Whether it’s white, brown, or mixed, if rice is one of the main foods in your diet, then it may be worth investing in a rice cooker. Rice is actually one of the hardest foods to get done right and there are many rice cookers available today that can easily cook a perfect batch. We took a look at some of the best Japanese rice cookers in the market and wrote a comprehensive review on the top 10 models.
Why Japanese Rice Cookers?
For years, Japanese companies have been providing the best rice cookers for most Asian countries. Japanese food is known to pack unique tastes in the smallest details and at the very foundation of it is rice, the staple food of most Asian countries.
Japanese companies have gone through countless research and development to create rice cookers that can perfect the art of rice and bring out it’s full flavor. In fact, Japanese rice cookers are so well known that many people often visit Japan with intentions of bringing one back home. Fortunately, many of the best models can be bought online and customized with the appropriate voltages.
Types of Rice Cookers
Standard Electric Rice Cookers
The standard electric rice cooker comes with the basic function of cooking rice. It usually has one button to start cooking rice and uses electric coils on the bottom to heat up the bowl. These cook the rice for a fixed amount of time and don't have any sensors to adjust the temperature and the cooking process. Technology has progressed and there are many rice cookers with higher quality and advanced functions, so the standard electric rice cookers have become one of the cheapest choices in the market.
Micom Rice Cooker
The micom rice cookers are the most common type you’ll see being sold. These are one step up from the simple rice cooker and have a built-in microcontroller (micom) with a screen for better cooking quality and user experience.
The biggest difference between the micom rice cooker and the previous types is the fuzzy logic technology, which allows the rice cooker to adjust the temperature and cooking time during the entire process. This results in much better rice quality and can adjust for different capacities of rice.
Micom Induction Heater
The next level from a micom rice cooker is the innovation of induction heating. Even with the micom technology, you sometimes get soggier and drier parts of the rice when cooking with electrical heating. This is because the heat is delivered to the container from one source, usually at the bottom.
With induction heating, the electricity is converted to magnetic fields, which then heats up the pot directly, making the entire container the heat source. This results in a more uniform heat distribution and with the microcontroller and fuzzy logic technology, the IH heating has the potential to cook many different types of rice in various ways.
Micom Pressurized IH Rice Cooker
The most advanced models out today are the micom pressurized IH rice cookers. On top of controlling the temperature and cooking time, these can control the pressure inside the cooker as well. This is possible by locking down the lid and completely sealing the inside, allowing the cooker to control and maintain the pressure. With this, many more possibilities are opened.
With standard rice cookers, the water inside boils, turns into steam, and evaporates away, which prevents the temperature inside from exceeding 212F (100C). With pressure cookers, the water can’t boil and evaporate away, since the container is shut tight, so the temperature can exceed 212F.
This detail is important because at higher temperatures, the beta starch in rice becomes alpha starch, which is the main ingredient responsible for making the rice softer, easier to digest, and taste better.
Rice Cooker Buying Guide
When choosing the right rice cooker for your home, here are some things to consider.
What Type of Rice do you Eat?
When considering what rice cooker to buy, the most important aspect is whether it’s made to cook the type of rice you eat. This isn’t a problem if you eat white rice, since most rice cookers can cook white rice by default, but for those that consider brown rice or jasmine rice their main, you’ll have to do a bit more research about the rice cooker before making your purchase.
Capacity
The next thing to look for in a rice cooker is the capacity, which may depend mostly on the number of household members. You’ll want to choose a size that’s not small enough to require making multiple batches every meal, but also not too big so that you’ll be eating leftover rice for the next couple of days. Rice cookers can keep rice warm for a couple hours, but eating yesterday’s batch doesn’t quite taste the same as one that’s freshly made.
On average, a 3 cup capacity is a good size for 1-2 people. For a small family, a 5-cup rice cooker is good. For bigger families or commercial use, 10-cup capacity and over is recommended. If you’re stuck choosing two sizes, it’s usually a better idea to go for the bigger one since most rice cookers can cook less rice than the full capacity.
Delay Timer
For many busy people, this might be the main deciding factor. Having a delay timer for when to cook your rice is quite important since it takes around an hour to cook. This mean that if you don't start the process early on, you may end up waiting for your rice to finish when everything else is already prepared.
By setting a delay timer, you can prepare your rice beforehand and save an incredible amount of time. Most timers are set by hours from the current time, but more advanced models allow you to choose the specific time and date for more accuracy.
Taste and Quality
Once you’ve decided on the size and type of rice, it’s time to discuss the quality of the rice. Many people wouldn’t care too much about the taste, but once you try really good rice, you’ll definitely start to think about this more.
For this, you'll want to get a model that has IH or induction heating. IH uses the cooking pan itself as a heating source to cook the rice, resulting in a more even distribution. Combining this with fuzzy logic technology, the rice cooker can automatically adjust the cooking temperature and time get the perfect batch.
Easy to Clean
This is a small detail, but an important one since cleaning the rice cooker is a part of maintaining it. Look for a model that has a removable lid so that you can easily clean every corner.
Another point to watch out for is the nonstick coating on the cooking pan. The coating may wear out over time on some cheaper models, so it's important to confirm this before making your purchase.
Multi-Purpose Rice Cooker
Some believe that any kitchen appliance shouldn't just be limited to one thing. Many rice cookers can cook different types of rice and porridge, but some advanced models can also double up as a slow cooker, steamer, and even for baking bread!
Types of Rice Cookers
Best Value: Zojirushi NP-GBC05XT
Micom IH
From our analysis, we found the Zojirushi NP-GBC05XT to have the best value out of all the different models.
It comes with an easy to use LCD menu panel and a high performance IH, which is quite rare to find at this price range. The IH in this model can distribute heat evenly around the rice and allows multiple cooking settings with the fuzzy logic technology.
It has a 3 cup capacity, which is perfect for 1 to 2 people or a small family. The detachable power cord makes the rice cooker portable and an inner battery to keep the clock and programming functions active while it’s unplugged. It also comes with the basic accessories: measuring cup, inner bowl, rice spatula, and holder, so you don’t have to buy them separately.
Overall, the quality and value that this rice cooker provides at this price range is one of the best we’ve seen!
Menu Options:
- White/Mixed Rice
- Quick Cooking
- Rinse-Free
- Sushi
- Porridge
- Brown Rice
- Gaba Brown Rice
What we liked:
- Variety of menu settings
- IH heating even through the lid
What we didn't like:
- Coating on inner pot tends to wear out over some time
- Non-replaceable battery
When it comes to quality, the Zojirushi NP-HCC18XH is one of the best in the market.
This model comes with the micom IH technology built-in and it makes full use of it. When cooking white rice, you have the option to choose between soft or hard rice, for people with different preferences. There are also menu options for cooking jasmine, brown, gaba brown, and porridge, which some people prefer over white rice.
After making your rice, the rice cooker has an extended warm setting option for when you plan on keeping rice in there for over 8 hours. This lets the rice cooker prepare for a long save, preserving as much of the rice quality as it can. It can even keep rice in there up to several days!
Despite the many choices, the menu control panel remains easy to use. This model also comes with a delay timer, where you can set the desired time instead of guessing how many hours from now.
Menu Options:
- White Rice(Regular, Soft, Hard)
- Quick
- Mixed
- Sushi
- Porridge
- Jasmine
- Sweet
- Brown
- Gaba Brown
What we liked:
- Superb rice quality
- Precise delay timer
- Extended warm settings
What we didn't like:
- No slow cooker
- Takes up a lot of space
Most Versatile: Tiger JKT-S18U
Micom IH
If you want a Rice Cooker that can do it all, then the Tiger JKT-S18U is the right choice. It comes in a 5.5 cup or 10 cup option for various household numbers.
On top of being able to cook oatmeal, brown, jasmine, and porridge, you can cook white rice in varying textures.
It also has a baking option to bake bread and oatmeal, which has become the trending healthy alternative to rice.
One of the highlights about the Tiger JKT-S18U is the synchro cook setting. It uses the steam from the rice to cook another dish, but preventing any taste from crossing over while doing so. This is an incredible feature that goes well with the timer to save a lot of time. It also comes with a cookbook to give you some ideas on what you can cook on the synchro cooker.
Menu Options:
- Plain White Rice
- Ultra (fluffy) Rice
- Quick
- Slow cook
- Synchro-cooking
- Jasmine
- Brown
- Mixed
- Porridge
- Bake
- Oatmeal
What we liked:
- Synchro cooking idea
- 11 cooking settings for versatile cooking
What we didn't like:
- Bulky and takes up quite a lot of space
- Hard to use at first
Luxury Option: Zojirushi NP-NVC18
Micom IH Pressure Cooker
For those that truly care about the taste of their rice, the Zojirushi NP-NVC18 is the best choice.
It’s one of the few micom IH pressure rice cookers in the market and it’s capable of much more than normal rice cookers. Because it can adjust the pressure while also providing even heating, it can cook perfect, uniform rice every time and also cut cooking time. There are also various ways that it can cook your white rice.
One of the biggest is the umami setting, which allows more time for the rice to soak and steam, bringing out the full flavor of the rice. The scorch setting cooks the rice to a well-done, crispy texture, without burning the rice. There are also 3 warm options: reheat, automatic warm, extended warm, each designed to preserve the quality of your rice for varying situations.
Menu Options:
- White Rice (regular, soft, hard)
- Umami
- Quick
- Brown
- Gaba brown
- Steam reduce
- Scorch
- Mixed
- sushi/sweet
- Porridge
What we liked:
- Can cook rice in many different ways
- Easy to clean
What we didn't like:
- Quite expensive
Simple Option: Tiger JNP-1800-FL
Standard Electric Rice Cooker
Not everyone’s good with technology, and if you just want a simple, no-frills rice cooker, then the Tiger JNP-1800-FL is the best in the market.
It has one button to start the cooking process, and two lights to indicate cooking and keeping warm. It doesn't get simpler than that!
It has a 10 cup capacity and warm function up to 12 hours so it’s great for big crowds. While also having the volume, it's one of the best standard electric rice cookers.
Menu Options:
- White Rice
What we liked:
- Prepares high volume
- Warm function for up to 12 hours
- Easily portable
What we didn't like:
- Can only cook white rice
- No other features.
For those looking for a decent rice cooker without breaking the bank, Tiger JBV-A10U is the right choice.
At a very low price, this rice cooker is capable of quite a lot. There are 4 different cooking methods, shown by the 4 main buttons, one of which is synchro cooking, a trademark of Tiger rice cookers.
Despite not having an IH heater, this rice cooker can make decent rice. Also with the slow cooker/steam function, this rice cooker can be quite versatile and cook many different dishes as well.
However, there were a couple things we didn’t like about it. One was the non-removable lid. This made it hard to clean and the only way you could clean it was by wiping around it. Another inconvenience was that there was no timer, so you can’t prep and make your food ahead of time. The nonstick material in the container tends to wear out quickly as well.
At first, we thought that the lack of an LCD screen could be inconvenient, but we were wrong. The buttons were enough and actually made it easy to use. Instead of an LCD screen like most rice cookers, this one has a button for each type of cooking method.
Menu Options:
- Plain
- Synchro cooking
- Brown
- Slow cook/Steam
What we liked:
- Simple menu
- Synchro cooking
What we didn't like:
- Unremovable lid makes it hard to clean
- No timer
- Nonstick material wears out quickly
Budget Option Runner-Up: Zojirushi NHS-06
Standard Electric Rice Cooker
If price is your number 1 priority, we recommend getting the Zojirushi NHS-06. This model is especially popular amongst college students who are looking for the best small rice cooker.
The size is perfect for those that don’t have much kitchen space. Capacity starts at 3 cups and there are bigger models.
The see-through glass lid allows you to check the progress on the rice, making it easier to adjust your rice “manually”. This lid also makes it much easier to use the Zojirushi NHS-06 for other types of dishes as well and many use this model for different types of rice and porridge.
Menu Options:
- Plain
What we liked:
- Simple, easy to use
- Cheap
What we didn't like:
- No keep warm function in 3-cup model
- Non stick wears out over time.
The Zojirushi NS-TSC10 is one of the most popular ones from all the different Zojirushi rice cooker. This model’s been out for quite some time now, but it’s still one of the most popular in the market due to its reliability.
The maximum it can cook is 5.5 cups, but you can cook less than that without having your rice overcooked. The keep warm function in this model is one of the best. We noticed that the rice didn’t lose its quality even after a couple of hours have passed.
With the steam option, you can cook various recipes and it’s one of the only rice cookers that can bake with the cake function.
It also has a retractable power cord that keeps things clean in the kitchen. This model comes with a 1 year warranty in case anything goes wrong. Just make sure to buy it straight from the maker when purchasing on Amazon!
Menu Options:
- White/Sushi
- Quick
- Mixed
- Porridge
- Sweet
- Brown
- Cake
- Steam
What we liked:
- Sturdy design
- Great at maintaining quality of rice with the warm function
What we didn't like:
- Rice takes long to cook, but has a timer option
The Hitachi RZ-VS2M-N is one of the most unique models in the market.
It's a small model, with only 2-3 cup capacity, so it's perfect for 1 or 2 people and doesn't take up much space in the kitchen. Unlike standard designs, this model is detachable and is extremely portable.
This model has built-in induction heating so you'll be guaranteed quality rice every time. The only downside is that it has to be shipped from Japan and the instructions are in Japanese, but with any translation app, you'll quickly get used to handling this rice cooker.
What we liked:
- Unique design and extremely portable
- Excellent Rice quality
What we didn't like:
- Japanese manual
- Expensive
The Panasonic SR-HZ106 is one of the most well-equipped rice cookers in the market. Being the tech giant that Panasonic is, their rice cooker also holds that reputation. In fact, Panasonic was the first company to incorporate induction heating to rice cookers.
Many IH rice cookers have heat currents running through the bottom, side, and lid in order to provide (close to) equal heating on all sides. Panasonic takes it a step further and also distributes heat through the upper and lower sides, which provides an even better distribution of heat throughout the process.
The pan is also made with 7 impermeable layers, including diamond coating, to make sure that every grain of rice is cooked to the right texture and doesn’t stick to the pan.
The micom in this rice cooker takes full advantage of the IH and provides 13 preprogrammed menu options with umami added to every option. Of course this high-tech model doesn’t come cheap. It’s one of the most expensive models in the market, but I assure you that there will be no regrets when purchasing this item.
Menu Options:
- White
- Rinse-free
- Brown
- Multi-grain
- Quick
- Quinoa
- sushi/curry
- Freeze
- Mixed
- Porridge
What we liked:
- 7 layer pan design
What we didn't like:
- Expensive
- Menu hard to use