7 Best Small Rice Cookers for Perfectly Fluffy Rice Every Time
Small but mighty, they get the job done!
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Using a rice cooker for the first time can be a magical, life-changing experience—particularly for anyone who's ever spent hours scraping burnt rice from the bottom of a traditional pot or wok. No, thank you! With these genius devices, you're treated to perfectly cooked, fluffy rice every single time. And yes, the clean-up for most models is much easier, too, thanks to nonstick, dishwasher-safe inner pots. So, what would stop anyone from purchasing one, you ask? The size, that's what! Like the best air fryers on the market, many of these nifty machines are pretty large. If you're running low on countertop space, you might be hard-pressed to find a suitable spot for another kitchen gadget. Enter the small rice cookers we've curated here!
Our Top Picks
Ahead, you'll find the best mini options that boast many, if not all of the same features as their larger counterparts. Not only do they save space, these cookers are also great for portion control. Before shopping, you'll want to take note of each model's settings, capacity, controls, materials, and additional features to make sure you're getting exactly what you need. (It's the same thoughtfulness with which you'd want to shop for, say, a new food processor or coffee maker.) Conventional models, for instance, require home cooks to soak the rice before turning on the machine; microprocessors (or "micom" rice cookers) require nothing more than clean, rinsed rice. Meanwhile, combination cookers can do more than just cook rice—they're also able to steam or even bake.
Once you've made your selection, grab one of our favorite rice recipes and prepare for fluffy, well-cooked rice in no time.
Pros
- Easy to operate
- Stay cool handle
Cons
- Poorly written instruction manual
Zojirushi's popular rice cooker makes up to six cups of cooked rice (the three-cup capacity refers to the amount of uncooked rice it holds). And it's as easy as could be to operate. Just plug it in and switch it on! It features a nonstick inner pot and comes with a plastic measuring cup.
Pros
- Keep warm function
Cons
- Not good for brown rice
If you're looking for a no-frills, easy-to-use device with glowing reviews and a super affordable price, this is your best bet. You can make anywhere from one to six cups of cooked rice, and we love that it switches over to a "keep warm" mode once the rice is ready. The nonstick pot is also dishwasher safe, and the device comes with a steaming basket, plastic spoon, and a cup.
Pros
- Built-in steam tray
Cons
- Non-retractable cord
There's something undeniably chic about the brushed stainless steel exterior of this rice cooker, which also happens to hold up to seven cups of cooked rice. It comes with a nonstick cooking bowl, a tempered glass lid, a measuring cup, and a rice paddle, and you can use the built-in steaming basket to cook fish or veggies while your rice fluffs up.
Pros
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- 900-watt microwave limitation
The Joseph Joseph rice cooker is small but mighty, and it's unique, too: The cooking process takes place in the microwave! The inner pot is also multi-functional, acting as both a cooking vessel and a colander for rinsing rice. And yes, the whole thing is dishwasher safe.
Pros
- 48,000+ 5-star reviews
- Multifunctional
Cons
- Timer only counts 10 minutes
This classic-looking device is good for more than just cooking rice! It's a multi-use steamer that can even whip up cakes (and steamed veggies, of course). There are four preset digital functions to help you get started quickly, including a delay timer and "keep warm" function.
Pros
- Keep warm function
Cons
- Small capacity
If you're really running low on counter space, look no further than this mini rice cooker. It's incredibly inexpensive, and its tiny two-cup batches are great for small families and individuals looking to make smaller portions. We also love the various colors offered.
Pros
- Preset options for different grains
Cons
- No automatic shut-off
Ceramic is naturally nonstick and often considered healthier because it's free from potentially harmful chemicals. This easy-to-use model makes four cups of rice, quinoa, or steel cut oats. And we love the sleek exterior and pastel color options, too!
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