“The advantage of a rice cooker is perfectly cooked rice that you don’t have to watch. It is a total set-it-and-forget approach to rice. Once the rice is cooked it stays warm so it is one less thing to worry about when preparing a meal,” says Natalie Lee, chef and owner of Mikki and Al’s Noshery. To find the best rice cookers we researched a variety of picks, keeping in mind dimensions, capacity, care, and the number of settings. In addition to Chef Lee, we also consulted Chef Pete Servold, a classically trained French Chef and founder of Pete’s Real Food. Overall, the best rice cooker is the Toshiba Rice Cooker with Fuzzy Logic. In addition to a lower price point, the rice cooker is easy to use and features the intuitive “Fuzzy Logic” technology. It also includes a steamer basket, so it can produce tasty and easy set-and-forget dinners with just the push of a button. Here are the best rice cookers. Keep in Mind: The rice cooker parts are hand wash only and there’s no retractable cord, so you’ll have to be careful when you store it. “I have the Toshiba Digital Programmable Rice Cooker with Fuzzy Logic. It is my favorite because I can use it for more than just rice. I have had it for over 10 years and it has not shown any wear and tear,” says Lee. Fuzzy logic refers to technology that will sense the moisture level in the appliance and make adjustments while the rice cooks. The rice cooker has a 6-cup capacity, which means it can hold up to 12 cups of cooked rice. It features seven pre-programmed settings, including options for white rice, brown rice, mixed rice, short or long-grained rice, oatmeal, and porridge. Plus, the rice cooker has a 24-hour keep warm setting and two-time delay start options, so the rice will be ready whenever you need it to be. In addition to a non-stick inner pot, this set comes with a steamer basket, rice measuring cup, soup ladle, and rice ladle. The versatility of this rice cooker means you can cook a full meal with one tool–steam veggies or a protein and make rice all at once. At the top of the cooker is a handle, so it’s easy to move around and bring to the table if you need it. The inner pot and accessories are all hand wash only and there’s no retractable cord, so you’ll just want to be mindful of storing it correctly when you put it away. Price at time of publish: $150 Dimensions: 10.66 x 14.48 x 8.34 inches | Capacity: 6 cups uncooked | Care: Hand wash | Number of Settings: Seven Keep in Mind: The keep-warm function only stays on for 15 minutes, so you’ll need to time your rice cooking to go with the rest of the meal. Unlike some other advanced styles, this rice cooker features one button that controls the unit. When the cooking time is complete, the rice cooker automatically goes into a stay-warm function. This only stays on for 15 minutes with no option to extend the timing, however, so you’ll have to time your rice cooking in accordance with the rest of your meal. There’s no LED screen or timer, so it may take a few tries to figure it out. The rice cooker comes with a steaming tray, measuring cup, and ladle. The steaming tray allows you to steam veggies (or anything else) on top of the rice as it cooks. When it’s time to clean up, the inner pot is dishwasher safe, which makes it easy to keep in good condition. Price at time of publish: $25 Dimensions: 8.9 x 9 x 9.6 inches | Capacity: 3 cups uncooked | Care: Dishwasher-safe inner pot | Number of Settings: Two Keep in Mind: There’s no steaming function and the inner bowl is hand wash only. With this rice cooker, you’ll be able to choose from eight settings: white (regular/sushi, softer or harder), mixed, porridge, sweet, semi-brown, brown, rinse-free, and quick cooking. Plus, it features Fuzzy technology, which means the rice cooker will make adjustments to the heating time and temperature as it cooker. Once cooking time is complete, there’s an automatic keep-warm setting along with an extended keep-warm setting and an automatic reheating cycle. Time delay starts are also a nice feature if you want to set up the cooker in the morning and have rice for dinner. As an added bonus, the rice cooker features programmable chimes, as well as a beep, that indicates your rice is done cooking. It has a fold-away top handle that makes it easy to transport as well as a retractable power cord that makes it even easier to store. It’s worth noting, however, that this unit doesn’t feature a steamer basket. Plus, some parts are handwash only, which adds an extra step after cooking. Price at time of publish: $231 Dimensions: 8 x 14 x 9 inches | Capacity: 5.5 cups uncooked | Care: Hand wash only | Number of Settings: Eight Keep in Mind: There are no settings or steam options. Once you measure the rice and liquid, the one-touch rice cooker will cook the rice to perfection. Once the cooking is complete, an automatic stay warm feature remains on for up to five hours. Stay cool handles and lid top make it safe to move and open. While the cord is not retractable, it is detachable for even easier storage. Price at time of publish: $48 Dimensions: 7.5 x 9.1 x 7.5 inches | Capacity: 3 cups uncooked | Care: Hand wash only | Number of Settings: None Keep in Mind: It may be heavier than some other options, which could make it hard to store. In addition to cooking different types of rice, like white, sushi, or brown, you’ll also be able to cook other types of food in the unit as well. The rice cooker features settings like soup, oatmeal, and quinoa as well. Plus, the cooker features a helpful recipe guide is included to help make the most of this cooker. The rice cooker has a 15-hour timer delay, so you can set it to prepare rice when you need it. When cooking is complete, the inner pot, rice measuring cup, steam tray, and plastic rice spatula are dishwasher safe. It’s worth noting that since this is a larger style it may be on the heavier side, so you’ll want to be careful when moving it to store it in a cabinet. Price at time of publish: $80 Dimensions: 11.8 x 10.79 x 11.38 inches | Capacity: 20 cups cooked | Care: Inner pot, rice measuring cup, steam tray, and plastic rice spatula are dishwasher safe | Number of Settings: 10 Keep in Mind: It’s significantly more expensive than other options. Induction heating results in a precise and even heat source as the heat warms the whole pot and therefore cooks the rice from all sides. The result is perfectly cooked, fluffy rice that won’t stick to the bottom of the bowl or gets overcooked. Like other rice cookers, this is truly a set-and-forget machine. Although it’s a bit of an investment, the multi-setting menu cooks all types of rice, like jasmine, porridge, sushi, and much more. A keep-warm setting and easy-to-read LCD control panel are intuitive and simple to use as well. Price at time of publish: $348 Dimensions: 10 x 14 x 8 inches | Capacity: 5.5 cups uncooked | Care: Handwash | Number of Settings: 11 Keep in Mind: There’s a steam setting but no steamer basket, so you can’t cook rice with steamed ingredients simultaneously. Some of the pre-set modes on this rice cooker include baby food, porridge, white rice, and steam. The steam setting allows you to cook up some veggies, but keep in mind that unlike some other styles, there’s no steamer basket so all the cooking has to be done in the main bowl. Reviewers praise the attractive look, easy-to-use buttons, large capacity, and affordable price tag. The one drawback is the lack of a steamer basket that some other multipurpose cookers have, but those often come with a higher price tag, less reliable features, and a bigger footprint. Price at time of publish: $113 Dimensions: 8.6 x 9.4 x 13 inches | Capacity: 6 cups uncooked | Care: Handwash | Number of Settings: 11 Keep in Mind: Unlike some other styles, this is not a set-and-forget type of rice cooker. The set comes with a plastic pot, locking lid, measuring cups, rice spoon, and steaming insert. To make rice, all you have to do is follow the included guide for the right measurements of uncooked rice and liquid. Then, all you have to do is set the locks on the bowl and put it in the microwave for the appropriate amount of time. While this innovative style is certainly different from other rice cookers, cooking time may vary based on your microwave’s strength and settings. It’s also worth noting that unlike some other styles, this pick isn’t programmable, so it requires a bit more work than other options. Price at time of publish: $36 Dimensions: 10.75 x 6.5 x 9 inches | Capacity: 4 cups uncooked | Care: Dishwasher safe | Number of Settings: None
What to Know About Rice Cookers Before Shopping
Dimensions
There’s no question that rice cookers take up space, so you’ll want to make sure you have either enough cabinet space or that you don’t mind keeping it on your countertop. “The only disadvantage of a rice cooker is that it takes up space. If you have a small kitchen with limited space it needs to live somewhere, “ says Chef Lee.
Capacity
Prior to purchasing, determine if capacity refers to cooked or uncooked rice as descriptions can vary. The size you need depends on the number of people in your household, how much you cook rice, and your storage space.
Cook Time
When it comes to rice cookers, the cooking time will vary based on the type of grain you use as well as the setting you pick. A helpful feature that many rice cookers have is a stay warm option. This means no matter how long the cooking time actually was, the rice will be warm and ready when you want to eat it.
Care
Some rice cookers have machine-washable parts, while others are handwash only. When choosing the best rice cooker for your kitchen, consider if you have a dishwasher large enough to hold the pieces, as well as how often you’re using the unit.
Your Questions, Answered
Is an expensive rice cooker worth it?
Rice cookers are offered in a variety of sizes and prices, so whether or not it’s worth investing depends on which is the best rice cooker for your home. “Given how many other uses it has and how much better the more expensive one [rice cooker] performs, I think it is worth it. It’s a lot like a food processor, once you have it and realize all it can do, you’ll wonder how you ever made do without it,” says Chef Servold. “Spend a little bit more money and get something that will last a long time and do the job well.”
How often should you replace a rice cooker?
As long as your rice cooker is working and the non-stick liner is intact, keep using your cooker. “Rice cookers should be replaced once the non-stick interior coating begins to flake,” Chef Lee says. If this happens, you’ll want to stop using the rice cooker immediately.
What size rice cooker is best?
This is a personal decision that will be determined by budget, storage space, and needs. “Each household would need to make that decision based on family size. My smallest rice cooker is a 6-cup and we are only two but I use it for more than just rice,” says Lee. If you’ve got the room and budget, get a mid-sized rice cooker and try to use it often.
Who We Are
This article was written by Maya Polton, a freelance writer for Better Homes & Gardens who has written for a wide variety of publications. In looking at rice cookers, she searched for products and brands that offer a variety of styles and sizes, affordable prices, and long-lasting materials. She also spoke with Chef Natalie Lee and Chef Pete Servold for advice.
