If you’re serious about cooking Japanese food, perfectly cooked Japanese rice is indispensable. We find that having one of the best Japanese rice cookers on the market will give you perfectly steamed rice every time. With so many options available, choosing which model is right for you can be tricky. The rice we serve to accompany meals is called uruchimai (粳米), which is the staple diet for Japanese cuisine. With my decades of experience cooking rice, I’m bringing you my favorite Japanese rice cookers that I’ve personally used, as well as top-rated options from respected food publishers and reviews. I recommend reflecting on your needs to pick which rice cooker is best for you. Are you looking to cook for yourself, or do you have a large family to feed? Do you mostly cook white rice or brown rice? Do you value basic functionality and affordability, or are you looking for a top-of-the-line model that may be expensive but offers luxurious performance to match its high price? Regardless of your needs, I’ve found the best Japanese rice cookers for you!
Our Top Picks
Reviews of The Best Japanese Rice Cookers
1. What’s in My Kitchen: Zojirushi Pressure Induction Heating Rice Cooker & Warmer
This is the model I use, and I find that it makes perfect rice to serve with my Japanese Chicken Curry. With this rice cooker, I’ve never had to worry about dry or mushy rice. It is absolutely one of the must-have kitchen gadgets I can’t live without! It uses AI and induction heating to ensure every grain is evenly warmed and high pressure to increase cooking temperatures, decreasing cooking time without sacrificing rice quality. It offers all the cooking modes I need and more, including standard sushi rice mode, quick mode (for when I’m in a hurry), and brown rice mode. It also comes with a built-in timer and warmer, so you can set it and forget it, then wake up or come home to freshly steamed rice. I’ve had this rice cooker for more than 10 years, and it has yet to let me down, so it’s very durable and known by some as the Cadillac of Japanese rice cookers!
The Specs:
Heating: Induction Cooking functions: 10 Warming function: Yes Wattage: 1370 watts Dimensions: 9.1 x 9.1 x 9.1 inches Capacity: 5.5 cups
The Pros:
Very durable Near perfect rice every time Adjusts firmness of rice within each mode Operate with the press of a button Made in Japan
The Cons:
Expensive Bulky power cord Inner bowl and lid must be washed by hand
What Others are Saying: Buy the Zojirushi Pressure Induction Heating Rice Cooker & Warmer:
2. Best Budget Pick: Toshiba Japanese Rice Cooker with Fuzzy Logic Technology
If you can’t justify the high price of my top pick from Zojirushi, this 6-cup model offers most of the same functionality at about a third of the price. Designed by the similarly well-respected Japanese brand Toshiba, this model uses Fuzzy Logic technology to measure the moisture content of your rice as it cooks, then adjusts temperature and time accordingly, so you’ll get perfectly cooked rice each time. This is important if you’re making something like Onigiri (Japanese Rice Balls). I like that it offers all the cooking modes I use most, including white rice, brown rice, and quick rice. Reviewers seem to agree that this rice cooker from Toshiba packs a lot of functionality into a conveniently compact and affordable package, which, most importantly, just makes great rice.
The Specs:
Heating: Fuzzy Logic Cooking functions: 7 Warming function: Yes Wattage: 655 watts Dimensions: 10.66 x 14.48 x 8.34 inches Capacity: 6 cups
The Pros:
Affordable Cooks consistently fluffy and tender rice Comes with steamer basket for vegetables, buns, dumplings, and more Easy to clean
The Cons:
No induction or pressure cooking options Not aesthetically pleasing
What Others are Saying: Buy the Toshiba Japanese Rice Cooker with Fuzzy Logic Technology:
3. Best Small Rice Cooker: Zojirushi Micom Rice Cooker and Warmer
If you plan to cook rice just for one or have limited kitchen space, there’s little need for a larger model that takes up a lot of counter or storage space. That’s where this smaller Zojirushi comes in. Combining the Fuzzy Logic tech with stylish black and stainless accents in a compact footprint, this rice cooker fits into small spaces. You’ll be able to cook up to 3 cups of rice or make quinoa, steel cut oats, and even a cake, thanks to its 6 different cooking functions. The warming function also comes in handy if you can’t eat all 3 cups at once, too!
The Specs:
Heating: Fuzzy Logic Cooking functions: 6 Warming function: Yes Wattage: 120 watts Dimensions: 9.38 x 12.88 x 7.88 inches Capacity: 3 cups
The Pros:
Compact size Stylish black and stainless steel look Simple to use and clean Dedicated reheat function
The Cons:
No induction or pressure cooking Cook time can be longer Pricey for size
What Others are Saying: Buy the Zojirushi Micom Rice Cooker and Warmer:
4. Best Multipurpose Rice Cooker: Panasonic Rice Cooker with Fuzzy Logic and One-Touch Cooking
If you’re in the market for a large-capacity rice cooker and steamer combo that can do just a few things but do each well, this model from Panasonic may be for you. While it lacks the bells and whistles of the flashier and more expensive models on this list, it offers the baseline functionality that I like to see in a rice cooker—namely, settings for white rice, brown rice, and quick cook. An included steaming basket allows you to cook vegetables, steam buns, and more. And if you’re in the mood for Japanese Rice Porridge or soup, this cooker has you covered!
The Specs:
Heating: Fuzzy Logic Cooking functions: 4 Warming function: Yes Wattage: 750 watts Dimensions: 11.06 x 11 x 15.13 inches Capacity: 10 cups
The Pros:
Large capacity Affordable Very intuitive to use Steamer basket included Porridge/soup mode
The Cons:
Fairly bulky Limited cooking settings No screen to see cook time
What Others are Saying: The Panasonic rice cooker has a 4.3-star rating from more than 1,200 ratings. The Strategist also named it the best less expensive rice cooker. Buy the Panasonic Rice Cooker with Fuzzy Logic and One-Touch Cooking:
5. Best For Rice Connoisseurs: Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 Neuro Fuzzy Cooker
For the connoisseur who loves a perfectly cooked bowl of rice but doesn’t want to break the bank to make one, the NS-ZCC10 from Zojirushi may just provide the perfect middle ground between the budget and luxury options on our list. With Neuro Fuzzy technology, an even more advanced version of the fuzzy tech noted in other entries on this list, this rice cooker makes fluffy and perfect rice. While this model lacks the induction heating and pressure cooking found in Zojirushi’s flagship model that I own, it’s great for those who want to eat really good rice frequently.
The Specs:
Heating: Neuro Fuzzy Logic Cooking functions: 8 Warming function: Yes Wattage: 750 watts Dimensions: 13 x 10.13 x 8.13 inches Capacity: 5.5 cups
The Pros:
Has an ‘Extended Keep Warm Mode’ and can keep rice good for up to 20 hours Attractive design Retractable power cord for easy storage Firm or soft rice options
The Cons:
No induction or pressure cooking options Doesn’t work with a steamer basket
What Others are Saying: Buy Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 Neuro Fuzzy Cooker:
Other Rice Makers to Consider
Why You Can Trust Me
I can’t tell you how much I love my own rice cooker, but I also researched the internet to find the ones that other people really like. In this list, you’ll find rice cookers that earned thousands of positive reviews; there are also the ones examined by other expert product reviewers who share the same passion for rice cooking. Regardless of your rice-cooking preferences, there’s one for your kitchen.
Everything to Know Before Buying a Japanese Rice Cooker
What to Consider Before Buying a Japanese Rice Cooker
There are a few things to consider before choosing the best Japanese rice cooker for you: Capacity: Depending on the size of your household, you may be looking for rice cookers with capacity that will suit your needs. A good idea is to start with a 5-cup rice cooker, which is standard for a household of two. The more people in one’s household, the bigger the rice cooker you’ll need, which can go up to making 10 cups of uncooked rice. If you’re cooking for one, a 3-cup rice cooker would work well, too. Technology: The more advanced rice cookers are typically equipped with technology that optimizes rice cooking, meaning they have a computing system that allows for human error when water and rice are added before cooking. Look for labels such as “Fuzzy Logic” or something in the same vein that indicates smart cooking technology is adopted. Versatility: A rice cooker is an investment, and it’s wise to make the most out of it by using it for different purposes. Look for a rice cooker with presets for congee, oatmeal, and other types of rice dishes to stretch your dollar further.
Is a Rice Cooker Worth It?
Yes! A rice cooker makes the perfect rice batch after batch without any hard work from you — other than getting the measurements correct. A good rice cooker should be your most trusted kitchen helper, who churns out soft and plump steamed rice daily. It will also free up space on your stovetop so you can use your burners to cook other things.
Is a Rice Cooker Different From a Pressure Cooker?
A rice cooker uses steam to heat up and cook rice, whereas a pressure cooker works by building up pressure to increase heat and speed up the cooking process. However, some advanced rice cookers also have pressure-cooking settings that incorporate pressure to cook rice. You can also make rice in your pressure cooker — check out our guide on how to make Japanese rice in the Instant Pot!
How Long Does a Rice Cooker Take?
Depending on the specific rice cooker, cooking a batch of rice can take anywhere from 30 minutes to more than an hour. We have a guide on how to cook rice perfectly in your rice cooker every time. Also, check out our guides on how to make sushi rice and how to make brown rice in a rice cooker.
What’s the Best Way to Store Cooked Rice?
What’s the best method to store cooked rice? Simply freeze the rice in airtight containers and reheat to enjoy later on! This is by far the best approach to keep your rice fresh and moist. Do not keep it in the rice cooker or store it in the refrigerator!
The Best Recipes to Serve with Japanese Rice
We eat rice almost every day, and you can serve it with pretty much anything! Here are some of my favorite recipes to serve with rice:
Japanese Chicken Curry チキンカレー Onigiri (Japanese Rice Balls) おにぎり Takikomi Gohan (Japanese Mixed Rice) (炊き込みご飯) Shrimp Fried Rice 海老チャーハン Donburi (Japanese Rice Bowl) Recipes
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
