If you've tried to cook your favourite grains or rice [1] on the stove, you know how difficult it is to get the consistency and texture just right. Sometimes it comes out too dry, and other times, it's too squishy and watery. Investing in a high-quality rice cooker takes care of most of the hard work in cooking your grain of choice. Rice cookers are an underrated kitchen tool that will make your life a little easier and meals a little more delish. We rounded up the best rice cookers on the market so you can choose the best one for your lifestyle needs.
These nifty kitchen appliances [2] can cook a variety of kinds of rice and grains, everything from basmati rice, brown rice, quinoa, couscous, and more. They are quite versatile; all you need is the appropriate amount of water. We found a variety of rice cookers ranging in different price points, sizes and capacities, and more. Some are even multifunctional and double as steamers! Shop our top picks ahead.
Best Budget Rice Cooker: Black+Decker Uncooked Rice Cooker
If you're in the market for a no-frills, budget-friendly rice cooker, the Black+Decker Uncooked Rice Cooker [4] ($20-$50) is a bestseller on Amazon. It comes in three- to 28-cup capacities. Once the rice is cooked, the appliance automatically switches to keep-warm mode, so your rice stays hot until you're ready to serve. It has a nonstick inner pot, a measuring cup, a plastic rice spoon, and a food steaming basket.
A Multifunctional Cooker: Aroma Housewares Pot-Style Rice Cooker
The Aroma Housewares Pot-Style Rice Cooker [5] ($16-$20, originally $20-$24) comes with a food steamer basket. You'll be able to cook your grains while steaming veggies, fish, and other food for a complete meal. This rice cooker automatically switches to a keep-warm setting, so your food stays warm until it's ready to serve. It has a two- to six-cup capacity. It comes in black, red, and white.
Best Mini Rice Cooker: Dash Mini Rice Cooker Steamer
The Dash Mini Rice Cooker [6] ($25-$33) is great for serving one to two people. It has a nonstick inner pot that can be used to cook a variety of grains or even steam and warm up soups, stews, veggies, and more. It has the ability to keep your food warm until it's ready to serve. It comes with a measuring cup and a rice spoon, plus it comes in a variety of fun colours.
A Zojirushi Rice Cooker: Zojirushi Electric Rice Cooker
If you're quite particular about your rice and grain texture, the Zojirushi Electric Rice Cooker [7] ($154) is a splurge that's worth it. It has the ability to sense the grain-to-water ratio and make fine adjustments accordingly to cook perfect rice every time. It has dedicated settings for white or mixed rice, sushi rice, porridge, sweet rice, and brown rice. Plus, it has a rinse-free setting, a quick-cooking setting, and a keep-warm setting. It can hold up to five and a half cups of uncooked rice.
Best Electric Rice Cooker: Oster DiamondForce Nonstick 6-Cup Electric Rice Cooker
The Oster DiamondForce Nonstick 6-Cup Electric Rice Cooker [8] ($25) is one of the best electric rice cookers on the market. It has a nonstick inner pot that has a six-cup cooked-rice capacity. It comes with an additional food steamer that's perfect for simultaneously cooking veggies, fish, and more. It's easy to use with a one-touch operation. Once your food is done cooking, it automatically switches to keep-warm mode.
Best Aroma Rice Cooker: Aroma Digital Multicooker & Rice Cooker
The Aroma 20 Cup Digital Multicooker & Rice Cooker [9] ($43) is a multifunctional and versatile rice cooker that can cook a variety of rice and grains. It has a four- to 20-cup capacity and dedicated settings for white rice, multigrains, oatmeal, steaming, and sautéing. It comes with a separate food steamer, so you can prepare your meals all at once. You can also set up a delayed timer for flexible cooking times.
For Multiple Grains: Instant Pot Zest Plus
If you consume a whole variety of grains, the Instant Pot Zest Plus [10] ($57) is a multifunctional rice cooker that can do it all. It has preprogrammed settings for cooking white rice, brown rice, mixed grains, quinoa, barley, couscous, oatmeal, and risotto. It even has settings to sauté, steam, slow cook and keep warm, so you can cook and prep veggies and side dishes all in the same appliance. This doesn't have the ability to pressure cook, but it comes with a steamer tray, a rice measuring cup, and a rice spoon.