The 7 Best Rice Cookers to Buy Now
This handy kitchen appliance is a time-saver that turns out perfect rice every time.
Add a rice cooker to your kitchen tools and the answer to the age-old question "what's for dinner?" will be easy—rice bowls or any of the many dinners built around rice. Not only are rice cookers acknowledged as the best (and easiest) way to cook rice, "When you explore rice cookers, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the myriad of possibilities beyond just conventional rice cooking," says Nisha Melvani, RDN, plant-based registered dietitian nutritionist and cookbook author. "The versatility of this appliance extends far beyond its name, making it a valuable addition to any kitchen."
Finding the right rice cooker for you is all about finding the sweet spot that matches your needs and taste. A budget-friendly option ($20 to $50) will suffice if you only cook rice occasionally. But if you're intrigued by the additional possibilities and crave one-pot culinary adventures, set your sights on a mid-range ($50 to $150) to higher-end ($150 to $500) rice cooker. To make selecting the right model easier, we're sharing the best rice cookers of 2023.
Related: Yes, You Should Wash Rice Before Cooking It—Here's How
Aroma 20-Cup Programmable Rice & Grain Multi-Cooker
Courtesy of Walmart
This rice cooker is a go-to for those on a budget. It's simple, effective, and has settings for multiple kinds of rice. You can also use it to steam vegetables.
Price at time of publish: $40
Cuckoo 6-Cup Micom Rice Cooker
Courtesy of Amazon
One of the most versatile rice cookers, the Cuckoo 6-Cup Micom Rice cooker makes sticky and scorched brown rice. Take the time to preprogram it and it'll even soak grains. In addition to cooking rice, porridge, and baby food, you can use the keep warm function until you're ready to eat. It has an auto-clean function, and the inner bucket is dishwasher-safe.
Price at time of publish: $95
Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker
Courtesy of Target
Zojirushi rice cookers are a favorite of many for their durability and reliable performance. While this rice cooker is pricey, it stands out because of its fuzzy logic technology. That means it has a computer chip that helps it to automatically adjust the cooking time and temperature to ensure perfectly cooked rice. Another plus, the detachable inner lid is dishwasher safe, making clean-up a snap.
Price at time of publish: $243
GreenPan Elite Ceramic Nonstick Induction Rice Cooker
Courtesy of Sur La Table
We love the stay cool touch on this rice cooker—and the keep warm function makes busy weeknight dinners with kids coming and going from active school activities easier. The ceramic interior is both nonstick and nontoxic, which makes clean up easier. And like other rice cooker options, this model does more than simply cook rice; you can also use it for quinoa, steel-cut oats, and soup.
Price at time of publish: $200
Aroma Select Stainless Rice Cooker & Warmer With Uncoated Inner Pot
Courtesy of Amazon
A slightly smaller option from Aroma, this model features a nontoxic, sturdy uncoated stainless steel inner pot, ensuring safe and reliable cooking.
Price at time of publish: $33
Hamilton Beach Rice and Hot Cereal Cooker
Courtesy of Walmart
A favorite of many home chefs, the Hamilton Beach Rice and Hot Cereal Cooker, is a budget-friendly option for one-pot cooking. This rice cooker can make rice, cereal and other grains and it can also steam seafood, chicken, and vegetables while it is cooking rice.
Price at time of publish: $53
Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1
Courtesy of Amazon
Don't forget to consider the Instant Pot. The brand is known for multi-cookers but offers rice cooker functions in many of their models, Melvani says. The Instant Pot Duo 9-in-1 is a rice cooker as well as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, and more. It is also compact and user-friendly, making it ideal for those looking for a versatile kitchen tool.
Price at time of publish: $70
