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The 9 best rice cookers for getting perfect rice every single time
Mushy or burnt rice will be a thing of the past with these appliances.
All our experts recommend the Japanese brand Zojirushi for rice cookers. Both Yuki Gomi, owner of Yuki’s Kitchen and author of “Sushi at Home,” and Yoko Lamn, a certified fermentation expert and founder of food blog Hakko, suggest this specific 5.5-cup model that they’ve been using for years. “It isn’t too expensive and has all the functions I need,” including fast cooking, an option for brown rice and a steaming function, said Lamn.
This smart rice cooker uses “fuzzy logic,” where the device makes small adjustments along the way to cook the ideal rice. It also comes with a reheat option, and an extended function that keeps rice warm for several hours, according to the brand.
Lamn also recommends this rice cooker from Tiger. “The heat efficiency is very high and the whole kiln heats up evenly, so the rice cooks evenly as well,” says Lamn. This model has a large inner pot with a nonstick ceramic coating and a function that retains the rice’s heat for up to 24 hours, according to Tiger. You’ll also find multiple settings to cook different types of grains, including porridge, brown rice and multigrain rice, along with a slow-cooking option.
Aroma makes rice cookers that are typically “less expensive and [more] basic” than other high-tech brands, but still capable of making good rice, according to Makiko Itoh, the creator of Japanese cooking site Just Hungry and author of “The Just Bento Cookbook.” This 8-cup model includes a user-friendly display with eight presets, including brown rice, quinoa, and oatmeal, as well as a slow-cook option. Plus, you can steam food and vegetables via the accompanying tray while also simultaneously cooking rice. The sauté-then-simmer function also lets you cook at a high heat before automatically switching to a “simmer” mode once liquid is added, according to the brand.
Gomi’s a fan of Toshiba’s high-quality rice cookers — specifically this 6-cup option, which includes seven pre-programmed settings for rice as well as quinoa, oatmeal and porridge. It has two programmable options that let you plan ahead and set a timer for whenever you want your meal ready, plus it also includes a “quick rice” function that cooks rice in 30 minutes, according to Toshiba.
Although not as robust, our experts say this simple, easy-to-use rice cooker from Black & Decker is more than capable of delivering a great batch of rice. It cooks up to 6 cups of rice with just one button. Included is a measuring cup, a rice paddle and a plastic steamer basket. The indicator lights alert you when the rice is warm. Plus, the tempered-glass lid features a steam vent with handles on the top and sides.
This popular rice cooker brand offers a variety of sizes and models. This one includes two measuring cups and a rice scoop. “It’s my favorite rice cooker because it has a non-stick inner pot, clear waterline markings and it serves multiple functions,” says Ashton. Those functions include settings for white, brown and sushi rice, as well as for porridge. The machine also has a quick cook and keep warm setting.
NBC Select contributing editor Bethany Heitman has a small kitchen and prefers investing in new appliances that serve multiple functions. That’s what drew her to this multi-cooker from Our Place. Along with cooking up to 9 cups of rice, it can serve as a slow cooker, pressure cooker or used to saute things. She likes its clean aesthetic and the simple, straightforward buttons. It also has a locking lid, hands-free steam release and a removable inner cooking pot.
Along with rice, this cooker can make porridge, quinoa, oatmeal and more. The nonstick inner pot is removable and the hinge lid opens easily with the push of a button. It can make up to 6 cups of uncooked rice and has a keep warm function. It also has an auto-clean function that steam cleans the interior.
Nutribullet may be best known for its blenders, but this rice cooker has solid reviews, too. It contains brown rice, white rice, quinoa, oats and grains presets. It also has a steam function, which allows you to cook veggies and fish, as well as a delayed start and keep warm button. The removable cooking pot has measurements engraved into it and it comes with a steaming basket and measuring cup, too.
In 1945, Mitsubishi developed the first consumer-oriented rice cooker in Japan. About a decade later, Toshiba released the first automated electric rice cooker, followed by Zojirushi’s creation of the electric cooker we typically see today with a “keep warm” function.
Rice cookers eventually spread to several countries including Korea (which now make several popular models), and the U.S. (which produces some of the more basic and inexpensive options on the market). And the popularity of rice cookers worldwide comes as no surprise: Using one gives you the flexibility to leave your kitchen without having to constantly monitor a pot on the stove, Gomi says. And unlike the stovetop method — which involves placing a 2:1 ratio of water and rice in a pot and letting it simmer until it’s cooked — you’re more likely to get the same result every time.
Today, rice cookers are a kitchen staple in many households and are “as common as a toaster in Japan [and] typically the centerpiece of our table,” according to cooking teacher and author Sonoko Sakai.
The experts we spoke to separated the appliance into two main categories: Conventional and smart, micro-computerized rice cookers. Conventional ones tend to be easy to use — you just add your ingredients and press a button to start. These are inexpensive and usually cook rice quickly, with some having additional features like a warming function.
Smart rice cookers, on the other hand, use logic to determine the best way to cook and provide a multifunctional aspect that “eliminates the guessing work” of cooking different variations of rice, according to Lamn. These machines can also make small adjustments on their own (for example, if you mess up the ratio of ingredients to water or leave the rice in for too long). While smart rice cookers usually provide the best cooking results, they’re typically more expensive than your conventional options.
The best rice cooker for you will depend on how you’re planning to use it and how often. Below are some main features experts recommend considering when shopping.
Your device’s ideal capacity will depend on how often you eat rice and how many people you’re hoping to feed. Rice cooker capacities can range from 3 cups up to 10 cups, according to our experts. Both Sakai and Gomi recommend a 5-cup model for families of four. The 3-cup option is great for single students or families who only occasionally eat rice, Sakai said. Larger families, as well as those who typically use rice as the main element of their meals, will likely benefit from a 7-cup or 10-cup rice cooker.
Many rice cookers are multifunctional — some have steamer functions for vegetables and dumplings and/or slow-cook options for meats, according to experts. You’ll also find multiple preset functions that can cook various types of grains, including brown rice, sushi rice, porridge and more.
One of the most important features of any rice cooker is the “keep warm” function, which allows you to keep a large amount of rice at an edible temperature, which is useful for large crowds or families.
Another helpful feature to look for is a timer, which is great for those who want to start their meal prep early, according to Itoh. This lets you place rice and water in the pot in advance and select when you want it done by.
If you’re someone who occasionally eats rice, the simple design of a conventional cooker is likely all you need. Cleaning one is generally easier than a stovetop pot since the rice usually doesn’t stick to the bottom. However, some affordable models can be tougher to clean, Gomi says. Sakai recommends gently using soap and water to avoid scratching the inner pot. Similarly, she also recommends rinsing the rice outside of the cooker — preferably using a colander — to avoid scratching. (If you do happen to scrape it, inner pots are easy to replace and can cost less than $100, Sakai says.)
Different models will vary in terms of cooking time — some will cook rice in as little as 20 minutes, while others (typically more high-tech options) may take 10-25 minutes longer, according to our experts. Different rices will also vary in cook time. Always refer to the device’s user manual to determine the appropriate timing.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Mili Godio is an editor at NBC Select who has covered a variety of home and kitchen topics, including coffee makers, vacuums, meal kit delivery and more. For this article, Godio spoke to five chefs and food bloggers about how to shop for a rice cooker, how they work and the best ones to consider. She also researched dozens of rice cookers on the market that were in line with experts’ guidance.
Bethany Heitman is a contributing editor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed chefs about what to look for in a rice cooker.
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