Rice is a key accompaniment of many a meal. Curries, stir fries, chillis, risotto, salads and sushi, eaten hot, cold, sticky, crispy and fried - the real MVP of the food world. It's easily paired with a whole host of ingredients, but making this versatile food can actually be pretty tricky.
Washing it, getting the right amount of water, undercooking it, overcooking it, too starchy, not fluffy enough, do you stir it? Not stir it? It's a minefield if you're someone who doesn't have the time (or energy) to stand and babysit the pot for its entire cooking time.
That's where rice cookers come in. They take the guesswork, effort and faff out of cooking rice, giving you perfect, fluffy rice every time.
Ready to invest in the best rice cooker for you? Whether you want a microwavable one or a kitchen gadget that'll do rice and a lot more, we've scoured the web to find the best-rated appliances available for every budget.
The best rice cooker for perfect rice every time
Best Overall
This mini rice cooker is ideal for those with minimal kitchen workspace or couples who don't need a huge gadget. It comfortably makes enough rice for 1-3 people (0.63 litres) and can tackle white rice, long grain rice, sushi rice, porridge and more. Reviewers love the way it looks and the timer function, plus it cooks rice to perfection and doesn't leave a sticky residue on the bowl.
Top Pick
If you have a big family, the Bamboo rice cooker is for you. It can hold enough rice to feed up to 8 people (1.5 litres) and tackles all kinds of rice and has some cool functions like a Yumami setting (making the rice extra tasty) as well as the ability to cook porridge and cakes. It has a timer and keep warm function and stay cool handles for extra protection. Reviewers like that it handles tough types of rice like risotto and brown rice well and that it's simple to clean after each use. Some noted that it does take a while to cook (but you can't beat perfection) and that it isn't really suited to smaller quantities.
Expert's Choice
When it comes to aesthetic, this rice cooker from Reishunger is the clear winner. Just look at all those colourways! It isn't just a pretty face, though. It's simple to use and delivers perfect rice, plus has a useful timer and keep warm function. It will feed 3 people (0.6 litres) and buyers state that it can also be used to steam vegetables and is a great size, but some noted that a countdown timer would be a nice addition.
Recommended
If you want something without all the bells and whistles, opt for a rice cooker for the microwave. This one from Joseph Joseph is comprised of a two litre cooking pot, colander, measuring cup and multi-purpose rice paddle, is dishwasher safe and so simple to use. It isn't a timesaver - rice will cook in the same amount of time it does on the hob - but reviewers like that you can just set it to work and get perfectly cooked rice once it's done.
Recommended
This personal rice cooker is unobtrusive, so simple to use and will feed one or two people (0.3 litres). It does what it says on the tin, is easy to clean, gives you ideal portion sizes and has an automatic keep warm function.
Recommended
We couldn't finish this list without a Sistema addition, could we? The kitchen juggernaut has created a simple, microwavable rice cooker with a steam release vent for splatter-free cooking. It doesn't come with any instructions so you will still have to get the measurements right, but it's an affordable way to ensure you get delicious, fluffy rice.
Jade Moscrop is a Content Writer for WhatsTheBest, specialising in lifestyle topics. She also writes for Closer, Heat, and Mother&Baby.