Why we all need a rice cooker in our kitchen arsenal Because the perfect bowl of fluffy rice can transform a meal from quick stomach filler to dinner party perfection. However, it is very easy to undercook or overcook rice. This leaves it soft or crunchy rather than fluffy. Luckily, we’ve found the best rice cooker to gobble up bags of grains, from sushi rice to risotto, Buddha bowls to brown rice.

The ideal rice cooker should be simple to use and be consistent in producing the perfect grain every time. So does spending more mean tastier rice? Or are affordable brands following the techniques of generations of Asian home cooks proving that simplicity pays? To find out, we tested the latest rice cookers from leading brands like Yum Asia, Russell Hobbs, Ninja, Tefal and more. You can read our full review of the ten best machines below, with lots of details on the best features. But if you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at our top five:

What are the best rice cookers of 2024? at a glance

What to pay attention to in a rice cooker

The first thing you need to consider is what size rice cooker will work best for your home. Most instruments measure rice in cups, with the ratio of one cup of rice to one cup of water. So mini rice cookers usually make one or two servings. “Investing in a rice cooker ensures you get perfect, consistent rice with zero effort,” says Rahel Stephanie, chef at Indonesian supper club Spoons.

There is some crossover with other kitchen appliances: Some chefs like to use a slow cooker to prepare rice, and you can read our guide to these multi-purpose machines here. Many of the leading kitchen brands, including Instant, Lakeland and Russell Hobbs, produce both rice cookers and slow cookers. Those who have limited space in the closet can of course use the quality frying pans or pots to prepare risotto with the right bite.

Basic rice cookers have a single on/off switch; more advanced models have ‘delay start’ as well as various settings for white and brown rice and other grains. Multi-cookers with a rice cooking function can prepare a complete meal by steaming fish, chicken or vegetables, for example, while also preparing your grains.

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How I tested the best rice cookers