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Zojirushi Induction Heating System Rice Cooker & Warmer, 5.5-Cup vs Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker & Warmer, 5.5-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 #3 of 8) and scores better on rice quality, ease of use, easy cleaning. Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker & Warmer, 5.5-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 Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker & Warmer, 5.5-Cup it's slow, especially brown rice. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Zojirushi Induction Heating System Rice Cooker & Warmer, 5.5-Cup | Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker & Warmer, 5.5-Cup | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in rice cookers | #1 | #3 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$$ |
| Type | Induction | Fuzzy logic |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 4% | 4% |
| Overall score | 4.0 | 3.7 |
| Rice quality | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Cooking speed | 2.0 | 2.5 |
| Ease of use | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Easy cleaning | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Durability | 4.0 | 4.0 |
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
Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker & Warmer, 5.5-Cup
- Slow, especially brown rice
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 batches
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.
Source: Wirecutter, Walmart reviews (lowest rated) - Units failing early
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.
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 Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker & Warmer, 5.5-Cup if
Japanese-style slightly sticky rice
Set-and-forget daily use with a timer
Owners who want a proven model
Skip it if: You need fast rice; You mostly eat brown rice; You cook just one cup at a time
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