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A mini rice cooker is a perfect appliance for cooking rice for single people or small households. Indeed, the small capacities are adapted to avoid food waste by cooking too much food.
A mini rice cooker works just like a full-size rice cooker but takes very little space on your countertop. And as much to tell you, cooking rice perfectly has never been easier than with a small rice cooker.
Like a full-size rice cooker, you can cook rice, as well as vegetables, pasta, and every other grain in a mini rice cooker. And the cleanup is a lot easier because of the small size accessories. Better yet, most of the mini rice cookers are portable so you can take them out when needed.
That being said, it is true that there are a lot of small rice cooker references on the market right now. It is therefore not easy to make a choice.
To help you out we have prepared a list of the best mini rice cookers of 2022 from the best mini rice cooker to the cheapest and the one with the best quality/price ratio.
So without any further delay let’s go find your very best mini rice cooker right now.
Best Masticating Juicers To Buy In 2021
Cuisinart 4-Cup Rice Cooker
Best Design Mini Rice Cooker
The Cuisinart mini rice cooker has many advantages that have earned it a place in this comparison. Although it has been in the market for a very long period of time, it is still winning users’ hearts.
This small rice cooker stands out with its unique square shape design and brushed steel body. Needless to say, the stainless steel material makes it very durable compared to plastic body rice cookers. Users love this appliance a lot for its nice build quality and multifunction side.
This appliance is able to prepare many different things ( several kinds of rice, cereals, soups, lentils, vegetables, fish, and even meat). For this, it is equipped with a non-stick cooking pot of 4 cups capacity. It also has a stainless steel steam basket, which allows it to be used for all kinds of steamed meals.
Besides, using this mini rice cooker is super easy. Once you add the rice and water, press the start button. When the cooking is finished, it goes into keep warm mode on its own.
As for the other accessories, it offers a measuring cup and a spatula to serve without damaging the non-stick coating.
A larger version of this rice cooker has an 8-cup capacity. It is best suited for families of more than 4 or if you like to have leftovers when cooking.
Altogether, Cuisinart 4-Cup Rice Cooker is one of the best rice cookers out there. The price is reasonable and it’s perfect for regular use.
Pros
- Attractive design
- Compact 4-cup cooking capacity
- Steel exterior makes it durable
- Auto cook and Keep warm function
- Handy stainless steel steamer basket
- Easy to use
Cons
- Nothing to mention
Yum Asia Panda Mini Rice Cooker
Most Versatile Mini Rice Cooker
If you are serious about cooking rice, this Yum Asia Panda Mini Rice Cooker can be your perfect choice. Because of its unique design, this Yum Asia Panda Mini Rice Cooker stands out from the rest of the rice cookers on this list.
The rice cooker body is made with ceramic material so obviously, it is more durable than any plastic product. Besides, the glossy white finish looks sleek and attractive with any kitchen decor.
It also differs from the previous models, thanks to its technology that cooks rice in 7 phases for the best taste, texture, and aroma. But that’s not all, this versatile appliance also offers 8 different cooking preset functions such as long grain, short grain, brown, porridge, quick cook, slow cook, steam, and cake.
Using these cooking functions you can cook every type of rice as well as other recipes using meat, fish, or veggies.
Just like any other quality rice cooker Yum Asia Panda also includes an automatic shut-off system and a keep-warm feature. As soon as the rice is cooked nicely the device goes into the keep warm stage and is able to maintain it for up to 24 hours. Using the included preset timer you can also schedule the cooking time if needed.
Furthermore, this appliance is super easy to use with an intuitive digital display illuminated by LED lighting. Therefore you can access the cooking functions with the least amount of effort.
In addition, Yum Asia Panda comes with a 3.5-cup capacity to satisfy the need of 1 to 3 people. And of course, the rice cooker comes with all its accessories from a steamer basket to the soup ladle including the spatula and the measuring cup.
Pros
- Unique oval design
- Compact 3.5-cup cooking capacity
- 8 different preset functions
- Auto cook and keep warm functions
- Delay start functions
- Easy to use and maintain
Cons
- Nothing to mention
Nutribullet EveryGrain Cooker
Our next pic is the sleekest Nutribullet EveryGrain Cooker. It is the latest mini rice cooker from the Nutribullet brand and has a capacity of 5 cups.
To be honest everything about this rice cooker is impressive. However, the best feature of this rice cooker is its auto-preset functions. It has 5 different cooking functions to cook different types of grains.
Using the Brown rice, White rice, Oats, Quinoa, and Grains presets you can cook every grain. This takes out all the guesswork required for cooking different kinds of grain recipes.
But that’s not all, Nutribullet EveryGrain Cooker also offers a steam function and steaming basket to steam veggies, meat, or fish.
The use of the appliance is very simple: you simply have to add the desired quantity of rice and the quantity of water and select the required preset function. And after that, the appliance will take care of everything.
Once the recipe is done the appliance will automatically shut off and switches to keep warm mode. This is very handy if you need time to complete other preparations.
Here’s more, Nutribullet EveryGrain Cooker has a delay start function, and it allows them to stand out from the rest of the mini rice cookers. On a busy day, you can schedule this rice cooker to start cooking at a certain time.
And as for accessories, it comes with a nonstick cooking pot, a spatula, and a plastic steaming basket.
Last but not least, Nutribullet EveryGrain Cooker features a stylish design that blends with any modern kitchen decor.
Pros
- Modern design
- 5-cup cooking capacity
- 6 different preset functions
- Auto cook and keep warm functions
- Delay start functions
- Easy to use and maintain
Cons
- Nothing to mention
Toshiba Digital Programmable Rice Cooker
Our next pick is this impressive Toshiba Digital Programmable Rice Cooker. It is certainly one of the best rice cookers on the market that deserves to be included in this comparison. It is indeed a top-notch appliance that comes with all the necessary programmable features to impress you.
One of the biggest strengths of this appliance is its fuzzy logic technology which offers optimal rice cooking. The device is able to efficiently cook several types of rice ranging from white rice, brown rice, or even mixed grains. On top of that, you will get other cooking preset functions like quick rice, slow cook, porridge, cake, and egg.
Even with all these preset functions, the control panel of this appliance is very intuitive and easy to use. With this fantastic device, you will be just one touch away from a great recipe.
Also, thanks to its keep warm function that makes sure the meals stay warm for up to 24 hours. Again, to schedule the cooking time the rice cooker offers 2 delay start functions.
Furthermore, Toshiba Programmable Rice Cooker has 3 cups of uncooked rice capacity which is enough for 1 to 3 people. It also includes a nonstick cooking pot, rice ladle, spoon, and rice measuring cup.
For easy handling, the rice cooker even includes a handle to move it around in the kitchen.
In brief, if you want a rice cooker that can cook rice exceptionally well Toshiba Digital Programmable Rice Cooker can be your best choice.
Pros
- Unique design
- Compact 3-cup cooking capacity
- 8 different preset functions
- Auto cook and keep warm functions
- 2 delay start functions
- Easy to use and maintain
Cons
Doesn’t include a steamer basket
CHACEEF Mini Rice Cooker
Our next pic is this fantastic portable rice cooker from CHACEEF brand. This CHACEEF Mini Rice Cooker has a capacity of 2 cups (uncooked) which makes it super compact.
Thanks to its sleek design, you can now pack your rice cooker on any trip. The most impressive thing about this mini rice cooker is its utmost simplicity.
Even though it has 6 different cooking functions, this appliance is not complicated at all. You know what to do next just by looking at it. The 6 different one-touch cooking functions let you efficiently cook brown rice, white rice, porridge, stew, or cake.
And for added convenience, after the rice is cooked it automatically shuts off and switches to keep a warm state and maintain a serving temperature. Also, thanks to its delay start feature that provides you more flexibility in scheduling cooking time for up to 24 hours.
Furthermore, just like any other standard rice cooker, it also comes with a nonstick cooking pot and a rice spoon.
CHACEEF Mini Rice Cooker stands out from other mini rice cookers because of its simple yet efficient design. It looks sleek as well as compact but most importantly it offers all the necessary features you can expect from a quality rice cooker. Therefore, CHACEEF Mini Rice Cooker can be a wonderful choice for any rice lover.
Pros
- Modern design
- Compact 2-cup cooking capacity
- 6 different preset functions
- Auto cook and keep warm functions
- Delay start functions
- Easy to use and maintain
Cons
- Doesn’t include a steamer basket.
BLACK+DECKER Uncooked Rice Cooker - Best Budget Mini Rice Cooker
The BLACK+DECKER rice cooker is another classic cooker that comes at an incredibly affordable price. The interesting thing about this cooker model is that you can find several different sizes of this rice cooker for your particular need. But as this is a mini rice cooker comparison we talking about the smallest 3-cup rice cooker.
It is a pretty basic rice cooker model with 3 cup cooking capacity. It is made with plastic material yet sturdy enough to last for a long time. Besides, it is super easy to use with only one cook and keep warm switch.
Just like any other quality rice cooker, it automatically shuts off when the rice is properly cooked and then switches to the keep warm function. The keep-warm mode keeps the rice warm at a serving temperature.
As for accessories, the appliance includes a nonstick cooking pot, a steamer basket for steaming food items, and a spatula.
Although it is a very simple rice cooker model, however, in this price range BLACK+DECKER Uncooked Rice Cooker is highly appreciated for its steady performance.
Pros
- Classic design
- Compact 3-cup cooking capacity
- Auto cook and keep warm functions
- Easy to use and maintain
Cons
- Offers no programmable functions
Dash Mini Rice Cooker Steamer
Most Popular Mini Rice Cooker
In the world of mini rice cookers, Dash is the most popular mini rice cooker available on the market right now. This wonderful appliance is much appreciated for its ultimate simplicity by thousands and thousands of users.
Indeed, it is literally a mini rice cooker with only 1 cup of uncooked rice capacity and 2 cups of cooked rice capacity. The biggest advantage is that it takes up very little space and will have no trouble blending into the kitchen decor with its vibrant color options.
On top of that, this cute little rice cooker is able to do much more than just cook rice. It allows you to cook oatmeal, stew, soup, quinoa, and pasta apart from rice. Therefore, you can make a quick and easy breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, or sides using this nifty appliance.
As for the accessories, it includes a nonstick cooking pot and a spatula. The capacity is very small, therefore the accessories clean up is super easy.
Furthermore, the Dash Mini Rice Cooker Steamer has a power of 200 Watts and is very easy to use thanks to the presence of only one cook, and keep warm switch.
The keep-warm function is also very useful since you don’t have to manage the cooking compared to your other preparations: once the meal is ready, it is kept at the right temperature.
Lastly, Dash Mini Rice Cooker Steamer comes at a super affordable price so that everyone can afford it. To sum it up, it is perfect for you if you live in a small space or if you cook rice occasionally only for yourself.
Pros
- Cute design
- Compact 2-cup cooking capacity
- Auto cook and keep warm functions
- Available in 8 different colors
- Easy to use and maintain
Cons
- Offers no programmable functions
- It doesn’t offer a steamer basket
GreenLife Healthy Ceramic Nonstick 4-Cup Rice Cooker
Best Overall Mini Rice Cooker
Our last pick is this vibrant GreenLife Ceramic Rice Cooker. This good-looking appliance features a 4-cup cooked rice capacity which means it can accommodate 2 cups of uncooked rice. And this capacity is perfect for 1 to 2 people.
As soon as you see this rice cooker you will fall in love with it. With its glossy ceramic exterior and vibrant color, it looks wonderful with any kitchen decoration.
But this appliance is not only good-looking, but it also has other perks too. This standard rice cooker comes with 4 different cooking presets- White Rice, Brown Rice, Quinoa, and Steel Cut Oats. Therefore, you can cook almost every type of grain in it.
Next, it is also equipped with a delay start function for scheduling cooking time. Besides, it comes with an automatic shut-off function and a keep warm function for keeping the meals at a serving temperature.
And for ease of use, the cooking pot cleans up nicely as it is coated with nonstick materials.
Altogether, GreenLife Healthy Ceramic Nonstick 4-Cup Rice Cooker is an elegant model, giving a high-end impression while still being a classic cheap product.
Pros
- Vibrate design
- 4-cup cooking capacity
- Brushed steel exterior
- Auto cook and keep warm function
- Available in 4 different color
- Stainless steel steamer basket
- Easy to use and maintain
Cons
- It doesn’t offer a steamer basket
How To Choose the Best Mini Rice Cooker?
A mini rice cooker is just like a full-size cooker. The only difference is that you have to sacrifice less counter space with a mini rice cooker. But before buying your very best mini rice cooker let’s take a look at the important criteria of a rice cooker.
Capacity
Just like most cooking appliances, capacity is a feature to consider when buying a mini rice cooker. The cooking pot capacity generally varies from 1 to 5 cups (uncooked) depending on the model.
To know the ideal capacity, you have to determine the number of ingredients you want to cook in it while considering the number of people at home. A device with a capacity of 2 cups (uncooked) should be suitable for a single person or a couple. On the other hand, a rice cooker with 5 cups of uncooked rice capacity is necessary for a family of 4.
Cooking methods
Different types of rice need to be cooked in different ways. This is what will, for example, make it possible to obtain rice for sushi or Thai rice cooked to perfection. Before opting for this or that model, check that it is able to cook correctly the varieties of rice you like to eat such as short, long, brown, or white grains.
However, a rice cooker that comes with lots of cooking presets tends to be pricier than the basic models. So for better quality, it is wise to increase your budget.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a cheap rice cooker you can just go for a basic and simple rice cooker with only one rice cooking function.
Ease of Use
A good rice cooker is above all a device that is pleasant to use. It is therefore important to check certain elements. First, try to choose models that have dishwasher-safe accessories.
Easy-to-use rice cookers are equipped with a lid opening button and an on-off switch that will allow you to turn off your machine without having to unplug it.
Another convenient feature of a rice cooker is its keep-warm function. This function helps to keep the rice warm until you are ready to serve. The good news is most rice cooker offers this function.
There is also another popular function for rice cookers and that is a delay start feature. This feature is highly useful for people on the go as using this function you can schedule the rice cooking time for up to 24 hours.
The Steamer Basket
There are rice cooker models that come with additional accessories, such as the steamer basket.
It will allow you to steam carrots, potatoes, meat, and even fish. This is highly useful as you can make a full meal in one go.
Bottom Line
If you love to eat rice a rice cooker then a rice cooker is essential for your household. A rice cooker can easily and quickly cook rice without any extra supervision from you. You can just load the rice and water in it and the appliance will do the rest.
A mini rice cooker is even more helpful as it takes up only a little space on your countertop. And even if you eat rice occasionally, you can just store the appliance easily. Besides, a mini rice cooker helps you to avoid wastage by offering only the right amount of capacity.
We are now at the end of this best mini rice cooker review. If this article helped you even a little bit then it was not a waste of effort. We hope you found your very best mini rice cooker. And if you do let’s go buy the appliance right now.
