Best Rice Cooker – Top 10 Best Rice Cookers For The Money
Choosing the best rice cooker for your needs can get quite complicated due to the various options available on the market. Whether you're a college-going teen looking to eat right while away from home, or a caterer who needs to feed a hungry crowd, there are just so many choices. Because every rice cooker offers a unique set of features, this buying guide will definitely come in very handy and help you make an informed purchasing decision.
My search for the best rice cooker actually started because I needed to purchase one. I cook dinner every weekday for a household of 4 and needed to buy a rice cooker after the last one fizzled out and died after 10 years.
After scrutinizing the numerous rice cookers available, reading through countless product manuals, and pouring over reviews from past purchasers, I ended up getting a Zojirushi rice cooker that matched everything I needed from such an appliance. I've been very pleased with it so far.
During my research, I also came across 9 other rice cookers that seem to be equally good. While price was a major factor in my purchase, the features each rice cooker offered eventually became the deal breaker. While it's hard to quantify what "best" means to everyone, I've taken into account the quality build, features, and prices to round up this list. So, based upon my research, here are 10 of the best rice cookers that offer the best bang for your buck.
Comparison Chart Of The Top 10 Best Rice Cookers
At first glance, this comparison chart is going to be a tad bit confusing. However, as you study through these 10 rice cookers (more in-depth reviews are provided below), you'll begin to form an idea of what you can or cannot do without in such an appliance. For example, if you absolutely love brown rice, then the Zojirushi NS-VGC05 (which is an otherwise excellent option), is definitely something you should cross off your list because it doesn't come with pre-sets for cooking brown rice.
This comparison chart should serve as a "bird's eye view" of the top 10 rice cookers. It's probably not going to help you make up your mind just yet but will prove useful as soon as you've decided on 2 or 3 rice cookers that you'd like to take a closer look at.
Also, don't let the red "x" scare you off from exploring a particular rice cooker. After all, the best rice cooker is one that meets your particular needs and for some, the abilities to cook Umami or cakes are not features expected from a rice cooker. For others, the abilities to cook GABA or scorch rice perfectly is not something they're willing to pay more for. Depending on your specific needs, you should be able to find a rice cooker from the selection below that will serve as the best buy for you and your family.
Rice Cooker Model | ||||||||||
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Cooking Capacity | 6 quarts | 5.5 or 10 cups | 3 cups | 5.5 or 10 cups | 3 cups | 5.5 or 10 cups | 5.5 or 10 cups | 3 cups | 3, 4, 5.5, 8 or 10 cups | 5.5 or 10 cups |
Heating Type* | Micom + Pressure Heating | Micom + Induction Heating | Micom + Induction Heating | Micom + Induction Heating | Micom + Induction Heating | Induction Heating | Micom + Induction + Pressure Heating | Induction Heating | Surround Heating | Micom Heating |
Non-stick interior |
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Automatic Keep Warm | ||||||||||
Extended Keep Warm | ||||||||||
Reheating Cycle | ||||||||||
Timer | ||||||||||
Retractable Cord | ||||||||||
Detachable Cord | ||||||||||
Quick Cooking | ||||||||||
Regular White Rice | ||||||||||
Softer White Rice | ||||||||||
Harder White Rice | ||||||||||
Brown Rice | ||||||||||
Semi-Brown Rice | ||||||||||
GABA Brown Rice | ||||||||||
Porridge | ||||||||||
Sushi Rice | Combined with white rice setting | Combined with white rice setting | Combined with white rice setting | Combined with sushi/sweet setting | ||||||
Sweet Rice | Combined with sushi/sweet setting | |||||||||
Jasmine Rice | ||||||||||
Umami | ||||||||||
Mixed Rice | Combined with white rice setting | Combined with white rice setting | Combined with white rice setting | |||||||
Slow Cook | ||||||||||
Scorch | ||||||||||
Cake | ||||||||||
Warranty | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | Yes/contact manufacturer | 1 year |
Product Manual | ||||||||||
Today's Price |
If I Could Only Pick One Best Rice Cooker, I Would Pick. . .
I know the comparison chart might look a little daunting at first. So, to help you begin your search for the best rice cooker for your needs, I thought it would be good to share my top picks and the reasons behind my choices. Because the selection of the above rice cookers each come with different capacities, I'll be sorting them into various categories.
Best Rice Cooker For Single Individuals and Small Families
- Editor's Pick: Zojirushi NS-LAC05XT
- Cooking capacity: 3 cups
- Rice types: White, brown, porridge, sushi, and mixed rice.
The Zojirushi NS-LAC05XT rice cooker is a well-rounded and value-for-money unit. Unless you have a specific need for a rice cooker that can cook GABA brown rice like the Zojirushi NP-GBC05-XT rice cooker can, this unit offers you a more affordable option to enjoy your rice.
This is the perfect rice cooker to buy for a child who's away at college, or for a small family of 2 to 3 rice eaters.
Best Rice Cooker For a Family of 4 to 5 People
- Editor's Pick: Zojirushi NS-ZCC10
- Cooking capacity: 5.5 and 10-cup models available
- Rice types: White (regular, softer, and harder), brown, semi-brown, porridge, sushi, sweet, and mixed rice.
The Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 offers superb value because it can cook a wide variety of rice types at a reasonable price point. Unless you absolutely need to cook GABA and Jasmine rice like the Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH can, or GABA and Umami rice like the Zojirushi NP-NVC10 can, you won't go wrong with this unit.
Best Rice Cooker For A Large Crowd
- Editor's Pick: Tiger JNP-S18U HU
- Cooking capacity: 3, 4, 5.5, 8, or 10-cup models available
- Rice types: White, brown, porridge, sushi, sweet, Jasmine, and mixed rice
The Tiger JNP-S18U HU rice cooker is a dependable, sturdy, and fast-cooking unit that will help you dish out bowls of rice in record time.
It takes just only about half an hour to cook 10 cups of rice perfectly, which is very helpful if you need to feed a hungry crowd and don't have time to cook up a second batch while multi-tasking in the kitchen with various other dishes each screaming for your attention.
Once rice is cooked, the unit is able to keep the batch warm for up to 12 hours, which comes in very useful too.
Best Rice Cooker For Brown Rice
- Editor's Pick: Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH
- Cooking capacity: 5.5 and 10-cup models available
- Rice types: White (regular, softer, and harder), brown, GABA brown, porridge, sushi, sweet, Jasmine, sweet, and mixed rice
The Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH is my choice when it comes to the best rice cooker for brown rice. Although it doesn't cook semi-brown rice like the Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 does, its ability to cook GABA brown and Jasmine rice wins out eventually.
Personally, I see myself using the unit to cook Jasmine rice more times than Umami and scorch (which the Zojirushi NP-NVC10 does), so the Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH is definitely my pick when it comes to an excellent brown rice cooker.
Top 10 Best Rice Cooker Reviews
1. Instant Pot IP-DUO60 7-In-1 Programmable Pressure Cooker Review
- Cooking capacity: 6 quarts – enough to feed a hungry crowd!
As far as rice cooker technology is concerned, very few models can compete with the Instant Pot IP-DUO60 7-in-1 programmable pressure cooker. It delivers seven functions in one pot and uses the latest 3rd generation rice cooker technology with an embedded microprocessor.
Additionally, the pressure cooker delivers an amazing 1000 watts of power and features state-of-the-art stainless steel cooking pot and exterior. So, if you want the best that rice cookers have to offer you will find this model to be an ideal buy.
Features of the Instant Pot IP-DUO60 7-in-1 Programmable Pressure Cooker
The first thing you'll love about this pressure cooker is its multiple functionalities. It can make yogurt, sauté food, prepare porridge, and steam food. In addition to all that, it functions as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, and rice cooker. All 7 functions also deliver perfect results thanks to the embedded microprocessor that monitors pressure and temperature so as to adjust heat intensity and cooking time whenever necessary.
Another impressive feature of the Instant Pot IP-DUO60 is 14 pre-set programs that make using any of the 7 functions a whole lot easier. These programs allow you to make all sorts of dishes ranging from rice to chili and beans with just the simple push of button.
And to ensure the food comes out the way you like it, the programs feature 3 adjustable modes that allow you to tailor the cooking process to your preference. For instance, you can choose how hard or soft you want your rice to be or choose between browning, simmering, and thickening when using the sauté function.
Is the Instant Pot IP-DUO60 Worth Buying?
With an overwhelming number of positive reviews this cooker has received, it's safe to say that the Instant Pot IP-DUO60 is definitely worth buying. Users seem to be most impressed by the cooker’s ability to make a variety of dishes, its amazing speed that reduces cooking time by more than half, and the wonderful results produced with each use.
Pros
- Durable
- Features 10 proven safety mechanisms that ensure your time in the kitchen goes smoothly without any accidents
- Enables hands off cooking
- Comes with 2 steam racks, soup spoon, measuring cup, rice paddle, and even a cooking booklet with cooking timetables
- Delivers consistent results
- Saves on energy
- Cooks food faster
- Resistant to fingerprints
- Combines micro computerized and pressure heating technology
Cons
- Requires a little getting used to due to its broad functionalities
Conclusion
Thanks to its versatility, convenient features, and ease of use, the Instant Pot IP-DUO60 can fit into any home. Additionally, this pressure cooker is also durable, dependable, and a top performer. The quality performance of the pressure cooker is even backed up by rice cooker reviewers across the net who have written glowing reviews. So, all things considered, it makes a great buy for anyone in need of a rice cooker.
Note: As an alternative to this pressure cooker, you can go for the Instant Pot 6-in-1 option if you wish to save some money. It offers similar functions to this one except for the yogurt making function.
2. Zojirushi NS-TSC10 Micom Rice Cooker Review
- Cooking capacity: 5.5 cups or 10 cups models available
If you're a regular rice cooker and don't care too much about the bells and whistles often found in high-end models, then the Zojirushi NS-TSC10 rice cooker would be perfect for you. Aside from its rice preparation function, this cooker is also fitted with a few extra features to help expand your cooking options.
Features of the Zojirushi NS-TSC10 Microm Rice Cooker
At the heart of the Zojirushi NS-TSC10 is micro computerized fuzzy logic technology, which helps ensure you get optimum results when using any of the cooker's in-built settings. This includes white rice, sushi rice, mixed rice, porridge, brown rice, sweet rice, and cake. Thanks to the technology, all prepared rice meals will come out fluffy and tasty, while cakes will be firm and properly browned.
Other features of the Zojirushi NS-TSC10 include a steaming basket, detachable lid, non-stick cooking pan, a built-in retractable cord, a user-friendly LCD screen, a coated stainless steel exterior, and an extended keep warm function that keeps food hot for up to 12 hours.
Pros
- The steam function and mixed rice settings of the Zojirushi NS-TSC10 enable you make a complete nutritious meal. Through these functions, you can make rice with fish, chicken, vegetables, plus a long list of other ingredients.
- The Zojirushi NS-TSC10 allows you the joy of being able to sit down to a delicious meal after an exhausting day at work without having to actually make the food when you arrive home. How you ask? Well, the cooker has a delayed timer function that allows you to put in food and set it to start cooking a few hours later. So, you can put in food before heading to work and set it to cook a few minutes before you get home. What’s more, the food will be hot as the cooker automatically switches to keep warm mode when whatever is being cooked is ready.
- With the Zojirushi NS-TSC10, you’ll not have to bring out of your dishwashing arsenal as the cooker offers a hassle free cleaning experience. The cooker’s stainless steel exterior doesn’t require much cleaning too as it resists a great deal of dirt. The detachable lid, on the other hand, is easy to clean while the interior pot’s nonstick coatings ensure effortless cleaning.
Cons
- Compared to other rice cooker models, the Zojirushi NS-TSC10 cooks more slowly
Conclusion
The Zojirushi NS-TSC10 excels in quality and performance. And since these are 2 of the most important qualities of a rice maker, this unit is worth buying especially if you're a big rice eater. You'll not only be able to enjoy easy and convenient meal preparations, but will also enjoy the possibility of being able to make enough food to feed a small group in just one go.
3. Zojirushi NS-LAC05XT Micom Rice Cooker and Warmer Review
- Cooking capacity: 3 cups
When counter space is an issue in your home, the Zojirushi NS-LAC05XT rice cooker offers the perfect solution. It features a small, compact design that takes up little space. Additionally, the cooker has an in-built retractable cord that allows you to easily move it from one place to another even when it contains cooked food. You'll be able to get the cooker out of the way and create space whenever you need to. These 2 features combined make the Zojirushi NS-LAC05XT the perfect choice for a small kitchen.
Features of the Zojirushi NS-LAC05XT Micom Rice Cooker
Like most of today's quality rice cookers, the Zojirushi NS-LAC05XT is fitted with a microprocessor that makes precise cooking adjustments to ensure rice comes out perfect. This Zojirushi 3-cup rice cooker, however, doesn’t stop there.
It also features a black, thick inner cooking pan that distributes heat evenly for even better results. Therefore, you'll be able to sit down to restaurant quality rice in the comfort of your own home when you buy this rice cooker.
Another plus for the Zojirushi NS-LAC05XT is that it combines several features to ensure you have a stress-free time using it. For example, the rice cooker makes it very easy for you to measure your ingredients through its included measuring cup and water level markings for different rice types etched onto the inner cooking pan. The rice cooker also has an easy to read, user-friendly LCD control panel that’s conveniently located for easy access.
In addition to that, the control panel allows you to make a variety of rice options with just the simple push of a button.
Pros
- Simple to operate
- Has a beautiful, sleek design that will glam up any kitchen
- Offers several cooking functions including porridge, sweet, brown, mixed rice, white/sushi, and quick cooking
- Features a delay timer function that allows you to set the specific time you want your rice ready
- Automatically switches to a keep warm cycle when rice is ready
- The cord's retraction mechanism provides you with a neat countertop area by ensuring no excess cord piles up on the counter
- Has a nice neat holder for the included rice spatula
- Keeps food warm for long hours without damaging its texture and taste
- Allows you to mix rice and other food items through its mixed rice function
- Has a stainless steel exterior that enhances the durability of the unit and makes it easy to clean
Cons
- With a 3-cup cooking capacity, this unit will not be ideal for a large family
- The user manual has poorly translated instructions
Conclusion
Attractive, easy to use, easy to clean, dependable, durable, consistent, versatile, and convenient, the Zojirushi NS-LAC05XT is a dream. The only downfall is that it’s only suitable for single individuals, couples, and small families due to its 3-cup capacity. Other than that, users of the Zojirushi NS-LAC05XT love it so much that they have taken the time to write long detailed reviews, which you can check out for yourself.
4. Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker Review
- Cooking capacity: 5.5 cups or 10 cups models available
Rice cookers are designed to make rice cooking effortless and that's exactly what the Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 rice cooker with Neuro Fuzzy technology does. This appliance has received praise from thousands of its users who claim that it's so far one of the best rice cookers on the market.
According to these users, the Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 is remarkably simple to operate, easy to clean, and has many wonderful features and benefits that any regular rice cooker will love.
Features of the Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker
One of the most loved things about the Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 is its ability to consistently cook rice perfectly thanks to its advanced Neuro fuzzy technology, which makes fine adjustments to temperature and heating time. However, that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the workings of this rice cooker.
If you've been struggling to make a rice cooker buying decision, you should seriously consider going for the Zojirushi NS-ZCC10. This is because there are just so many things that this rice cooker has to offer.
- The best part of using the Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 rice cooker is that you'll never have to go through the horror of miscalculating the amount of water or rice needed. The cooker comes with 2 measuring cups that ensure you achieve accurate measurements each time. And should you for whatever reason make the mistake of adding in the wrong amount of your ingredients, the cooker automatically makes any minor adjustments that will be needed to avoid burned rice edges, mushy rice, and dryness.
- Most rice cookers offer you multiple menu settings that allow you to cook a variety of rice dishes. However, the Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 goes a step further. In addition to its white/sushi, brown, semi-brown, mixed, porridge, and sweet rice settings, this rice cooker offers you the freedom of choosing the cooking method you're most comfortable with. This is thanks to the also included cooker settings for cooking pre-washed rice as well as rice with rinse.
- The Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 rice cooker ensures you have an easy time right from the cooking time through to the cleaning of the unit. This is all thanks to the cooker's black, thick inner pan with Dupont Teflon non-stick coating and stay cool side handles. The pot ensures that rice doesn’t stick on the bottom and sides, provides easy removal, and allows you to enjoy quick cleanup.
- This rice cooker's Neuro Fuzzy technology, quality inner pan, and multiple settings are enough to make any serious rice cooker to want to buy it. It also features, programmable melodies, programmable delay timer with 2 settings, an easy to read color LCD display, a retractable power cord, 3 keep warm functions, and comes complete with all the rice-cooking accessories you'll need for your cooking endeavors.
Cons
- Doesn't feature a steamer basket
- Uses Japanese measurements and therefore delivers less rice than a 5.5-cup American rice cooker would (1 cup of rice from an American rice cooker is equal to about 3/4-cup of a Japanese rice cooker)
Conclusion
Many past purchasers agree that this rice cooker is a great product in their Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 reviews. Therefore, if you're looking for a quality large rice cooker that's highly effective and long lasting, this Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 is the way to go.
5. Zojirushi NS-VGC05 Micom Electric Rice Cooker Review
- Cooking capacity: 3 cups
When looking for a compact rice cooker for cooking small meals that don't compromise too much on features, then it might be worth getting the Zojirushi NS-VGC05 Micom 3-Cup Electric Rice Cooker and Warmer. This 3-cup rice cooker is geared towards small families and even college-going kids who want to eat right.
When you purchase this rice cooker, you'll get everything out of the box to start cooking perfect rice without extra accessories. The entire package comes with the rice cooker's housing with control panel, a thick spherical inner pan, 2 measuring cups, a rice spatula, and a bunch of recipes to help you make the most out of your new rice cooker.
Features of the Zojirushi NS-VGC05 Micom Electric Rice Cooker
The Zojirushi NS-VGC05 rice cooker makes a good buy for 1 simple reason: all of its features are designed to provide the user with an easy time in the kitchen.
Top on the list of the Zojirushi NS-VGC05 rice cooker's user-friendly features is Fuzzy logic technology. This technology takes the thinking out of cooking, making it easy for you to prepare super delicious meals.
The Zojirushi NS-VGC05 also features an LCD panel that's both easy to read and operate. Thanks to this control panel, you'll be able to make great tasting food even if you don't have much experience in the kitchen. And the best part is that food preparation is made as easy as pressing a button of the cooker's various setting, which include white/sushi, porridge, mixed, rinse-free, quick cooking, and cake functions.
Another feature of the Zojirushi NS-VGC05 rice cooker that makes it a joy to have in the kitchen is a Teflon-coated inner pan. The coating helps prevent rice from sticking to the pan’s surface, thus ensuring you won't have to go through the process of scrapping out stuck rice grains every time you want to clean the rice cooker.
Finally, the Zojirushi NS-VGC05 also offers easy storage through its detachable cord.
Pros
- Bakes cakes
- Has a cute design
- Easily fits into small kitchens
- Allows for both rinse-free and quick cooking
- Dent-resistant body
Cons
- Doesn't have a steamer basket
- Not suitable for large families due to its 3-cup capacity
Conclusion
Ideal for single people, couples, college-going kids, and a small family of 3, the Zojirushi NS-VGC05 Microm rice cooker offers several advantages. It makes cooking simple, adjusts itself for maximum results, cleans easily, keeps food warm for hours, and even prepares tasty and fluffy cakes. If you cook rice regularly, this unit would make a great cooking companion for you.
6. Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH Induction Heating System Rice Cooker
- Cooking capacity: 5.5 cups (1L) or 10 cups (1.8L) models available
If rice is a common meal in your home, the Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH rice cooker would make a great buy. This is because the rice cooker offers you convenience, quality, and perfectly consistent results with each use. With these 3 essential rice cooker qualities backing you up, your rice cooking days are guaranteed to be effortless and stress-free.
Features of the Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH Rice Cooker
The Zojirushi NNP-HCC10XH has all the makings of a great rice cooker. It's fast, delivers flawless rice every time, doesn't require monitoring, and allows you the freedom of making a variety of rice dishes.
Designed for homes where rice is a common fixture at the table, the Zojirushi NNP-HCC10XH has several features that allow for everyday usage. One of those features is a delay timer function that has 2 settings. These settings allow you the luxury of being able to set the cooker to start cooking at certain times. For instance, you can use 1 setting for making breakfast in the morning and the other for rice in the evening.
Another feature that makes the Zojirushi NNP-HCC10XH ideal for regular use is the cooker's multiple rice settings, which not only allow you to cook many different types of rice but also allow you to prepare complete meals. The cooker has 3 separate settings for preparing regular, soft, and hard white rice, as well as pre-set functions for making sushi rice, jasmine white rice, mixed rice, GABA brown rice, porridge, brown rice, and sweet rice. With these many options, you'll be able to use the cooker to make a variety of rice meals and therefore ensure rice meals in your home don't become boring.
The Zojirushi NNP-HCC10XH is fitted with a state-of-the-art triple heating system, which makes it perfect for daily usage. This heating system allows heat to penetrate the cooker's inner pan from bottom, sides, and lid, thus ensuring each grain of rice gets the attention it needs to come out perfect. The end result is delicious, fluffy rice that you'll never get tired of eating.
Pros
- Durable and easy to clean thanks to its stainless steel exterior
- Comes complete with everything you will need to start making mouth-watering rice
- Has a "Quick" function that allows you to make delicious meals on the run without having to compromise on flavor and texture
- Automatically switches to keep warm mode when food is ready
Cons
- The cord on the cooker is not retractable
Conclusion
Zojirushi is one of the leading manufacturers of kitchen appliances in Japan. So, buying this Zojirushi NNP-HCC10XH unit is a sure guarantee you're getting a product that will deliver results. However, brand aside, the Zojirushi NNP-HCC10XH stands well on its own and can function just as excellently as the best rice cookers on the market.
7. Zojirushi NP-NVC10 Induction Heating Pressure Cooker and Warmer Review
- Cooking capacity: 5.5 cups or 10 cups models available
When you're looking for excellence in a rice cooker and don't mind spending a bit of money to get what you want, the Zojirushi NP-NVC10 Induction Heating Pressure Cooker and Warmer would make a perfect buy. Versatile, durable, efficient, and consistent, this rice cooker combines several technologies and a few unique features that make it a great addition to any home where rice is a staple. Read on to find out more about this amazing high-end rice cooker.
Features of the Zojirushi NP-NVC10 Induction Heating Pressure Cooker
When it comes to rice making, the Zojirushi NP-NVC10 delivers some pretty exceptional results. The rice from this pressure cooker not only tastes great, it also comes out uniformly cooked and soft.
This is all thanks to the combination of 3 excellent technologies that ensure there’s no room for error. These technologies include:
- The Zojirushi NP-NVC10 is equipped with an advanced fuzzy logic technology that not only makes "on-the-go" adjustments to cooking times and temperatures but also gives the cooker the Artificial Intelligence of learning from past cooking experiences.
- This Artificial Intelligence feature is quite useful as it enables the Zojirushi NP-NVC10 to adjust its cooking cycles according to your cooking habits as well as according to humidity and heat changes in the environment. Therefore, with this rice cooker, you'll be able to enjoy unchanging consistency throughout the year.
- Another technology featured in the Zojirushi NP-NVC10 is an Induction Heating (IH) technology that uses electromagnetically generated heat. Basically, this heat is generated through the entire rice pan surface to ensure optimum results. This IH technology offers several advantages. Its biggest benefits are enabling the cooker to reach higher and more precise cooking temperatures as well as ensuring uniform results.
- The Zojirushi NP-NVC10 is fitted with an IH pressure system that prevents air and liquids from falling below a preset pressure. This in turn enables the cooker to reach temperatures that it would otherwise not be able to. This pressure aspect helps to deliver soft rice and allows the cooker to cook faster and more evenly.
- Further complementing these technologies to ensure rice comes out perfect is a platinum infused non-stick inner pan. The platinum particles in the pan help rice to absorb water more easily, thus resulting in better tasting rice.
Other highlights of the Zojirushi NP-NVC10 IH pressure cooker include a detachable and washable inner lid, scorch setting, an easy-to-read LCD control panel, and automatic keep warm, extended keep warm, and reheat cycle.
Pros
- In addition to the usual porridge, mixed, white, and sushi rice settings found in most rice cookers, this Zojirushi NP-NVC10 pressure cooker also features Umami and GABA brown rice settings
- Has a smart lid that keeps track of how many times the rice cooker has been opened and for how long
- Has 1.0 and 1.8 liters models to fit all family sizes
Cons
- The cost can be prohibitive for most customers
Conclusion
The Zojirushi NP-NVC10 pressure cooker is an excellent rice cooker. It not only makes every type of rice imaginable, but also delivers some of the best results you could ever hope for. In addition to that, the cooker offers a great cooking experience and can adjust to your cooking habits. So, if you're an avid rice fan who likes to try out different recipes, this is the rice cooker to go for.
8. Zojirushi NP-GBC05-XT Induction Heating System Rice Cooker Review
- Cooking capacity: 3 cups
If simplicity, versatility, and effectiveness are what you're looking for in a rice cooker, the Zojirushi NP-GBC05-XT rice cooker is specially designed for you. This is because in addition to being one of the most user-friendly rice cookers on the market, the Zojirushi NP-GBC05-XT makes perfect rice and allows you the freedom of preparing several rice types as well as oats for breakfast.
Features of the Zojirushi NP-GBC05-XT Rice Cooker
Although the Zojirushi NP-GBC05-XT doesn't offer the much sought after fuzzy logic technology, the results it delivers are just as great as those of a micom rice cooker. This is in part due to a clever combination of a superior Induction Heating technology and a heat-generating lid.
The IH technology delivers high levels of heat that ensure rice comes out flawless and evenly cooked each time. The cooker's lid, on the other hand, produces more heat that allows the Zojirushi NP-GBC05-XT to reach even higher temperatures that help further enhance the cooking power of the rice cooker.
With ease-of-use being one of the most desired rice cooker qualities, the Zojirushi NP-GBC05-XT is designed to provide users with the best possible user experience. The rice cooker is operated through an easy to read orange colored LCD control panel with clock and timer functions.
Also included are pre-set functions for different rice types and cooking methods that are activated with the simple push of a button. Additionally, the rice cooker is made easy to clean and move through a combination of several features including stainless steel exterior, easy-to-clean thick, spherical inner cooking pan, carrying handle, and a detachable cord.
Pros
- Has a beautiful look
- Can handle both smaller batches (as little as 1/2 cup) and larger rice quantities (as many as 3 cups)
- Can be set to automatically cook breakfast and dinner at specified times on a daily basis thanks to its 2 delay timer settings
- Features a clear coated stainless steel exterior that adds to the durability of the rice cooker, makes it easy to clean, and enables it to not only match any kitchen décor but also some beauty to the kitchen
- Comes with a rice spatula, spatula holder, and measuring cups
- Has several pre-set menu settings including white, mixed, brown, sushi, porridge, and even GABA brown rice
- Offers both rinse free and quick cooking functions
Cons
- Doesn't feature a retractable cord like many rice cookers. This downside of the Zojirushi NP-GBC05-XT is, however, more than compensated for with a detachable cord that also makes it easy to move the rice cooker from place to place.
- Falls on the pricier side of rice cookers
Conclusion
Regardless of your rice cooker needs, you cannot go wrong with the Zojirushi NP-GBC05-XT. The rice cooker performs excellently, makes a variety of rice dishes, cleans easily, and is simple to operate. In addition to that, the rice cooker also comes highly rated by its users. Therefore, you'll be getting a product that has been proven to deliver customer satisfaction when you buy the Zojirushi NP-GBC05-XT rice cooker.
9. Tiger JNP-S18U HU Rice Cooker Review
- Cooking capacity: 3, 4, 5.5, 8, and 10 cups models available
If you have a large family or host dinner parties regularly, you probably know how difficult it is to prepare enough rice to satisfy a hungry crowd. You would have to be an expert cook to whip up a perfect batch of rice enough for a large crowd over a stovetop. And when using a rice cooker, you'll have to make several batches and figure out a way of keeping one batch warm as you prepare another.
But luckily for all the rice lovers out there, the Tiger JNP-S18U HU offers the perfect solution for preparing large quantities of rice. This rice cooker takes away all of the fuss of making large rice batches and allows you to prepare enough rice to feed as many as 20 people in one go.
Rice from this cooker also comes out perfect and delicious enough to satisfy even the most sophisticated of palates.
Features of the Tiger JNP-S18U HU Rice Cooker
The great thing about the Tiger JNP-S18U HU 10-Cup rice cooker is that it takes simplicity to a whole new level. With this rice cooker, you'll not have to spend a great deal of time learning a complicated control panel or even have to select specific settings when cooking.
All you have to do is measure your rice and water, pour them into the Tiger JNP-S18U HU, press the on button, and the rice cooker will take care of the rest. Once all of the ingredients are in, the Tiger JNP-S18U HU works out the weight of the rice and keeps track of the steam it will need to ensure the rice comes out fluffy, tasty, and aromatic. Whether you're cooking white, sushi, brown, or mixed rice, this rice cooker will be able to deliver excellent results.
Another great feature of the Tiger JNP-S18U HU is an automatic keep warm setting that kicks in as soon as your rice is done. This setting keeps rice warm for up to 12 hours without drying the rice, making it soggy, or interfering with its flavor. With this feature, your family or guests will always have a hot plate of rice available whenever they're ready to eat.
Pros
- The cooker is built to last with many users reporting over a decade of reliable and consistent service
- Provides easy clean up afterwards
- Can be used to make 2 to 10 cups of rice
- Features a clever ventilation system that keeps the right amount of moisture in the pan to prevent water from boiling over even with a full pot
Cons
- There don't seem to be many complaints from users regarding the functionality of this rice cooker. However, a few users have expressed unhappiness over the cooker quitting to work after a short while and accessories failing to match the cooker's color.
Conclusion
Thanks to its convenient features, ease of use, easy cleanup, and large size, the Tiger JNP-S18U HU makes the perfect appliance for making crowd-pleasing rice. If you want a rice cooker that allows you the flexibility of making family dinners as well as prepare delicious food for dinner parties, this rice cooker makes the perfect buy.
10. Zojirushi NS-YAC10 Umami Micom Rice Cooker Review
- Cooking capacity: 5.5 cups or 10 cups models available
The Zojirushi NS-YAC10 umami micom rice cooker is a beautiful, sleek machine that gives you plenty of room to grow your culinary skills. If you're a gifted cook who loves rice and likes to try out various rice recipes and probably invent a few more, this rice cooker may just be the appliance that will satisfy your cooking creativity.
Features of the Zojirushi NS-YAC10 Umami Micom Rice Cooker
The hallmark of the Zojirushi NS-YAC10 rice cooker is the Umami setting that allows you to enjoy a whole new side of rice. Also referred to as savory in terms of taste, Umami is considered to be the 5th taste after sourness, sweetness, bitterness, and saltiness.
This rice cooker's Umami setting soaks and steams rice for longer to bring out its savory flavor. And further complementing the Umami rice setting are several pre-set functions for making porridge, white, sweet, brown, sushi, and mixed rice. Also included is a GABA brown rice setting that slowly cooks brown rice to bring out its nutty flavor and make it soft and fluffy. These rice settings combined are perhaps the best features of the Zojirushi NS-YAC10 as they allow you to make rice in nearly every imaginable form.
Other than its rice settings, the Zojirushi NS-YAC10 also has several other features that make it a great buy. For example, the cooker has a few other settings that help to add on to the machine's versatility. These include 3 cooking options (rinse-free, quick cooking, and slow cook), and 2 delay timer settings.
Additionally, the Zojirushi NS-YAC10 features fuzzy logic technology that takes the guesswork out of rice cooking, an easy-to-read LCD panel with clock, a detachable and washable inner lid, an easy-to-clean non-stick, black inner cooking pan, and automatic keep warm, extended keep warm, and reheating cycles.
Pros
- Uses melodies to alert you when rice starts cooking and when it finishes
- Automatically adjusts cooking time and temperature for best results
- Suitable for both smaller (5.5-cup) and larger (10-cup) families
- Has solidly built parts
- The cooker's slow cook setting can be used to make soups
- Features a spherical inner cooking pan with heating system that helps to enhance the cooker's cooking capability
Cons
- Power cord is not retractable
- The GABA rice setting cooks quite slowly
Conclusion
Everything about the Zojirushi NS-YAC10 Umami Micom Rice Cooker is perfect. This appliance brings out the best flavors of white and brown rice, provides a great, fuss-free user experience, and cooks fast. What's more, the rice cooker is easy to clean, promises years of quality service due to its resilient build, and even comes with one of the most detailed user manuals despite being so easy to operate.
The Zojirushi NS-YAC10 has even received numerous positive reviews from users and reviewers alike. Therefore, you can take the features and benefits of this rice cooker into consideration, as well as read the available reviews to draw your own conclusions as to whether it would make a worthwhile buy for you.
Rice Cooker Technologies - What Do They Mean?
If you're looking for a rice cooker that will help you make simple plain rice, a conventional cooker will do. However, if you want a rice cooker that will provide you with the freedom to make a variety of rice dishes, it's advisable to go for the other options. More advanced rice cookers provide all the versatility you will need to try out whatever recipes you have in mind.
While features that come with various rice cookers differ, the most commonly used rice cooker technologies include:
Conventional / Traditional Rice Cookers
This is by far the simplest and oldest type of rice cooker technology. It's nothing more than a vessel for cooking rice. Conventional rice cookers simply run a cooking cycle, turn off and keep the rice warm when done. As a result, they're only suitable for slow rice cooking and cannot be used for intricate rice recipes.
Micom Computerized Rice Cookers
Micro computerized rice cookers are fitted with a computer chip, which analyzes current cooking conditions and makes on-the-fly adjustments. Simply put, the chip enables the rice cooker to make judgment calls similar to those that an experienced cook would make.
Induction Heat (IH) and Micom Rice Cookers
These cookers are fitted with both the micom and induction heating technologies. The IH technology works by passing electric current through coils around the inner pan. This results in the entire pan heating up evenly.
The benefit of this technology is that it prevents issues such as overcooking and undercooking by ensuring the sides, bottom, and top areas of the pan are heated with the exact same temperature.
IH and Micom rice cookers are superior to the conventional and micro computerized models in the sense that they have quicker response times, which result in better tasting rice.
Pressure, Induction Heating and Micom Rice Cookers
These are the most superior types of rice cookers. They're fitted with the Micom and IH technologies, as well as a pressurized heating system that raises the cooking temperature to a higher level.
In addition to the benefits of Micom and IH technologies, this type of rice cooker also offers the benefits of pressurized heating. Pressurized heating alters the structure of starch in each grain of rice. This in turn makes rice cook faster and end up with a softer texture. What's more, rice from a pressure, IH, and Micom rice cooker is easy to digest and lasts for a long time without going bad.
Other Important Factors to Consider When Shopping For The Best Rice Cooker
Capacity of Rice Cooker
When buying a rice cooker, you'll want to ensure that the chosen cooker can produce enough rice to feed the number of people in your home in one go. Otherwise, you'll be forced to cook several rounds of rice to produce enough food for one meal.
When comparing capacities given in terms of uncooked rice, keep in mind that rice doubles up after cooking. For instance, a 3-cup capacity cooker will produce around 6 cups of rice and is therefore ideal for feeding a family of 5.
However, similar sized rice cookers from different brands tend to deliver different amounts of rice. For example, although Japanese rice cookers are known to produce some of the best tasting rice, they usually have a smaller capacity compared to other brands. A 3/4-cup of rice in a Japanese rice cooker is about 1 cup of a standard American one.
What Do You Intend To Cook With The Rice Cooker?
It's also important to determine what you intend to cook with a rice cooker before making a purchase. By doing so, you'll be able to find a unit to suit your cooking patterns.
For instance, do you plan to cook different types of rice? If so, the ideal rice cooker would be one that has multiple settings for different types of rice as well as cooking speeds that range from slow to fast.
Alternatively, if you plan to cook other dishes with the rice, a unit with a mixed rice setting is the best way to go. This setting allows you to cook rice together with vegetables, meats, and other ingredients.
Additionally, a unit with a steamer tray and porridge setting will be highly beneficial, as it will allow you to steam vegetables as well as prepare oats.
What Type Of Inner Cooking Pan Should You Go For?
The most common types of rice cooker pans include:
- Spherical pan with heating system
- Pan with non-stick interior
- Pan with stay cool side handles
If you're looking for rice cooker that provides easy clean up, the non-stick interior is the way to go.
However, if you want great results with each use, you should go for the spherical pan with an integrated heating system.
Additionally, the cool side handles pan option safer serving and maneuvering even when the rice cooker is hot.
Some rice cookers combine 2 or all of the mentioned cooking pan designs, allowing you to enjoy effortless cleaning, safety during use, and perfectly cooked rice time after time.
Therefore, you should be on the lookout for such options when shopping for a rice cooker.
What Warming Function Do You Need?
Rice cookers usually offer 3 keep warm options. These include:
- Automatic Keep Warm Function
Models featuring this function, automatically switch to the "keep warm" mode when rice is done cooking. This mode maintains the food at a warm temperature for a certain amount of time. The duration at which the food will remain hot varies among different rice cooker brands and models.
- Extended Keep Warm Function
Similar to the keep warm function, this function ensures rice doesn't become cold once it has finished cooking. However, the extended keep warm function will keep rice hot for longer periods lasting up to 12 hours or more.
- Reheating Cycle
This function warms rice to appropriate temperature and then maintains the heat. If rice is a regular meal in your home, a rice cooker with an automatic or extended keep warm function (or both) will be a worthwhile investment. However, if you eat rice occasionally, the reheating cycle feature will do.
Ease of Use
Overall, rice cookers are not complicated to operate. However, the degree of user-friendliness varies from one model to the next, even for appliances made by the same manufacturer. For instance, some models feature touch screen controls while others are operated by pressing buttons.
Choosing which mode of operation works best for you in terms of user friendliness ultimately come down to personal preference. A few features to go for when looking for an easy to use rice cooker include:
- A clock
- Delay timer
- LCD display
- Melody signals/alerts
- Detachable or retractable cord
What Is Your Budget? And How Much Counter Top Space Do You Have?
Going rice cooker shopping without a budget in mind can cause you to spend more than you anticipated. So, make sure to settle on an acceptable price range before you start your rice cooker hunt. The good news is that rice cookers are very affordable and come in a price range of $20 to $500 or more. Therefore, finding a good model within your budget is not difficult. The trick is to do extensive research on various models within your price range. This will give you an idea of the features to expect and help you find a great bargain.
Additionally, if you have a large kitchen, any rice cooker option, whether big or small, will be a good fit for your home. For those who have cramped kitchens, it's important to measure the available counter top space before buying a rice cooker hunt. This will enable you to get a rice cooker that fits well into its appointed space without making it difficult for you to maneuver around and store things.
Rice Cooker Frequently Asked Questions
People who are shopping for the best rice cooker for their needs usually have a lot of questions to ask about these machines. So, to answer the questions that are probably running around in your head, here are some of the most commonly asked questions along with their answers.
Do I Really Need A Rice Cooker?
Do I Need To Spend A Lot To Get A Quality Rice Cooker?
What Rice Cooker Capacity Should I Purchase For A Family Of Four?
What Are The Most Important Features To Look For?
What Is The Right Amount Of Water To Add In A Rice Cooker?
Should I Get A Rice Cooker That Can Cook Brown Rice And Other Types Of Rice?
Can I Season Rice In A Rice Cooker?
What Does Non-Stick Coating Mean?
What Do The Automatic And Extended Keep Warm Functions Do?
Do I Really Need A Rice Cooker With A Delay Timer Feature?
What Are The Common Accessories That A Rice Cooker Come With?
Shopping for the best rice cooker can be quite daunting initially – true. However, this rice cooker guide has combined all the information you'll need to start your hunt for a quality rice-cooking machine. Hopefully the information provided here will help you find the model that's best suited for your needs without too much stress.