The 5 best rice cookers of 2026, according to the chefs who swear by them
Craving fluffy rice? These appliances and pro tips help you nail a perfect pot.
Our experts independently review everything we recommend. If you buy through our links, we may earn commission.
Even though I'm a culinary school grad and have tested hundreds of pieces of cookware
, I've never been able to get rice quite right. Cooking it in a regular pot always led to unpredictable results, from burned on the bottom to mushy grains. To the rescue: the best rice cookers. They consistently produce excellent, fluffy rice that stays warm until you're ready to serve it. I love any kitchen appliance that falls into the set-it-and-forget-it category!
To find the models that perform best, I asked chefs what they use and recommend. The Japanese rice cooker brand Zojirushi took most of the top honors, which is no surprise: The company has been around for more than 100 years and is renowned for its consistently reliable, foolproof rice cookers. Many models also make brown rice, porridge, quinoa and more — and they can do double-duty as a steamer.
In this story
Best rice cookers of 2026
Capacity:5.5 cups uncooked rice | Size:14" D x 10.13" W x 8.5" H | Functions:Cooks various types of rice and oatmeal | Inner pot:Aluminum with nonstick coating | Accessories included:Rice spatula, spatula holder, steamer basket and measuring cup
"I've never worked with a rice cooker that didn't put out good quality cooked rice. The challenge is how versatile each cooker is depending on the rice you want to make," says Collin Hilton, the chef de cuisine at Cunningham Restaurant Group in Indianapolis, Ind. "Some aren't as user-friendly or all-encompassing, but this is my personal favorite."
Marc Spitzer, chef and partner at Okaru , in Roslyn, N.Y., also counts this Zojirushi model as his go-to. "It's easy to use and cooks perfect rice each time — nice and even with no scorched spots."
Though Hilton acknowledges this gadget is pricey, he values its versatility and reliability. "It's not necessarily the best entry-level cooker in price. But in terms of ease of use, multiple functions and always putting out great, consistent rice, I love it!"
This 5.5-cup capacity cooker has added functions for making sweet rice and porridge, steaming foods like vegetables or fish and baking cakes. It also features a retractable power cord, a removable inner lid and an easy-to-clean nonstick cooking pan. If you often cook for four people, this is a good choice.
Capacity:5.5 cups uncooked rice | Size:10" D x 9.45" W x 10" H | Functions:Cooks various types of rice and steams | Inner pot:Nonstick | Accessories included:Measuring cup, rice spatula and steamer basket
If you're not ready to commit to a pricier rice cooker, this affordable model from Toshiba is a solid pick. "I have always loved Toshiba brand rice cookers — I love the dual cooking method from top to bottom and that you can steam veggies or the odd dumpling or two inside also (frozen dumplings on top of the rice)," says Sophina Uong, chef and owner of Mister Mao in New Orleans, La. "It's non-stick so it makes cleanup sensational and the warm button is clutch."
With only two buttons to choose from — cook and warm — this is the ideal rice cooker for anyone who craves simplicity. It features a non-stick inner pot, a detachable inner lid, a detachable condensation collector and a steamer basket. The power cord is detachable and the parts come clean easily with a damp cloth.
Capacity:3 cups uncooked rice | Size:11.8" D x 9.1" W x 7.5" H | Functions:Cooks various types of rice and oatmeal | Inner pot:Aluminum with nonstick coating | Accessories included:Measuring cup, rice spatula and spatula holder
Several pros, including Teerawong "Yo" Nanthavatsiri, executive chef at BKK New York in New York City, swear by the Zojirushi NS-LGC05. "It's the ideal size for a cozy New York apartment," he says. Nanthavatsiri also advises that when choosing a rice cooker, "focus on the size that fits your needs, depending on how much you want to cook at once. Choose one that can do both cooking and warming." If you're cooking for two, a 3-cup capacity is perfect.
This compact cooker features a detachable and washable inner lid, a removable steam vent cap that allows for high-temperature cooking without overflow, a fold-down handle for transporting and a retractable power cord. The nonstick rice pot is easy to clean by hand in warm, soapy water.
The user-friendly display features a menu button that allows you to scroll through grain types and choose one before pressing start. The options include white/mixed rice, sushi rice, brown rice, GABA brown (aka sprouted) rice, long-grain white rice, steel-cut oatmeal and quick-cooking grains. There are automatic warming and reheating cycles and a programmable delayed cooking feature — just set the time you want the rice to be ready, and the machine calculates when to begin cooking on its own.
Capacity:5.5 cups uncooked rice | Size:14" D x 10" W x 8" H | Functions:Cooks various types of rice and porridge | Inner pot:Aluminum with nonstick coating | Accessories included:Measuring cup, rice spatula and spatula holder
This pricey rice cooker from Zojirushi relies on induction heating (a mechanism that generates heat within the inner pot, not just from a heating element at the bottom). It's a feature-packed model that's a favorite of Nadia Liu Spellman, founder of Dumpling Daughter . She says it works perfectly but is even better if you wash the rice first. "I like to wash, soak and drain rice two to three times until the water comes out clear. This helps remove starch that will cause the rice to stick together when cooked."
With settings for white rice (regular, softer or harder), jasmine white rice, mixed rice, sushi rice, porridge, sweet rice, brown rice, GABA brown rice and quick cooking, this gadget lets you do it all. The bright LCD control panel has a clock and a timer and is easy to read and the nonstick inner pot is a breeze to clean.
More than 3,800 shoppers have awarded it a five-star review, raving about its durability, ease of use and the texture of the rice. "If you love yourself and want to feel like royalty, get this rice cooker, I'm begging," wrote one very enthusiastic fan .
Capacity:5.5 cups uncooked rice | Size:13" D x 10.1" W x 8.1 "H | Functions:Cooks various types of rice and porridge | Inner pot:Aluminum with nonstick coating | Accessories included:Two measuring cups, rice spatula and spatula holder
"Hands down, I'm obsessed with the Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy. It's like the gold standard of rice cookers — it's smart (it uses 'fuzzy logic' to adjust cooking times and temps), super reliable and makes perfect rice every single time," raves Peter Som , lifestyle expert and cookbook author . "Whether I'm making jasmine rice, brown rice or even porridge, it just gets it right. Plus, it keeps rice warm for hours without drying it out or getting that weird crusty bottom. It's a bit of a splurge, but it's one of those appliances you'll use all the time and wonder how you lived without."
The Neuro Fuzzy is exceptionally smart: It's equipped with a computer chip that automatically adjusts the cooking time and temperature based on how the rice is cooking, whether there is too much or too little water and the level of heat and humidity in the air. This technology is found in many Zojirushi cookers.
Along with settings for white rice (regular/sushi, softer or harder), mixed rice, porridge, sweet rice, semi-brown rice, brown rice, rinse-free and quick cooking, there's an LCD clock and timer, a retractable cord and a nonstick inner pot with stay-cool handles. This model is often mentioned as the best rice cooker for brown rice.
Factors to consider when choosing a rice cooker
Spitzer offers this advice: "Buy the best rice cooker you can, as opposed to trying to save money and ending up with a rice cooker that burns out quickly or, even worse, burns the rice or has uneven cooking." Keep the following factors in mind:
-
Capacity:Before buying one of these gadgets, assess your needs, specifically the quantity of rice you cook most often. Chef and author Jet Tila says, "What's the average number of people you are cooking for? Remember, cooked rice yields three times the dry amount, and the amount the average person eats per serving is about a half-cup dry or 1.5 cups cooked," he explains. "You probably need less capacity than you think." Most home models range from 3 to 10 cups, adds Rick Mace, chef and owner of Tropical Smokehouse in West Palm Beach, Fla. "These appliances are designed to perfectly cook a certain amount of rice, and perform the best when that is followed. Too much or too little and your results may vary," he says. When considering rice cooker size, you shouldn't opt for a 6-cup capacity if you regularly need only 3 cups.
-
"These appliances are designed to perfectly cook a certain amount of rice, and perform the best when that is followed. Too much or too little and your results may vary. Sizes range from 3 to 10 cups for most home models," says Mace. When considering rice cooker size, you shouldn't opt for a 6-cup capacity if you regularly need only 3 cups.
-
Convenience:When it comes to appliances, you want an intuitive display and a machine that can adjust cooking time and temperature as needed. Products that easily wipe clean or have parts that can go in the dishwasher are best, so you don't need to worry about stuck-on food.
-
Features:Do you want a rice cooker that simply cooks fluffy rice and keeps it warm or one that also makes porridge, steams fish and vegetables and bakes cake? These added features can be nice to have, but they also usually cost more.
How we chose these rice cookers
We consulted with eight professional chefs for their tips and product recommendations. If they use a specific model in their own homes or in their restaurant kitchens, we wanted to hear about it! We then researched each appliance, checking its specs, price and reviews from real-life shoppers. All the products here come highly rated and deliver great value for the money.
Rice cooker FAQs
Which rice cooker is better, Zojirushi or Cuckoo?
This is debatable as both Japanese rice cooker brands offer high-quality models and have many fans with strong opinions. Cuckoo rice cookers tend to have more settings and offer more control over how you cook a particular type of rice, while most Zojirushi cookers are more user-friendly. Both brands will produce excellent rice, though we should note none of the chefs we spoke to named Cuckoo cookers as their favorite.
How long should you cook rice in a rice cooker?
Always consult the appliance instructions and settings and use them as your guide when determining how long to cook rice.
What is the perfect water-to-rice ratio?
The perfect ratio of water to rice depends on the type of rice you're using. You may have heard the rule of 1:1 or one cup of water to one cup of rice. This works well with long-grain rice, but heartier grains like brown rice may require more water and jasmine rice may require a bit less. Many rice cookers provide a measuring cup for rice and have water fill lines on the inside of the cooking pan to offer guidance. For best results, follow the instructions that come with the rice cooker for the type of rice you are making.
Meet our experts
-
Collin Hilton, chef, Cunningham Restaurant Group
-
Rick Mace, chef/owner, Tropical Smokehouse
-
Teerawong "Yo" Nanthavatsiri, chef, BKK New York
-
Peter Som , lifestyle expert and cookbook author
-
Nadia Liu Spellman, founder, Dumpling Daughter
-
Marc Spitzer, chef and partner, Okaru
-
Jet Tila , chef, author and cookware designer
-
Sophina Uong, chef/owner, Mister Mao
Update, June 19, 2026: We checked the prices and availability of all products. Our No. 1 pick for the best rice cooker remains unchanged.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
