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The 8 Best Rice Cookers You Can Buy Right Now

Are you ready to make it grain?

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preview for How to Make Rice in a Rice Cooker

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Sure, you can cook rice on the stove, but if you want to really up your grain game, a good rice cooker is key. Anybody who’s ever tried to boil rice without one of these convenient countertop cookers knows that there’s a lot more room for error than you’d think. Even if you have the attention span to meticulously watch over and stir your pot, there are still plenty of other factors that can mutate your fluffy, tender rice into a gummy, watery, or, worst of all, charred mess.

Gluten-free or cutting carbs? No worries! Contrary to popular belief, many rice cookers have the ability to cook more than just rice. These trusty gadgets can also prepare a variety of tasty rice substitutes.

“It’s not just limited to white or brown rice,” said Nicole Papantoniou, Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Kitchen Appliances & Culinary Innovation Lab. “You can also use it to cook quinoa, couscous, and many other types of grains.”

And the fun doesn’t stop there. With some models, you can even stew apples, bake mac and cheese, and steam vegetables. But before we get ahead of ourselves with what you can make in a rice cooker, we should probably first identify which one you should get. After all, whether you want to make a creamy, restaurant-quality risotto with minimal effort or you’ve been inspired to pick up the same rice cooker brand used by TikTok star Uncle Roger himself, finding the right model to suit your preferences is crucial.

We sat down with Papantoniou to go over the Good Housekeeping Institute’s in-depth tests of all the best rice cooker brands. From the healthiest rice cooker to the easiest to clean, we’ve identified the top rice cooker for every need—including a Zojirushi rice cooker that’s beloved by both home cooks and professional chefs and an Instant Pot with a pretty nifty rice cooking program.

Are you ready to make it grain? Check out our recommendations for the best small rice cookers and some easy rice recipes that are sure to rock your world.

Our top picks

How we picked these products

To find the best rice cooker, we turned to our friends at the Good Housekeeping Institute, who have identified the best brands and models based on availability, reviews, and reputation. Their team of on-staff experts—which includes all types: engineers! data analysts! registered dietitians!—rigorously put everyday products to the test (and then more and more tests) in their New York City-based labs to determine which ones you can trust.

As part of their in-depth testing process, these Kitchen Tech Experts evaluated a wide range of rice cookers on a multitude of key characteristics, including performance, user-friendliness, splatter, consistency, and heat distribution and retention. After reviewing their findings and sitting down to discuss their fieldwork with Papantoniou, we’ve determined that these are the best rice cookers you can buy in 2022.

1
Best Rice Cooker

Aroma Housewares Digital Rice Cooker and Food Steamer

On Sale
Aroma Housewares Digital Rice Cooker and Food Steamer

Pros

  • Multiple functions
  • Small footprint

Cons

  • Limited capabilities

Any good rice cooker can take the guesswork out of making rice, but the Aroma Housewares Digital Rice Cooker and Food Steamer kicks things up a notch by offering the ability to cook multiple foods—at the same time.

As user-friendly as it is reliable, this gadget comes with a nonstick inner pot, measuring cup, serving spatula, and a steam tray, so you can prepare veggies, fish, and other delectables separately or above your rice as it cooks. Furthermore, the digital control panel’s offerings include White Rice and Brown Rice settings and a programmable countdown timer with a delayed start feature that allows you to schedule up to 15 hours in advance.

As a “really basic and easy to use” rice cooker, Papantoniou appreciated the Aroma’s “small footprint” and said “the different functions are helpful because they really spell it out and you’re not wondering what to do.” Furthermore, she pointed out: “It has a really helpful Keep Warm setting that’s more obvious to know it’s on than you would with models that have just a little light. The outside is really easy to clean, and the countdown timer is helpful as well.”

Perfect for individuals who love their leftovers or the average family, this compact unit's 8-cup capacity allows you to prepare anywhere from two to eight cups of cooked rice.

2
Best Budget Rice Cooker

BLACK+DECKER Rice Cooker

BLACK+DECKER Rice Cooker
Now 28% Off
Credit: Black + Decker

Pros

  • Affordable

Cons

  • Has a learning curve

Whether you’re more of a casual rice eater or you’re on the hunt for a model that offers the best combination of performance and ease of use for an affordable price, the budget-friendly BLACK+DECKER Rice Cooker is tough to beat. Like the Aroma, this model comes with a standard plastic steaming basket and serving spoon (so you don’t accidentally scratch the nonstick, dishwasher-safe rice pot).

According to Papantoniou, the main draw of this “super cute, super simple” countertop cooker is its “very basic on/off button,” as well as “the red and green lights, [which] are good indicators of where it is in its cooking processes, and it has a glass lid that lets you see inside as it’s cooking.”

The BLACK+DECKER Rice Cooker may be a more basic model, but it still comes with all the design features necessary to get the job done, like a Keep Warm function that automatically turns on once cooking is finished. However, Papantoniou noted that testers “did see some sticking—the longer it’s on, the more likely rice is to dry out and stick. But as a whole, I think it’s a really good entry level into rice cooking.”

The Good Housekeeping Institute also advised that although the
BLACK+DECKER Rice Cookermight take some trial and error, all you have to do is use the included measuring cup and adjust the liquid amount accordingly.” From there, you can enjoy anywhere from one to six cups of cooked white or brown rice, or even oatmeal!

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3
Best Splurge Rice Cooker

Zojirushi NS-TSC18 MICOM Rice Cooker and Warmer

Zojirushi NS-TSC18 MICOM Rice Cooker and Warmer
Now 18% Off
Credit: Zojirushi

Pros

  • User-friendly
  • Makes consistently perfect rice

Cons

  • Pricey

Both home cooks and pros like Uncle Roger and Nigella Lawson agree: Zojirushis are the Teslas of rice cookers. They’re high-tech, sleek, and cost a pretty penny.

But if you’re looking for the best, Papantoniou said to look no further than the Zojirushi NS-TSC18 MICOM, declaring, “Zojirushi is the best of the best—they’re the ones who are known for rice cookers.”

Specifically, she pointed out that this 10-cup model “has a digital control panel, Fuzzy Logic technology, [and] it’s insulated,” but that it also offers “different settings and programs, like a delayed timer, and it allows you to soak your rice as well. You just have the opportunity to do more with it.”

Featuring interchangeable melody and beep signals, a reheating cycle, and both automatic and extended Keep Warm functions, this cutting-edge countertop appliance utilizes a microcomputer chip (hence the term “MICOM”) to determine the cooking flow based on what you’re preparing. Plus, it’s a breeze to use and clean thanks to its handy 6-ounce measuring cup, removable nonstick inner pot, clear coated stainless steel exterior, built-in retractable power cord, and nonstick rice spatula and spatula holder.

But wait, there’s more to this gadget than just convenience and versatility. During the Good Housekeeping Institute's road tests, the NS-TSC18 MICOM consistently produced perfect, evenly-cooked rice. It was tender, fluffy, and simply better than rice made by any other machine they tested.

4
Most Versatile Rice Cooker

Instant Pot Duo Plus

On Sale
Instant Pot Duo Plus

Pros

  • User-friendly, multi-use design
  • 15 smart programs

Cons

  • Cannot preheat

They say variety is the spice of life, and if you’re looking to get the most out of your rice cooker, the Instant Pot Duo Plus will maximize your counter space and your kitchen-appliance budget.

Boasting 15 customizable smart programs, this gadget offers all the classic one-touch Instant Pot cooking functions—including slow cooker, rice cooker, and steaming features—as well as some extra capabilities, like cooking eggs, baking cakes, sous vide cooking, and sterilizing.

P“The Instant Pot's rice function brings it up to the right temperature, and the pre-programmed setting cooks it for about 11 minutes before letting you know it’s done," Papantoniou said. "But unlike a rice cooker, it doesn’t cook based on sensors, it cooks based on timing, so your rice is done when the unit is done cooking.”

While the Duo Plus lacks the preheat and poultry settings of more souped-up Instant Pots, we still appreciate its user-friendly anti-spin design, 10 safety features (including overheat protection and a safe-locking lid), and a steam release switch that automatically resets when you close the lid.

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5
Easiest to Use Rice Cooker

Tiger JBV-A10U MICOM Rice Cooker

Tiger JBV-A10U MICOM Rice Cooker
Now 28% Off
Credit: Tiger

Pros

  • Easy to operate
  • Clear inner pot markings

Cons

  • Sometimes unreliable when synchrony-cooking

The TIGER JBV-A10U MICOM Rice Cooker rises up to the challenge of your rice bowl. Operating with the touch of a single button, this model offers the choice between four cooking functions—white rice, brown rice, slow cook/steam, and synchrony-cooking, which can simultaneously cook your entrée and rice.

During the Good Housekeeping Institute’s road tests, Papantoniou noted, “We found this to be the easiest to use because the control panel is just really straightforward, and it has a nonstick pot with inner markings that are clear to read, which is important.”

Though she isn’t familiar with the TIGER's synchrony-cooking feature, “It’s a good price, everything is contained inside, and just in terms of the shape and design, it’s more thoughtful than others.”

Among these convenient details are the included non-stick spatula and measuring cup, as well as a Keep Warm mode, which automatically switches on after cooking is complete.

6
Best Microwave Rice Cooker

Joseph Joseph 45002 M-Cuisine Microwave Rice Cooker

Joseph Joseph 45002 M-Cuisine Microwave Rice Cooker
Now 23% Off
Credit: Joseph Joseph

Pros

  • Multi-purpose lid
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Very hot after cooking
  • Not a time-saver

Joseph Joseph’s 45002 M-Cuisine Microwave Rice Cooker is basically foolproof: In addition to coming with a colander and measuring cup, this unit’s 2-liter cooking pot is dishwasher-safe for easy clean-up.

Listing off the M-Cuisine's bevy of benefits, Papantoniou said, “It’s microwaveable, really small and compact, you don’t need a plug—it’s pretty basic.”

Even using it is a breeze: “You put your rice and your water, pop in the microwave, and that’s it. It has air vents to let steam escape and it’s made of heat resistant material.” Furthermore, she said “The mixing paddle helps fluff it at the end and then you can store it all neatly together when you’re done.” That’s right—the convenient rice paddle can not only be used as a serving spoon, but also lock the pot lid while offering handles on either side for easy transport.

Granted, cooking rice in the M-Cuisine takes about as long as it would to prepare it on your stovetop, but it’s a solid option for those seeking a nearly fool-proof option without needing a free outlet or extra counter space. Just be sure to read those instructions carefully, as the recommended cook times are for 800-watt microwaves, meaning a more powerful microwave can overcook your rice (or worse, turn your cooker into a molten plastic vessel).

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7
Best Small Rice Cooker

DASH Mini Rice Cooker

DASH Mini Rice Cooker

Pros

  • Easy to store
  • Intuitive design

Cons

  • No extra features
  • Only makes 1-2 servings

The DASH Mini Rice Cooker will have your rice ready to eat in 20 minutes or less. This compact gadget comes with a rice paddle, measuring cup, and a removable pot with a PFOA-free nonstick coating. Plus, it has a bunch of fun color options to complement your kitchen décor.

“It’s smaller than the BLACK+DECKER, so it’s great for someone who lives by themselves and just wants to make rice without having to worry about it,” said Papantoniou. “It’s cute, it’s little, it’s a good price point… and it does the job.”

This compact cooker doesn’t offer any extra bells and whistles, but it does have a Keep Warm function and indicator light, so you’ll never have to suffer through overcooked or burnt rice ever again. Its 2-cup capacity only makes 1-2 servings, so you’ll have to make multiple batches if you’re cooking for more than a few people. However, where it lacks in features, it makes up for in ease of use: Just add water and your uncooked rice, pasta, or vegetables, press the cook button, and let the DASH Mini Rice Cooker do the rest.

8
Best Rice Cooker for Brown Rice and Grains

Cuisinart FRC-800 Rice Plus Multi-Cooker

Cuisinart FRC-800 Rice Plus Multi-Cooker
Now 40% Off
Credit: Cuisinart

Pros

  • Tons of programmable settings

Cons

  • Large footprint

You’ll need to clear off a significant portion of your countertop to make room for the Cuisinart FRC-800 Rice Plus Multi-Cooker, but it’s worth it if you have the space. This 10-cup capacity cooker comes with a rice paddle, steaming tray, 6-ounce measuring cup, and removable anodized aluminum cooking pot with a nonstick coating for easy cooking and clean-up, but there’s more to this model than what meets the eye. Boasting a large LCD screen and a selector knob for easy scrolling, it uses Fuzzy Logic technology to automatically sense moisture levels and adjust the cooking time and temperature as needed, thus ensuring your rice is perfectly cooked every time.

“It's a really pretty, definitely an upscale model,” Papantoniou said. “There are a lot of different settings. The screen offers you a lot of information, and that digital experience just makes it smoother and easier to keep track of the cooking process.”

In addition to offering eight rice and three grain programs, the Rice Plus offers 10 other automatic cooking functions, including sautéing, steaming, soaking, an automatic Keep Warm setting, and a pre-wash setting for easy cleanup. You can even cook pasta and one-pot meals!

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9

Are Japanese rice cookers better?

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Some say Japanese rice cookers make the best rice they've ever had. Others find their versatility to be overwhelming compared to a simpler, more traditional models. A Japanese-style rice cooker differs from a traditional rice cooker in its thoughtful—albeit complex—design.

Most traditional rice cookers have a metal pot, heating mechanism, a single on/off switch, and a lid with a small steam vent hole. They cook rice (and cook it well), making them ideal appliances for folks who don’t need any extra features. Meanwhile, a Japanese-style rice cooker uses pressure to cook your grains. It will also have a bunch of additional buttons and programs to cook other foods—not unlike an Instant Pot. It has a tighter-fitting lid to trap steam, therefore reducing the amount of water needed for cooking. The end result is rice that has a softer, fluffier texture.

“Japanese rice cookers are a type of rice cooker, as opposed to models that are only made in Japan,” explained Papantoniou. “There are so many different brands, so saying they’re better as a blanket statement isn’t really fair or valid. Their technology and build are usually different. For example, they may have more sensors or more sensitive sensors than non-Japanese rice cookers and are oftentimes more insulated. So it’s not that Japanese rice cookers are better; it’s more that the technology is different.”

Japanese-style rice cookers are usually a lot more expensive than other brands. Papantoniou said that when comparing cheap and expensive rice cookers, “the difference is the technology that’s in there.

“The more entry-level units usually just have an on/off switch and no timers or anything like that,” she said. “The more expensive ones are usually in a more contained environment and have more programs and settings. Also, the more expensive models can have timers, keep warm settings, or even allow for soaking, which makes the rice easier and quicker to cook and, as some say, easier to digest.”

Even if you don’t need a lot of extra bells and whistles, many users can benefit from getting a unit with a keep warm setting. This allows you to leave rice in your rice cooker for up to 10-12 hours, so long as you keep it at a food-safe temperature over 140˚ F.

10

Is it worth buying a rice cooker?

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Whether you eat rice occasionally or almost every day in the form of congee, rice pudding, or jambalaya, there are many benefits to owning a rice cooker.

“It takes the guesswork out of cooking rice on your stovetop,” said Papantoniou. “Rice is finicky because it’s directly related to how much water you’re using, the heat level, and how often you’re stirring it. Rice cookers ensure it’s always the same consistency—though it still depends on the amount of water you’re putting in it—but it’s still a more controlled experience.”

When shopping for one, be sure to consider what style and features you value most, in addition to how much rice you’ll realistically needing. After all, if it’s just you, chances are you won’t need a rice cooker that can feed a family of five.

In terms of the best size for most people, Papantoniou recommended “A six- to eight-cup rice cooker is probably a good entry point, and then you can adjust as needed.”

And if your rice cooker says to only measure rice in the cup that comes along with it, don’t brush it off as just another marketing ploy—take note!

“That is something classic with rice cookers. The rice cooker cup is smaller than the average cup—it’s usually about 3/4 of a cup,” Papantoniou said. “Rice is usually cooked in a 1:1 ratio, so one cup of rice needs one cup of water, but if someone is trying to measure using a liquid measuring cup for water and a dry measuring cup for the rice, you’re going to get skewed results.”

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