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Zojirushi Induction Heating System Rice Cooker & Warmer, 5.5-Cup vs Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Food Steamer, 7-Cup
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Zojirushi Induction Heating System Rice Cooker & Warmer, 5.5-Cup ranks higher (#1 vs #4 of 8) and scores better on rice quality, ease of use, easy cleaning, durability. Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Food Steamer, 7-Cup wins on cooking speed.
The biggest complaint about the Zojirushi Induction Heating System Rice Cooker & Warmer, 5.5-Cup is very expensive; for the Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Food Steamer, 7-Cup it's scorching and drying at the bottom. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Zojirushi Induction Heating System Rice Cooker & Warmer, 5.5-Cup | Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Food Steamer, 7-Cup | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in rice cookers | #1 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$ |
| Type | Induction | Basic |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 4% | 8% |
| Overall score | 4.0 | 3.7 |
| Rice quality | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Cooking speed | 2.0 | 5.0 |
| Ease of use | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Easy cleaning | 4.5 | 3.0 |
| Durability | 4.0 | 2.5 |
Price tiers: $ under $60 · $$ $60–200 · $$$ over $200. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Zojirushi Induction Heating System Rice Cooker & Warmer, 5.5-Cup
- Very expensive
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 cooking
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 rice
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.
Source: Serious Eats, Bon Appétit
Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Food Steamer, 7-Cup
- Scorching and drying at the bottom
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.
Source: Bon Appétit, Serious Eats - Reliability and nonstick coating wear
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 feel
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.
Source: Bon Appétit, Serious Eats
Who should pick which
Pick the Zojirushi Induction Heating System Rice Cooker & Warmer, 5.5-Cup if
Daily rice eaters who want the best texture
Japanese short-grain and sushi rice
Holding rice on extended keep-warm
Skip it if: You're on a budget; You need rice in under 30 minutes; You mostly eat brown rice
Pick the Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Food Steamer, 7-Cup if
Most households on a budget
Fast weeknight rice, including brown rice
Steaming vegetables while rice cooks
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
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