Rice is a nutritious and filling food that can be combined with many dishes to create a satisfying meal. Whether you prefer brown rice, sticky rice, white rice, or Sushi rice, you’ll need a pressure cooker, Japanese rice cooker, or some other form of food steamer in which to cook it.

It’s especially aggravating when you are looking to cook enough just for one or two people but every option at your disposal requires you to cook 12 cups at a time.  Well these days, it’s becoming easier to “cook for one” with small rice cookers becoming extremely popular options.

We’ve compiled this list of our Top 10 best small rice cookers to help you choose the best one to ensure that your rice gets cooked properly, every single time.

The 10 Best Small Rice Cookers

Let’s take a look at our 10 favorite brands/models in a little bit more detail below.  You can see below that we break down our 10 favorites by looking at features, cooking ability, and more.

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1. Instant Pot LUX Mini 3 Qt 6-in-1 Multi-Use

The Instant Pot LUX Mini replaces six appliances in one. This innovative design includes a pressure cooker, rice cooker, slow cooker, steamer, warmer, and sauté, providing you with the capability of cooking a full meal, using just one unit.

Its compact size also means that this model is ideal for couples and small families or for use while camping, traveling, on sailing trips, or even when you’re out for a day trip in your RV.

The Instant Pot LUX has 10 built-in programs, allowing you to warm leftovers, slow-cook stews and broths, and of course pressure-cook rice. Other useful features include a 24 hour delayed cooking start, an auto setting that allows you to keep food warm for up to 10 hours after it has finished cooking, and three different temperature settings that can be used for slow cooking and for sautés.

Accessories that come with the Instant Pot LUX Mini include a rice paddle, stainless steel steam rack (without handles), a soup spoon, a measuring cup, a handy recipe booklet, an operation manual, and a time table. Temperature monitoring controls to ensure that the food does not burn and that every dish always cooks at the correct temperature.

The Instant Pot LUX Mini pressure cooker has a maximum capacity of six cups of uncooked rice (don’t use cooked rice for projects).

This small cooker has been designed with safety very much in mind. It has a pressure regulator to ensure that the pressure remains below the safety limit. Anti-blockage vents stop food debris from blocking the vent, and the safety lid lock ensures that the cooker cannot be accidentally opened while it is pressurized. If safety limits are exceeded, electrical power is automatically cut off, and a smart detection system ensures that excess pressure is released into the internal chamber.

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2. Zojirushi NHS-06 3-Cup (Uncooked) Cooker

The Zojirushi NHS-06 conventional rice cooker is available in four different sizes; 0.6 l, 1.2 l, 1.8 l, and 6 cup.

The cooking pan is made from durable non-stick material, and the NHS-10 and NHS-18 models also feature a stainless steel steaming tray and automatic keep-warm function. The unit comes with a serving spatula and measuring cup included.

This model automatically turns itself off when the rice is cooked. The cooker is simple to use with a single switch control, a stay-cool knob, and a transparent glass lid, allowing you to keep an eye on your food as it is cooking. Stay cool handles allow for easy transport, even when the contents of the cooker are warm.

The NHS-06 will keep your food warm for up to five hours and can also be used to steam vegetables and of course, cook rice.

The unit measures 7-1/4 inches high to the lid knob and 9-1/4 inches in diameter, including handles. This an economical option, is UL listed, and uses a modest 300 watts of power.

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3. BLACK+DECKER 3-Cup Cooked/1.5-Cup Uncooked

The Black & Decker 3-Cup Rice Cooker is the ultimate in convenience, taking just 20 to 30 minutes to cook your rice. The unit keeps your rice warm and fluffy, thanks to the cooker’s automatic keep-warm feature.

You can also use it to prepare stews, soups, and oatmeal porridge.  You are out of luck on stir fry.

The removable non-stick bowl and tempered glass lid are dishwasher-safe so cleaning up is easy! It also comes with a measuring cup and plastic serving spoon so accidental scratch damage to the non-stick bowl is easily avoided.

The unit has different colored indicator lights that show whether the unit is actually cooking your rice or keeping it warm. This allows you to see at a glance whether your food is ready.

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4. Aroma Simply Stainless 3-Cup (Uncooked) 6-Cup (Cooked)

The Aroma Simply Stainless 3-Cup (Uncooked) 6-Cup (Cooked) Rice Cooker prepares two to six cups of brown or white rice to restaurant quality. The unit can also be used to prepare oatmeal, soup, chili, stew, and many more dishes.

The cooking pot is made from 100% surgical grade 304 stainless steel and is removable for easy cleaning. The unit comes with a rice measuring cup and a serving spatula.

Operation is a simple one-touch system and the unit features a handy automatic keep-warm function.

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5. Aroma Housewares 3-Cup (Cooked) Digital Cool-Touch Mini

The mi Aroma mini rice cooker features digital controls for white, brown, and Sushi rice, ensuring that you always use the precise cooking time and enjoy perfect results. You can also use the mi Aroma for cooking omelets, soup, pasta, and even cake.

The smart white unit is neat and compact so it will sit comfortably on even the smallest apartment worktop surface. The compact size also makes the unit extremely portable, making it ideal for taking away with you on holidays and camping trips.

The Aroma Mi 3-Cup has a capacity of two to three cups of cooked rice. The programmable digital model controls are very simple to use and the unit features automatic keep-warm, brown rice, and white rice functions. The unit has a neat handle design that lifts up and snaps down securely.

The non-stick cooking pot and lid are removable and top-rack dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.

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6. Aroma Housewares 6-Cup Pot Style Rice Cooker and Food Steamer

The Aroma Housewares 6-Cup Pot Style Rice Cooker and Food Steamer come in a smart red finish that will compliment any kitchen décor scheme. The unit can be used to prepare two to six cups of any variety of cooked rice, including brown and white rice.

This small & versatile piece of cooking equipment can also be used to simultaneously steam vegetables and meat on its steam tray, while the rice cooks above. The unit can also be used to cook chili, soup, stews, and much more.

The Aroma Housewares model has a simple to use one-touch operation and an automatic keep-warm feature so that your food will stay warm inside the cooker until you are ready to eat. The unit has a full-view tempered glass lid so that you can monitor your food while it is cooking. A rice measuring cup and serving spatula are also included with the unit.

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7. Panasonic SR-G06FG Automatic 3.3 Cup (Uncooked)

The Panasonic SR-G06FG Automatic 3.3 Cup Rice Cooker makes up to three cups of uncooked rice. It features a transparent glass lid, making it easy to keep an eye on your food as it cooks, and the removable rice pan is made from non-stick coated aluminum for easy cleaning and efficient induction heating.

The unit is easy to use with a one-step automatic cooking and shut-off feature and it uses an economical 310 watts of power when in operation.

The Panasonic is made in a stylish silver finish and comes complete with a rice scoop and measuring cup. The operation manual is conveniently multi-lingual.

The unit has a cooking indicator light that shows you when the unit is operational, and the stay-cool side handles and lid make for safe and easy transport. The cooker also has secure feet, raising it above your cooking surfaces, avoiding damage and mess.

One drawback to this unit is that it is not recommended for brown rice. In addition, you need to clean your rice in a separate vessel before putting it into the cooking pan.

Other than that, the Panasonic SR-G06FG is easy to use. All you need to do is add your pre-washed white rice to the cooker, add water, secure the cooker lid, and press the lever to start the cooking process. The aluminum pan ensures fast, even heating, and the glass, easy-view lid traps moisture and heat for quick, efficient cooking. Once the rice is cooked, the cooker shuts off automatically.

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8. Tiger Corporation 5.5-Cup Micom with Food Steamer

The Tiger Corporation JBV-A10U-W 5.5-Cup Micom Rice Cooker with integral Food Steamer and Slow Cooker offers a patented synchro-cooking function that gives you the option to cook your main dish and your rice simultaneously, saving time and dirty dishes!

The multi-function cooker is easy to use with a one-push operation system. There are four cooking menu settings to choose from, including synchrony cooking, plain rice, brown rice, and slow cooking. Once your food is cooked, the automatic keep-warm function ensures that everything stays at the perfect temperature until you are ready to eat.

The unit has an induction heating the non-stick coated inner pan for easy cleaning and comes with a non-stick spatula, cooking plate, measuring cup, and a handy cookbook that gives a full explanation on how to correctly use the unit’s “synchrony cooking” function.

This multi-functional cooker enables you to prepare and cook two dishes simultaneously. The cooker actively monitors cooking temperatures in order to provide you with a perfectly cooked meal. In addition, the BPA-free cooking plate is designed to prevent the flavors emanating from it from affecting the texture or flavor of the rice that is cooking above it.

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9. Panasonic SR-3NAL 1.5-Cup Automatic

The Panasonic SR-3NAL 1.5-Cup Automatic Rice Cooker offers perfect convenience for busy professionals, singles, and students. The 1.5 cups uncooked rice capacity produces three cups of cooked rice.

The unit is easy to operate and has a one-step automatic cooking feature. Cleaning is easy and quick thanks to the durable aluminum non-stick coated pan. The tempered glass lid with its stay-cool white plastic knob makes monitoring your food as it cooks convenient and easy. The smart silver unit also comes with a handy rice measuring cup.

When your rice is cooked, the Panasonic shuts off automatically. There’s also a cooking time indicator light, allowing you to quickly see when your food is ready.

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10. Oster CKSTRC61K-TECO Titanium Infused 6 Cup Rice & Grain Cooker

The Oster CKSTRC61K-TECO Titanium Infused 6 Cup Rice & Grain Cooker with Steam Tray is a great value.

This rice cooker can be used to make a variety of different dishes, as well as rice and grains. You can safely and successfully cook soup, oatmeal, fondue, grits, and more in this compact rice cooker. In addition, the one-liter vegetable steamer tray allows you to prepare fish, meat, and vegetables alongside your rice dish.

The rice pan is made from titanium-infused DuraCeramic material with a non-stick coating that lasts eight times longer than standard non-stick pans and cooks up to 30% faster too. The non-stick coating will not peel or flake away and is also PTFE and PFOA-free. This cooker has a capacity for six cups of cooked rice and can hold three cups of dry rice. The rice pan is removable and is easily cleaned with soap and water.

The cooking pan has a tempered glass lid, allowing you to keep an eye on your food as it is cooking. This feature also means that leftovers won’t be overlooked and left forgotten in the pan.

The unit is equipped with an automatic keep-warm feature so that your food doesn’t go cold while you are waiting to eat. There is also a handy auto-shutoff to prevent food from burning or drying out.

The Oster rice cooker’s fully integrated one-touch control system is really easy to use, and the unit comes complete with a measuring cup and a non-scratch rice paddle spoon.

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How to Choose the Best Small Rice Cooker

When it comes to choosing the right small cooker for your needs, there are a few things to consider to get the highest quality small rice cooker possible. These features include:

1.  Price: When it comes to rice cookers, cheaper is hardly ever better. While the price isn’t everything when it comes to quality, as a general rule of thumb, the less expensive = the worse the quality, and the more expensive = the better the quality. If you know you’ll be using your rice cooker often, we recommend a bigger investment into a higher quality rice cooker… the good news is, most rice cookers are generally affordable for most consumers — even the higher-end ones!
2. Detachable Inner Lids: A small rice cooker with a detachable inner lid will make cleaning easier after cooking and prevent stuck-on rice and burnt patches.
3. Quality Inner Pots: Inner pots are covered in a coating that helps to prevent the rice from sticking onto the inner pot. High-quality inner pots will make for an overall more lasting product. If the inner pot is made of lackluster material, you can expect the pot to peel and begin sticking.
4. Digital Features: Some small rice cookers are less digital and provide fewer features than other models. For example, the Zojirushi NHS-06 3-Cup (Uncooked) Rice Cooker only features a single operating switch, while the Instant Pot Lux Mini 6-in-1 Rice Cooker has 6 features in one product so that you can cook rice and use the pot for other food items, as well.
5. Capacity: Though all of the small rice cookers hold less rice than their larger counterparts, you’ll still want to consider just exactly how small of a rice cooker you need. For example, if you’re only cooking for one, a rice cooker with a 3-cup (cooked) capacity may be more suitable. If you’re cooking for two, three, or more, a rice cooker with a 6-cup (cooked) capacity may be your best bet.
6. Stainless Steel Features: It goes without saying that a rice cooker with stainless steel features, such as an inner pot, is going to last much longer than a small rice cooker that doesn’t have as many steel features. When searching for the best small rice cookers, it’s ideal to look for one that has few plastic features and contains a stainless steel inner pot.

With all of the above considerations in mind, you’ll be on your way to finding the best small slow cooker for you in no time!

Final Thoughts

All these small rice cookers have a wide range of features that offer convenience, ease-of-use, and promise perfect results when cooking different types of rice. Some of these units can also double as pressure cookers and steamers, representing great value for money. The smaller, more compact rice cookers are suitable to take with you when you go traveling, making them ideal for use on holidays or when taking food to a friend’s house for parties.

Whatever your rice cooking requirements and budget, you’re sure to find something suitable in our list of Top 10 best small rice cookers.