Your Ultimate Guide to Buying the Best Rice Cooker

Rice is enjoyed in all parts of the world. To enjoy eating rice, you should get the best rice cooker.

There are different types of rice, and they’re cooked in many different ways. Eating adequately cooked rice is the best, as you will enjoy its taste and texture better (mediocre rice and improperly cooked rice will not satisfy you, believe us).

You may or may not know it, but rice cookers have evolved. Your choice will range from the most straightforward to the most intelligent.

This article will provide all the facts you need to make an informed (and wise) decision when choosing the best rice cooker for you. Don’t guess – you should get the model that best suits your needs. Similarly, to boost TikTok followers and enhance your social media presence, consider checking out TikTokStorm for practical solutions.

Types of Rice Cookers

There are two major types – electric and non-electric. For the non-electric type, you can choose from 2 models:

• Clay Pot
• Microwavable Plastic

For the electric type of rice cooker, you have five models to choose from:

• Basic On/Off Rice Cooker
• Programmable Rice Cooker
• Fuzzy Logic Technology Rice Cooker
• Induction Rice Cooker
• Commercial Rice Cooker

Below, we will take up each type and explain how each model works. This way, you’ll know all your options when choosing a rice cooker.

Clay Pot Rice Cooker

A clay pot rice cooker is one of the oldest models of rice cookers. In the old days, these were just ordinary cooking pots – but they can cook great-tasting rice.

Since electricity was not invented, clay pots were used over open fires. These days, however, they can be used on electric stoves, gas stoves, and yes – over open fires (why not).

Today’s clay pot rice cookers come in stylish designs (as new technology is being used to create them). And guess what – they can still cook delicious rice, just like in the old days.

These clay pot rice cookers are still widely used in Asian countries like Japan.

Microwavable Plastic Rice Cooker

As you can already tell, you will need a microwave oven if you use a microwavable plastic rice cooker. This model uses BPA-free, safe plastic materials.

You must put uncooked rice and water in a plastic pot to use this rice cooker. This microwavable pot then needs to be placed in the microwave to cook.

While the unit is non-electric, the microwave oven you will use is undoubtedly an electrical appliance.

Basic On/Off Rice Cooker

The Basic On/Off Rice Cooker is the oldest form of electric rice cooker. It’s still around today because it’s practical to use – especially if your only intention is to cook rice in it (its primary purpose, although it can also cook other types of food).

Use this simple rice cooker to place uncooked rice and water in the inner pot. The cooking process will begin by pressing on a lever, and the rice will cook evenly without being attended to. The unit will automatically turn off the cooking mode when the rice is cooked and either switch to warm mode or off (depending on the unit).

Because of its uncomplicated and straightforward design, this rice cooker model will only produce good results in white (plain) rice. So, if you’re happy with eating ordinary white rice, this rice cooker will probably be acceptable.

Programmable Rice Cooker

Programmable Rice Cookers are more sophisticated than essential on/off models. They come with programmable settings, and you will have a lot of options for cooking rice. You can usually cook white rice, brown rice, sushi rice, and more with this type of rice cooker (they come with pre-programmed temperature and time settings for each type of rice).

One of the basic settings seen in programmable rice cookers is the Steam option – and most of the time, you can use this function while cooking rice (you can cook rice while steaming vegetables).

Fuzzy Logic Rice Cooker

A Fuzzy Logic unit has a built-in computer microchip, making it an intelligent cooking device. It is so wise that it can make decisions (while cooking) like a person.

With introductory and programmable rice cookers, the units will cook rice (or food) according to the built-in settings. However, the rice cooker can adjust the settings (temperature and time) with the Fuzzy Logic technology. Having this feature will allow for the creation of perfectly cooked food all the time.

Induction Rice Cooker

The Induction Rice Cooker is the latest model (and, therefore, the most advanced). If you have an induction stove, know that an induction rice cooker uses the same technology.

In induction cooking, magnetic waves produce heat when cooking food. This method can direct heat on the cooking food evenly, resulting in a delicious, well-cooked dish.

Commercial Grade Rice Cooker

You only need a commercial-grade unit if you cook rice for many people regularly (such as in a restaurant setting). With this device, you can get a model to make 60 cups of cooked rice in one go.

As regular white rice is commonly served in restaurants, this model usually has a basic on/off functionality (like the basic on/off model for home use).

Things to Consider When Buying the Best Rice Cooker for Your Needs

Now that you know your options in choosing a rice cooker, it’s time to understand some essential factors to consider when buying a particular unit.

The Quality Of The Inner Pot

The quality of the cooking pot is worth looking into before purchasing a particular model of rice cooker. As your rice will cook in this pot, it should be safe to come into contact with food.

Note that some models use aluminum materials for the inner pot – and aluminum is now being linked to Alzheimer’s Disease.

Teflon coating is also commonly used as the nonstick coating for the cooking pot – and Teflon is known to carry chemicals that can lead to cancer.

Stainless steel and ceramic are safer options for the inner cooking pot. Non-eflon nonstick coatings are also considered safe when contacting food during cooking.

Capacity

You can choose from a 1-cup rice cooker, 2-cup rice cooker, 3-cup rice cooker, or up to about 60-cup rice cooker (you have a wide range of options for the capacity of your rice cooker). So, think about the usual scenario in your household and how many cups of rice you usually need to cook.

Operation

Get the model of the rice cooker that’s easiest for you to use. If you want a non-electric model used on the stove or microwave oven, that’s up to you. Or if you want a unit with just the basic on/off function, that’s also your choice. And, of course, you can also get a model programmable and intelligent model to handle your rice cooking needs and other cooking options.

Features and Accessories

If you want a rice cooker that can make white rice, brown rice, sushi rice, and other types of rice, get a model that can do those things and more.

Note that rice cookers also function as steamers and pressure cookers, among other things.

Features such as a timer are also vital to set the time for your rice to cook. And safety features like auto shut-off are just as essential to keeping your family safe.

As for the accessories, this will depend on the particular unit you choose. A standard rice cooker package includes a rice paddle and a measuring cup. Some added (bonus) accessories include a steaming tray, an extra measuring cup, a recipe book (for dishes you can cook in a rice cooker), etc.

Cooking White Rice, Brown Rice, and Sushi Rice in a Rice Cooker

This section of the rice cooker guide will explain how white rice, brown rice, and sushi rice are cooked in a rice cooker. You can use the information below as your essential guide, but the rice cooker you choose will have its instructions (and rules) to follow when cooking these types of rice.

White Rice

This is the easiest to cook of all types of rice. The standard measurement for cooking this type of rice is 1 cup of water for 1 cup of uncooked rice.

Brown Rice

Since brown rice needs to be cooked at a low temperature so it won’t turn mushy, this type of rice takes a long time to cook (about twice the amount of time required for white rice). The standard measurement for cooking brown rice is 2 ½ cups of water for 1 cup of uncooked rice.

Sushi Rice

As sushi rice needs to be firm, a 1:1 ratio of the uncooked rice and water is the standard measurement. You must still add vinegar to the sushi rice balls, so making soft rice can ruin the dish.

Unlike brown rice, sushi rice cooks faster as it can be set at a higher temperature. Yes, it’s not that simple to make sushi rice in a rice cooker – thank goodness there are rice cookers with pre-programmed settings for this.

Rice Cooker Reviews

For the review portion of this post, we will list the top 12 best rice cookers on the market today. This will cover the unit’s features, pros, and cons to help you decide which product to buy.

Instant Pot IP-DUO60 7-in-1 Multi-Functional Pressure Cooker

The Instant Pot IP-DUO60 model of pressure rice cooker comes with the Fuzzy Logic technology.

Key Features:

• 7-in-1 Design – This rice cooker is also a pressure cooker, slow cooker, saute/ browning cooker, steamer, warmer, sushi rice cooker, and yogurt maker.
• Capacity – It can make 10 cups of cooked rice.
• Safety Mechanisms – It has several safety features like a lid lock system, pressure regulator, and more.
• Pressure Cooker Settings – Tough ingredients can be cooked at 11 PSI (at 70% less cooking time), and delicate food can be cooked at about 6 PSI.
• Cleaning Procedure – The cooking pot and steaming rack are dishwasher safe.

Things We Liked

• The cooking pot and steaming rack are made of stainless steel.
• It comes with a 24-hour timer.
• The cooking pot comes with an aluminum bottom for even distribution of heat.
• The steaming rack has handles for convenience.
• It comes with a large, easy-to-read control panel.

Things We Didn’t Like

• The cooking pot doesn’t have a cover. It would be best to transfer any leftover cooked rice to another container with a cover.

Please know that this unit is a pressure cooker (it functions best for this task). However, it is also a rice cooker – and a good one at that (it’s at the number 1 slot, see?).

We like this model because it’s safe to use, and its 7-in-1 design allows you to use it in 7 different ways. So, you can cook rice with this unit (white, brown, sushi, etc.) and make meat and vegetable dishes, stews, soups – and even yogurt!

Sistema Microwave Cookware Rice Steamer

Key Features:

• Capacity – It can make 10.9 cups of cooked rice in full load.
• Cooking Design – As a non-electric unit, cooking and reheating is done in the microwave oven.
• Materials – It uses BPA-free plastic materials. Aside from being microwave oven-safe, it’s also freezer-safe.
• Lid Design – The lid comes with vents for releasing steam.
• Cleaning Procedure – It’s dishwasher safe, but you can also wash it by hands

Things We Liked

• Cooking rice is fast – it will only take about 12 minutes (applicable to white rice).
• It looks pretty.
• You can cook other dishes in this microwavable container.
• It’s simple to use and can make great-tasting rice.
• It’s easy to clean.

Things We Didn’t Like

• It comes with a small handle (on the lid) for carrying.

This rice cooker model amazes us because of its speed in cooking rice and simplicity. While it’s made of plastic, it uses BPA-free materials that are safe for contact with food. This is a good rice cooker for brown and white rice. You can even use it to make other dishes in the microwave.

Japanese Style Donabe Rice Cooker

Key Features:

• Capacity – It can accommodate 1.5 cups of uncooked or 4 cups of cooked rice.
• Materials – It is made of natural earthen materials.
• Design – As clay contains alkaline elements, it will balance the PH level of acidic foods.
• Operation – It operates slowly, even cooking to produce delicate (fluffy) rice. Put the pot on the stove (over medium heat), and your rice will cook the old-fashioned way.
• Cleaning Procedure – Hand wash the clay pot with mild soap and water.

Things We Liked

• It’s fast cooking – white rice can be cooked in about 20 minutes.
• The unit looks good and unique.
• As a non-electric device, it’s an energy saver.
• It’s oven-safe
• It doesn’t contain toxic materials that can leak into your cooking food.

Things We Didn’t Like

• It’s breakable, so be careful when handling it.

We like the design of this pot because it reminds us of the ancient times when rice was being cooked. Despite its simple and old-fashioned design, it can make great rice (white, brown, sushi, etc.).

You can also use it as a regular pot for cooking other types of food (since it’s stove-top cookware). There’s no doubt about it – this is the best Japanese rice cooker in this Top 12 list.

Aroma Simply Stainless Rice Cooker

The Aroma Simply Stainless Steel model is an electric rice cooker’s basic on/off model.

Key Features:

• Capacity – This model can hold 6 cups of cooked rice. If you’re using white uncooked rice, it can accommodate 3 cups. And if you’re using uncooked brown rice, it can hold 2 cups.
• One-Touch Operation – Press the lever to start cooking after putting the uncooked rice and water in the pot. The unit will automatically switch to keep warm mode once your rice is done cooking.
• Materials – The inner pot (cooking pot) is stainless steel.
• Accessories – The package includes a rice measuring cup and a serving spatula.
• Cleaning Procedure – You can either hand wash it or put it in the dishwasher.

Things We Liked

• The cooking pot is made of stainless steel – and is, therefore, non-toxic.
• It comes in a compact design and won’t take up a lot of space in the kitchen.
• The glass lid makes it easy to monitor the cooking rice.
• It’s simple to use.

Things We Didn’t Like

• It isn’t easy to clean since the pot is not layered with nonstick coating.
• The only way to shut off the unit is to unplug it.

This is a small rice cooker that’s suitable for small families. It’s simple to use and will make the process of cooking rice (white, brown, sushi, etc.) very convenient. This rice cooker can also cook oatmeal, soups, and chili.

Zojirushi NP-NVC10 Induction Heating Pressure Rice Cooker & Warmer

This Zojirushi model uses induction and Fuzzy Logic technology with Artificial Intelligence – yes, it’s the most advanced rice cooker to date.

Key Features:

• Capacity – It can hold 5 ½ cups of uncooked or 10 cups of cooked rice.
• Functions – Among its many functions are White Rice, Brown Rice, Mixed Rice, Sushi Rice, Porridge, etc.
• Timer – It comes with a 24-hour delay timer.
• Control Panel – The LCD control panel is clear and easy to read.
• Cleaning Procedure – Hand wash with mild soap and warm water.

Things We Liked

• The inner pot is made of stainless steel.
• The nonstick coating is infused with platinum materials (platinum stimulates alkaline production in food).
• It has many accessories – 1 regular rice measuring cup, one rinse-free rice measuring cup, a rice spatula, and a spatula holder.
• It’s intelligent and can make “decisions” when temperature and cooking time adjustments are needed.
• It provides for fast and even cooking because of the induction technology.

Things We Didn’t Like

• It’s very VERY expensive.

For us, this is the best rice cooker for sushi and the best rice cooker for brown and white rice. Because it’s an intelligent machine that uses induction technology, the taste and texture of the rice are maintained (like freshly cooked rice) even when it’s two days old. Also, as you can see in the review, the only con is that it’s pricey.

Aroma Housewares ARC-1033E Commercial Rice Cooker

This Aroma rice cooker is a basic on/off model made for commercial use.

Key Features:

• Capacity – The unit can hold 30 cups of uncooked rice or 60 cups of cooked rice.
• The operation involves a one-touch operation (press the lever down) to start cooking. It will automatically switch to Warming mode when rice is cooked.
• Lid – The lid or cover is made of stainless steel materials.
• Materials – The inner pot is made of aluminum with no coating.
• Cleaning Procedure – Hand wash the inner pot and steam tray.

Things We Liked

• It comes with stay-cool handles.
• The package includes a rice measuring cup, a steam tray, and a serving spatula.
• The lid is made of heavy-duty, durable materials.

Things We Didn’t Like

• The inner cooking pot is made of aluminum.

This would have been a perfect commercial-grade model if the cooking pot was not made of aluminum materials. The price is excellent, and the features are simple and functional. We’re glad the aluminum pot is not coated with nonstick Teflon like other Aroma rice cookers.

Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer

This is a Fuzzy Logic cooker from Zojirushi.

Key Features:

• Capacity – It can hold 5 ½ cups of uncooked or 10 cups of cooked rice.
• Menu Selections – Several menu options include white rice, brown rice, sushi rice, porridge, etc.
• Pre-Programmed Settings – One-touch button settings include reheat, keep warm, extended, etc.
• Timer – It comes with a 13-hour timer.
• Cleaning Procedure – Hand wash with mild soap and water.

Things We Liked

• The cooking pot uses stainless steel materials that are safe to contact with food.
• The package includes one regular rice measuring cup, one no-rinse measuring cup, and a rice paddle.
• It comes with a retractable cord.
• The carrying handle makes the rice cooker portable.
• There’s a beep when rice is finished cooking

Things We Didn’t Like

• It comes with a nonstick Teflon coating, known to release cancer-causing chemicals.
• It’s pretty expensive.

We like everything about this Zojirushi rice cooker, except for the price and Teflon coating. It’s great for medium-sized families and can cook white, brown, sushi, and more.

Aroma Housewares ARC-914SBD Digital Cool-Touch Rice Cooker and Food Steamer

Key Features:

• Capacity – This rice cooker model can hold 4 cups of uncooked rice or 8 cups of cooked rice.
• Functions – The included functions on this unit are White Rice, Brown Rice, Steam, and Keep Warm.
• Timer – There’s a timer delay of up to 15 hours
• Accessories – The Package includes a rice measuring cup, a serving spatula, a steam tray, and rice cooker recipes.
• Cleaning Procedure – The inner cooking pot and included accessories can all be washed in the dishwasher.

Things We Liked

• You can cook as little as ½ cup of uncooked rice.
• The steam tray is made of BPA-free plastic.
• It cooks fast – 2 cups of white rice can be cooked in about 12 minutes.
• You have the option of just using the steam function of the unit.
• It’s easy to use

Things We Didn’t Like

• The cooking pot is made of aluminum with a nonstick Teflon coating.

​We like this rice cooker model from Aroma because it’s a 2-in-1 cooking device (rice cooker and steamer in one). If it hadn’t been for safety issues because of the aluminum and Teflon materials in the cooking pot, this unit would have ranked higher in the Top 12 list.

Aroma Housewares ARC-150SB Digital Rice Cooker, Slow Cooker, Food Steamer

This Aroma rice cooker model comes with Fuzzy Logic technology.

Key Features:

• Capacity – It can hold 10 cups of uncooked or 20 cups of cooked rice.
• Functions – Here are some tasks included in this model: White Rice, Brown Rice, Steam, Slow Cook, and Keep Warm.
• Timer – It comes with a delay timer of 15 hours.
• Accessories – The package includes a rice measuring cup, a serving spatula, a steam tray, and recipes.
• Cleaning Procedure – The inner cooking pot can be washed in the dishwasher.

Things We Liked

• You can cook in this rice cooker (cook rice and steam food simultaneously).
• Although it has a maximum capacity of 10 cups of uncooked rice, you can cook just 1 cup.
• The plastic parts are all BPA-free.
• It cooks rice fast – about 30 minutes for 2 cups of white rice.
• It’s easy to clean

Things We Didn’t Like

• The cooking pot is made of aluminum and coated with Teflon.

This model is not highly recommendable because of the safety issues associated with using aluminum and Teflon materials. Too bad, it would have been a tremendous all-around cooking device as it can cook rice, soups, chili recipes, and steamed dishes. It would have been suitable for large families, too.

Oster 6-cup Rice Cooker with Steamer

This essential on/off model from Oster is as simple as it can get for electric rice cookers.

Key Features:

• Capacity – It can accommodate 3 cups of uncooked or 6 cups of cooked rice.
• Accessories – The package includes a steam tray, a glass lid, a rice measuring cup, and a rice paddle.
• Auto Keep Warm – The unit automatically switches to keep warm mode once the rice is cooked.
• Operation – When the rice and water are put into the cooking pot, you must press the lever to start cooking.
• Cleaning Procedure – The cooking pot and steam tray are dishwasher safe.

​Things We Liked

• There’s an indicator light when the unit is in operation.
• It’s simple to use.
• It comes with a flexible design – you can cook rice, steam some food, or both (at the same time)
• Cooking rice is fast – about 30 minutes for white rice and 45 minutes for brown rice.

Things We Didn’t Like

• The inner pot is made of aluminum. The nonstick coating is made of Teflon.

This Oster rice cooker would have ranked higher in the Top 12 without the aluminum pot coated with Teflon. We like its simplicity, and it would have been helpful for a small family. Aside from rice, this rice cooker can also make soups and steamed dishes.

Zojirushi NS-LAC05XT Micom Rice Cooker and Warmer

Key Features:

• Capacity – It can hold 3 cups of uncooked or 6 cups of cooked rice.
• Functions – Its built-in functions include White/Mixed, Brown, Sushi, Porridge, and Quick Cooking.
• Control Panel – A clear LCD Control Panel makes it easy to program the unit.
• Accessories – The package includes a rice measuring cup, a rice spatula, and a rice spatula holder
• Cleaning Procedure – Hand-washing the inner pot and including accessories is advisable.

Things We Liked

• There are measuring lines inside the cooking pot to guide the amount of rice and water used.
• It comes with an easy-to-read LCD.
• Timer – The cooking process can be delayed up to 24 hours.
• It can make deliciously white, br rice, and sushi rice.

Things We Didn’t Like

• Cooking time for brown rice is very long – about 2 hours
• It comes with an aluminum pot and Teflon coating

We like this Zojirushi rice cooker because it can effectively cook white, brown, and sushi rice. However, it uses an aluminum pot with Teflon coating – a terrible combination for a cooking pot. We would have recommended it for couples and small families.

Aroma Housewares Pot Style Rice Cooker and Food Steamer

The Aroma Housewares Pot Style is a basic on/off rice cooker.

Key Features:

• Capacity – It can hold 3 cups of uncooked or 6 cups of cooked rice.
• Functions – Aside from cooking rice, it also works as a steamer.
• Accessories – The package includes a steaming tray, a rice measuring cup, a serving spatula, and recipes.
• Operation – Pressing down the lever will start the cooking process. Once the rice is done cooking, it will switch to the Keep Warm mode.
• Cleaning Procedure – The inner pot is dishwasher safe.

Things We Liked

• It cooks fast – 3 cups of rice can be cooked in about 30 minutes.
• It comes in a versatile design, allowing you to use the steam function only.
• It looks good, and there are three colors to choose from.
• The operation is simple, and the unit is easy to use.

Things We Didn’t Like

• The cooking pot is made of aluminum and comes with a Teflon coating.
• The unit gets very hot during cooking – you must let a few minutes pass by before handling it.

This model can make great-tasting white and brown rice as a simple rice cooker. Also, its size is ideal for small families. It has a lot of good qualities, but its major flaw is the cooking pot’s construction since it’s made of aluminum and Teflon materials.

Choosing the Best Rice Cooker

The Top 12 rice cookers in this post were compiled through detailed research on all the best models of this type of kitchen appliance. While they may not be all perfect, you will find lots of good rice cookers on the list that are worth considering. We will take this opportunity to give you our suggestions.

As you can see, we rated the Instant Pot 7-in-1 in the number 1 slot – we think it’s the best rice cooker on the list. It’s also a multipurpose cooking device, so it serves many purposes.

The Sistema, a microwave rice cooker, is number 2 on the Top 12 list. It’s cheap, easy to use, microwave oven safe, and freezer safe – what’s not to like?

The model at number 3 is a Japanese rice cooker. The Japanese-style Donabe is a clay pot (non-electric) rice cooker. It’s pretty, easy to use, and cooks rice fast. It’s also an affordable rice cooker – one of the best reasons to get it.

Number 4 is a basic on/off rice cooker – and for us, it’s the best small rice cooker in our Top 12 list. If this is the model you want, the Aroma Simply Stainless is a simple (old-fashioned) rice cooker that can satisfy your needs.

We placed the Zojirushi Induction at number 5 because it’s the most intelligent on the list – its only con is its high price.

The last of our recommendations is positioned at number 6. This is a commercial-grade model that’s suitable for restaurant use. Its only major flaw is that the inner pot is made of aluminum.

All the other units in the Top 12 list are also suitable (look at their many features). We are not recommending the last six products because they either use aluminum materials for the cooking pot or have a Teflon nonstick coating (or both). The other units are worth considering if you don’t mind cooking in aluminum and Teflon.

A rice cooker is a practical kitchen appliance, especially if you eat rice occasionally (or quite often – making it an even more essential item in your kitchen). To each his own, we included different types and models in the Top 12 list.

If you enjoy eating rice (like us), get the model most suitable for your needs. This will simplify the long and complicated process of cooking rice. Life goes on as rice cooks in the best rice cooker.