The 6 Best Rice Cookers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Our Testing Process

We used the rice cookers at least three times to make three different types of rice following the manufacturer’s instructions.

We also spoke to two board-registered dieticians to discuss what features to consider when selecting a rice cooker. Experts we spoke with included:

• Zariel Grullón, RDN, CDN, of Love Your Chichos and co-founder of Radicare
• Laura Iu, R.D., a registered dietitian nutritionist based in New York

We also tested the "keep warm" function, the readability of the instructions, smart features, and the ease of storage, handling, cleaning, and general use. 

What to Know About Rice Cookers

Capacity and Storage

Rice cookers come in a range of sizes. The best choice for you will depend on your intention for the appliance. If you typically only cook for one or two people and don’t like using leftovers, then a small, compact cooker that makes 3 cups may be your best option. These are also useful if you have limited storage or counter space. Larger options go up to about 10 cups and are great if you are looking to batch-cook grains or if you have a big family to feed.

How to Use it

Typically, you simply need to add water and rice to the pot and turn it on. Some cookers will have different settings based on what you’re cooking and others will simply have an on/off button. The exact ratio of rice to water will depend on the type of rice you’re cooking. Recommendations for ratios can often be found in the user manual.

How Much You Can Expect to Pay

The cost of a rice cooker will vary greatly based on the features and size. Higher-end rice cookers will often produce a more consistent result with an ideal texture whereas less expensive ones may be less consistent and require more trial and error. Most rice cookers range from about $20 to $150, with some higher-end ones exceeding $200. Grullón says, “What’s most important is getting what you can afford and what’ll allow you to include these delicious grains into your everyday diet!”

Additional Features 

Higher-end rice cookers often come with more features. These can include different settings for different types of grains, slow-cooker settings, retractable electrical plugs, timers, and alarms to alert you when the rice is done. Grullón notes that the features you need will depend on your preferences. “If you want something hands-off, it might be less important to have multi-menu features like reheat cycles or different cooking settings for different grains," she says. "If you’re worried about using Teflon, consider purchasing a stainless steel rice cooker, where the inner pot is made of stainless steel.”

More Rice Cookers to Consider

While these cookers didn’t meet all of our expectations, they may still be of interest to you. 

• Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker (NS-ZCC10): This rice cooker didn’t make our top picks because it isn’t designed for long-grain rice, which limits its versatility. We also found it wasn’t very user-friendly, and some batches took almost two hours to make, taking away some of its convenience. 
• Imusa Electric Nonstick Rice Cooker: While we liked its compact size, it didn’t make the cut because it did not produce consistently good rice. As we tested, we had to improvise by adding some olive oil and stirring the rice midway to prevent the rice from turning out dry and overcooked.
• Toshiba (TRCS01) Rice Cooker: This rice cooker produced nicely textured rice, but it only has a capacity of six cups despite being the largest cooker we tested. Since there are other cookers on the market that perform just as well in a more compact or higher-capacity model, we did not include this in our top picks. 
• Dash Mini Rice Cooker: This cooker is appealing because of its tiny size, great for cooking for one or a college student. However, we experienced a burnt plastic smell while using this cooker's "keep warm" function. Also, some batches of rice nearly boiled over despite us following the user manual recommendations. 

Your Questions, Answered

What are the disadvantages of rice cookers?

In certain cultures (including Puerto Rican, Dominican, Senegalese, and Korean) the crunchy rice at the bottom of the pot is treasured, with each culture calling it by a different name. Grullón says, “The biggest disadvantage in using a rice cooker if you’re Latin like me is that you miss out on the concón! Some rice cookers use a Teflon coating to prevent the rice from sticking, which means it rarely creates that crunchy crust.” 

This non-stick coating may pose other concerns for consumers regarding health. Iu says, “The research is mixed with non-stick material like Teflon or similar, but the issue is when the surface is scratched. I suggest using the rice paddle that it comes with since this will decrease the likelihood of scratching the inner pot and using warm water, soap, and a scratch-free sponge to gently clean the pot.”

Is it worth having a rice cooker?

Buying a rice cooker could be a great investment if you cook rice often. Iu says, “I love my rice cooker! Using a rice cooker helps make perfect fluffy rice, and it helps keep the rice warm if you want to go back for seconds (or thirds!). Other benefits are that it makes sticky rice super quick.”

A rice cooker can also be a helpful appliance for batch-cooking rice to have over the next few days. Iu offers advice on storing large batches of rice, saying, “Moisture is a breeding ground for bacteria, so you’ll want to store it in a cool, dry environment, ideally a food-grade storage bin with a tight lid.”

Who We Are

Isabel Vasquez RD, LDN is a Latina registered dietitian who counsels clients through the private practice Nutritiously Yours LLC. She is passionate about providing education on the nutritional value of cultural foods often demonized by mainstream media, including white rice. Her work is especially focused on helping individuals divest from a one-size-fits-all approach to health and connect with their unique needs.