If you're serious about rice and want one machine that does everything right, this is it. The induction heating alone makes a noticeable difference over basic models, and the customizable Keep Warm setting is a game-changer for meal prep.
What holds up
Induction heating warms the entire pot evenly, eliminating scorched bottoms
Handles everything from short-grain white rice to brown rice, oatmeal, and quinoa
Customizable Keep Warm setting preserves rice quality for hours
Most affordable Zojirushi with both induction heating and heavy cooking pot
Countdown timer visible from start to finish
What to know
White rice can take up to an hour; brown rice up to two hours
Expensive at ~$300-$400 compared to budget options
No retractable cord like some older Zojirushi models
Expert verdict
It's the most affordable Zojirushi to feature an induction heating system and an upgraded heavy cooking pot. To top it all off, its Keep Warm setting is customizable.
Rice that came out of the Zojirushi was always evenly cooked; it was fluffy, perfectly tender, and just overall better than the rice we made in non-induction machine. It also never stuck to the bottom of the pot.
Don't overthink it. Serious Eats tested a pile of rice cookers and this $67 machine came out on top overall. If you just want great rice without spending $300, this is your answer.
What holds up
Fastest full-sized rice cooker tested by Serious Eats
Produces evenly cooked grains across rice varieties
Unbeatable value at under $70
Simple two-setting panel (White Rice and Quick White Rice) is easy to use
What to know
Only two rice settings, no brown rice preset or specialty modes
No fuzzy logic to compensate for measuring errors
No induction heating, so less precise temperature control
Expert verdict
The Hamilton Beach Rice Cooker's control panel is elementary compared to its competitors (there are only two settings for rice: White Rice and Quick White Rice), but it excelled in every test, producing well-cooked and evenly cooked grains faster than any full-sized machine we tested.
This is the rice cooker that converted skeptics in professional test kitchens for years. The fuzzy logic isn't marketing fluff, it genuinely saves batches when your water measurement is off, which happens more than you'd think.
What holds up
Fuzzy logic adjusts cook time and temperature to compensate for measuring errors
Preferred by Serious Eats test kitchen for years of daily use
Handles unique rice varieties not in presets with finesse
Produces softer, stickier rice, not ideal for those who prefer firm, dry grains
No induction heating at this price point
More expensive than basic models without the premium of full induction
Expert verdict
This has been the preferred rice cooker in our test kitchen for years. Its fuzzy logic works, and every time we've cooked with it, we're pleased with the results. It can handle minor measuring errors with finesse.
Cuckoo is the brand that rice enthusiasts recommend when someone doesn't want to spend Zojirushi money but still wants smart cooking technology. The 'My Mode' customization is a standout feature at this price.
What holds up
GABA rice preset, rare at this price point
Customizable 'My Mode' setting for personalized cooking
Strong community following and brand reputation
MICOM technology adjusts cooking for consistent results
What to know
Minor complaints about rice quality in testing, may need tinkering to optimize
Fewer settings than comparable Zojirushi models
Less widely tested by major review outlets than Zojirushi
Expert verdict
Cuckoo Rice Cookers have a big fan base, and I think their loyal following will be very happy with this new offering. In addition to some great presets (including GABA rice), the cooking functions can be customized with the 'My Mode' setting.
At $24, this is the easiest recommendation in the category. If you cook for one or live in a dorm, there's no reason to spend more. The community loves it for its size, simplicity, and surprisingly fast cook times.
What holds up
Ultra-compact 1.5-cup capacity, perfect for single servings
One-button operation with automatic Keep Warm mode
One of the fastest small cookers tested
Affordable at ~$24; available in fun colors like aqua, yellow, and pink
What to know
Cooks unevenly, some mushy spots and some al dente spots reported
No audible notification when cooking is complete
Thin nonstick coating wears out quickly with frequent use
Expert verdict
The Dash Mini Rice Cooker is our favorite rice cooker for one. Its maximum capacity is 1.5 cups of dry rice, perfect if you cook for yourself or just hate dealing with leftovers. Its cook time was on par with the Zojirushi 3-Cup, making it one of the fastest small cookers we tested.
This ultra-compact rice cooker is popular for its adorable size and simplicity. Beyond single servings of rice, people use it for oatmeal, soups, steamed veggies and even pancakes.
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