Best Small Rice Cooker Review: Top 5 Japanese Rice Cookers
Are you looking for the best small rice cooker? Small sized rice cookers are great for single individuals, you and your significant other or small family.
I’m here to share my thoughts and recommendations for the best small rice cookers, which range from a basic rice cooker to a more sophisticated rice cooker with multiple features. When it comes to choosing a rice cooker, Japanese brands are known for their quality and value. They also last long too! So I will be recommending Japanese brand rice cookers, and many of you may be familiar with such brands such as Zojirushi and Tiger. Invest your money in a good quality rice cooker because a great rice cooker will yield great rice and food. Depending on your budget and purposes, I hope you will able be to decide the best small rice cooker for your home.
Best Small Rice Cooker Recommendations
1. Panasonic SR-3NAL 1.5-Cup Automatic Rice Cooker, Silver
If you want something budget-friendly and simple, I recommend the Panasonic-3NAL. This is the most basic rice cooker; it has an automatic switch function that will turn off when the rice is cooked, but does not have the function to keep your rice warm after the cooking is complete. Push the switch down and it will automatically turn off when the rice is done! So if this suits your needs, then the Panasonic-3NAL is right for you!
This rice cooker is great for one or two people. The Panasonic SR-3NAL cooker makes about 3 cups of cooked rice, which will last about one or two meals so you don’t have to worry about too much leftover rice! The non-stick aluminum coat of the pan helps to distribute heat to ensure fully cooked rice and an easy clean up.
Just note that the lid does not have a hole for the steam to escape, so make sure to put in the correct amount of rice and water in order to prevent any overflow. The Panasonic SR-3NAL is simple and easy to use and makes cooking rice effortless.
- 5-cup uncooked rice capacity
- Automatic cooking feature with auto shutoff
- Non-stick coated aluminum pan
- Tempered glass lid for easy viewing while cooking
- Multi-lingual instructions (English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese)
- Includes measuring cup and rice scooper
2. Zojirushi NHS-06 3-Cup (Uncooked) Rice Cooker
If you’re looking for a rice cooker that is still basic, but with a larger cooking capacity, I recommend the Zojirushi NHS-06. The Zojirushi NHS-06 makes 6 cups of cooked rice and will feed approximately 2 to 3 people. Like the Panasonic-3NAL, the Zojirushi NHS-06 has a single automatic switch function, which shuts off when the rice is cooked. It does not have a “keep warm” function.
This model has a steam vent, which allows moisture to be released so your rice will not get too mushy. This is a simple rice cooker that will get the job done with the push of a button; your rice will be ready in 30 minutes. The Zojirushi NHS-06 is compact, efficient and easy!
- Easy-to-use single switch control
- See-through glass lid with stay cool knob
- Stay cool handles for easy transport
- Durable nonstick inner cooking pan
- 3 cup uncooked rice capacity
- Includes measuring cup and rice scooper
3. Tiger Corporation JBV-A10U-W 5.5-Cup Micom Rice Cooker with Food Steamer and Slow Cooker
The Tiger Corporation JBV-A10U-W is a multi-functional rice cooker, meaning you can do more than just cook rice!! The first function is the ability to cook regular white rice and the second function is the ability to cook brown rice. The third function is for slow cooking. The last function is synchronized cooking. This innovative function (“tacook” function) allows for simultaneous cooking in which rice and a main dish can be cooked at the same time without the flavors affecting each other. This feature is possible because a cooking/steam tray is included with the product and the tray is placed above the rice, while cooking.
Think about all the time you save using the synchronized cooking function so this would be a great rice cooker for you if you have a busy schedule and don’t have much time to cook. This rice cooker is still small and suitable for 1-4 individuals and has more features to save you the fuss and hassle of cooking. You can cook meat, fish, vegetables and pasta.
Also, this rice cooker has a “keep warm” function unlike the rice cookers mentioned above. Make perfect rice every time with this rice cooker! The rice comes out nice and fluffy for a scrumptious meal. Another note is to use the measuring cup provided with the product for accurate cooking. Great value and quality! It can’t get any more convenient with the Tiger Corporation JBV-A10U-W.
- Syncro-cooking function (“tacook”) makes it possible to cook main dish and rice at the same time
- One push operation
- 4 cooking menu settings (Synchrony-cooking/Plain rice/Brown rice/Slow cooking)
- Easy to clean non-stick coating inner pan
- Includes Non-stick spatula, Cooking plate, Measuring cup and Cookbook for using “Synchrony-cooking” function
4. Zojirushi NS-LGC05XB Micom Rice Cooker & Warmer, Stainless Black
The Zojirushi NS-LGC05XB is a smaller rice cooker, but has multiple cooking options. There is a setting to cook white rice, brown rice, GABA rice, long grain white rice, and steel cut oatmeal. This is ideal for small families, individuals and couples. This rice cooker makes 3 cups of uncooked rice and will feed 1 to 3 people. Also, this rice cooker has a “keep warm” function.
One advantage of this rice cooker is its timer. Set up the timer and have your steel-cut oats or rice ready by a specified time you set. The timer can be set up to 13 hours in advance. Place your oatmeal in the cooker and have it ready by the time you wake up in the morning or place the rice in the cooker the morning before you head to work and have it ready when you return home. This feature saves you time and you won’t ever forget to eat breakfast or cook your rice ever again!
With this rice cooker, your oatmeal or rice will always be perfect. The price is worth it for its ability to cook soft and fluffy rice as well as tasty oatmeal! Put an investment into this high quality rice cooker!
- Multi-menu cooking functions: Special settings for white/mixed riced, sushi rice, brown rice, GABA brown rice, long grain white rice, steel cut oatmeal and quick cooking
- Triple heater (bottom, side and lid) generates heat all around for even heating
- Detachable and washable inner lid
- Easy to store retractable cord. Interchangeable melody and beep signal
- Removable steam vent cap allows for high-temperature cooking without messy overflows
- Includes rice spatula, spatula holder and measuring cup
5. Tiger JNP-0720-FL 4-Cup (Uncooked) Rice Cooker and Warmer, Floral White
If you want a basic rice cooker without the extra fancy features, but would like one with a “keep warm” function, go with the Tiger JNP-0720-FL. It’s a simple rice cooker that will meet your most basic cooking needs. It comes with a non-stick pan for easy cleaning. The Tiger JNP-0720-FL is great for 1-3 people.
Even without a multi-function cooking feature, you can cook about any type of rice: white, brown, short grain, and long grain rice. You can even cook quinoa or oatmeal in this rice cooker. Experience soft and fluffy rice with the Tiger JNP-0720-FL!
- Keep-Warm function up to 12 hours
- Non-Stick inner pan
- Spatula and rice measuring cup includes
- Removable and washable steam vent