You know that rice is a staple in many cultures, but it can be hard to cook the perfect pot of rice. Rice cookers are designed to make cooking easy and foolproof. They come with preset programs for different types of rice, so you don’t have to worry about messing up your meal by overcooking or undercooking the rice.
The best small rice cooker will solve all of these problems for you! With this handy kitchen appliance, cooking rice has never been easier. You can set the timer so that your rice is ready when you are and there’s no need to stand over the stove watching every minute of cooking time. Plus, with many models available in different sizes and styles, there’s sure to be one that suits your needs perfectly!
Our Top Picks:
Best For Overall:
Runner-Up:
Best For Durable:
Best For Compact Design:
Best For Lightweight:
Best Small Rice Cooker Reviews 2024
Cuckoo CRP-LHTR1009F
Cuckoo CRP-LHTR1009F is an excellent rice cooker that will cook you the best-steamed rice recipe. This is a perfect 8-cup cooker for family use. It has two distinct settings, one for white rice and another for brown rice. The stainless steel body of CRP-LHTR1009F is durable with a strong plastic handle to provide a firm grip while cooking or serving.
If you are looking for a rice cooker that will cook your food fast and easily, then Cuckoo CRP-LHTR1009F can be the best choice. It is one of the affordable products in the market today with high standard quality. It comes up with two years warranty, so if anything goes wrong during this period, you can get the warranty service from the manufacturer.
This best small rice cooker is known to be best for a small family because it has an 8-cup capacity. It also produces enough cooked rice for six people at once, and four servings of ready-to-serve steamed rice with an indicator light that lets you know when it is done.
Cuckoo CRP-LHTR1009F also has some interesting features that you can read through to discover more about this model. These best small rice cooker reviews will help you get the perfect information about the product so that you can make an intelligent decision on whether it is right for your lifestyle or not.
Pros
– Comes with a 1-year warranty
– The rice cooker is made of high-quality stainless steel
– Comes in various colors such as champagne gold, black and red
Cons
– Expensive
Cuckoo CR-0675F Micom Rice Cooker
Cuckoo CR-0675F Micom Rice Cooker is the best small rice cooker. Cuckoo CR-0675F Micom Rice Cooker is family size, with 3.5 cup capacity, useful for cooking easy meals for the family, or side dishes to complement meat and fish dishes.
The multi-menu cooking settings of Cuckoo CR-0675F Micom Rice Cooker provide for cooking different types of rice, including white rice, brown rice, porridge, and slow-cook.
Cuckoo CR-0675F Micom Rice Cooker is equipped with exclusive Micro computerized fuzzy logic technology. The Cuckoo CR-0675F Micom Rice Cooker ensures perfect results every time you cook your favorite rice dish. This rice cooker also comes with a delay timer, enabling you to prepare food at hours that don’t inconvenience your family.
This best small rice cooker is a micro computerized 3 in one multi-function cooker: it can steam meat and vegetables while cooking rice at the same time.
It also automatically switches to keep warm after the cooking cycle has been completed. It is easy to operate with an LCD control panel, removable inner pot and nonstick coating inner pan are dishwashers safe for easy cleanup.
Pros
– Compact, space-saving design
– 10 cup cooked rice capacity
– Nonstick inner pot and steamer tray for faster cooking and easy food release
– Stay-cool handles with a power cord length of 33 inches
– Indicator lights on the control panel let you know when to start cooking or peek into the pot without opening
Cons
– Some people mention that the cord is a little short for their liking
Mishcdea Small Rice Cooker
Mishcdea Small Rice Cooker is a good reference to use in choosing the best small rice cooker. It is a well-known product because it has been sold in the market for decades now.
Mishcdea Small Rice Cooker has a 3 cups capacity. It cooks white rice perfectly, making it soft and tender. The stainless steel exterior gives the product the sleek look which makes it more elegant in design. It comes with an aluminum nonstick cooking pot that allows even distribution of heat to make sure that the rice is evenly cooked.
A great thing about this rice cooker is its keep-warm function which automatically kicks in to maintain the warm temperature of the cooked food until you are ready to serve it. It also comes with a detachable cord and an anti-slip rubber at the bottom of its base, making it safe and secure while cooking on top of your counter.
Small, but powerful. That’s one of the phrases that made it popular among other kitchen appliances. It is compact but can cook up to 6 servings of rice. It also has a non-stick inner pot. It is durable and has a 3-year warranty.
This best small rice cooker has a durable non-stick bowl which makes sure that the food served will not stick on it. And since it is small, you can bring this anywhere without having issues! It also comes with 2 colors available; red and black. So choose one that fits your personality!
Pros
– Affordable
– Compact design
– Hacks the process of cooking rice by up to 1/4th time, saving you time and money…
– Comes with a 10-year warranty
Cons
– Steam may get back into the rice while cooking causing it to get more starchy and sticky
– The lid may get too hot for some people
Tenavo Digital Mini Rice Cooker
Tenavo Digital Mini Rice Cooker is a state-of-the-art innovative design, which is powerful and yet easy to use. The small digital mini rice cooker has a capacity of 3 cups, so it is perfect for one or two people, although you can cook up to 6 cups when required.
Tenavo Mini Rice Cooker has an inbuilt overheat sensor instead of a thermostat. This means that the cooker is programmed to shut off when it gets to the boiling point, thus avoiding any form of overheating.
A great advantage is that you can cook any type of rice with this digital mini rice cooker, whether it be white, brown, or wild, without any consequences. The advantages of Tenavo Mini Rice Cooker are numerous. It includes a delay timer so you can schedule your cooking in advance to have a delicious meal ready for you.
The beautiful stainless steel exterior gives this machine a stylish look, which is always an added advantage! This is one of the most popular small rice cookers on Amazon today with ratings constantly being updated which reflects great customer satisfaction.
Pros
– Nonstick coating on the bowl and nonstick pan, making it easy to cook with little added oil
– Temperature control with settings for both white rice and brown rice
– Steam release feature which helps prevent boilovers by automatically releasing steam when the appropriate temperature is reached
Cons
– Small capacity
Tenavo Smart Mini Rice Cooker
Tenavo Smart Mini Rice Cooker is a 10 cups mini rice cooker that is meant to cook delicious and healthy dishes for your entire family. It has a small footprint compared to other brands, but it still packs quite a punch in terms of features and quality performance.
This device can cook up to 20% faster than other rice cookers. It comes with an array of settings including white rice, brown rice, porridge, cake, and steam. It has delay timers that allow you to set the time up to 24 hours in advance so you can come home or wake up to a delicious meal.
You can also use it as an intelligent warmer that keeps your food warm for 12 hours after cooking is done automatically without any supervision. Tenavo Smart Mini Rice Cooker comes with a detachable non-stick bowl that is easy to clean and dishwasher safe.
It has an automatic keep-warm function that ensures your food stays perfectly cooked at the right temperature until the designated time. This rice cooker also has two measuring cups, one plastic spoon, and a serving spatula included for convenience.
Pros
– Made in Japan, which is known for its quality products
– Cooks rice for between 3 to 6 people
– Automatic cooking settings are preprogrammed with the correct quantity of water and rice needed to cook perfect sushi.
– Allows you to adjust each setting according to your desired level of hardness or texture
Cons
– This cooker will not work on electric stovetops due to lack of induction features; it works best with gas stoves
TLOG Mini Rice Cooker
TLOG Mini Rice Cooker is small enough to fit in any small space yet it is still big enough for most daily cooking uses. You can prepare up to 3 cups of cooked rice or 4 cups of steamed food with this unit.
It has so many features which are essential in making this machine perfect for smaller families. It actually comes with 2 different inner pots one for rice and the other one is for steaming.
So you can actually make white rice and steam vegetables or meat at the same time using a single machine. It comes with a detachable power cord that will prevent accidental spills from happening.
You can cook your food quickly since it has a built-in heart sensor that automatically turns down once cooking begins to prevent overcooking.
It even has this automatic keep-warm function which will keep the rice hot and moist for a longer period of time. This can be done without any power consumption at all, once your food is cooked it will automatically turn itself into a warming mode.
Pros
– Lightweight
– Easy to clean up
– Comes with a steamer basket and rice paddle
Cons
– It’s small. If you cook lots, this might not be for you
WHITE TIGER Portable Travel Small Cooker
WHITE TIGER Portable Travel Small Cooker is small-sized cookware that is effective, versatile, and very easy to use. For anyone who wants a reliable rice cooker for one or two servings, this cooker should be an excellent choice.
With its ease of use and simple operation, you can make perfect cooking time every day. You can go out to work or have a trip without worrying about the rice being overcooked.
This cooker has been carefully crafted and engineered. The exterior is made of high-quality heat-resistant plastic which gives it a nice look and protects your hands from heat while cooking. Its compact size makes it ideal for any kitchen interior – you will not even notice this small appliance.
In addition to successfully cooking delicious rice, this cooker is also good at steaming veggies and seafood as well as porridge making. Whether you are a sushi lover or want to try some Chinese cuisine – this cooker is your best choice!
Pros
– Does not consume much counter space
– Suitable for cooking rice, soup, eggs, oatmeal, etc.
– It can serve as a food warmer or heater for other dishes
– Food is cooked well and the result is fluffy rice that does not stick to the inner pot surface
Cons
– The inner pot is made of aluminum so it can get corroded with acidic foods
Zojirushi NHS-06
Zojirushi NHS-06 is the best small rice cooker you can buy right now. It has a capacity of 3 cups and is small enough to fit your kitchen countertop.
If this is your first time buying, we recommend that you pick up this one because it is easy to use and clean. The good thing about Zojirushi NHS-06 is that because of the quality materials that are used to make this rice cooker, you would never have problems with its performance.
This small rice cooker is easy to clean and use. This has a compact design so it doesn’t take too much space on your kitchen countertop. It is very sturdy and comes with a 3-year warranty.
Zojirushi NHS-06 has a delay timer so you can program when you want it to start cooking your rice. This is the best small rice cooker on our list because it also has an extended keep-warm function that will allow you to cook different kinds of food at the same time.
Pros
– Very durable
– Easy to use
– Large capacity
– Creates perfect rice every time
Cons
– None
Reishunger Rice Cooker & Steamer
Reishunger Rice Cooker & Steamer is very useful only work to make brown rice. If you are not hungry, then 4 cups of rice can make 16 cups of a cooked meal. You can adjust the time easily when the cooker is working.
When you open the lid to check, food will not be burnt because it has stainless steel inner pot and a glass lid. There are several safety systems in this rice cooker. For example; it has a double safety pressure system.
According to the company, it is a BPA-free machine. These are some of the essential features of this rice cooker which you will not find in other appliances.
When you talk about small rice cookers, the first thing that comes to your mind is Zojirushi NS-LAC05XT 5-1/2-Cup (Uncooked) Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer.
This rice cooker is very useful for a small family because you can cook up to 5-1/2 cups of uncooked rice at a time. Each cup is about 6 ounces, so it seems enough for one person.
Pros
– Quick & Easy
– Cooks the rice better than stovetop
– Steams vegetables great
– A new way to enjoy cooking rice
Cons
– Steamer has a plastic smell
– Steamer is difficult to clean
Hamilton Beach Mini Rice Cooker
Hamilton Beach Mini Rice Cooker is a great little appliance that’s both extremely useful and budget-friendly. It doesn’t look like much, but it really can make delicious rice in around 20 minutes. It’s also versatile and easy to store.
Hamilton Beach Mini Rice Cooker comes in purple color only, but if you’re a fan of purple appliances, it might be something for you. We must admit that the appliance looks better than most other mini rice cookers, but that’s subjective.
The cooker is made from plastic and it does look cheap. It’s very easy to use and you can prepare up to 3 cups of uncooked rice or around 6-8 of cooked rice. One thing that I do not like about this appliance is that it has no measuring cup included, which makes it hard to judge how much rice you’re cooking.
There’s also no on/off switch on this mini rice cooker, but I guess that’s not really necessary since it starts cooking as soon as you plug it in. There is however a light that indicates when the cooker is ON and there are 2 illuminated bars showing the level of the water inside.
Pros
– Small and compact
– Great for small families or singles
– Quicker than other methods of cooking rice, especially when using a stovetop
– Has an automatic shut off
– The inner bowl is removable for easy cleaning
Cons
– Does not have a timer function
Aroma Housewares ARC-743G
Aroma Housewares ARC-743G is a 5-cup rice cooker and food steamer. It features a removable nonstick cooking pot and tempered glass lid which provide easy access for serving. The rice cooker automatically switches to keep-warm mode after cooking is complete.
The Aroma Housewares ARC-743G comes with a steaming tray that can be used to cook vegetables, meat, and seafood while simultaneously preparing up to 5 cups of cooked rice. This best small rice cooker also has an easy-to-read water level indicator and a cord storage to easily store the power cord.
What makes this rice cooker stand out from other small appliances is that it includes a serving spatula. This also means that you can go ahead and cook all your ingredients in one device, then serve them all at once on the same tray. The Aroma Rice Cooker will automatically switch to “warm” keeping food warm and fresh until you are ready to serve it.
Pros
– Small and compact
– It has 7 cup capacity
– Measures up to 3 cups of uncooked rice with its measuring cup
Cons
– It only makes one bowl of cooked rice at a time
Dash Mini Rice Cooker
Dash Mini Rice Cooker is surely a small rice cooker. For small families or single-person households, this is the perfect one. Even if it’s your first time using a rice cooker you can get used to it very quickly and start cooking yummy rice dishes in minutes. This cute little mini cooker will make your life easier and your food more enjoyable.
This best small rice cooker is really simple to use. There are only a few buttons – the cooking button and the keep warm button that is pretty self-explanatory. This cute food processor steams meat, vegetables, fish, and many other foods. You can also cook delicious desserts or tasty porridge with this simple rice cooker.
The cooking bowl is made of BPA free food grade plastic and the steaming tray from stainless steel so it’s really easy to clean! Just clean it after each use and you will have a nice small appliance that will last for a long time.
Pros
-Great for small families, couples, or singles
-It has a 3 cup size that is perfect for 2 people.
-This rice cooker uses up to 40% less energy than other cooking methods like boiling
Cons
-Regular kitchen appliances might take longer than expected to cook food (an hour), but this can be solved by preheating the unit beforehand.
Aroma Housewares ARC-743-1NGR
Aroma Housewares ARC-743-1NGR is one of the best small rice cookers available in the market. It has a simple but effective design, which makes it very easy to use.
It is compact and lightweight, so you can easily carry it anywhere. If you are looking for the perfect companion then Aroma Housewares ARC-743 1NGR is your first choice.
It is designed with the latest technology, which makes it very efficient in cooking rice. You can also steam vegetables and meat using the steaming tray provided by Aroma Housewares ARC-743-1NGR.
This small rice cooker has an automatic keep-warm function that keeps food fresh for several hours. Plus, it has a nonstick coating that makes it easier to clean. It has a 1.0-liter capacity that makes it ideal for cooking for 2 people.
Pros
-Compact and lightweight, so easy to carry.
-Provides 10 years of warranty.
-Nonstick interior coating allows even heating.
-Capacity is perfect for two servings.
Cons
-Only one color option.
IMUSA USA GAU-00011 Electric Nonstick Rice Cooker
IMUSA USA GAU-00011 Electric Nonstick Rice Cooker is one of the best rice cookers in the market today. It is a 12-cup rice cooker that is large enough to cook for an average family.
This product comes with its own measuring cup and has also pre-set buttons that allow you to make sushi, porridge, and sweet rice without changing settings or adding extra ingredients manually. Most people find this feature helpful as they can make multiple types of rice quickly.
This product comes with a detachable power cord which means you can store it easily after use without getting tangled up with other kitchen appliances. This is not only space-saving but also very convenient.
The stainless steel exterior gives this cooker a modern and sophisticated look. Its cooking pan is also nonstick which means you can cook your rice effortlessly. The handles stay cool to the touch when cooking and the inside of the cooker is easy to clean, making this a fuss-free appliance.
Pros
– Maintains the heat and flavor of food
– Meets health requirements for home use of rice cookers
– Best small rice cooker on the market
Cons
– None
BLACK+DECKER Uncooked Rice Cooker
BLACK+DECKER Uncooked Rice Cooker is specially made to make sure every grain is perfectly cooked, moist, and fluffy. It can prepare 4 cups of uncooked rice which is more than enough for your family.
The benefit of using the cooker is that food cooks faster and it preserves all nutrients. It has a keep-warm function; when the done cooking cycle will automatically switch to warm keeping the rice moist and flavorful.
To make sure the rice is cooked, it has a steam vent that allows air to escape. If you are not satisfied with the product for any reason, you can always return it. It comes along with a recipe book that contains recipes that are easy to prepare and perfect for your rice cooker!
Pros
– Easily cooks up to 6 cups of rice
– Easy to clean, just clean out the nonstick pot with a paper towel or sponge
– Comes with an easy pour spout that’s perfect for serving
Cons
– Steam vent is too high in the cooker, adding risk to spills and burns if not careful
Best Small Rice Cooker Benefits
There are many benefits of a small rice cooker, but the most important is that they’re portable. You can take your rice cooker with you when you’re on vacation or camping and cook perfect rice anywhere. This is a real advantage if you live in an area where restaurants serve only overcooked mushy rice or no rice at all!
Another great benefit of a small rice cooker is convenience. It makes cooking easy because there’s less to clean up afterward – it cooks everything in one pot so there’s no need to wash pots and pans afterward. And cleanup is quick and easy too because all the parts are dishwasher safe.
The small rice cooker received great reviews from its users. Many people said how much they liked that it was compact and lightweight. They were able to store it easily in their kitchen cabinets without taking up too much room, unlike other larger models.
And the small size was great for cooking up smaller portions of rice or even oatmeal or soups. Many people said that this cooker provided them with perfect rice every time they used it and was also very easy to clean up afterward since all the parts were dishwasher safe.
Factors To Consider When Choosing Best Small Rice Cooker
Choosing the right small rice cooker is not an easy task. There are so many models and brands to choose from, and they come in a range of prices that can be hard to understand at first.
Size
Will your rice cooker be able to feed just yourself, or will you need to cook for the whole family every day? Do you want a large pot so that you can cook more food at once, or do you need something small enough to fit in the cupboard easily?
Price
You don’t want to break the bank by buying your new rice cooker, but you should also consider that the cheap model might not last as long and may be made from lower-quality materials. The best small rice cookers come in a range of prices, so there is something for everyone’s budget.
Features
All the latest rice cookers have special features to improve the cooking process and make them easy to use. For example, some models will automatically switch from cooking mode to keep warm when the rice is ready, while others might have delay functions that allow you to start cooking your meal at a later time.
Ease of Use
You want your small rice cooker to be easy to use and clean, which is why you should look for models with special features such as nonstick interiors and removable lids. The best small rice cookers should be simple to use, so you can get perfect results time after time, without wasting too much time or effort preparing your food.
Cleaning
You should also look for a rice cooker that is easy to clean, and some models can be cleaned in the dishwasher. You want something that won’t take up too much time and energy on your part after use, as we all lead busy lives and we need appliances which make our daily tasks as simple as possible.
FAQs about Best Small Rice Cooker
What should I do if my rice is too wet/too dry when cooked?
Noodle-wise, we recommend rinsing the peeled rice before cooking it. You could also add water for looser grains, up to one cup of water for every cup of dry rice. If your steamed rice is too wet or sticks together like porridge, your level of heat may be too high and you should lower it.
For fluffy white rice (we all love several types! – brown/wild/red), leave the lid cracked open to make sure condensation isn’t forming on top of your pot which can make the cooked grains heavy and moist.
Do you have instructions for cooking white or brown jasmine rice on the Best Small Rice Cooker?
It’s rare that white or brown jasmine rice is cooked with a rice cooker. Brown jasmine needs to be soaked for 12 hours before cooking it, and white jasmine needs to be soaked for 4 hours before cooking it. We suggest trying one of these types of rice if you want to make it in the rice cooker.
How does the timer work on this cooker & what is its purpose?
The timer works like any other appliance: you can set it and walk away. The timer’s purpose is to keep track of the duration of time that the rice has been cooking for. It can help make sure that your rice isn’t overcooked or undercooked.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a rice cooker that is easy to use and will cook perfect, fluffy rice every time then the best small rice cooker is a great choice. It comes with an inner cooking pot so there’s no need to dirty up another dish while preparing your meal. And it also has a steaming tray that lets you steam vegetables or fish alongside your rice at the same time!