6 best rice cookers for serving up the perfect fluffy grains 2024
COOKING rice is notoriously tricky and if you’ve been left frustrated in your search for the perfect fluffy accompaniment to your meal, it might be time to invest in a rice cooker.
Rice is among the most versatile of store cupboard staples and whether your preference is for basmati, wholegrain, paella or risotto, these countertop appliances could mean you never serve up an unappetising clump of overcooked rice again.
Rice cookers come in various shapes and sizes and at a variety of price points from the simplest appliances to multicookers that offer multiple cooking methods within one product.
I tested some of the best rice cookers on the market. Read on for the results.
Best rice cookers at a glance:
- Best overall rice cooker: Tefal SpheriCook RK745840
- Best for families: Russell Hobbs 19750
- Best value rice cooker: Cookworks 1.5L
- Best for two people: Lakeland Mini
Tefal SpheriCook Multicooker 5l
Tefal SpheriCook Multicooker 5l, £109.99
Pros: Even cooking, simple to use
Cons: Nothing major
Rating: 5/5
The SpheriCook Multicooker has a spherical bowl design which Tefal says allows for 360° heat circulation that ensures even cooking.
This does seem to be really effective when cooking rice and grains and both the basmati and quick-cook rice I prepared were perfectly fluffy.
There is also a really helpful chart on the side of the bowl to help you measure the rice and water.
Tefal says the SpheriCook Multicooker also has intelligent sensor technology that automatically adjusts the cooking time and temperature, stopping your rice from catching and meaning you get great results with different varieties.
The rice cooker automatically switches to keep-warm mode when your rice is cooked, ensuring its ready when you are.
The cooking functions of the SpheriCook Multicooker include slow cook, stew, brown, steam and roast, with additional functions listed beneath these headings.
It also has a 5L capacity which is very generous; great if you have a large family or are entertaining.
Functions: slow cook, roast, stew, brown, steam; Capacity: 5l
Russell Hobbs Rice Cooker and Steamer
Russell Hobbs Rice Cooker and Steamer, £34.99
Pros: Generous capacity, steamer capabilities
Cons: Not dishwasher safe
Rating: 4/5
This Russell Hobbs rice cooker has a generous capacity, cooking up to 10 portions and a space-conscious design that won’t take up too much cupboard space.
It’s very simple to use, simply plug in, turn on and click the control to cook.
It heated up really quickly and prepared four portions of basmati rice within half an hour. When the rice is ready it automatically clicks to keep-warm mode.
The rice was fluffy and perfectly cooked. Like other larger models it does seem to give the best results when used for bigger quantities of rice.
This model doesn’t have a screen or timing indicator so a trial to check how long your rice will take might be a good idea before entertaining.
It can also be used as a steamer and comes with a basket to place within the bowl.
Capacity: 1.8l; Accessories: steamer basket, spoon, measuring cup
Lakeland 2 Portion Mini Electric Rice Cooker
Lakeland 2 Portion Mini Electric Rice Cooker, £34.99
Pros: Compact, simple to use
Cons: Not dishwasher safe
Rating: 4/5
Lakeland’s mini electric rice cooker is the most compact model we tested, which is great if you’re light on cupboard space. And while the box says it’s ideal for one to two portions, we found that at maximum capacity it could stretch to three.
The cooker was really easy to use. Simply plug in, use the handy cup to measure your rice and water and hit the cook button. I used the one-part rice to two-parts water ratio recommended. The half-hour cycle left me with beautifully fluffy rice.
This model has delay and keep-warm functions, switching automatically to the second at the end of your cooking time.
It can be used for both white and wholegrain rice as well as having a separate program for porridge. So by using the delay function your breakfast can be ready and waiting for you when you roll out of bed in the morning.
My only small qualm was that the LED display does not count down through the full cooking time, but shows a revolving light until the final six minutes.
Capacity: 500ml; Accessories: serving spoon and measuring cup
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Lakeland Mini Multi Cooker
Lakeland Mini Multi Cooker, £49.99
Pros: Range of functions, compact
Cons: Not dishwasher safe
Rating: 4/5
Lakeland’s Mini Multi Cooker is really compact and has an impressive range of capabilities.
When used as a rice cooker it has separate programs for white, brown and quick cook rice, helping ensure the perfect finish.
The instructions are really clear and they helpfully set out the water-to-rice ratios for different varieties.
It’s simple to use, just select the function and hit start; on completion the multi-cooker immediately moves to keep warm mode.
It wasn’t the quickest rice cooker I tested, but usefully it does count down the final 12 minutes on the LED screen.
The capacity would cater for five to six people.
This multi cooker can also be used as a slow cooker and has further programs for oatmeal, quinoa, cake and yoghurt.
Working capacity: 1.4l; Accessories: spoon and measuring cup; Size: 23.5 x 28 x 20cm
Russell Hobbs Large Rice Cooker and Steamer
Russell Hobbs Large Rice Cooker and Steamer, £29.99
Pros: Good capacity, simple to use, dishwasher safe
Cons: No timer
Rating: 3.5/5
This Russell Hobbs large rice cooker and steamer can be used to make up to 14-portions of rice, great if you’re entertaining or have a large family.
It’s simple to use, just add your rice and water using the measuring cup provided, plug in and turn on before clicking the switch up.
The rice cooker cooked six portions of rice perfectly, but the instruction manual gave no indication of timings and there’s no screen to give you an idea of when your rice will be ready to serve, so a test run might be advisable before you plan a big dinner party.
The rice cooker switches automatically to keep warm mode when your rice is cooked. This works well but on our second test I slightly misjudged timings and found that after 40 minutes on the keep warm setting the rice had begun to clump slightly.
The cooker can be used for rice and grains as well as converting to use as a steamer, with the handy basket and the glass lid allowing you to check on the cooking throughout.
Capacity: 14 portions
Cookworks 1.5L Rice Cooker
Cookworks 1.5L Rice Cooker, £22
Pros: Good capacity, simple to use
Cons: Not dishwasher safe
Rating: 3/5
The Cookworks rice cooker has a generous capacity that would serve six people.
It’s very simple to use; simply plug in, add rice and water and click to cook.
I used the rice cooker to prepare basmati rice, using 1.5 cups of water to 1 cup of rice.
The machine heated up quickly and the rice was ready within half an hour. It was very well cooked and fluffed up nicely.
The cooker does have a keep warm function, but this needs to be turned on manually at the end of the cooking time.
On a second test, preparing a smaller quantity of rice for just two portions, the finish was not quite as good.
The instruction manual says this rice cooker is best for white rice, with extra water required if you’re cooking wholegrain rice to prolong the cooking time. If you predominantly cook wholegrain rice, it might not be the best option for you.
This is a simple rice cooker which is great for preparing larger quantities of rice. It is easy to clean although not dishwasher safe.
Capacity: 1.5l; Accessories: spatula and measuring pot
How we tested these products
I used all rice cookers to cook two batches of basmati rice, using the keep warm function on one use. I considered the finish of the rice, ease of use, capacity and size as well as general functionality.
Where to buy these items
There are a number of rice cookers on the market and many multicookers which include a rice cooking function.
With so many options we’d first recommend reading our review above where we’ve put several to the test.
If you’re keen to shop now we’d recommend the following: