There’s nothing more dreadful than waiting for a pot of rice to cook, only to end up with a dry result and a burnt pan. While rice is one of the most versatile pantry staples, it also can be one of the most finicky things to cook—which is why all rice lovers can benefit from a rice cooker. From fragrant coconut rice to the viral TikTok salmon rice bowl and all of these 55 super-easy rice recipes, there are endless meal possibilities when you have the promise of perfectly-cooked rice. That said, no one wants the burden of yet another clunky appliance taking up precious counter space. Luckily for you, we’ve researched the best small rice cookers that are both functional and compact.
Our Top Picks
Last update on 2023-05-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How We Picked These Products
We combed through tons of online reviews to find the best rice cookers that are small enough to keep your kitchen streamlined. This list includes models that can produce anywhere from two to eight cups of cooked rice. From one-button rice cookers to styles with several presets and modes, we made sure to select a wide variety of models. Some of the useful settings we looked for includes a “delayed start” and a “keep warm” mode.
Keep in mind, most rice cookers come with a 6.1-ounce measuring cup, which is referred to as a “cup.” In contrast, in the U.S., one “cup” generally equals 8 fl. oz.
“The 6 oz. measuring cup is based on a traditional Japanese measuring container called the ‘masu.’ It’s the square wooden box that sake is often served in,” explained Marilyn Matsuba, a marketing manager at Zojirushi. A masu has a capacity of about 6 oz, she added. “In Japan, rice is measured in this ‘masu’ and hence the rice cooker capacities are based on rice volume by ‘masu.'”
What does this mean for you? If a rice cooker says that it has a two-cup capacity, it typically means that it will hold the cooked equivalent of two 6.1 oz. cups of dry rice—not two 8 oz. cups. The more you know!
1- Aroma Housewares Digital Cool-Touch Rice Grain Cooker and Food Steamer
- Multi-Functional Use – Whether you're in the mood for a hearty...
- User-Friendly Programming – Easy-to-use with 4 preset digital...
- Nutritious & Delicious – The built-in Steam function allows for...
- 15-Hour Delay Timer – The programmable delay timer is great for...
- Compact Capacity: 4-Cup (Uncooked)/8-Cup (Cooked). Its compact...
Last update on 2023-05-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Aroma Housewares Digital Cool-Touch Rice Grain Cooker takes all the guesswork out of making rice. It can cook up to four cups of dry rice at a time and has several preset functions including white rice, brown rice, steam, keep warm, and flash rice. It also has a delay timer, which delays start time up to 15 hours.
“The rice maker saves stovetop space when you’re preparing multiple dishes,” said one reviewer. “It couldn’t be simpler to operate, your rice comes out perfect every time, and it is small enough to fit in a drawer under your counters.”
Pros
Dishwasher safe
Includes measuring cup, spatula, and steam tray
Multiple preset functions
Digital controls
Nonstick pot
2- Zojirushi 3-Cup Rice Cooker
- Viking 4-Ply Copper Contemporary Cookware with copper exterior with...
- 4-Ply Construction - 304 stainless steel interior, aluminum core, 304...
- Includes 10-Inch & 12-Inch Fry Pans, 3.4-Quart Sauce Pan with Lid,...
- Specially designed revised handle designed for balance, comfort,...
- From high-quality cookware to cast iron pieces, or nonstick pans,...
Last update on 2023-05-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
With just one button, the Zojirushi 3-cup rice cooker makes cooking rice easy.
“Love this thing,” said one reviewer. “Cooks rice with the push of a button and I can seriously go watch Real Housewives and not worry about setting the kitchen on fire.” The handles and lid knob stay cool to the touch, so you never have to worry about burning your hands, while the nonstick inner pan makes cleanup a breeze.
Pros
Easy to use
3- DASH Mini Rice Cooker Steamer
- Easy-to-use single switch control
- See-through glass lid with stay cool knob
- Stay cool handles for easy transport
- Durable nonstick inner cooking pan
- Every Zojirushi rice cooker comes with a plastic measuring cup. This...
Last update on 2023-05-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Dash Mini Rice Cooker can cook up to two cups of rice, easy peasy. It also has an automatic “keep warm” function so you’ll never have cold rice. And, the handle and knob on top of the lid stay cool for pain-free transporting.
“It really is nonstick it takes me seconds to clean,” said one reviewer. “It’s small and won’t take up much space.”
Pros
Includes measuring cup, mixing paddle, and recipe book.
4- GreenLife Healthy Ceramic Nonstick Rice Cooker
- Easy to Clean: We’ve created a special version of our healthy...
- Derived from sand, our healthy ceramic nonstick coating is free of...
- No Guess Presets: White Rice, Brown Rice, Quinoa, Steel Cut...
- Smart Grain: Highly capable technology automatically adjusts to make...
- Time for Rice: Delay timer and adjustable timing let you customize...
Last update on 2023-05-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Who said appliances need to be eyesores? The sleek and stylish GreenLife rice cooker comes in a variety of colors and features digital controls on the lid. With presets for white rice, brown rice, steel-cut oats, and quinoa, you’ll achieve perfect grains every time. The “keep warm” and delay timer buttons make cooking even more convenient.
“Overall I would recommend to anyone—it’s easy to clean, simple to use, definitely my new best kitchen friend, and also it’s cute as heck,”
Pros
Nonstick ceramic pot free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium
Includes spatula and measuring cup
Digital controls and presets
