professional Digital Rice Cooker ARC-2000ASB

Functionality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 
Quality:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 
Price:  ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

The Aroma Professional Digital Rice Cooker ARC-2000ASB is the perfect appliance for big households who love having steamed fluffy white rice or different grains for every meal.

This is the only cooker in this guide that can produce 20 cups of rice. Aside from producing rice perfectly, the ARC-2000ASB can whip up hearty one-pot meals and steam dinners thanks to its multipurpose programmable features.

Cook rice, toss your meats and veggies, and relax while you wait for your entire meal to be prepared by the ARC-2000ASB.


What we like

  • Makes 12 cups of cooked rice
  • Multiple cooking options
  • Includes a 15-hour delay timer for meal prep
  • Includes a handle for better portability

What we don’t

  • A little pricey
  • Can be difficult to clean

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So, which one should you buy?

Conclusion

Buying a good rice cooker will give you a kitchen companion that can help you prepare delicious rice and tasty, home-cooked meals faster and easier. There are tons of available rice cookers in the market, but they all differ based on capacity, functionality, features, and technologies.

The key to finding the best rice cooker is to figure out your needs and preferences. Once you’ve got that lined up, then you’re bound to find the rice cooker that suits you and your household.


Frequently Asked Questions

What Brand of Rice Cooker is the Best?

The contenders for the best brand of rice cooker are Zojirushi and Cuckoo. While there are objective points that will give each brand an advantage, choosing which of the two is best may lie on a user’s preference.


Is Zojirushi the Best Rice Cooker?

Zojirushi is a Japanese brand that is often hailed as the best one. There’s no denying that Zojirushi cookers are extremely high quality, have innovative technology, and are exceptionally versatile. Cookers from Zojirushi consistently deliver excellently cooked rice and are highly reliable, which is why they’re often stated to be the best and most worthwhile purchases.


How to Know a Good Rice Cooker?

A good rice cooker is one that meets a user’s preferences, needs, and budget. Some individuals may be content with a basic rice cooker while there are those who would want their model to do more than just cooking rice. With that, we recommend you take a look at our guide on the different types of rice cookers to help you determine what a good rice cooker is and which is the best choice for you.

Which is better, Zojirushi or Cuckoo?

If you’re looking for a professional-standard rice cooker with advanced technology, then Zojirushi is the best brand for you. On the other hand, Cuckoo has an amazing pressure-cooking technology that’s perfect for cooking mixed grains.

Is it better to boil rice or use a rice cooker?

While you can boil rice in a cooking pot, a great rice cooker is more beneficial for those who tend to eat rice regularly. Cooking rice in a rice cooker will give you consistent rice quality each time. Rice cookers already have a built-in cooking process that is optimized for cooking perfect fluffy rice, no matter the variety.

A dedicated rice cooker can also save you time as you won’t have to constantly look after it, unlike boiling rice in a pot.

Can all rice cookers cook sushi rice and brown rice?

Generally, all rice cookers can cook brown rice and sushi rice. However, advanced models have dedicated brown rice settings indicated in them. Other rice cookers will also have menu settings that will indicate if they can cook distinct grains.

Can I use a rice cooker to make fried rice?

No. You can use a rice cooker to cook rice, but it cannot make fried rice as it requires day-old or cold rice to be made. What you can do is make rice using your cooker, dry it out, or store it in the fridge to cool it down. Afterward, you can use the rice to make fried rice.