Best Rice Cooker (2022): Top Rated Rice Cookers From Zojirushi, Aroma, Instant Brands And More

While rice is a staple for billions of people, it’s an ingredient that can be intimidating to cook. If you’re figuring out how to best prepare these grains, then a rice cooker should do the trick. But what are the best rice cookers? There are countless models in the market, and the listicles are far too exhaustive. To help you out, we’ve narrowed down our list to the best five — including top-rated Zojirushi, Instant, and Aroma models. And if you’re in the mood to get more kitchen companions, we have reviews of the best microwaves, toaster ovens, and food scales, too.

Best Rice Cooker Comparison Chart

Best Budget Rice Cooker

The Aroma Housewares professional rice cooker is easy-to-use and affordable — one that should be a staple in households.

Cooking the perfect rice all boils down to pot size and evaporation, according to experts. However, for the uninitiated, science turns into a practical appliance in the Aroma Housewares Rice Cooker Professional Version. But don’t let the pro tag fool you. The Aroma Professional is a dependable appliance that emphasizes ease of use.

Aroma’s cooker boasts programmable digital controls that take out the guesswork in cooking. It also features a 15-hour delay timer and an automatic keep-warm function, so you don’t have to keep an eye on the rice. And when it comes to the grain, you can count on the Aroma Professional to prep any variety. Many users even consider it the best rice cooker for jasmine rice.

But it does more than prep staples. A versatile appliance, the Aroma has a mode for Grains, Slow Cook, and Soup/Stew. There’s even a sauté function that automatically switches to simmer once liquid is poured in. Plus, the cooker comes with a steam tray, so you can steam meats and vegetables all while you’re making rice.

Dimensions: 8.5 x 9.25 x 9.13 in. | Capacity: 8 cups | Power: 500 watts | Material: Stainless Steel

Best Microwave Rice Cooker

Joseph Joseph’s M-Cuisine microwave rice cooker has won plenty of converts to faster and easier rice preparation.

If you’re afraid of overcooking rice, then a microwave rice cooker might be your thing. Not only is it a safe and easier route, but it’s also more energy-efficient. Now, plenty of users swear by the Joseph Joseph M-Cuisine Microwave Rice Cooker. It’s a stylish cooking set that demands little time and effort, even from novices. Measure, wash, and pour the rice into the cooking pot, and then pop it into the oven. In a few minutes, you already get fluffy and perfect rice that’s ready to serve. There are no additional pots or pans needed.

But the fans of the M-Cuisine rice cooker aren’t just converts to effortless rice cooking. Satisfied rice lovers also vouch for the thoughtful design of the cooker. Its rice paddle, for instance, locks the pot lid while also doubling as carrying handles. The set includes a colander, too, so you can wash and drain the rice in one go. Joseph and Joseph’s microwave rice cooker can cook up to 8 cups of rice with a minimum of two. The entire set is BPA-free and dishwasher safe as well.

Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.3 x 7.1 in. | Capacity: 8 cups | Power: 900 watts | Material: Plastic

Best Travel Friendly Rice Cooker

If you want a portable or space-saving model, then the Aroma Housewares digital mini rice cooker is a solid purchase.

Are you someone who only needs to cook a few cups of rice? Or perhaps you want a cooker that’s portable and compact, too? If your answer is yes to these questions, then you’ll probably like what the Aroma Housewares Digital Mini Rice Cooker offers. This space-saving cooker is designed to make up to three cups of rice. It also comes with white and brown rice modes, along with a keep-warm function.

The small rice cooker’s lid features a sleek handle that folds down when not in use for easy transport. Meanwhile, an easy locking lid with a steam vent ensures controlled evaporation while cooking. Aroma shares that their portable cooker is a versatile appliance, too. Users can prepare one-pot meals like soup, omelet, and pasta on the Aroma as well. And with a non-stick inner pot, cleanup of the rice cooker should be a breeze.

Dimensions: 6.75 x 6.25 x 7.25 in. | Capacity: 2-3 cups | Power: 230 watts | Material: Plastic

Best Large Capacity Rice Cooker

The Instant Zest is a versatile appliance that can make up to 20 cups of rice.

When it comes to kitchen appliances, it’s hard to leave out a brand like Instant. Its lineup of pressure cookers is loved for their value and reliability. Thankfully, the same can be said with the Instant Zest Rice and Grain Cooker. The Zest boasts 8 smart programs, including presets for white rice, brown rice, mixed grains, and quinoa. Moreover, it can serve up to 20 cups of rice, making it ideal for large families.

While it doesn’t come with pressure cooking functionality, the Zest still features other cooking modes. Homeowners can sauté, prepare oatmeals, and steam meats and vegetables. The Zest also doubles as a food warmer. Instant Brands has over 1,000 recipes to choose from, as well, including easy meals you can make with this versatile rice cooker. Every purchase of the Zest comes with a steam tray, rice measuring cup, and rice spoon, too.

Dimensions: 11.3 x 11.26 x 11.34 in. | Capacity: 20 cups | Power: 860 watts | Material: Stainless Steel, Plastic

Best Premium Rice Cooker

Zojirushi’s premium rice cooker boasts an induction heating system to cook rice fast, evenly, and consistently.

For those with deep pockets, splurging on a rice cooker may not sound as satisfying. However, when you have an appliance like the Zojirushi Induction Heating System Rice Cooker & Warmer, it’s hard to resist. This unique-looking appliance boasts an easy-to-read control panel as well as induction heating technology. With the latter, you get to make precise temperature adjustments.

Loved by beginners and pros alike, Zojirushi’s stainless steel cooker heats and boils quickly and evenly. As a result, you get perfectly cooked rice — top to bottom, side to side — regardless of the variety. In fact, the Zojirushi is arguably the best rice cooker for sushi rice as well. It’s no surprise, however, since the brand is manufactured in Japan.

The Zojirushi rice cooker comes with 9 menu settings, including a dedicated mode for sushi rice. On the other hand, its white rice mode has options for regular, soft, and hard variants as well. The appliance also has a delay timer and keep-warm function. For all its great features, however, the Zojirushi is not dishwasher safe.

Dimensions: 10 x 14 x 8 inches | Capacity: 5.5 cups | Power: 1230 watts | Material: Stainless Steel

Verdict

In our list, the Zojirushi rice cooker’s impressive performance justifies its premium pricing. The budget-friendly Aroma Housewares Professional rice cooker, however, is a close second.

While all five rice cookers are worth getting, there are some clear winners on this list. The Zojirushi Induction Heating Rice Cooker, for instance, stands head and shoulders above the rest. But it’s not just because of its price. Zojirushi’s use of induction heating spells the difference between good-enough rice and perfect, fluffy servings. The Japanese brand includes multiple menu settings on the appliance, too, making it a versatile addition to your kitchen.

Among those left, Aroma Housewares Professional rice cooker comes in a close second. While it has none of the induction technology, the value you get for a rice cooker under $50 is hard to match. Aroma’s pro rice cooker comes with several cooking modes, too, plus favorite functions like keep-warm and a delay-timer. If you want an affordable upgrade from cooking rice to a stove, you can’t go wrong here.

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