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Rice is one of the most versatile pantry staples, but it can also be one of the most finicky things to cook. This is why everyone will benefit from a rice cooker. From fragrant coconut rice to the viral TikTok salmon rice bowl and all of these 80 super-easy rice recipes, there are endless meal possibilities when you have the promise of perfectly-cooked rice. That said, no one wants the burden of yet another clunky appliance taking up precious counter space. Luckily for you, we've researched the best small rice cookers that are both functional and compact.
How We Picked These Products
We combed through tons of online reviews to find the best rice cookers that are small enough to keep your kitchen streamlined. This list includes models that can produce anywhere from two to eight cups of cooked rice. From one-button rice cookers to styles with several presets and modes, we made sure to select a wide variety of models. Some of the useful settings we looked for includes a "delayed start" and a "keep warm" mode.
Keep in mind, most rice cookers come with a 6.1-ounce measuring cup, which is referred to as a "cup." In contrast, in the U.S., one "cup" generally equals 8 fluid ounces.
"The 6 ounces measuring cup is based on a traditional Japanese measuring container called the 'masu.' It's the square wooden box that sake is often served in," explained Marilyn Matsuba, a marketing manager at Zojirushi. A masu has a capacity of about 6 ounces, she added. "In Japan, rice is measured in this 'masu' and hence the rice cooker capacities are based on rice volume by 'masu.'"
What does this mean for you? If a rice cooker says that it has a two-cup capacity, it typically means that it will hold the cooked equivalent of two 6.1-ounce cups of dry rice—not two 8-ounce cups. The more you know!
Aroma Housewares Digital Cool-Touch Rice Grain Cooker and Food Steamer
Pros
- Dishwasher safe
- Includes measuring cup, spatula, and steam tray
- Multiple preset functions
- Digital controls
- Nonstick pot
Cons
The Aroma Housewares Digital Cool-Touch Rice Grain Cooker takes all the guesswork out of making rice. It can cook up to four cups of dry rice at a time and has several preset functions including white rice, brown rice, steam, keep warm, and flash rice. It also has a delay timer, which delays start time up to 15 hours.
"The rice maker saves stovetop space when you're preparing multiple dishes," said one reviewer. "It couldn't be simpler to operate, your rice comes out perfect every time, and it is small enough to fit in a drawer under your counters."
Aroma Housewares Rice Cooker, Steamer, Multicooker
Pros
- Affordable
- Versatile
- Includes steam tray, measuring cup, and spatula
Cons
For affordability and versatility, you can't go wrong with the Aroma Housewares rice cooker, which has a six-cup capacity and a nonstick inner bowl that's also dishwasher safe.
"It's super easy to clean. I absolutely love the steamer on top," said one reviewer who uses the included steamer tray to prepare veggies. "I would buy this thing again and again."
Pros
- Includes measuring cup, mixing paddle, and recipe book
Cons
The Dash Mini Rice Cooker can cook up to two cups of rice, easy peasy. It also has an automatic "keep warm" function so you'll never have cold rice. And, the handle and knob on top of the lid stay cool for pain-free transporting.
"It really is nonstick it takes me seconds to clean," said one reviewer. "It’s small and won’t take up much space."
Zojirushi 3-Cup Rice Cooker
Pros
- Easy to use
Cons
- No warming mode
With just one button, the Zojirushi 3-cup rice cooker makes cooking rice easy.
"Love this thing," said one reviewer. "Cooks rice with the push of a button and I can seriously go watch Real Housewives and not worry about setting the kitchen on fire." The handles and lid knob stay cool to the touch, so you never have to worry about burning your hands, while the nonstick inner pan makes cleanup a breeze.
GreenLife Healthy Ceramic Nonstick Rice Cooker
Pros
- Nonstick ceramic pot free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium
- Includes spatula and measuring cup
- Digital controls and presets
Cons
- Unable to see inside while cooking
Who said appliances need to be eyesores? The sleek and stylish GreenLife rice cooker comes in a variety of colors and features digital controls on the lid. With presets for white rice, brown rice, steel-cut oats, and quinoa, you'll achieve perfect grains every time. The "keep warm" and delay timer buttons make cooking even more convenient.
"Overall I would recommend to anyone—it's easy to clean, simple to use, definitely my new best kitchen friend, and also it's cute as heck," said one reviewer.
Pros
- Includes steamer tray, measuring cup, and spoon
- Digital presets
Cons
The Instant Pot Zest Rice Cooker does it all—and at an affordable price. The nonstick pot has a capacity of eight cups of cooked rice and has presets for white rice, brown rice, oatmeal, and quinoa. The controls are easy to navigate and the pot is easy to clean according to this reviewer, who has been using it in their dorm room to make rice and oatmeal. In addition to 'delay start" and "keep warm" buttons, the cooker also has a setting for steaming.
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