Rice cookers are a fantastic invention to save time and energy. They allow you the luxury of cooking rice while doing something else, like watching television or reading your favorite book. If there’s one appliance that every household should have in their kitchen it would be this amazing automatic device from Japan called…you guessed it: “The Rice Cooker.”
With a rice cooker, you can make perfectly cooked white or brown rice to enjoy on your favorite dish with ease. With the touch of one button and without worrying about burning it while waiting for cooking time; this appliance makes life simpler in terms of preparation.
In this article, we’ll share our top picks for the best rice cookers on the market. We’ll also provide some helpful tips on how to choose the right rice cooker for your needs. So, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cook, read on for all you need to know about choosing and using a rice cooker.
Top Pick: Zojirushi NS-TSC10 5-1/2-Cup (Uncooked) Micom Rice Cooker and Warmer
Best Rice Cookers On The Market 2023
The rice cooker market is a crowded one, with hundreds of brands all vying for your attention, finding the right one can be daunting and difficult. Not only do they come in different colors or have special features that might suit you better than others but also based on their ratings from experts and home cooks who’ve tried them out before. In this guide we will list some of the best rice cookers alongside our own personal opinions about each product so read more carefully as there’s nothing worse than getting caught up by someone else’s mistake. So, without any further delay, let’s get into it!
Zojirushi NS-TSC10 5-1/2-Cup (Uncooked) Micom Rice Cooker
Zojirushi rice cookers are a step above the rest. The Japanese brand manufactures the best rice cookers in the world hands down. Zojirushi NS-TSC10 is a 5.5 cup (Uncooked) MICOM rice cooker and warmer that does more than just cooking rice. Cook anything with White/Sushi, Quick, Mixed, Porridge, Sweet, Brown, Cake, and Steam functionality of this incredible cooking machine.
- Micro computerized fuzzy logic technology. Capacity Up to 5.5 cups / 1.0 liter,Dimensions (W x D x H) 10-1/8 x 14 x 8-1/2 inches. The electrical rating is 120 volts / 610 watts
- Automatic keep warm, extended keep warm and reheating cycle
Zojirushi’s rice cooker is the perfect tool for any cook looking to improve their baking skills. With its many features, you can make everything from cakes and pastries all in one safe place. It also features a Steam menu setting, which allows you to cook your favorite healthy foods like vegetables or seafood without oil.
The steam basket allows you to steam food and cook rice simultaneously which is pretty handy when you’d like to have your favorite one pot meal. Pretty convenient when you have surprise visitors at your door and its dinner time. Fix a quick meal in your Zojirushi NS-TSC10 and you are all set. The inner cooking pot is nonstick coated so rice won’t stick ultimately making cleaning as easy as 1,2,3.
Pros √
- Keep warm, extended keep warm function
- Amazing delay timer functionality
- Cooks more than rice
- Easy cleaning with nonstick coated inner pot
- Stainless steel construction for durability
- One of the finest brands in the world
- Equipped with MICOM technology for smooth cooking
Cons ×
- Complaints about rice drying out on keep warm feature
- Expensive for some
- Beginners might find it complicated to use
Zojirushi NS-ZCC18 Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker
Zojirushi NS-ZCC18 Neuro Fuzzy is one of the bestselling Zojirushi rice cooker and warmers on Amazon and an excellent addition to any modern kitchen. It features a 10-cup capacity and premium white exterior, making it perfect for today’s sleek looks. The product has been made in Japan which guarantees quality material as well as craftsmanship with every detail from start until finish.
Zojirushi’s NS-ZCC18 Rice Cooker has a unique spherically shaped nonstick inner pan that allows for even heating. It also features an LCD clock and timer, as well as retractable cord. The spherical shape is what makes this pot so unique; it allows for perfect heating with no risk of burning or scorching whatever you put in there. Plus, its LCD clock and timer make sure we can always know when our food is done cooking without having to constantly check on them and focus on something else that needs our immediate attention.
- Measures approximately 11 by 9 by 10-1/2-inch; 1-year limited warranty.
- 2 Measuring cups, nonstick rice spoon/scooper, rice spoon holder, and recipes included
The NS-ZCC18 has everything you need to make your favorite cuisine at home with ease. With multi-purpose menus, this rice cooker can do it all. The settings include white (regular/sushi, softer or harder), mixed, porridge, sweet, semi-brown, brown, rinse-free and quick cooking.
Once food is ready, the rice cooker will automatically switch to keep warm to keep your meal warm for several hours until you are ready to eat. The delay timer allows you to program your meals on busy occasions. Get home to a ready and warm meal how amazing is that? The Zojirushi’s Neuro Fuzzy technology is capable of monitoring and making minor changes in the temperature and pressure to produce restaurant quality rice in a jiffy.
Pros √
- 10 cup rice cooking capacity
- Premium white color
- Digital display with timer to keep track of the process
- Nonstick spherical inner cooking pot for even heating
- Dishwasher safe
- 2 measuring cups, spoon, spoon holder, and recipe book included
- Stay cool handle
- Multi-functional cooking appliance
- Durable stainless steel construction
Cons ×
- Complaints about nonstick coating may bubble
- Complaints about dry rice with extended warm feature
Tiger JBV-A18U-W 10-Cup (Uncooked) Micom Rice Cooker
The Tiger JBV-A18U 10 Cup Rice Cooker is a premium product that will help you make the most out of your cooking experience. The rice cooker is perfect for anyone who wants to make the best sushi or other Asian dishes at home. The food steamer feature allows you cook vegetables without any oil, giving them an extra healthy boost. With this model’s large cooking capacity and delay timer function, it has everything that a kitchen needs in one sleek package that won’t take up all your counter space either.
- Synchro-cooking function uses "tacook" cooking plate to cook rice & a main dish at the same time without flavors affecting each other
- Easy one push operation
Tiger’s Syncro-Cook function also known as TaCook makes it possible for you to prepare side dish while rice cooks below simultaneously. The feature is incredibly helpful when you have busy schedule or you have a few surprise guests showing up on your dinner table. Tiger’s got your back buddy!
You can choose between 4 cooking settings such as Synchrony-cooking, Plain rice, Brown rice and Slow cooking. Furthermore, the inner cooking pot is equipped with nonstick coating hence cleaning will be a non-issue here. In the package you will get a nonstick spatula, cooking plate, measuring cup, and a cookbook to try out some delicious recipes.
Pros √
- 4 cooking functions
- 10 cups (Uncooked) cooking capacity
- Amazing Syncro-Cooking feature
- One pot meal in no time
- Stay cool exterior and handle
- Budget friendly price tag
- Keep warm feature
Cons ×
- No delay timer function
- Nonstick coating is not super durable
- Complaints about underperformance
Zojirushi NS-LGC05XB Micom Rice Cooker & Warmer
Zojirushi is a company known for its high-quality appliances, and their NS-LGC05XB Micom Rice Cooker & Warmer in stainless steel material will not disappoint. This 3-cup (Uncooked) model can cook up to three cups at once which makes it perfect if you’re cooking for small to medium family of 3-4 members.
- Multi-menu cooking functions: Special settings for white/mixed riced, sushi rice, brown rice, GABA brown rice, long grain white rice, steel cut oatmeal and quick cooking
- Triple heater (bottom, side and lid) generate heat all around for even heating.Up to 3 cups / 0.54 liter. Capacity is measured in the approx. 6 oz. / 180mL rice measuring cup, using raw short grain white rice. Other grains may vary
This multi-functional rice cooker is packed with tons of features, presets and cooking functions such as white/mixed riced, sushi rice, brown rice, GABA brown rice, long grain white rice, steel cut oatmeal and quick cooking. Quick cooking setting lets you fix a quick meal when you don’t want to be late from your early morning meetings at work.
With its triple heaters, the Zojirushi NS-LGC05XB rice cooker will ensure even heating throughout your meal. The rice cooker has an Easy-to store retractable cord that can be replaced with any other length you need. It also features two different melodies and beeps in order to signal when the cooking process begins or ends so there’s no guessing about when your meal will be ready. The rice cooker automatically adjusts cooking temperature and time so you can enjoy a perfectly cooked delicious rice every single time.
Pros √
- 3 cups uncooked capacity
- MICOM technology
- Retractable power cord
- Multiple cooking programs
- Can cook more than rice
- Stainless steel durable construction
- Easy controls with digital display and timer
- Stay cool handle and exterior
- Nonstick coated inner cooking pot
Cons ×
- Nonstick coating may flake
- No quick setting for brown rice
- Beginners may find it complicated
Toshiba Rice Cooker 6 Cups Uncooked (3L) with Fuzzy Logic
The Toshiba Rice cooker is a 3-liter appliance that can cook up to six cups of rice with an automatic cooking program. This product features fuzzy logic and one touch settings for those who don’t like fussing over detail, but still want their food cooked perfectly every time.
Toshiba has been a leader in the rice cooker industry for over 140 years, launching its first automatic electric model all the way back in 1955.
- Multi-Function – This large rice cooker offers 7 cooking functions including: Mixed Rice, Quick Rice, Brown Rice, White Rice, Multi-grain Rice, Porridge, and Steel-Cut Oats. With settings for porridge, soup, stew, and steaming, this sticky rice cooker can handle a variety of grains, meats, and vegetables. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned chef, this Toshiba rice cooker' 12 cup Cooked offers great versatility and convenience
- Highly Versatile – This big rice cooker with steamer basket is no simple rice cooker. It cooks different types of rice such as white, brown, mixed, multi-grain, and even steel-cut oats. It has a porridge setting for rice porridge and a quick rice setting for faster cooking. The steaming basket allows for cooking vegetables, meat, and fish, making it a multi-purpose kitchen appliance perfect for families and gatherings
Toshiba’s rice cooker is the perfect way to make a healthy and delicious meal for your family. With 7 pre-programmed settings, you can cook white or brown rice; mixed grains like barley & quinoa in addition with oatmeal porridge perfectly, all at different texture levels. The 12 cups cooked rice serves plenty of people who are looking forward to spending some time together over breakfast or dinner.
The Toshiba rice cooker is an excellent time-saving option for those who like to cook their meals quickly. The specially designed sensor accelerates cooking process, meaning you can have a healthy meal in less than 30 minutes. This rice cooker is the perfect solution for any busy family. The keep-warm setting turns on automatically, holding your dishes at an ideal serving temperature up to 24 hours after cooking. Easily one of the best rice cookers to have in your kitchen arsenal.
Pros √
- 12 cups cooked rice, perfect for large families
- Nonstick inner pot, dishwasher safe
- Easy to operate
- 7 preprogrammed cooking functions
- Digital display and timer for convenient cooking
- Programmable delay time feature
- Automatic keep warm feature
Cons ×
- Nonstick coating is prone to peeling off
- No manual timer
- Complaints about difficult instructions
CUCKOO CR-0632F 6-Cup (Uncooked) Micom Rice Cooker
CUCKOO CR-0632F Rice Cooker is a great way to make perfect rice every time. It comes with 9 different menu options such as white rice, GABA rice, multigrain/brown rice, porridge, slow cook, reheat, and more amongst a multi-cook function that lets you cook all sorts of grains from quinoa to oatmeal.
The professional-looking interface makes this product stand out from other cookers on the market making it ideal for any household who wants the kitchen to look flawless backed by strong performance too.
- MULTI-FUNCTIONAL: Features 9 menu options such as white rice, GABA rice, multrigrain/brown rice, porridge, slow cook, reheat, and more amongst a multi-cook function that cooks every grain from quinoa to oatmeal
- KITCHEN STAPLE: From small family gatherings to entertaining a few guests, this rice cooker provides the perfect serving amount with a 12-cup (cooked) capacity
This rice cooker is perfect for any size of gathering. With a 12-cup capacity, you can make enough delicious fluffy sushi or Thai fried rice to feed your family of six to eight with ease. Cuckoo rice cookers are a fantastic way to create the perfect meal every time. With features like user-friendly digital controls and an LCD display, you can easily see what’s going on inside the cooker without opening the lid. The Fuzzy Logic technology will monitor the entire cooking process, and it is capable of making minor changes in temperature, pressure and cooking time to give you precise results every time which means, you get perfectly cooked fluffy rice every single time.
Cook your favorite rice in style with this sleek and stylish Japanese-style rice cooker. The nonstick inner pot is made of durable material, while the detachable lid allows you to occasionally wash it without sacrificing food safety or quality. Plus, there’s an excess water drainage tray so that when we say “easy”, at Cuckoo they really mean it!
Pros √
- Fuzzy logic technology to cook perfect rice
- 9 cooking programs
- Customizable my mode
- Dishwasher safe accessories
- Included measuring cup, and rice spatula
- Nonstick coated inner cooking pot for no sticky mess
- Detachable lid for easy cleaning
Cons ×
- Some newbies might find the menu settings confusing
- Complaints about strong chemical smell for first time
Zojirushi NS-RPC10FJ Rice Cooker and Warmer
Coming next on our list of the best rice cookers is one of the simplest and easiest to operate rice cooker especially for those who’d like to keep it simple without all those bells and whistles. Zojirushi NS-RPC10FJ Rice Cooker and Warmer is a 5.5-Cup (Uncooked) rice cooker which yields 11 cups of cooked rice in a single go.
This easy-to-use rice cooker is perfect for those who love a hands-free lifestyle. The automatic keep warm system means that once the cooking cycle is over, the rice cooker will automatically switch to keep warm mode to keep the rice warm for several hours, perfect if you are waiting for your guests to arrive.
- Easy one-touch operation with automatic keep warm system
- Triple heater (bottom, side and lid) generates ideal temperature for tasty rice
This Zojirushi rice cooker is the perfect way to make fluffy, light brown goodness. The triple heating system (bottom/side & lid) generates ideal temperature for tasty grains that are just how you like them. With detachable and washable lid this product will keep your kitchen smelling fresh while delivering great results time after time with its simple and hassle-free operation.
The inner cooking pot and lid are both easy-to use while being dishwasher safe for quick cleanup, no more hours by the sink cleaning messy pots. The rice cooker has a tulip themed design and a perfect choice if you want to gift something to your loved ones on any special occasion like Christmas, Thanksgiving or Birthday.
Pros √
- Easy to use simple one button operation
- Automatically keep warm
- Nonstick coated inner cooking por
- Detachable lid
- Easy to use and clean
- Dishwasher safe accessories
- Measuring cup and spatula included
Cons ×
- No cooking presets and programs
- No steaming basket
- Expensive for a basic rice cooker
Tiger JAX-T10U-K 5.5-Cup Micom Rice Cooker
The Tiger JAX-T10U-K 5.5 Cup Micom Rice Cooker with Food Steamer & Slow cooker is perfect for those who need a versatile cooking appliance rather than a basic and simple rice cooker. It’s a great way of having your meals on the table without all that hard work, plus you can also use it as an instant warmer or steam some vegetables if needed too which makes this appliance one versatile tool in any kitchen.
- 5.5-Cup Microcomputer controlled rice cooker and warmer with "tacook" synchro-cooking function
- 4-In-1 functions and 10 computerized cooking menu settings
The sleek black color makes its stand out against most pots/pans so no matter where you keep it in your kitchen. It features an amazing Synchro-Cooking function known as TaCook that allows you to steam veggies while rice is cooking simultaneously without affecting flavors.
This rice cooker has 10 computerized cooking settings so you can create your favorite meals with ease. Its 4-in-1 functionality lets you prepare all your meals effortlessly. Available in 5.5 and 10 cup cooking capacity, tiger rice cooker will make cooking more fun, more entertaining!
Pros √
- Works as rice cooker, slow cooker, steamer, warmer
- 10 computerized cooking settings
- 1.5mm thick nonstick coated inner cooking pot
- Dishwasher safe
- TaCook function
- Removable inner lid
- Stay cool exterior and handle
- Durable and sturdy stainless steel made
Cons ×
- Complaints about lid being hard to clean
- Complaints about underperformance
Zojirushi 612252-NL-BAC05SB Micom Rice Cooker
This great little appliance will take your cooking experience to a whole new level. It’s perfect for folks who want easy-to use but high-quality food preparation appliance at their home without all the hassle that comes along with trying to figure out how long something needs to be cooked.
Its intuitive and intelligently designed control panel lets you operate the rice cooker with ease. All the buttons and the digital display is placed on top so you don’t have to lean left or right to access your required programs while cooking. The control panel lets you choose between Special settings for white/sushi rice, brown rice, long grain white rice, steel cut oatmeal, quinoa, cake and quick cooking.
- Compact 3-cup capacity , Electrical Rating -120 volts
- Triple heater with Extra large heating element heats and warms rice from the bottom, side and top
Once cooking is over, the automatic keep warm feature will make sure your meal stays warm at perfect serving temperature. The extended keep warm can keep your meals warm for extended period of time without drying out or burning.
With the Zojirushi rice cooker, you can plan your meals ahead of time with its two delay timer settings, perfect on those busy days when you find it hard to spare hours for cooking after work. Going home to ready meal is such a feast!
Pros √
- 2.5mm thick inner cooking pot
- Triple heater with large heating element
- Keep warm and extended keep warm
- Versatile and multi-functional
- Removable inner lid, BPA free material
Cons ×
- Complaints about slow cooking
- Strange plastic smell for first time
Aroma Housewares ARC-6206C Digital Rice Cooker
Last on our list of the best rice cooker comes from one of America’s most favorite brand Aroma! Aroma makes some of the most versatile, durable and versatile rice cookers available on the market and Aroma Housewares ARC-6206C professional digital rice cooker is no exception.
Most people prefer ceramic inner cooking pot over nonstick coated ones because ceramic allows you to remove your meals easily without the fear of added chemicals from nonstick coatings. If you are skeptical of nonstick coating, Aroma housewares ARC-6206C should be your next rice cooker. There is a feel-good factor when you cook with Aroma housewares.
- Ceramic Inner Pot – Our ceramic is a healthy and natural alternative to pots with non-stick coating. Ceramic allows for food to be easily removed without the worry of added chemicals, so you can feel good about what you feed your family.
- Cool touch technology – cook without the worry of leaving a hot appliance out on the counter. Our cool touch outer surface allows the cooker to be handled at any point during the cooking process without the risk of encountering a hot surface.
Aroma housewares rice cooker features a stay cool outer exterior for added safety. Not only does this cool touch outer surface allow you easy access at any time during cooking process, but there’s also no chance of coming into contact with hot surfaces by accident.
The aroma rice cooker offers an endless number of options to choose from, whether you’re cooking soup or steaming veggies. Not only does this amazing appliance handle all these purposes with ease but it also provides unique functions for preparing sweet treats like tarts cakes yogurt with its 12 cooking functions. Easily one of the best rice cookers for the right price!
Pros √
- 12 cooking programs
- Versatile and multipurpose cooking appliance
- Health friendly Ceramic inner cooking pot
- 12 cups (Cooked) cooking capacity
- Can bake cake and make yogurt
- Stay cool exterior and handle
- Multiple accessories Included
Cons ×
- Complaints about chemical smell
- Ceramic coating may come off too soon
Honorable mentions
- Zojirushi NS-WAC18-WD 10-Cup (Uncooked) Micom Rice Cooker and Warmer
- Tiger JAZ-A10U-FH 5.5-Cup (Uncooked) Rice Cooker and Warmer with Steam Basket
Best Rice Cooker: Buying Guide
Rice cookers come in all shapes and sizes, but how do you know which one is right for your needs? We’ve found a few key features that will help you make an informed decision. In order to buy a suitable rice cooker, one should understand what kind of rice cooker is he / she looking for. Here is a brief intro of every type of rice cooker that there is.
Microwave Rice Cookers
These BPA free cooking vessels are the least expensive rice cookers available on the market. These are simple pots that you can use to cook rice in a microwave with ease. There is pretty much no control panel or anything. Just add the rice, water, and put it in the microwave for about 10-15 minutes and you get your rice ready. Easy-peasy!
Conventional Rice Cookers
Conventional Rice Cookers are the most popular type available on the market. These work by relying on heat, timer and automatic shut off functions to cook your perfect fluffy grains every time. Some of the conventional rice cookers do have delay timer and keep warm functions as well. They come in various sizes from 3 cup models all way up 60 cups for commercial use which makes them great if you need more than just a small personal sized device.
Micro-computerized / MICOM Rice Cooker
MICOM rice cookers are more advanced and equipped with a thermal sensor that makes the rice cooker capable and intelligent enough to make certain minor changes in temperature, cooking time, and pressure in order to prepare perfectly cooked rice whenever you need. These advanced rice cookers can also perform other cooking tasks such as steaming veggies and making soup.
Induction Heating Rice Cookers
MICOM technology combined with incredible induction heating does wonders. Induction heating rice cookers are known for even heating and make restaurant quality every time. These are some of the most expensive rice cookers available on the market.
What to Look for while buying a rice cooker?
There are a lot of different factors to consider when purchasing a rice cooker. Do you need a basic model, or one that has more functions? How big of a cooker do you need? If you’re looking for the best rice cooker, there are a few things to keep in mind. The size of the cooker is important, as is the function. Some cookers come with multiple settings, like white or brown rice, or even sushi. Others may have special functions like steaming or slow cooking. And then there’s price to consider – some cookers are very affordable, while others can be quite expensive. So how do you decide which one is right for you? Here are some of the key factors that one needs to consider while buying your next best rice cooker!
- Cooking capacity according to your household’s need
- Type of inner pot (Nonstick, stainless steel, Ceramic)
- Easy to understand control panel
- Cooking presets / Versatility
- Steaming tray
- MICOM technology, Fuzzy logic
- Additional features like keep warm, extended keep warm, and delay timer
- Included accessories such as measuring cup, rice spatula
- Easy to clean / Dishwasher friendly accessories
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best brand of rice cookers?
There are many different types and brands of rice cookers on the market. That being said, some of the most popular and well-reviewed rice cookers come from brands such as Zojirushi, Tiger, and Panasonic. It’s important to do your research before purchasing a rice cooker to ensure you’re getting one that will suit your needs.
Which electric rice cooker is best?
The best electric rice cooker is the one that is the right size for your needs, has the functions you need, and is easy to use.
The best size rice cooker is one that will fit comfortably on your kitchen counter. If you only cook a small amount of rice at a time, or if you want a rice cooker that can double as a slow cooker, then you’ll want to buy a smaller one. If you cook large quantities of rice or need a rice cooker with special functions, then you’ll want to buy a larger one.
Some electric rice cookers come with special functions like delay start timer, browning function, Keep Warm function, and even steam release. Make sure the electric rice cooker you choose have all the functions and features you are looking for. Our personal favorite is Zojirushi NS-TSC10 5.5 Cup, but we suggest you check all the other options to make up your mind before you make a final buying decision.
How do I choose a rice cooker?
If you’re looking for a rice cooker, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
The first consideration is size. Do you want to cook just a cup or two of rice at a time, or do you need to make enough for a big family meal?
The second consideration is features. Some rice cookers come with multiple settings, including one for brown rice and one for white rice. Others have timers or automatic shut-offs. decide what features are important to you before making your purchase.
Finally, price is always an important factor when making any purchase. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on a high-end rice cooker, but make sure to get one that will suit your household the most.
Is Zojirushi a good rice cooker brand?
Zojirushi is a great brand for rice cookers. They make some of the best and most reliable ones on the market. I personally own one and love it.
Do professional chefs use rice cookers?
Yes, many professional chefs use rice cookers.
There are a few reasons why professional chefs might choose to use a rice cooker. First, a rice cooker is very consistent in terms of the temperature it produces, and this can be important for ensuring that the rice is cooked evenly. Second, many rice cookers have timers, which can be helpful for ensuring that the rice is cooked at exactly the right time. Third, some chefs find that using a rice cooker frees them up to work on other things in the kitchen. Finally, a well-made rice cooker is very reliable and can last for many years.
Final Thoughts
With tons of rice cookers available on the market, it might be overwhelming for you to figure out the one you need. Plus, multitude of choices make choosing something hard right?
We hope that the considerations and features we outlined to look for when shopping for a rice cooker will help make your decision easier. If you are still confused, we will suggest going by our choice of best rice cooker that is Zojirushi NS-TSC10 5.5 Cup (Uncooked) Micom Rice Cooker and Warmer. It will certainly prove to be a valuable addition to your kitchen counter. Do let us know if you have another choice. We welcome our readers’ valuable feedback.
