Rice is a staple food for billions of people around the world. Having a good rice cooker can make cooking rice easy, convenient and delicious. With so many options on the market, choosing the right rice cooker for your needs and budget can be tricky. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the key factors to consider and provide recommendations for the best rice cookers at every price point.
Consider how much rice you normally cook at one time. Standard rice cookers range from 3 cups to 10 cups capacity. If you regularly cook rice for a family, look for a cooker with at least 5-6 cup capacity. For couples or singles, a 3-4 cup cooker will suffice.
Basic rice cookers have simple on/off switches and cook until the rice is done. More advanced models have fuzzy logic technology that offers finer temperature control for perfect rice texture. Other useful features include delayed start, keep warm modes, and controllable cooking cycles.
Look for cookers with straightforward controls and clear programming. Nonstick pots make serving easier. Additional accessories like steam trays allow you to cook vegetables, fish or meat along with the rice.
Rice cookers range from $20 to $200+ depending on features, capacity and brand. Consider how often you plan to use it and if you need advanced functions.
Read reviews and look at ratings on sites like Amazon to get a sense of real-world performance and durability. Make sure any model you choose has consistent positive ratings.
Here are our top picks for rice cookers in three budget categories:
Aroma Housewares 3-Cup – With one-touch operation, automatic keep warm and a steam tray, this compact 3-cup Aroma rice cooker is perfect for singles or couples. The price is excellent for the quality.
Zojirushi NHS-06 – For just a bit more, this 3-cup Zojirushi cooker offers better temperature controls and more cooking options like brown rice and porridge. Sturdy, BPA-free construction.
Tiger JAX-T10U– Tiger is known for high quality appliances. This mini 10-cup rice cooker has excellent reviews and features like tacook synchronization cooking and a thick inner pan for even heating.
In this mid-range price category, you get nicer design, bigger capacity and more cooking functions:
Zojirushi NS-LAC05 – This Zojirushi cooker uses advanced fuzzy logic technology and has an easy-to-read LCD control panel. It cooks 6 cups of rice and comes with a steam basket.
Cuckoo CRP-G1015F– For Korean-style rice, the Cuckoo line is very popular. This 10-cup pressure rice cooker has many presets and a voice guide for easy use.
Aroma Housewares 8-Cup- With a simple digital interface, delay timer and keep warm function, this 8-cup Aroma rice cooker is affordable but steps up with excellent quality.
If rice is a daily part of your diet, investing in a high-end rice cooker brings convenience and consistently perfect results:
Zojirushi NS-ZCC18 – This Zojirushi induction heating pressure cooker is worth the splurge, with sophisticated fuzzy logic technology and a triple heater for optimum rice texture in 10 cup batches.
Tiger JBV-A10U – The top-of-the-line Tiger cooker has a 5.5 cup nonstick pot, melody to indicate done cooking and outstanding keep warm abilities for tender, fluffy rice all day.
Panasonic SR-DF101 – With its thick inner pan and intuitive one-push Automatic Keep Warm and Extended Keep Warm functions, this 10-cup Panasonic rice cooker is an excellent choice for larger families.
Follow these tips to get the most out of your new rice cooker:
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your particular model. With the right techniques, your rice cooker will deliver perfect rice every time!
How do I know which size rice cooker to buy?
Choose a 3-4 cup cooker for 1-2 people. A 5-6 cup size works for families of 3-4. Get an 8-10 cup capacity cooker if cooking rice daily for 4+ people or meal prepping.
Is it okay to leave rice on the warm setting for hours?
Yes, a good rice cooker will hold the rice safely on the keep warm setting. Rice may dry out after 8-12 hours though, so best not to leave overnight.
Can I cook brown rice and white rice together?
Not recommended – brown rice requires a longer cooking time and more water than white rice, so they are best cooked separately.
With so many excellent options across all price ranges, there is a perfect rice cooker out there for every home cook’s needs and budget. This guide outlines the key factors to consider and provides solid recommendations to help you choose. Investing in a good rice cooker that fits your lifestyle will make home cooked rice fast, easy and consistently delicious.
