The best rice cookers of 2025, according to chefs

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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 3,600 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 | 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.