If you’re looking for a stress-free way to make fluffy, tender rice, you need a Zojirushi rice cooker. Though making a great batch of rice is possible without any kitchen appliances, having a machine—especially one with the ability to cook different types of rice—can streamline weeknight cooking and make life easier. Using a rice cooker takes all the unpredictability out of the equation: There’s no need to babysit a pot of rice on the stovetop and no risk of under- or overcooking your rice. With the right model, perfect rice for pilafs and hearty grain bowls is just a rinse and press of a button away.
Why are Zojirushi rice cookers so good?
While they aren’t the cheapest on the market, the Japanese brand’s appliances consistently produce flawlessly cooked rice. Zojirushi’s 19 rice cookers range in price and capability and are split into two categories: conventional electric rice cookers and the more technologically advanced Micom rice cookers.
Zojirushi’s conventional rice cookers keep things simple—and less expensive—with a single switch, while the Micom machines are equipped with a micro computer and “fuzzy logic” technology that helps each machine adjust cooking time and temperature as needed. (If you accidentally added too much liquid to the pot, it’s able to sense that and adjust so your grains don’t end up mushy.) The LCD control panel on the Micom models have specific cook settings for different types of rice, such as long-grain, white, brown, or sushi rice.
Not sure which model to get? Read on for the full run-down of our favorite models—but if you’d rather skip the details and go with the machine our food editors use every day in the test kitchen, look no further than the Zojirushi NS-TSC10 Micom Rice Cooker. Not only does it cook flawless rice consistently, but the price tag is a bit more budget-friendly compared to the brand’s higher end induction model, beloved by rice obsessives everywhere. We think the NS-TSC10 is the best Zojirushi rice cooker for most people.
Automatic Rice Cookers
Automatic Rice Cooker and Warmer NS-RPC 10/18
This automatic rice cooker may not have an elaborate control panel or the ability to prepare rice in advance, but its single switch—which toggles between “cook” and “keep warm”—makes it the best rice cooker for those who want a machine that’s straightforward and easy to use. Once your grains are cooked, the machine automatically shifts into “keep warm” mode.
The three heaters positioned on the bottom, middle, and top of the inner pot ensure that the rice stays at the ideal temperature, while the tight-sealing lid locks moisture in and prevents grains from becoming dry. The spatula holder attached to the side of the machine means you won’t have to travel far for a serving utensil when you finally get around to enjoying your batch of rice.
Like the brand’s other automatic rice cooker, this machine only has a single switch and transitions into “keep warm” mode once your rice is done. Though it doesn’t come with a spatula holder, its accessories include a spatula, a steamer basket, and handles that allow you to easily move the rice cooker. The glass lid also allows you to check on the cooking process of your rice in its nonstick inner pot.
Micom Rice Cookers
Zojirushi NS-TSC10/18 Micom Rice Cooker
This versatile Zojirushi Micom rice cooker tackles both sweet and savory cooking. You can program its menu settings to prepare white or brown rice, porridge, or mixed grains, and use the steam or bake setting to rustle up desserts like cheesecake. Set yourself up for success with the delay timer and keep warm options: Simply measure the grains and water in the morning, set the desired cooking start time, and you’ll come home to a fresh batch of rice after a long day of work.