ConsFirst / Rice cookers
Rice cookers: the downsides, first
Rice cookers have some of the lowest 1–2 star shares we track — the most common complaints are about speed and texture, though some owners report units failing early. Here are the most popular models in the US, with their downsides first.
8 models compared13 sources readUpdated October 2026
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All 8 rice cookers, ranked
Ranked by test scores, minus how common and serious the complaints are. How we rank
#1
Zojirushi
$$$Induction5.5 cupsScore 4.0/5
4%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Bon Appétit's blind tasters pick this induction Zojirushi as the best rice of all, but it costs around $350-420, cooks slowly, and brown rice can come out soft.
Top complaints
- Very expensiveVery common
Bon Appétit says the price has climbed to around $360, which is why it lost the top pick to a $70 cooker. Amazon's summary says some owners find it expensive.
- Slow cookingVery common
Bon Appétit says white rice can take up to an hour and brown rice up to two. Amazon owners also say it takes longer than traditional models.
- Soft or split brown riceMentioned often
Serious Eats found its brown rice split and slightly mushy. Bon Appétit found it a touch soft and says using a bit less water helps.
What owners love
- Wins blind taste tests
Bon Appétit says it has won its staff blind taste tests every time, with grains that are never mushy. Serious Eats calls it excellent for Japanese rice.
- Smart keep-warm and texture settings
Serious Eats liked the regular, softer and harder texture options, an accurate cook-time estimate, and an Extended Keep Warm mode that keeps rice from drying out.
- Easy to clean
Serious Eats and Bon Appétit say the pot and removable inner lid are easy to clean; Amazon owners agree.
Skip it if…- You're on a budget
- You need rice in under 30 minutes
- You mostly eat brown rice
Good for- Daily rice eaters who want the best texture
- Japanese short-grain and sushi rice
- Holding rice on extended keep-warm
Scores (tap for why)
- Rice quality5.0
Why 5.0?
Won every Bon Appétit blind tasting; Serious Eats calls it excellent for Japanese rice. Brown rice is weaker. - Cooking speed2.0
Why 2.0?
White rice takes up to an hour and brown rice up to two (Bon Appétit), versus 35 minutes in the Hamilton Beach. - Ease of use4.5
Why 4.5?
Countdown timer, delay start and clear water lines (Bon Appétit); accurate time estimates (Serious Eats); owners note an intuitive panel (Amazon). - Easy cleaning4.5
Why 4.5?
Easy-clean pot and a removable inner lid (Serious Eats, Bon Appétit); owners call it super easy to clean (Amazon). - Durability4.0
Why 4.0?
Only 4% low-star ratings, but Amazon says durability feedback is mixed, with one report of it breaking after 7 months.
What experts say
- Bon Appétit: Makes the best rice and wins every blind tasting. The cons are the high price, a slow cook time, soft brown rice and a cord that doesn't retract.
- Serious Eats: Most advanced Zojirushi pick, excellent for Japanese rice with clever keep-warm and texture settings; its brown rice was split and slightly mushy.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Not a pick: very good rice and an easy-to-read display, but the cheaper NL-EAC made even better rice in Wirecutter's test.
#2
Cuckoo
$$$Pressure10 cupsScore 3.8/5
8%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)A big, fast pressure cooker that made Wirecutter's favorite sushi and brown rice, but Serious Eats found its rice too firm, and it is large, pricey and can mush long-grain rice.
Top complaints
- Texture divides testersVery common
Serious Eats found its rice chewy and too firm across all tests, and Wirecutter's jasmine came out a little mushy. Amazon's summary calls texture mixed, with some owners finding it too sticky.
- Coating peeling and breakdownsMentioned often
Amazon's summary flags durability, with reports of the inner coating peeling off and cookers breaking within 4 years. A Walmart 1-star reviewer says theirs arrived scratched.
- Big, heavy and complicated for someMentioned often
Wirecutter says it is about the size of a small toaster oven and weighs about 17 pounds. Amazon's summary says ease of use is mixed, and a Walmart reviewer missed having a time indicator.
What owners love
- Best sushi and brown rice
Wirecutter says it made the best sushi and short-grain brown rice of all the cookers it tested, even after an hour on warm.
- Fast
Wirecutter timed sushi rice at under 30 minutes and brown rice at about 40, about twice as fast as the Zojirushi NL-EAC. Amazon owners praise the 30-minute white rice cycle.
- Easy-clean lid gasket
Wirecutter says a removable rubber insert in the lid makes cleaning especially easy.
Skip it if…- You mostly eat jasmine or basmati
- You have little counter space
- You prefer softer rice
Good for- Large households eating short-grain or brown rice
- Fast brown rice (about 40 minutes)
- Sticky, chewy Korean and Japanese-style rice
Scores (tap for why)
- Rice quality4.0
Why 4.0?
Best sushi and brown rice in Wirecutter's test, but too firm for Serious Eats and mushy with long grain. - Cooking speed5.0
Why 5.0?
Sushi rice in under 30 minutes and brown rice in about 40 (Wirecutter); owners praise the 30-minute white rice cycle (Amazon). - Ease of use3.0
Why 3.0?
Audio alerts and many settings (Wirecutter), but ease of use is mixed on Amazon and it's large and heavy. - Easy cleaning4.0
Why 4.0?
The removable lid gasket makes cleaning especially easy (Wirecutter). - Durability3.0
Why 3.0?
Amazon's summary flags durability, with coating peeling and units breaking within 4 years.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Top pick for short-grain rice with the best sushi and brown rice and fast pressure cooking; long-grain rice was a little mushy and the cooker is large.
- Serious Eats: Not recommended: across all tests the rice was chewy and too firm.
#3
Zojirushi
$$$Fuzzy logic5.5 cupsScore 3.7/5
4%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)The classic, very well-reviewed fuzzy-logic Zojirushi still makes great sticky-chewy rice, but it is slow, its brown rice can turn gummy, and newer models beat it in recent tests.
Top complaints
- Slow, especially brown riceVery common
Serious Eats says brown rice took a long time, and Wirecutter says all its Zojirushis are slow. A Walmart reviewer says cooking takes notably longer than their previous cooker.
- Gummy brown rice, poor single-cup batchesMentioned often
Wirecutter found its brown rice gummy and porridge-like, and a single cup of jasmine came out with a carpet-like texture. A Walmart 2-star reviewer also found it hard to cook one cup.
- Units failing earlyOccasional
Amazon's summary says durability is mixed, with some owners reporting it broke within 4 months. A Walmart reviewer also notes stiff buttons and a vent plate that must be in place before the lid closes.
What owners love
- Consistently great rice
Serious Eats calls it its test kitchen's favorite for years and a shining example of fuzzy logic, nailing slightly sticky, chewy rice. Wirecutter found its jasmine and sushi rice fragrant and tender.
- Owners love it
Amazon shoppers call it one of the best investments they've made and say the nonstick pan cleans in seconds. It is rated 95% 5-star on Walmart.
- Handy design details
Bon Appétit notes the retractable cord, the pot's side handles, and an intuitive interface with many presets.
Skip it if…- You need fast rice
- You mostly eat brown rice
- You cook just one cup at a time
Good for- Japanese-style slightly sticky rice
- Set-and-forget daily use with a timer
- Owners who want a proven model
Scores (tap for why)
- Rice quality4.0
Why 4.0?
Great white and sushi rice (Serious Eats, Wirecutter), but gummy brown rice (Wirecutter) and less fluffy than the NP-HCC10 (Bon Appétit). - Cooking speed2.5
Why 2.5?
Brown rice is slow (Serious Eats), but it has a quick-cook setting that didn't sacrifice quality (Serious Eats). - Ease of use4.0
Why 4.0?
Intuitive interface and many presets (Bon Appétit); one owner reports stiff buttons and confusing instructions (Walmart). - Easy cleaning4.0
Why 4.0?
Owners say the nonstick pan cleans in seconds (Amazon), but the vent plate needs washing after each use (Walmart). - Durability4.0
Why 4.0?
Sturdy inner pot (Bon Appétit) and only 4% low-star ratings on 12k+ reviews; Amazon notes a few early failures.
What experts say
- Serious Eats: The Serious Eats test kitchen rice cooker: consistently great rice thanks to fuzzy logic, though brown rice takes a long time.
- Wirecutter (NYT): A former top pick that is still good, but the cheaper NL-EAC slightly outperformed it; it made gummy brown rice and poor single-cup batches.
- Bon Appétit: Rice wasn't as fluffy as the NP-HCC10's, and at over $240 the quality doesn't justify the price.
#4
Hamilton Beach
$$Basic7 cupsScore 3.7/5
8%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Two test kitchens rank this cheap, fast cooker as the best for most people, but the thin pot can scorch rice on the bottom and some owners say the coating wears or the unit dies within months.
Top complaints
- Scorching and drying at the bottomVery common
Bon Appétit says the relatively thin inner pot left a scorched layer of rice in some tests. Serious Eats found large batches more prone to drying out or browning.
- Reliability and nonstick coating wearMentioned often
Amazon's review summary says reliability is mixed, with some owners reporting it stopped working within four months. Walmart reviewers (syndicated from hamiltonbeach.com) describe the nonstick coating chipping or wearing off within a year, and note the US warranty is only 1 year.
- Awkward lid and less sturdy feelMentioned often
Bon Appétit dislikes the press-and-hold lid that opens sideways and says it feels less sturdy than high-end models. A Serious Eats editor who owns one says the hinged lid tends to fall down when lifted while hot.
What owners love
- Great rice for the price
Serious Eats says it made the fluffiest, best-textured rice of the full-size cookers it tested. Bon Appétit's blind tasters ranked its white rice right behind the Zojirushi NP-HCC10, and it excelled with brown rice.
- Fastest cooker tested
Serious Eats says it was faster than any other cooker it tested (not counting quick-cook modes), with a large batch done in about 30 minutes. Bon Appétit timed white rice at 35 minutes versus 50 for the Zojirushi.
- Useful features for a budget model
It includes six presets, a delay start, a countdown and a done beep, plus a steamer basket. Amazon shoppers say the digital interface is simple and it doesn't boil over.
Skip it if…- You want premium Japanese-style short-grain rice
- You hold rice on keep-warm for hours
- You want a sturdy, long-lasting build
Good for- Most households on a budget
- Fast weeknight rice, including brown rice
- Steaming vegetables while rice cooks
Scores (tap for why)
- Rice quality4.0
Why 4.0?
Best-textured rice in Serious Eats' test and second in Bon Appétit's blind tasting, with some scorching on the bottom. - Cooking speed5.0
Why 5.0?
Fastest in Serious Eats' test (a large batch in about 30 minutes). Bon Appétit timed white rice at 35 minutes and brown rice at an hour. - Ease of use4.0
Why 4.0?
Simple presets, a delay timer and a countdown (Bon Appétit); forgiving of measuring errors (Serious Eats). The lid design is awkward. - Easy cleaning3.0
Why 3.0?
It has a nonstick pot, but scorched rice sticks at the bottom (Bon Appétit) and owners report the coating wearing (Walmart). - Durability2.5
Why 2.5?
Less sturdy than high-end models (Bon Appétit). Reliability is mixed on Amazon, and owners report coating wear and a 1-year US warranty (Walmart).
What experts say
- Serious Eats: Best rice cooker overall since 2019: the cheapest full-size model, it was also the fastest with the best-textured rice. Large batches can dry out or brown, and the lid can fall when lifted.
- Bon Appétit: Best for most people: rice nearly as good as the Zojirushi at a fraction of the price. The cons are scorching from the thin pot, an awkward lid, and a less sturdy build.
#5
Tiger
$$Fuzzy logic5.5 cupsScore 3.6/5
4%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)An affordable, fast microcomputer cooker that Bon Appétit's tasters liked, but it is very basic (no timer or alarm), and Wirecutter found condensation dripping into the rice.
Top complaints
- Condensation drips into riceMentioned often
Wirecutter says the lid isn't removable and lacks a working drain hole, so puddles of condensation spill into the rice when you open it.
- Bare-bones controlsMentioned often
Bon Appétit says it has no alarm, timer or digital interface, and fewer settings than fancier models.
- Some units fail within a yearMentioned often
Amazon's summary says durability is mixed, with some units breaking within ten months. Owners also disagree on size, with some finding it too large for two people.
What owners love
- Consistently good rice for the price
Bon Appétit's blind tasters picked it over several more expensive models. Amazon shoppers praise fluffy rice and soft brown rice.
- Fast
Wirecutter timed white rice at under 30 minutes, and Amazon owners say it cooks faster than other models.
- Easy to use and clean
Bon Appétit says it's easy to clean, and Amazon owners praise its ease of use and cleaning and its keep-warm.
Skip it if…- You want a delay timer or done alarm
- You hate condensation dripping into rice
- You want the plumpest grains
Good for- Affordable step up from a one-button cooker
- Cooking rice and a steamed dish together
- Fast white rice
Scores (tap for why)
- Rice quality3.5
Why 3.5?
Bon Appétit tasters preferred it over pricier models, but Wirecutter says the grains could be plumper. - Cooking speed4.5
Why 4.5?
White rice in under 30 minutes (Wirecutter); owners say it is faster than other models (Amazon). - Ease of use3.0
Why 3.0?
Simple to run, but no timer, alarm or digital display (Bon Appétit), and condensation spills when you open it (Wirecutter). - Easy cleaning3.5
Why 3.5?
Easy to clean per Bon Appétit and Amazon owners, but the lid is not removable (Wirecutter). - Durability3.5
Why 3.5?
4% low-star ratings, but durability is mixed on Amazon, with some units failing within ten months.
What experts say
- Bon Appétit: Former budget pick that still makes consistently great rice, but it has no timer, alarm or digital interface, and the Hamilton Beach now edges it out at about half the price.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Not a pick: speedy, but the grains could be plumper and condensation spills into the rice from the non-removable lid.
12%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Sample is 2,163 ratings. Wirecutter's exact Amazon listing could not be confirmed; this is the 14-cup (cooked) Select Stainless pot-style cooker with steamer (ARC-757-1SG).Wirecutter's under-$50 budget pick, with a PFAS-free stainless pot and roughly 28-minute batches, but rice sticks to the uncoated pot, brown and jasmine can come out tough, and it has a high Amazon low-star share.
Top complaints
- Rice sticks to the stainless potVery common
Wirecutter says cooked rice sticks to the bowl and needs a quick soak; with single-cup batches much of the rice stuck to the bottom. Amazon's summary says non-stick performance is mixed, with owners reporting rice sticking.
- Needs water tweaking; no rice settingsMentioned often
Wirecutter's brown and jasmine rice came out a bit tough, and it says you'll likely have to adjust the rice-to-water ratio because there's no fuzzy logic or rice-type setting.
- Browning on warm, smaller than expectedMentioned often
Wirecutter found rice at the bottom started to brown after about 90 minutes on warm. Amazon's summary says some owners found it smaller than expected and overpriced.
What owners love
- Good rice for under $50
Wirecutter says its sushi and jasmine rice were on par with models twice the price, and it beat the other budget models it tested.
- PFAS-free, durable, dishwasher-safe pot
Wirecutter notes the stainless pot has no PTFE coating, won't scratch, and came out clean from the dishwasher. Amazon shoppers praise the stainless construction.
- Fast, one-switch operation
Wirecutter timed a full pot of sushi rice at about 28 minutes versus about 45 in the Zojirushi NL-EAC, with a simple on-off switch that flips to warm.
Skip it if…- You hate soaking a sticky pot
- You cook just one cup at a time
- You want settings for different rice types
Good for- Avoiding nonstick coatings
- Occasional rice eaters on a budget
- Dishwasher-safe pot
Scores (tap for why)
- Rice quality3.0
Why 3.0?
Sushi and jasmine on par with pricier models, but brown and jasmine a bit tough without water tweaks (Wirecutter). - Cooking speed4.5
Why 4.5?
About 28 minutes for a full pot of sushi rice, versus 45 for the NL-EAC; only the Cuckoo pressure cooker was a few minutes faster (Wirecutter). - Ease of use4.0
Why 4.0?
One on-off switch with auto warm (Wirecutter); simple to use per Amazon owners. There are no rice-type settings. - Easy cleaning3.0
Why 3.0?
Rice sticks and needs a soak, but the pot is dishwasher-safe (Wirecutter); non-stick performance is mixed on Amazon. - Durability3.5
Why 3.5?
Durable stainless pot with no coating to wear out (Wirecutter), but a 12% Amazon low-star share.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Budget pick: PFAS-free and fast with solid rice for the price; brown and jasmine can be tough, rice sticks to the pot, and it struggles with small batches.
#7
Zojirushi
$$Fuzzy logic5.5 cupsScore 3.5/5
3%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Very small sample (91 ratings). The listing pools the 5.5-cup and 10-cup sizes and colors; the ASIN is the 10-cup black NL-EAC18BA.Wirecutter's new top pick for its fragrant jasmine rice and modern, compact design, but Bon Appétit found its rice overcooked, and it is the slowest cooker Wirecutter tested.
Top complaints
- Slowest cooker testedVery common
Wirecutter says it took the longest of all models it tested, sometimes twice as long as the Cuckoo, with a full pot of brown rice taking over an hour. Bon Appétit also found it slower than the NP-HCC10.
- Mushy short-grain and brown riceVery common
Wirecutter found its sushi and brown rice a bit wet and porridge-like. Bon Appétit found its white rice overcooked and a touch mushy.
- No carrying handle; pot not dishwasher-safeOccasional
Bon Appétit notes it lacks the carrying handle most Zojirushis have. Wirecutter says the inner bowl can't go in the dishwasher.
What owners love
- Best jasmine rice tested
Wirecutter says it made the best jasmine rice of any machine it tested: fragrant, fluffy and distinct.
- Compact, modern design
Wirecutter likes the gentle push-button lid and compact body, and says it was the only model tested with a detachable cord.
- Easy to clean and use
Wirecutter says the nonstick bowl wipes clean, there's no external steam trap, and the settings are intuitive. It also has a quick-cook mode of about 25 minutes.
Skip it if…- You mainly eat sushi or brown rice
- You want rice fast
- You want a carrying handle
Good for- Long-grain and jasmine rice
- A compact, modern look on the counter
- Easy cleaning with no external steam trap
Scores (tap for why)
- Rice quality3.5
Why 3.5?
Best jasmine rice in Wirecutter's test, but mushy short-grain and brown rice (Wirecutter) and overcooked white rice (Bon Appétit). - Cooking speed1.5
Why 1.5?
Slowest of all the cookers Wirecutter tested (over an hour for brown rice); its quick-cook mode takes about 25 minutes. - Ease of use4.5
Why 4.5?
Intuitive, easy-to-read controls, a one-button lid and a detachable cord (Wirecutter); no carrying handle (Bon Appétit). - Easy cleaning4.5
Why 4.5?
A slick nonstick bowl and no external steam trap (Wirecutter); the bowl isn't dishwasher-safe.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Top pick for its best-in-test jasmine rice and user-friendly design; it is the slowest tested, and its short-grain and brown rice came out a bit mushy.
- Bon Appétit: Not recommended: cute, but it has no carrying handle, cooked slower than the NP-HCC10, and made overcooked, slightly mushy white rice.
#8
Toshiba
$$Fuzzy logic6 cupsScore 3.2/5
4%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)A popular, cheaper fuzzy-logic alternative to Zojirushi that owners like, but Serious Eats got wet, gummy rice and Bon Appétit's long-term test found its timer freezing and burning rice.
Top complaints
- Timer freezes, rice overcooksMentioned often
In long-term testing, Bon Appétit found the timer repeatedly froze for 20 minutes or more while the machine kept cooking, especially on Mixed and Quick Rice, leading to overcooked or burned rice.
- Wet or gummy riceMentioned often
Serious Eats says it made wet rice in almost every test and gummy brown basmati.
- Slow cooking and durability doubtsMentioned often
Amazon's summary says some owners find cooking slower than usual rice cookers, and durability is mixed, with some saying it's not suited to long-term use.
What owners love
- Zojirushi-like rice for less
Amazon shoppers say it makes restaurant-quality Japanese rice comparable to pricier Zojirushis. Bon Appétit's initial blind tasters liked its fluffy grains.
- Lots of features
Bon Appétit liked the countdown timer, delay start, audible alarm, fuzzy logic, presets and steamer basket.
- Easy cleaning
Amazon shoppers praise easy cleaning, including a removable top.
Skip it if…- You need dependable timing
- You like firm, separate grains
- You want proven long-term reliability
Good for- Fuzzy logic for less than a Zojirushi
- Delay timer and many presets
- Removable lid for cleaning
Scores (tap for why)
- Rice quality3.0
Why 3.0?
Fluffy in Bon Appétit's first tasting and praised by Amazon owners, but wet or gummy in Serious Eats' tests. - Cooking speed2.5
Why 2.5?
Owners say the quick setting takes 30 minutes but regular cycles run longer than usual rice cookers (Amazon); timer stalls extended cooks (Bon Appétit). - Ease of use3.5
Why 3.5?
Easy to use with helpful presets (Bon Appétit), but the timer freezes are a real usability flaw. - Easy cleaning4.0
Why 4.0?
Amazon owners praise easy cleaning and the removable top. - Durability3.0
Why 3.0?
Durability is mixed on Amazon, and Bon Appétit found a recurring timer fault in long-term use.
What experts say
- Bon Appétit: It did very well in the initial taste test, but in long-term testing its timer froze and overcooked or burned rice, which kept it from being the budget pick.
- Serious Eats: Not recommended: wet rice in almost every test and gummy brown basmati.