Best Rice Cookers

If you are looking for a premium-quality cooker, the Zojirushi rice cooker/warmer will fit the bill. It's an ingenious appliance that is made of stainless steel. It's sleek and stylish, so it will fit nicely on any counter. And it works just as great as it looks. Due to a bunch of different settings it offers, you can always get fluffy porridges and delicate rice. The appliance accepts long-grain, sushi, basmati, jasmine, and brown rice. Just select the type of grain from an intuitive menu, set time, and push a button. The menu modes include: white/sushi, porridge, mixed, sweet, cake, brown, steam, quick cooking (if you don't want to wait), and 2 delay settings. The cooker is supplied with a steaming basket, so it can also double as a steamer. Once the cycle is complete, the device beeps and automatically switches to the warming mode. It keeps meal at a serving temperature for quite a long time.

A black thick inner cooking pan with non-stick coating ensures even heating to give your dishes a deep savory taste. It has 5-1/2-cup capacity and allows you to get up to 11 cups of perfectly cooked rice. There are markings on the inside of the pan to show you the amount of water you need to add. You can also follow the instructions (included in the manual) for the type of rice you are using or watch recipes through their YouTube video links. The cooking pan and the detachable inner lid are pretty easy to clean. Just wash them with a splash of dish soap under hot tap water.

If you aren't going to use the cooker often, you can retract the power cord back for storage (the swing-up handle makes storage and transportation even easier). The good point is that the clock won't need to be reset if the appliance is unplugged for several days. The cooker is supplied with a rice measuring cup, nonstick rice spatula, and spatula holder so that you never have to worry where your spatula is.

If you're looking for an easy-to-use yet robust rice cooker that would not break during the first couple of months, choosing a model made in Japan would be a wise decision. As the rice is a large part of the Japanese culture, Tiger folks really know how to produce rice cookers that would be exceptionally good at delivering perfect rice every time. And the JNP-S55U-HU is one such example.

Casting a quick look at this appliance is enough to notice that it's a stoutly built product. All of its parts including the pot, the inner lid, and even the drip catch are very stoutly built. The inner lid mechanism is heavily spring-loaded and the latch placed on the outer lid is durable and strong. 

When it comes to the cooking approach, though, it is fairly common for other rice cookers made by other brands. The unit has only one "On/Off" switch and offers a hassle-free one-push operation so there are no difficult manipulations to do. The heating element is placed across the entire bottom of the cooker so once you turn the unit on, the inner pot will be evenly warmed up without hot or cold spots. This will allow you to cook fluffy rice each time, without it sticking to the surface.

Along with the rice cooker, you will get a plastic measuring cup and a spatula so you won't need to buy anything else after purchase.

If you're just about starting your way to a healthy diet, you may need a simple, entry-level model with good functionality. The Aroma Housewares ARC-914SBD fits that bill perfectly. With nearly 10,000 of positive reviews, this cooker has made a big splash on the market owing to its moderate price tag, versatility, and simplicity of use.

For less than $30, you can get a good-quality rice cooker with the 8-cup capacity. This generous capacity will allow you to serve from 4 up to 20 cups of restaurant-quality rice per one preparation cycle. Besides rice, the unit is capable of cooking a wide variety of other meals such as jambalaya, steamed veggies, and fluffy cakes. This multicooker includes special settings for White or Brown rice, as well as Flash rice and Steam. Also, it offers unique options of Slow Cook and Saute-then-Simmer (STS) to make meals as flavorful and tasty as possible. Moreover, this wonderful device lets you steam veggies, meat, and beans in the upper steaming basket while the rice is cooking below.

As just mentioned, the cooker comes with both a steam basket and an aluminum inner cooking pot. The pot has a high-quality Teflon coating that not only guarantees no food will stick to the surface but also makes cleanup a breeze. Both the cooking pot and the removable inner lid can go into a dishwasher.

Need a super portable and compact cooker? Then, you should definitely check this product. The Dash mini cooker is a super-cute appliance that can prove itself very useful in small apartments, confined kitchens, college dorms, or RVs. It has ridiculously small dimensions and very low price but at the same time, it has a lot of benefits to offer. Plus, it is available in five bright color options - classy Black or White, as well as vibrant Pink, Red, and Aqua - so you can choose the one that matches your kitchen decor best.

Available at a price about $20, the unit does a great job of rice cooking granted that you've figured out the right rice/water ratio for the particular type of rice. The built-in microcomputer accurately detects the water level in the pot and estimates the time required for preparing fluffy rice. Actually, there's almost nothing for you to do. The model has no dials or complicated buttons to change temperature or time and all you need is just to plug this cooker into a power outlet and switch the toggle to the "cook" position.

As you can see, the Dash mini cooker a very low-tech appliance that has only an "on/off" switch. However, it does its job flawlessly. What's more, it requires considerably less power than many similar models (~200 W) which allows using it with a small portable generator. All this makes it a perfect choice for campers and frequent travelers, as well as those having confined and small kitchens.

The BLACK+DECKER RC506 cooker and steamer is a great little thing to carry on your trips and vacation. It fits in checked luggage and can serve 1-2 person per cooking, meaning it's an ideal option for small families. And since it's so compact and has a small footprint, it will easily find its place on any countertop as well. This rice cooker boasts a nice, minimal design and easy-readable controls. Plus, it features a handy steaming basket for vegetables, fish, or baby food.

With just one cooking setting, the appliance is extremely simple to use. Just fill it, push a plunger (like on a toaster) and you'll get delicious rice in 20-30 minutes. It distributes heat evenly and doesn't burn rice if you follow the instructions. Also, it doesn't overflow or spit water throughout your kitchen. The cooker comes with a plastic serving spoon to prevent accidental scratches, and includes a measuring cup to help you put the right amount of rice and water. The nonstick rice pot is removable and dishwasher-safe.

When the rice is ready, the unit automatically switches to "Keep Warm" mode. Thanks to handy indicator lights, you will always know whether the BLACK+DECKER RC506 is cooking rice or keeping it warm.