For our rice cooker test, our editors tested 14 rice cookers based on different aspects: build quality, performance, ease of use and the automatic cooking programs. Based on this test, we made a selection with 8 best rice cookers of 2024. In doing so, we took into account everyone’s budget and needs.
By Frank
As lovers of cooking, we believe that a rice cooker is indispensable in the kitchen. The big advantage is that you don’t have to worry about it and can do other things in the meantime.
TOP-10 best rice cookers of 2024
Below is our selection of the 8 best rice cookers we have tested for you. We hope this will make your choice easier. Still can’t decide? Feel free to send us a message.
Besides rice cookers, you will also find 2 multicookers in our selection of the best rice cookers.
The best rice cooker in the test
Instant Pot Pro 6 liter
The Instant Pot Pro 6 liters is the number one in our test. With this multicooker you get not only a rice cooker, but a versatile kitchen appliance with many automatic cooking programs. This Instant Pot product serves as: pressure cooker, slow cooker, sous-vide, saute pan, sterilizer, yogurt maker, food warmer, baking and steamer.
You name it and this jack-of-all-trades does it for you. The possibilities are endless because you can set the temperature and time yourself. This spacious multicooker has a capacity of 8 liters which makes it suitable for medium to large families.
Our conclusion
The Instant Pot Pro 6 liter is an excellent choice for larger families who want to save space and time while eating healthier. At first it takes some figuring out what you can do with it, but there are plenty of recipes and videos online for inspiration. This unit is less suitable for 1-2 person households, people on a budget or a household looking for a simple rice cooker.
The best buy 2024
Tefal RK8121 45-in-1 Rijst en Multicooker
For less than 100 euros, you can get the Tefal RK8121 45-in-1 Rice and Multicooker at home. This multifunctional rice cooker you can also use for: Steaming, stewing, baking, roasting, boiling and even slow-cooking. Its performance is comparable to the number one in our TOP-10, but it looks a bit less stylish and has a smaller capacity of 5 liters.
The Tefal RK8121 45-in-1 Rice and Multicooker allows you to set the time and temperature between 40 and 160 degrees. With other multicookers, you are sometimes stuck with pre-programmed cooking programs which makes the device less versatile compared to the Tefal RK8121 45-in-1 Rice and Multicooker.
Our conclusion
In our opinion, the Tefal RK8121 45-in-1 Rice and Multicooker has the best value for money. For a relatively low amount of money, you get a luxury multicooker. It is one that you want to put away as soon as possible after using it: after all, you don’t buy it for decoration. However, it is an appliance with excellent build quality.
The best rice cooker without fuss
Tefal Classic RK1038
At number three is a real rice cooker that specializes in cooking rice to perfection. The Tefal Classic RK1038 is a decent rice cooker at a very affordable price. This rice cooker has a removable pan of 1.8 liters which is sufficient for a household of up to 4 people.
The inner pan is aluminum and has a non-stick coating that unfortunately cannot be put in the dishwasher. Fortunately, the non-stick coating makes it easy to rinse the inner pan under the tap. After cooking, this Tefal rice cooker automatically jumps to the keep-warm function.
Our conclusion
The Tefal Classic RK1038 is a simple rice cooker with no fuss that lets you have the rice on the table within 20 – 30 minutes. A rice cooker with an excellent price and quality ratio that does what it is supposed to do. Looking for a good and affordable rice cooker? Tefal Classic it is!
The best rice cooker for a small kitchen
Russell Hobbs 27020-56
The Russell Hobbs 27020-56 came out as the best small rice cooker in our test: perfect for a small kitchen and/or for a 1-2 person household. This compact rice cooker has an inner pan with a capacity of 0.6 liters.
The inner pan of the Russell Hobbs 27020-56 has a non-stick coating. Fortunately, you can simply put this inner pan in the dishwasher after use. After cooking the rice, this Russell Hobbs rice cooker automatically jumps to the keep warm function.
Our conclusion
The Russell Hobbs 27020-56 is a robust rice cooker with good build quality. Its small size makes this rice cooker suitable for smaller kitchens and easy to store. Other than that, you don’t have to expect miracles. It just does what it is supposed to do and in the process, this rice cooker has an excellent price.
The best rice cooker for a large family
Severin RK 2425
Do you cook a lot of rice at once and/or are you with a large family? Then a large rice cooker comes in handy. The Severin RK 2425 came out of our test as the best large rice cooker. This rice cooker has a capacity of 3 liters which is equivalent to 15 servings of rice. This makes this rice cooker suitable for a large family of up to 8 people.
Severin is a German brand that has been a reliable producer of affordable kitchen appliances for years. And that is immediately reflected in the build quality of this rice cooker that is commensurate with the retail price. The exterior is stainless steel which feels sturdy and is easy to clean.
You use the Severin RK 2425 not only for cooking rice, but with the included steam cooker it is also possible to steam vegetables, fish, potatoes and meat. Handy, that way you can steam your vegetables or meat while the rice is cooking.
Our conclusion
The Severin RK 2425 is a solid and reliable rice cooker as we are used to from our eastern neighbors. The large capacity of 3 liters makes this rice cooker suitable for a large household or when you throw a party. Very handy is the included steam cooker for steaming food. In short, a purchase you will not regret.
The best rice cooker with smartphone app
Xiaomi – Smart Rijstkoker
Those who thought that China’s Xiaomi only produced smartphones are wrong. In fact, Xiaomi is also a dominant player in the smart kitchen appliance market. You control the Xiaomi – Smart Rice Cooker via the Xiaomi Home app. This is convenient because this way the rice is ready immediately when you get home (don’t forget to fill it with food in the morning).
The Xiaomi – Smart Rice Cooker not only wins the award as the best smart Xiaomi, but also wins the beauty award. Among the editors, we all agreed: the white and minimalist design looks sleek and makes it the most beautiful rice cooker in our test.
Anyway, what makes this rice cooker so clever? First, you can control it via smartphone. This rice cooker cooks 3,000 different types of rice to perfection without the rice caking. Finally, you use the Xiaomi rice cooker not only for boiling rice, but also for steaming, stewing, boiling and you can even bake cakes with it.
The best rice cooker for the hospitality industry
Combisteel Professional Catering Rice Cooker
As a restaurant owner, you’re not going to get by with a 5-liter rice cooker. The best rice cooker for restaurants and catering companies is the Combisteel Professional Hospitality Rice Cooker This rice cooker has a capacity of a whopping 14 liters which is equivalent to 60 servings of rice.
The inside is aluminum and the outside is stainless steel. The Combisteel Professional Hospitality Rice Cooker feels and looks sturdy which promises a long life.
Our conclusion
The Combisteel Professional Hospitality Rice Cooker is specially designed for the hospitality industry. It is a hefty device with a slide of almost half a meter. This rice cooker is mainly intended for cooking rice. After cooking, the device automatically jumps to the keep warm function. In short, a durable rice cooker suitable for restaurants and catering companies.
The best cheap rice cooker
Proline rice cooker RC18X
Do you cook rice occasionally and don’t want to pay the top price? No problem, as a rice cooker doesn’t have to be expensive. The Proline rice cooker RC18X is the cheapest rice cooker we tested, costing less than 2 tens.
Despite the low price, the found the quality of both the rice cooker and the results to be very good. Within 20 – 30 minutes the rice is on the table and the results are very consistent. With a capacity of 1.8 liters, this rice cooker is suitable for a medium to large household. When the rice is ready it automatically jumps to the keep warm function.
Thanks to the included steamer basket, it is also possible to steam vegetables, poultry or fish while cooking rice. Healthy and time-saving!
Our conclusion
A rice cooker doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With the Proline rice cooker RC18X you get a reliable rice cooker for less than 20 euros. Should you not use the rice cooker often or just looking for a budget option then the Proline rice cooker RC18X is the best option.
Overview with the 8 best rice cookers from our test
Other rice cookers we tested in 2024:
- Tristar RK 6127 (€29.99). The Tristar RK 6127 can cook up to 7 servings of rice. The work of this rice cooker is limited to cooking rice. This rice cooker has a glass lid. Handy, this way you can follow the entire cooking process.
- Tomado TRC1001S (€22.50). This rice cooker is a sharp offer and is praised for its excellent value for money. The Tomado TRC1001S has a capacity of 1 liter (5 servings). However, this model does not have a glass lid and has a lower power rating of 400 watts.
- Solis Rice Cooker Duo Programm (€65). Great if you want to dig a little deeper into your pocket. You can simultaneously cook rice (6 servings) and steam vegetables, meat or fish. Handy feature is the timer, which you can set up to 15 hours in advance. The steamer is dishwasher safe.
- Inventum rk140zw the Inventum rk140zw is a simple and affordable rice cooker from Inventum. With the Inventum RK140ZW you cook rice for 7 servings (1.4 liter capacity).
- Crock Pot CRR029 the American brand Crock Pot is mainly known for slow cookers, but the Crock Pot CRR029 rice cooker is an exception in it. This Crock Pot has special functions for white and brown rice, a keep-warm function and a steam cooker.
What is a rice cooker?
A rice cooker is an ideal solution for anyone who wants to cook rice quickly and efficiently, without looking after it. This is because once the rice is cooked, the rice cooker automatically shuts down. With a more luxurious rice cooker, you can also prepare vegetables and fish.
How does a rice cooker work?
Rice cookers are easy to operate and cooking rice takes little effort. In a few simple steps, you cook rice to perfection: The steps are as follows:
- Fill the rice cooker with the desired dose of rice. Realize that 100 grams of rice yields about 250 grams of cooked rice.
- Add water to the rice cooker. The amount of water depends on the type of rice you will be cooking.
- Place the lid on the rice cooker and turn it on.
- The rice cooker automatically shuts off after the rice is done. You scoop the rice directly from the rice cooker or keep it in the pan with the keep warm function.
Why buy a rice cooker?
- The results are always consistent
- Time-saving: after starting
- Safer: pouring off red-hot water is a thing of the past.
- The water never overflows again
- Very easy to use
Things to keep in mind
- A rice cooker takes up extra space
Rice cooker recipes
Those who think you can only cook rice with a rice cooker are wrong. A rice cooker can be quite a versatile device, provided you have enough inspiration for dishes you can cook in the rice cooker.
If you have visited our site before then you know that we are big fans of cooking. Through our blog, we regularly share recipes for which you can use a rice cooker. Below you will find some of these recipes for inspiration:
- Chili with black beans
- Salmon dishes
- Pasta-Farfalle with tomatoes and basil
- Mac ‘n cheese
- Banana bread
On our blog, we mainly focus on quick daily meals that are healthy and delicious. With the right kitchen equipment, cooking becomes more fun, faster and healthier. Don’t want to miss a test or recipe? Then sign up for our newsletter.
Rice cooker or multicooker?
A rice cooker can do more than just cook rice. For example, you can use a rice cooker to cook grains such as quinoa, as well as oatmeal. Some rice cookers have a baking function should you want to cook a complete meal in one go.
A multicooker is an all-in-one solution. This kitchen appliance cooks, roasts, bakes, deep fries and you use it to steam food. In short, a versatile appliance that saves you space because you no longer need other kitchen appliances such as a slow cooker, rice cooker and pressure cooker.
Buying rice cooker, what do you pay attention to?
A rice cooker is less common in a Dutch kitchen, although they have become increasingly popular in recent years. Could you use some tips when buying a rice cooker? To get a better idea of the different rice cookers, we look at the following factors:
- Format
- Inner pan and lid
- Material
- Features
- Operation
Format
In our TOP-10 is a recommendation for a small and large rice cooker. Rice cookers come in many shapes and sizes: from rice cookers with a capacity of 0.6 kg to large rice cookers for the catering industry with a capacity of 25 kilograms.
Tip: always check the dimensions. It is convenient if you have enough space to store the rice cooker since you do not use it daily.
Inner pan and lid
- Glass lid: this is convenient. This way you can see at a glance how the rice is doing.
- Removable inner pan: this is practical for cleaning and maintenance of the rice cooker. Please note that not all inner pans are dishwasher safe.
- Non-stick coating: this is a must. This way you can easily keep the inner pan clean when the rice is caked once.
Housing material
- Material inner pan: aluminum, stainless steel, plastic and ceramic.
- Housing material: stainless steel, plastic
Materials such as aluminum, plastic and ceramic are durable and last longer than plastic.
Features
Most rice cookers have only a few functions:
- Timer: Most rice cookers do not have a timer, as the rice cooker automatically jumps to the warm function when it finishes cooking.
- Warm-up function: actually, all rice cookers have a warm-up function. This function is indispensable.
- Steam function: some rice cookers include a steam cooker. This is a basket that you can place in the top of the rice cooker. This way you not only cook rice, but you can also steam fish, poultry and/or vegetables at the same time. Healthy and time-saving!
If you want more functions, features and automatic cooking programs, we recommend a multicooker. In addition to boiling rice, you use a multicooker for roasting, deep frying, baking, slow cooking and pressure cooker. The number of cooking programs varies for each multicooker. A big advantage of an all-in-one appliance is that it saves space, time and money.
Operation
Since most rice cookers have few functions, the controls are not very exciting. Some rice cookers have a digital screen, but you don’t actually need it. Most rice cookers have an on and off button. If you buy a rice cooker with multiple functions or special cooking programs (multicooker) then a digital screen does come in handy.
Conclusion: which is the best rice cooker for you?
Which is the best rice cooker for you depends on what you want to do with it and how many people you want to cook rice for. If you only want to cook rice and nothing else, then there are three good choices: the Tefal Classic RK1038 for the average family, the Russell Hobbs 27020-56 for 1- and 2-person households and the Severin RK 2425 for large parties.
However, if you want to do more with your rice cooker, we first recommend our test winner, the Instant Pot Pro 6 liters rice cooker. You can also use that as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, sous-vide, saute pan, sterilizer, yogurt maker, food warmer, baking oven and steamer.This multi-purpose device is expensive, though. A cheaper alternative with likewise many features is the Tefal RK8121 45-in-1 Rice and Multicooker
If you have really little money to spend, even then a good rice cooker is still within your reach. The Proline rice cooker RC18X makes rice for 3 to 4 people within half an hour that never fails. You can even steam vegetables, fish or chicken while preparing rice with this 1.8-liter device, which costs less than 20 euros.
How do we test?
When testing products, we use some products, interview users and experts on kitchen appliances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Every day we receive questions from our visitors about kitchen appliances. Below are the frequently asked questions:
A rice cooker is a device that – as the name implies – allows you to cook rice. The advantage of a rice cooker is that the results are always consistent and you don’t have to worry about anything else.
A rice cooker is more efficient, easier and safer than cooking rice in a pan. The water never boils over ánd you don’t have to drain hot water yourself. The biggest advantage is that you don’t have to worry about it, so you can do other things.
With a rice cooker, you prepare more than just rice. For inspiration visit our blog with recipes. In addition to cooking rice, use a rice cooker for steaming vegetables, pudding and chicken.
The best rice cooker in our test is the Instant Pot Pro 6 liters. This is an all-in-one multicooker that you use as a rice cooker, frying pan, slow cooker and pressure cooker, among other things.
Yes, all types of rice can be cooked in a rice cooker. In addition, a rice cooker is suitable for grains such as quinoa and oatmeal.
This varies by rice cooker and the type of rice you cook, but on average it takes 20 – 30 minutes.