The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Rice Cooker: My Top Picks

After testing an impressive lineup of 41 rice cookers, I’m excited to share my top four recommendations that cater to different needs and budgets. Having relied on rice cookers since my college days, I can attest to the convenience they bring to meal prep, ensuring perfectly cooked rice every time.

Best Overall: Hamilton Beach 7-Cup Digital Programmable Rice Cooker

The Hamilton Beach 7-Cup Digital Programmable Rice Cooker stands out as the best choice for most home cooks. Priced at just $70, it comfortably holds up to 14 cups of cooked rice and delivers impressive results. It excels particularly in cooking brown rice, yielding grains with the perfect texture, while also performing admirably with long-grain basmati. It cooks rice faster than many pricier models, with white rice ready in about 35 minutes.

Premium Choice: Zojirushi NP-HCC10

If you're serious about your rice, the Zojirushi NP-HCC10 is a worthy splurge. Recognized for its consistently perfect rice, this model uses advanced Micom technology and induction heating to ensure even cooking. With a 5.5-cup capacity, it’s ideal for small gatherings and offers multiple settings for different rice types, making it perfect for enthusiasts willing to invest in quality.

New Contenders: GreenPan and KitchenAid

The latest models I tested include the GreenPan Advanced 8-Cup Rice Cooker and the KitchenAid Compact Grain and Rice Cooker. The GreenPan impressed with its PFAS-free ceramic nonstick pot, making it a great option for health-conscious cooks. Conversely, the KitchenAid model didn’t live up to its price point, as its performance fell short compared to others in the lineup.

Source: www.bonappetit.com