Best Japanese Rice Cookers: A Complete Buying Guide

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Are you looking to add a new rice cooker to your kitchen?  It’s probably no surprise that the best ones are made in Japan.  With so many rice cookers to choose from, picking the right one can feel daunting.

In this article, I will share the 5 best Japanese rice cookers you can get for your money. I also go into detail about how rice cookers work and how to choose the best product for your needs.

 

 

The 5 Best Japanese Rice Cookers

Here are my picks for the top 5 Japanese rice cookers

 

Preview
Tiger Corporation JAX-T10U-K 5.5-Cup (Uncooked) Micom Rice Cooker with Food Steamer & Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel Black
Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH Induction Heating System Rice Cooker and Warmer, 1 L, Stainless Dark Gray
Overall Winner
Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 5-1/2-Cup Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer, Premium White
Zojirushi NP-NVC10 Induction Heating Pressure Cooker and Warmer, 5.5 Cup, Stainless Brown, Made in Japan
Tiger JNP-1800-FL 10-Cup (Uncooked) Rice Cooker and Warmer, Floral White
Title
Tiger Corporation JAX-T10U-K 5.5-Cup (Uncooked) Micom Rice Cooker with Food Steamer & Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel Black
Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH Induction Heating System Rice Cooker and Warmer, 1 L, Stainless Dark Gray
Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 5-1/2-Cup Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer, Premium White
Zojirushi NP-NVC10 Induction Heating Pressure Cooker and Warmer, 5.5 Cup, Stainless Brown, Made in Japan
Tiger JNP-1800-FL 10-Cup (Uncooked) Rice Cooker and Warmer, Floral White
Preview
Tiger Corporation JAX-T10U-K 5.5-Cup (Uncooked) Micom Rice Cooker with Food Steamer & Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel Black
Title
Tiger Corporation JAX-T10U-K 5.5-Cup (Uncooked) Micom Rice Cooker with Food Steamer & Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel Black
Details
Preview
Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH Induction Heating System Rice Cooker and Warmer, 1 L, Stainless Dark Gray
Title
Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH Induction Heating System Rice Cooker and Warmer, 1 L, Stainless Dark Gray
Details
Overall Winner
Preview
Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 5-1/2-Cup Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer, Premium White
Title
Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 5-1/2-Cup Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer, Premium White
Details
Preview
Zojirushi NP-NVC10 Induction Heating Pressure Cooker and Warmer, 5.5 Cup, Stainless Brown, Made in Japan
Title
Zojirushi NP-NVC10 Induction Heating Pressure Cooker and Warmer, 5.5 Cup, Stainless Brown, Made in Japan
Details
Preview
Tiger JNP-1800-FL 10-Cup (Uncooked) Rice Cooker and Warmer, Floral White
Title
Tiger JNP-1800-FL 10-Cup (Uncooked) Rice Cooker and Warmer, Floral White
Details

 

1. Tiger JAX-T10U-K 5.5 Cup (Uncooked) Micom Rice Cooker with Food Steamer & Slow Cooker

Tiger Corporation JAX-T10U-K 5.5-Cup (Uncooked) Micom Rice Cooker with Food Steamer & Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel Black

Pros

  • Tiger’s claim to fame is their specially designed inner bowls – this model’s cooking bowl is made of thick stainless steel, and won’t transfer any unwanted flavors or change the texture of the rice, so your rice will taste better.
  • Micom technology will monitor the cooking so you don’t have to do any work, just minimal prep. The LCD display screen and simple design makes it easy to operate, so there’s no need to spend hours learning how to use it.
  • It’s a multi-function rice cooker that also steams, slow cooks, and can simultaneously cook two dishes, along with different types of rice, which means you don’t have to have a bunch of appliances taking up counter space.
  • The removable inner lid and “steam cap”, along with the cooking bowl, are all easy to clean after use, which is great if you cook rice frequently.

 

Cons

  • It doesn’t use fuzzy logic technology, which helps rice cookers “think,” so the rice you’ll get from this model probably won’t compare to ones produced by the more top of the line rice cookers.

 

For more details: Tiger JAX-T10U-K 5.5-Cup (Uncooked) Micom Rice Cooker with Food Steamer & Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel Black

 

2. Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 5-1/2-Cup (Uncooked) Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer

Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 5-1/2-Cup Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer, Premium White

Pros

  • With advanced“neuro fuzzy” (Zojirushi’s special trademark) technology, this rice cooker can make fine tuned adjustments to temperature and cooking lengths, which means it’s super easy to make amazing rice.
  • It’s such a cute little machine that you might want to leave it out on your kitchen counter just to look at! It’s got a retractable cord and a handle, so it’s portable, too.
  • There’s an extended “keep warm” function that keeps rice warm for up to 12 hours, which means there’s always steaming hot rice from morning to night.

 

Cons

  • Cooking times can certain types of rice (up to 1 hour or more)

 

For more details: Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 5-1/2-Cup (Uncooked) Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer, Premium White, 1.0-Liter

 

3. Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH Induction Heating System Rice Cooker and Warmer

Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH Induction Heating System Rice Cooker and Warmer, 1 L, Stainless Dark Gray

Pros

  • It’s got all the bells and whistles of a Micom rice cooker with the cooking power of induction heating, which means it’s easy to make excellent quality rice every time. There is just no contest between the regular direct-heat cooking method and induction heating method – rice made by an IH cooker is far superior.
  • It can cook all kinds of different grains, but is especially great for cooking germinated brown rice (or “sprouted brown rice”). It increases the amount of GABA in it, a valuable amino acid that lowers blood pressure, relieves stress, and improves kidney function.
  • Automatic warmer setting keeps rice at perfect serving temperature.

Cons

  • With a price tag of around $250, this rice cooker might not be necessary for people who can’t cook often.

For more details: Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH Induction Heating System Rice Cooker and Warmer, 1 L, Stainless Dark Gray

 

4. Zojirushi Induction Heating Pressure Rice Cooker & Warmer

Zojirushi NP-NVC18 Induction Heating Pressure Cooker and Warmer, 10 Cups, Stainless Brown, Made in Japan

Pros

  • This is the most “intelligent” rice cooker on the planet – it uses fuzzy logic technology and AI (Artifical intelligence) to “learn” how to make perfect rice every time. It’s basically a rice cooking robot that sits on your kitchen counter.
  • This rice cooker makes rice taste better with a platinum particle-infused cooking bowl. Platinum alkalizes water, making it easier to penetrate the rice, which results in a sweeter tasting product.
  • The rice cooker will choose from 3 pressure settings, cooking rice that stays soft for much longer than regular cooked rice.

 

Cons

  • You get what you pay for here. The rice it makes is awesome, but comes with a pretty hefty price tag.

For more details: Zojirushi Induction Heating Pressure Rice Cooker & Warmer 1.8 Liter, Stainless Brown NP-NVC18

 

5. Tiger JNP-1800-FL 10-Cup (Uncooked) Rice Cooker and Warmer

Tiger JNP-1800-FL 10-Cup (Uncooked) Rice Cooker and Warmer, Floral White

Pros

  • There’s a reason it’s been around for this long – this old-school conventional rice cooker is simple and easy to use, but makes reliably tasty rice, and keeps it warm. Not much else, but that’s just what some people need.
  • One of the most affordable rice cookers out there, but because it’s made in Japan, it doesn’t compromise on quality.

 

Cons

  • It pales in comparison in terms of technology and cooking methods to the newer models, and is really only good for making white rice.

 

For more details: Tiger JNP-1800-FL 10-Cup (Uncooked) Rice Cooker and Warmer, Floral White

 

Best Overall Rice Cooker

And the winner for best Japanese rice cooker is…

 

Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 5-1/2-Cup (Uncooked) Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer

Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 5-1/2-Cup Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer, Premium White

While the “best” rice cooker is subjective depending on your needs, the Zojirushi Neuro Fuzzy rice cooker offers everything you need at a good price. It makes a delicious pot rice and is very easy to use.

It’s an affordable price for what it is – basically a small white computer that takes all the thinking out of cooking so anyone can make amazing rice, every single time.

With a pleasing design and tons of useful features, it’s perfect for people who cook rice often and want the freedom to make all kinds of different rice, grains, and other meals.

It’s easy to clean and has a delay timer so you control when it starts cooking – along with pretty much all the most important features a rice cooker should have.

If you are searching for a smartly engineered and high-quality Japanese rice cooker, you won’t go wrong choosing this one.

 

Rice Cooker BasicsBest Japanese Rice Cooker How to Choose

Rice is measured in traditional units called 合 (“gou”), and 1合 equals to 180ml of rice – roughly a single serving size. You can purchase these 180ml rice measuring cups online, but many rice cookers have one included. Keeping this in mind, here are the typical sizes of rice cookers that are available:

  • Small: cooks up to 3合, feeds 1-2 people
  • Medium: cooks 3.5 – 5.5合, feeds 3-5 people
  • Large: cooks 6.0 – 8.5合, feeds 4-6 people
  • Jumbo: cooks 10合+, feeds 6+ people

For one person, a small rice cooker takes up little space and is easy to store.

I prefer the medium size for my family of four because any leftover rice gets eaten in the next day or so – or we freeze it.

 

How to Choose the Best Rice Cooker For Your NeedsBest Japanese Rice Cooker Good Rice

You can figure out what type of rice cooker is best for you by answering these 3 questions:

 

1. What Can You Afford?

You can narrow down your choices with a budget, since Japan-made rice cookers range from $60 to $800+.

 

2. How Much of a Rice Lover Are You?

How important is the taste/quality of your rice? Conventional rice cookers do a fine job, but if you are looking for the most delicious rice possible, you might want to look at the newer models that use high-tech cooking methods.

 

3. Do Need A Rice Cooker With Lots of Features and Options?

If you want lots of useful features like a “delay timer” that allows you to cook rice at specific times, or the ability to cook different types of rice, you want to look at getting a Micom (“microcomputer”) rice cooker.

 

Types of Japanese Rice CookersBest Japanese Rice Cooker Types

There are 4 types of Japanese rice cookers available today:

 

1. Conventional Rice Cookers

Panasonic SR-G06FGL Rice, Steamer & Multi-Cooker, 3-Cup, 3 cups uncooked/6 cups cooked, Silver
These are the original rice cookers, the first one having been invented in 1955 by Toshiba.

They are very simple, inexpensive devices that cook rice, then switch off or switch to “Keep warm” mode automatically. There’s no other functions or options. It just one button you push when you want to start cooking your rice.

 

Quality and Taste

If you don’t eat rice very often and aren’t too concerned with having amazingly delicious rice, then a conventional rice cooker might be just right for you.

 

2. Micom Rice Cookers

Zojirushi NS-TSC10 5-1/2-Cup (Uncooked) Micom Rice Cooker and Warmer, 1.0-Liter

The Micom rice cooker, which contains a microcomputer chip, can “think” for you using “fuzzy logic technology” – it can make adjustments to temperature settings and cooking times based on what the thermostat senses.

This means it can also adjust to cooking different types of rice and even other grains or types of food.

Micom rice cookers have a heating element at the bottom which heats up the cooking bowl, but with relatively low heat compared to induction heating rice cookers.

 

Quality and Taste

These rice cookers do a very good job of making delicious rice. For most people, the microm rice cookers offer the best balance between price, ease of use, and taste.

Micom rice cookers are a huge step up from conventional rice cookers, but compared to the IH and pressurized IH rice cookers, they are still an affordable price, ranging from $60 -$200.

If you want lots of high-tech features and the certainty of making great rice every time, then a Micom rice cooker might be the one you need.

 

3. Micom + Induction Heating (IH) Rice Cookers

Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH Induction Heating System Rice Cooker and Warmer, 1 L, Stainless Dark Gray

Are you serious about your rice? Then an “induction heating” rice cooker might be right for you.

While less expensive rice cookers use a direct heating method to cook rice, IH rice cookers use electrical currents to create a magnetic field inside the cooker, turning the entire bowl into a heat source.

What does this mean for the rice? Because the entire bowl gets hot quickly, the rice is cooked evenly, and the end result is fluffy and delectable. It’s often said that once you go IH, you won’t ever want rice cooked any other way.

 

Quality and Taste

While IH rice cookers do make your rice taste better than cheaper micom products, the cost might not be worth it if you don’t eat rice very often. However, if you eat rice several times a week, the few extra money you spend on an IH cooker will be well worth it.

They typically range from $200 – $400.

 

4. Micom + Pressurized + Induction Heating Rice Cookers

Zojirushi NP-NVC18 Induction Heating Pressure Cooker and Warmer, 10 Cups, Stainless Brown, Made in Japan

The newest and fanciest rice cookers on the block are “Pressurized IH” rice cookers.

These rice cookers combine induction heating with powerful pressure cooking, which generates extremely high temperatures in the cooking bowl.

The high temperature is said to alter the physical properties of the rice, making it softer and more easily digestible.

In other words, it makes the best rice you could ever eat in the comforts of your own home.

 

Quality and Taste

You won’t get better tasting rice than this.

IH pressure rice cookers make lower quality rice taste just like it came from a top restaurant in Japan. It gives the rice a wonderfully different texture than other rice cookers. The cooked rice is both fluffy and chewy at the same time, with every grain perfectly cooked.

If you’re a rice lover, IH is the only way to go.

Pressurized IH rice cookers are the most expensive on the market, but if you want the best of the best, you might consider shelling out $300 or more for these top-of-the-line appliances. Some of them have price tags of $800 or more.

 

Things to Consider When Buying a Rice CookerBest Japanese Rice Cooker Things to Consider

 

Bowl quality

The material used for the bowl in a rice cooker plays a huge role in producing quality rice. Most Japanese rice cookers have a stainless steel bowl with a non-stick coating (for easier cleaning), which is what you might want to look for. Also look for a very insulated (thick) bowl, which helps retain and regulate heat.

 

Features

The “keep warm” and “delay start” settings are very useful, keeping rice warm and allowing you to control when the cooking starts.

Finding a rice cooker with the right features is important, especially if you are planning on cooking different types of rice.

 

Easy to Clean

You’ll be cleaning the cooking bowl and inner lid of your rice cooker every time you use it, so finding one that’s easy to clean is important. Most Japanese rice cookers have a non-stick coating on the bowls, and detachable inner lids for easier cleaning.

 

Photo of author

Kanna Livingston

Born and raised in Japan, Kanna now lives in Richmond, California. She chases two toddlers around by day, and is a professional writer by night. She loves sharing her personal experiences of growing up half Japanese - both the good and the bad. She dreams of her next trip home to see her family, eat amazing food, and enjoy excellent customer service, all of which she misses dearly.

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