What Is The UK’s Best Rice Cooker?
In this guide, we’ll take a look at the best rice cookers. We’ve compared size, cooking functions, style and cost to give you our top recommendations.
Rice Cooker Reviews
The versatility of cooking options with this model produce perfect rice whether your choice is white rice, long grain, short grain or brown. 3D heating surround technology takes all the hard work out of cooking rice with useful extra functions including steam, slow cook and cake bake settings.
The 5-layer inner bowl is 2mm thick and Ninja ceramic coated, designed to be hard wearing and BPA and PFOA free. The cooker has a keep warm feature, so your rice is always served at a perfect temperature.
The modern bright LED display and Smart button control panel is complemented by a 24-hour preset timer. This rice cooker is supplied with a steaming basket, rice measuring cup, spatula and ladle.
The versatility of cooking options with this model produce perfect rice whether your choice is white rice, long grain, short grain or brown. 3D heating surround technology takes all the hard work out of cooking rice with useful extra functions including steam, slow cook and cake bake settings.
The 5-layer inner bowl is 2mm thick and Ninja ceramic coated, designed to be hard wearing and BPA and PFOA free. The cooker has a keep warm feature, so your rice is always served at a perfect temperature.
The modern bright LED display and Smart button control panel is complemented by a 24-hour preset timer. This rice cooker is supplied with a steaming basket, rice measuring cup, spatula and ladle.
Pros
- Compact for small kitchens but with no loss of features or functionality
- Detachable inner lid, outer steam cap and condensation collector for easy cleaning
- Multi cooking options for different rice types
Cons
- Can leave an unpleasant odour when cooking white rice
Enjoy advanced logic technology with this 7-phase rice cooker delivering perfect results every time. A keep warm function ensures hot and fluffy rice when the rest of the meal is ready or use the handy ten-minute countdown timer to coordinate your cuisine.
A high-quality non-stick bowl is supplied alongside a steam basket, rice measuring cup and spatula plus a quick start guide to help beginners.
The ice-blue high-tech design and digital LED display is the ideal cooking aid for a contemporary kitchen with a stylish high gloss body and brushed silver lid.
Enjoy advanced logic technology with this 7-phase rice cooker delivering perfect results every time. A keep warm function ensures hot and fluffy rice when the rest of the meal is ready or use the handy ten-minute countdown timer to coordinate your cuisine.
A high-quality non-stick bowl is supplied alongside a steam basket, rice measuring cup and spatula plus a quick start guide to help beginners.
The ice-blue high-tech design and digital LED display is the ideal cooking aid for a contemporary kitchen with a stylish high gloss body and brushed silver lid.
Pros
- Cooks beans, lentils and other grains in addition to rice
- Intuitive and simple to use
- Detailed and useful instruction manual with recipes
Cons
- The coating on the outside of the ceramic bowl wears quickly
Cook rice and other grains to restaurant standard with this simple rice cooker. Use the unit to measure, wash and cook the rice, saving on time and washing up.
This rice cooker also comes with a multi-purpose rice paddle which can be used to lock the lid and double up to provide two carrying handles plus a colander and measuring cup.
Food safe BPA, clear up time is easy – just pop in the dishwasher.
Cook rice and other grains to restaurant standard with this simple rice cooker. Use the unit to measure, wash and cook the rice, saving on time and washing up.
This rice cooker also comes with a multi-purpose rice paddle which can be used to lock the lid and double up to provide two carrying handles plus a colander and measuring cup.
Food safe BPA, clear up time is easy – just pop in the dishwasher.
Pros
- Colander is handy for rinsing rice first
- Easy to clean, just rinse out and then put in the dishwasher
- Can be used to cook other foods without tainting rice flavour
- Colander and multi-purpose rice paddle included
Cons
- Lid can be slippery and fiddly to remove after cooking
Able to compete with larger and more expensive models, this smart rice cooker from Reishunger is so much more than just a rice cooker. There are eight cooking modes with six dedicated just for rice and you can also steam meat, fish and vegetables.
The menu selection is simple and easy to use on a contemporary and bright display panel. There is also a timer and a keep warm function for when you are behind with the rest of the meal.
The inner pot is made from stainless-steel with a double, non-stick ceramic coating and dual handles for perfect cooking and easy serving. Although described as a mini cooker, this unit will serve up to three people.
Able to compete with larger and more expensive models, this smart rice cooker from Reishunger is so much more than just a rice cooker. There are eight cooking modes with six dedicated just for rice and you can also steam meat, fish and vegetables.
The menu selection is simple and easy to use on a contemporary and bright display panel. There is also a timer and a keep warm function for when you are behind with the rest of the meal.
The inner pot is made from stainless-steel with a double, non-stick ceramic coating and dual handles for perfect cooking and easy serving. Although described as a mini cooker, this unit will serve up to three people.
Pros
- Compact and easily portable for holiday homes, caravans, even an office kitchen
- Multi-purpose for stew and vegetables
- Stylish on the worktop and easy to clean
Cons
- No countdown timer on the display whilst the rice is cooking
- The keep warm facility cannot be left for hours as the lower part of the rice becomes hard and chewy
Enjoy cooking perfection with restaurant quality rice on your menu courtesy of this stylish and well-designed rice cooker from Russell Hobbs. A non-stick removable bowl makes serving as easy as cooking.
The large 1.8 litre capacity will cater for all the family. A handy keep warm function maintains the rice at a perfect temperature until you are ready to serve.
There is an additional tray for steaming vegetables or fish and the cooker is also supplied with a measuring cup and spatula. This rice cooker is easy to clean and looks stylish when in operation in your kitchen.
Enjoy cooking perfection with restaurant quality rice on your menu courtesy of this stylish and well-designed rice cooker from Russell Hobbs. A non-stick removable bowl makes serving as easy as cooking.
The large 1.8 litre capacity will cater for all the family. A handy keep warm function maintains the rice at a perfect temperature until you are ready to serve.
There is an additional tray for steaming vegetables or fish and the cooker is also supplied with a measuring cup and spatula. This rice cooker is easy to clean and looks stylish when in operation in your kitchen.
Pros
- Switches straight to keep warm mode when rice is ready
- Heats quickly with a light to let you know when it is ready to use
- Large capacity for a hungry family
- Can even make porridge!
Cons
- There is an on/off switch concealed at the back of the unit which must be turned off after use or the heating element will remain on – easy to miss this
More than just a rice cooker, this stylish unit from Geepas will cook, steam and keep warm and is perfect for creating rice perfection regardless of what type you choose for your menu. A steamer function will also cook fish and vegetables.
Once the rice is ready, the cooker automatically switches to keep warm mode until the rest of your meal is ready. Two easy read two light indicators on the front of the unit reveal at a glance whether the rice is still cooking or is finished.
The smart tempered glass lid creates a good seal with the stainless-steel rim and makes it easy to check your cooking. The non-stick inner pot is easy to clean. The one litre capacity is perfect for individuals or couples.
More than just a rice cooker, this stylish unit from Geepas will cook, steam and keep warm and is perfect for creating rice perfection regardless of what type you choose for your menu. A steamer function will also cook fish and vegetables.
Once the rice is ready, the cooker automatically switches to keep warm mode until the rest of your meal is ready. Two easy read two light indicators on the front of the unit reveal at a glance whether the rice is still cooking or is finished.
The smart tempered glass lid creates a good seal with the stainless-steel rim and makes it easy to check your cooking. The non-stick inner pot is easy to clean. The one litre capacity is perfect for individuals or couples.
Pros
- Cook and steam simultaneously for healthy fish and vegetable dishes perfect alongside rice
- Compact and space-saving on the worktop
- Energy efficient cooking rice and steaming other foods at the same time
Cons
- The on/off switch is hidden towards the back of the cooker under one of the handles and is hard to find
- The lid does not properly fit the steamer tray
Don’t turn your back on perfectly cooked rice because you are a solo diner. Now, this clever rice cooker from VonShef will cook a perfect portion of rice just for one with a 300ml capacity which is ideal for an individual meal.
Simple to use, there is an on/off function and keep warm setting with indicator lights to let you know which is which.
The inner pot is removable with a non-stick coating for mess-free serving and a quick wash up afterwards.
Don’t turn your back on perfectly cooked rice because you are a solo diner. Now, this clever rice cooker from VonShef will cook a perfect portion of rice just for one with a 300ml capacity which is ideal for an individual meal.
Simple to use, there is an on/off function and keep warm setting with indicator lights to let you know which is which.
The inner pot is removable with a non-stick coating for mess-free serving and a quick wash up afterwards.
Pros
- Takes all the guesswork out of cooking rice for one
- Cooks stews and porridge
- Teflon coating for easy serve and clean
Cons
- The sticker on top of the cooker is non-peel and will not fully remove
- The keep warm facility can sometimes create a layer of dried out rice
Rice Cooker Buyer’s Guide
Who doesn’t like rice, it can be used in so many different ways; steamed or sticky rice for Asian meals, but also traditional puddings, paellas, soups, curries and risottos alike. But cooking rice perfectly, now that’s an art. Luckily with rice cookers that art form is available to all, but what to look for in your rice cooker? Here’s a quick list:
Capacity
Feeding one person occasionally, or a hungry horde on a regular basis? Your rice cooker needs to be capable of cooking enough for everyone, and maybe a bit left over for snacks or the perfect fried rice the next day.
Settings/Options
Too many buttons can be confusing, so look for clear directions and self-explanatory directions. Rice cookers with dedicated settings help take out the worry, so these are great if you like variety in your rice dishes!
Non-Stick
Unless you enjoy spending hours scraping and scrubbing make sure your rice cooker has a non-stick coating on the main cooking bowl. This will ensure you’ll enjoy your meal, and not dread the clean up afterwards.
Ease of cleaning
Apart from the non-stick bowl, look for rice cookers that are easy to wipe down, don’t require much in the way of maintenance cleaning – taking it all apart and scraping out dead rice. A nice touch is being dishwasher safe, though these are rare.
Rice types
Not all rice grains are cooked the same, so rather than discovering you’ve cooked sticky rice when you wanted fluffy steamed, look for rice cookers with dedicated rice settings, White, Brown, Sticky and Sushi are the most common settings.
FAQ
How to use a rice cooker?
Rice cookers are generally straightforward to use. Electric ones will require a nearby power socket to plug into, add your rice, water, and select the desired program. For microwave rice the process is similar; add rice, add water, place in microwave and follow manufacturers directions for timings.