Best Rice Cookers

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 top 11 best rice cookers in 2024 to help you make an informed choice on your investment.


Our Top Picks for the Best Rice Cookers

Editor's Choice

Zojirushi NS-ZCC10/18
Best Overall
Tiger JBV-A10U
Best for Beginners
Cuckoo CRP-P0609S
Best Multifunctional
Zojirushi NS-ZCC10/18

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

Tiger JBV-A10U

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

Cuckoo CRP-P0609S

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


Let’s Go Over Each Rice Cooker

The Best Rice Cookers : Zojirushi NS-ZCC18 10-cup Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker

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 brown rice, white rice, sushi, or porridge, the 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 – this function lets you keep your rice warm at optimal serving temperature for long periods of time.

 

Pros and Cons of the Zojirushi NS-ZCC10/18

ProsCons
✔️ Low maintenance
✔️ Variety of menu settings
✔️ Has Zojirushi induction heating technology
✔️ Easy carry and transport
✔️ Extra large, easy-to-read LCD display
✔️ Micom Rice Cooker
✖️ Might be difficult to navigate
✖️ Basic body design
✖️ A little pricey

Best Rice Cookers : Tiger JBV-A10UW Micom 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.

Pros and Cons of the Tiger JBV-A10U

ProsCons
✔️ Best for beginners
✔️ All accessories are dishwasher-safe
✔️ Easy to clean
✔️ Solid and reliable
✖️ Short lifespan
✖️ The inner pot is prone to nicks and scratches

Cuckoo CRP-P0609S

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 Cuckoo 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.

Pros and Cons of the Cuckoo CRP-P0609S

ProsCons
✔️ Nonstick pot
✔️ Detachable inner lid for ease of cleaning
✔️ Can double as a pressure cooker
✔️ High-quality build
✖️ Heavyweight despite its medium capacity

Best Aroma Rice Cookers - Aroma 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, chilli, 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 tasty and fluffy 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.

Pros and Cons of the Aroma Housewares ARC-743-1NGR

ProsCons
✔️ Mini rice cooker
✔️ Dishwasher safe parts
✔️ Tempered glass lid for easy viewing
✔️ Affordable
✖️ Lack of cooking menus to cook several types of rice

Zojirushi NP-NVC10 Induction Heating Pressure Rice Steamer

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.

Pros and Cons of the Zojirushi NP-NVC10

ProsCons
✔️ 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 professions
✔️ Comes with a rice paddle, measuring cup, and other accessories
✖️ A lot of buttons
✖️ Difficult to understand without reading the user manual
✖️ One of the most expensive rice cookers in the market

Oster 6 Cup Rice Cooker and Steamer 4722

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

The Oster 6-Cup Rice Cooker looks small and compact in size, but don’t judge a book by its cover just yet. More than making rice, this cooker also doubles as a steamer. It comes with a steaming basket or tray that can hold and cook vegetables, meat and fish. That means that you can cook your side dish simultaneously with your rice in the cooking pan and prepare an entire meal in one cycle.

To ramp up the rice cooking process, the Oster 6-cup rice cooker (3-cup uncooked rice) has removed all the complications and multiple buttons to navigate the menu settings. It makes operating the cooker so much simpler by using a one-touch menu function that allows you to start and end cooking at the touch of a button.

 

Pros and Cons of the Oster 6-Cup 4722

ProsCons
✔️ Easy to use
✔️ Doubles as a food steamer
✔️ Can cook white or brown rice
✔️ Automatic keep warm
✖️ Minimal capacity
✖️ Not suitable for big families
✖️ Lack of menu settings
✖️ Lack of innovative functions and features

Instant Pot Lux Mini

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, though, is that it is 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 also comes with a promise of 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.

Pros and Cons of the Instant Pot Lux Mini

ProsCons
✔️ Compact and portable
✔️ Innovative functions despite the small build
✔️ 6 appliances in 1
✔️ 10 smart programs that offer more food versatility
✔️ Very affordable
✖️ Users complain about the pressure cooking function having a weak steam valve
✖️ Has a tendency to burn the rice at the bottom due to the lack of an IH feature

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 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.

Pros and Cons of the Black + Decker RC3406

ProsCons
✔️ Budget-friendly
✔️ Doubles as a food steamer
✔️ Equipped with a steamer basket
✔️ One-touch navigation
✔️ Acts as a rice cooker and warmer
✖️ Lack of innovative functions and features
✖️ Lack of menu settings

Tiger IH JKT-S10U-K Rice Cooker

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.

But beyond that, the JKT-S10U 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.

Pros and Cons of the Tiger JKT-S10U

ProsCons
✔️ Stainless steel design
✔️ Can slow cook
✔️ Detachable parts for easy cleaning
✖️ Lack of accessories and items
✖️ Heavyweight

Hamilton Beach 37549 Digital Simplicity

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 cooked rice, enough to serve the whole family plus several other dinner guests during dinner parties.

One of its best features 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.

Pros and Cons of the Hamilton Beach Digital Simplicity 37549

ProsCons
✔️ Large capacity
✔️ Not limited to cooking rice
✔️ Has a unique heat/simmer feature
✔️ Up to 15 hours delay timer
✖️ Inner pot is not IH, so there’s a tendency for the rice at the bottom to burn

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 rice for every meal. Aside from cooking rice, 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.

Pros and Cons of the Aroma Professional Digital Rice Cooker ARC-2000ASB

ProsCons
✔️ 20-cup capacity
✔️ Multiple cooking options
✔️ Has a 15-hour delay timer for meal prep
✔️ Ideal for large households
✔️ Has a dark pot for easier cleaning of excess starch
✖️ Pricey
✖️ Can take up space in the kitchen

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.

What is the Best Choice of Rice Cooker?

The best choice of rice cooker will rely on the preference, needs, and budget of the user. 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 which is the best choice for you.


Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Zojirushi or Cuckoo?

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

Can all rice cookers cook sushi rice and brown rice?


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.


The Best Rice Cookers : Zojirushi NS-ZCC18 10-cup Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker

Editor’s Choice

The NS-ZCC10/18 and NS-ZCC18 is the best overall rice cooker. The NS-ZCC features high-tech and advanced Neuro-fuzzy logic technology, allowing the smart home device to “think for itself.”

It learns and masters the different temperatures, time, and heat requirements needed to cook quality rice every time. Rice cooked in this rice maker, regardless of its medium-grain white rice or sushi rice comes out perfect.

With a wide array of features and a fine selection of menu settings for all types of rice, including sushi rice, Jasmine rice, and Basmati rice, the NS-ZCC10 (5.5-cup capacity) and NS-ZCC18 (10-cup capacity) Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy rice cooker models guarantee a seamless and stress-free process of preparing rice through the use of innovative and advanced technology.