If you’re a rice fan, chances are it makes its way to your dining table regularly. It’s a staple food that can be cooked in many ways without you ever getting bored.
Now cooking the best rice depends on two things: first, the quality of rice, and second, the technique. While we do love our traditional ways of boiling the rice and later straining it, the results are anything but consistent. Not to forget time-consuming.
A perfect rice bowl is actually quite difficult to describe- it should be plump and fluffy, never lumpy, starchy, or sticky, and should always taste delicious.
Enter, the best rice cooker Consumer Reviews & Reports– a personal mini chef designed to cook perfect rice every single time. Yes, with these, you can’t screw up even if you want to! But how to choose the right one when there are so many on the market. We are here to help you select the best rice cooker for 2021.
Table of Contents
The 5 Best Rice Cookers for 2021 from Consumer Reviews & Reports
Indeed, cooking is an art – one that cannot be mastered by all. But, that does not mean you should compromise on cooking if you are not a gifted chef. Thanks to modern technology, aka rice cookers, the process is foolproof and convenient.
Check out these rice cooker reviews and choose the one that best suits your home.
1. Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker
This is by far the best rice cooker that prepares all types of rice perfectly, be it white, brown, sushi, or onigiri. The appliance uses advanced Neuro-Fuzzy Logic Technology that estimates optimum moisture and temperature needed to bring out the best taste and texture.
So gather your best rice cooker recipes and let Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy cooker do all the thinking and programming while you focus on the other important tasks.
In one go, the all-rounder appliance can cook or heat up 5.5 cups of rice(uncooked) – enough to feed a large group of people. We love the big LCD screen, simple programming, and ease of use.
Thanks to the cool-to-touch handles on the inner pot, you never have to suffer painful burns. Moreover, the delay timer option available in two settings makes planning your meals so much easier.
The compact model also features an easy-to-clean pot, a retractable cord, and a melody/beep indicator alert when done.
The only downside? It takes longer to cook compared to other rice cookers. But, we assure you, it’s worth the wait. So keep your frugality aside and move on to luxury with the Zojirushi cooker.
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2. Zojirushi Induction Heating System Rice Cooker
The Zojirushi Induction Heating System rice cooker cooks rice evenly- each spoonful is perfectly the same, with no mushy or hard grains at all.
Whether you use plain white rice, Jasmine rice, or healthy options like brown rice or nutrient-packed GABA brown rice, Zojurushi got you sorted. Since there’s a separate setting for each, you can go wild and experiment with any rice grain you want.
The Quick setting option cooks rice in under 40 minutes, while the standard option takes around 90 minutes. We also love the extended warming option that can keep rice warm for as long as 8 hours.
The stainless steel exterior is sleek enough to complement all other fittings in your kitchen and is easy-breezy to clean. Moreover, it’s so compact it barely takes any space on your countertop.
Not to forget, clean-up is relatively easy due to a detachable inner lid and nonstick spherical pan. Moreover, the entire unit is manufactured in Japan, the pioneer in producing the best electronics.
Unfortunately, the inner pot doesn’t have handles. First, it makes removing the pot harder from the unit. Secondly, when you scoop the rice, the pot spins, which is quite inconvenient. Moreover, the cooker makes hissing sounds, especially during the warming stage.
Nevertheless, it’s the best small rice cooker around, sporting premium quality.
3. Toshiba Cooker 6 Cups Uncooked (3L)
Using 3D cooking technology and an innovative 6 step cooking process, this cooker by Toshiba does it all. Even if you have a history of burning your rice down to ashes, this cooker will prepare restaurant-like rice at the touch of a button.
The system starts at a moderate temperature and increases it until your rice is fully boiled. Then, it allows rice to simmer at low temperatures making it fluffy, separate, and delicious.
No more guesswork and no constant hovering in the kitchen. Use the delayed timer to set when you need fully cooked rice and the keep warm option to keep it hot for almost 24 hours.
If you are in a hurry, you can use the quick-cook feature that cuts down thirty minutes. Thanks to the intelligent sensor, the cooker adjusts the temperature and accelerates the cooking process to serve you evenly cooked rice.
Moreover, a steam vent on the top prevents over bubbling. Clean-up is quick but requires handwashing the pot since it’s nonstick.
All in all, the Toshiba Cooker is an excellent investment since it’s durable and makes perfect rice every single time.
4. TIGER 5.5-Cup (Uncooked) Micom Rice Cooker
The Tiger Micom rice cooker is ideal for the superhuman, super busy moms or those who have to manage it all – work plus home. It’s a two-in-one cooker that makes perfect rice and steams your veggies all at the same time. Intrigued, aren’t you?
Simply use the tacook dish to hold your vegetables and select the synchro-cooking option. You’ll have both meals ready and piping hot right on time.
What goes on under the hood is even more intriguing. The inbuilt computer chip monitors everything from temperatures to moisture content. Moreover, the BPA-free cooking plate ensures no flavors or chemicals travel to your food.
As a result, you get evenly cooked rice with the perfect taste and texture.
The multifunctional rice cooker is, in fact, also the best slow cooker out there. So, bring out your favorite slow cooker recipes and enjoy a hearty meal with the touch of a button.
On the negative side, we have read that the nonstick pan scratches quickly. Of course, proper washing and handling go a long way, but if the problem persists, it’s not safe to cook in a damaged pot. Moreover, there are no audible alerts to signify when rice is cooked.
Nevertheless, most customers have shared glorious reviews, and we certainly give it a thumbs up!
5. Aroma Housewares Aroma Professional Rice Cooker/Multicooker
The Aroma Professional Rice Cooker/ Multicooker is the holy grail of rice cookers. It may not be the best electric pressure cooker, but the multifunctional appliance saves you time, effort, and money since it’s an all-rounder.
The Professional appliance uses advanced induction heating technology together with turbo convection to cook your rice exactly how it should be cooked. Each grain is separate, fluffy, and has the perfect amount of firmness.
It is, undoubtedly, an affordable and versatile model that’s large enough to make 20 cups of cooked white/brown/sushi or wild rice at one time!
At the same time, the cool-touch body prevents burns.
Whether you love garlic rice, vegetable fried rice, or porridge, the sophisticated model does it all. It even makes flawless soup and stew at the touch of a button. With that said, we are yet to come across a cooker that can effortlessly bake cakes and tarts too.
Not only this, you can steam your veggies along with the rice using the steaming tray provided in the package.
Thanks to the delayed timer, you can toss in the ingredients and come to a fully cooked warm meal when you get home.
However, we are surprised to notice that the lid does not have a drip cap to catch condensation. As soon as you open the hood, condensation falls back into your food and on the countertop. Of course, if you are looking for the best small rice cooker, you can check this off the list.
Nevertheless, as long as you use the cup provided in the package and fill water up to the desired level, you can’t mess it up. Read more:
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How to Use a Rice Cooker
Now that you have gone through the best rice cooker reviews, you might be wondering how to cook rice in a rice cooker. Let me assure you; it’s no rocket science.
Whether you have been a master chef for years or just took up cooking because you’re craving a home-cooked meal, using a new appliance requires a learning curve. So, let’s get straight to the crux of the matter.
- Measure the rice you need to cook using the measuring cup included with the cooker. Usually, 1 cup of uncooked rice is enough to feed three adults.
- Next, rinse the rice under cold water. Don’t rub, or you’ll break the grains.
- Transfer to the inner pot of the cooker and add water in the ratio of 1:1. For each cup of uncooked rice, use one cup of filtered water. The instructions may vary for different models, and some have markers inside the pot to guide you.
- Select the program and let the magic begin! Wait for five minutes once your rice cooker is off to avoid steam burns, and fluff the rice up in the pot to avoid overcooking.
- Congratulations, you can enjoy a wholesome home-cooked meal!
Our Verdict
This brings us to the end of the best rice cooker reviews. To sum up, it’s evident that we love the Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy rice maker since it makes the best-tasting rice. While the price tag may be intimidating, the quality and the durability make up for it.
If that doesn’t meet your requirements, you can check out and select any of the following four models on our best rice cooker 2021 list. We assure you, you won’t be disappointed.
