Rice cookers are electric countertop appliances that’ll do all the hard work for you. They tend to be affordable, easy to use, and easy to clean. Plus, many of them can also be used with other food types like quinoa and veggies.
If you’re ready to purchase a new or replacement rice cooker, you’ll need to keep some things in mind while you shop. Rice cookers will vary in price, capacity, level of automation, ease of cleaning, user-friendliness, and more.
This guide breaks down the top rice cookers on the Canadian market right now based on performance, versatility, and value. We’ve done the legwork, so you can confidently choose an appliance that will deliver perfect rice with zero fuss. Soon you’ll be whipping up restaurant-quality dishes in no time.
The Best Rice Cookers Right Now
- Top Pick: Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Food Steamer
- Versatile Pick: Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
- Upgrade Pick: Zojirushi NS-LGC05XB Micom Rice Cooker & Warmer
- Compact Pick: Macook MCUS-81273 Rice Cooker
- Budget Pick: Black+Decker 2-in-1 Rice Cooker & Food Steamer
Our Top Pick for the Best Rice Cooker
Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Food Steamer Review
What We Think of the Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Food Steamer
The Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Food Steamer has lots of features working in your favour. One of the ones you’ll appreciate most is the cook programs. It knows the perfect cook settings for white rice, whole grain rice, hot cereals, and more, so you won’t ever have to guess. It even has a heat/simmer setting for soups and other one-pot meals. How fun!
This rice cooker has a large enough capacity to make up to 14 cups of cooked rice at once, so you won’t have to use it every day, even if you want rice for multiple meals. It offers the convenience of a delay start timer, too, so you can prep it before work and have perfect rice waiting for you when you get home. How nice does that sound?
The only thing you might not love about this rice cooker is the fact that you’ll have to wash all of the pieces by hand. Unfortunately, none of them are dishwasher safe, so you’ll have to be prepared to spend some extra time on cleanup. If that won’t be a problem for you, there’s nothing to dislike about this rice cooker.
All in all, the Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Food Steamer has all of the features you could need for cooking a perfect batch of rice every single time. With a great price and large capacity, it’ll fit in perfectly with every family’s dinner routine.
- Performance: 5/5
- Usability: 5/5
- Price: 5/5
- Quality: 5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Food Steamer
Reviewers have a very high opinion of the Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Food Steamer. They love being able to cook rice in big batches or just a couple of servings, and the preset programs make it a no-brainer task. The delay start timer is reliable, and they’re really happy with the quality overall. They highly recommend this one.
Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Food Steamer Pros and Cons
Buy If…
- You love the convenience of delayed start timers
- A large capacity is ideal
- You don’t want to think about cook times
- You’d love a rice cooker that can be used with other food types
Don’t Buy If…
- You don’t want to clean anything by hand
Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker & Food Steamer Specifications
- Dimensions: 10.75” x 10.75” x 11.1”
- Weight: 4.8 lbs
- Colour: Black and silver
- Capacity: 14 cups
- Dishwasher Safe: No
- Warranty: 5 years
Our Versatile Pick
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker Review
What We Think of the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
We like pretty much everything about the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker. One of its most compelling features, of course, is its versatility. With seven unique functions, it can function as a rice cooker, slow cooker, pressure cooker, and more. It can basically be used for everything! It has a ton of smart programs for foods like porridge, soup, and meat, so you’ll never have to wonder how to cook your meal. We love that for you.
We’re also happy to report that every removable part of this cooker can be cleaned in the dishwasher, even the lid. You won’t have to get your hands wet with this one. It’s a great choice for safety-conscious individuals, too. You can feel confident bringing this one into your home thanks to its 10+ safety features. Nothing will ever go wrong.
One of the only things you might not like about this option is its complexity. With seven different functions, it has a lot going on. If you’d prefer something classic and simple, there are better rice cookers out there for you. The higher price tag might be another reason that you choose to move your search along to other options.
All in all, the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker is one of the most versatile options if you want to make rice and a whole lot of other things, too. It’s easy to use and has a high safety rating, too, so it’s perfect for every home.
- Performance: 5/5
- Usability: 5/5
- Price: 4/5
- Quality: 5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
Reviewers could not be happier with the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker. They’ve been getting a ton of use out of it thanks to all of its different functions, and since all of the pieces go in the dishwasher, they can use it every day without any manual labour required. The smart programs really keep things simple, too. They’d all recommend this one.
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker Pros and Cons
Buy If…
- You’d love a 7-in-1 rice cooker
- Hands-free cleanup appeals to you
- You don’t want to think about cook settings
- You’re safety-conscious
Don’t Buy If…
- Affordability is something you need to be strict about
- You’re looking for something simple
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker Specifications
- Dimensions: 13.2” x 14.8” x 10.4”
- Weight: 15.8 lbs
- Colour: Black and silver
- Capacity: 8 quarts
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
- Warranty: 1 year
Our Upgrade Pick
Zojirushi NS-LGC05XB Micom Rice Cooker & Warmer Review
What We Think of the Zojirushi NS-LGC05XB Micom Rice Cooker & Warmer
The Zojirushi NS-LGC05XB Micom Rice Cooker & Warmer really speaks for itself, but we’re going to tell you all about it anyway. The rice pot has markings inside that will show you how much water to add for different serving sizes and different types of rice, so you’ll always get it right, whether you’re making a full batch or a single serving. The included rice cup and serving spoon make it even easier to use!
You won’t have to worry about uneven cooking with this one, either. It heats from three locations (lid, sides, and bottom) to make sure every grain of rice cooks at the same rate. This thing is really easy to store and travel with, too, because it has a retractable power cord and a carry handle. You don’t see that very often!
The only thing we’d change about this rice cooker, if we could, is the cleaning process. Unfortunately, none of the parts or accessories are dishwasher safe, so you’ll have to do all of the cleaning by hand. If you’re using it every day, or close to it, this will likely get tiring. But aside from a higher price than average, that’s the only thing “wrong” with this rice cooker. It’s an easy thing to look past, in our books.
All in all, the Zojirushi NS-LGC05XB Micom Rice Cooker & Warmer has everything you need for a reliably perfect batch of rice —type-dependent markings, accessories, and three-sided heating. It’s pretty much perfect.
- Performance: 5/5
- Usability: 4.5/5
- Price: 3.5/5
- Quality: 5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Zojirushi NS-LGC05XB Micom Rice Cooker & Warmer
Reviewers are very impressed by the Zojirushi NS-LGC05XB Micom Rice Cooker & Warmer. Whether they use the entire capacity or make a single serving, their rice comes out perfectly, and they appreciate how easy it is to adjust based on different types of rice. The handle and retractable cord make storage a lot easier, too. They would all choose this one again.
Zojirushi NS-LGC05XB Micom Rice Cooker & Warmer Pros and Cons
Buy If…
- You’d love an easy way to make all kinds of rice
- You don’t want to worry about uneven heating
- You dislike messy power cords
- You’d like flexible options for the amount of rice you cook at a time
Don’t Buy If…
- You’re looking for something really affordable
- You’d prefer dishwasher-safe parts
Zojirushi NS-LGC05XB Micom Rice Cooker & Warmer Specifications
- Dimensions: 11.8” x 9.1” x 7.5”
- Weight: 6 lbs
- Colour: Silver
- Capacity: 6 cups
- Dishwasher Safe: No
Our Compact Pick
Macook MCUS-81273 Rice Cooker Review
What We Think of the Macook MCUS-81273 Rice Cooker
The Macook MCUS-81273 Rice Cooker is a cute little machine that’s pretty awesome at making rice. It won’t ever get burnt or stuck to the bottom, and you can make really small batches if you only need rice for a single serving of a meal. Plus, if you’re not ready to eat it right away, you can rely on its keep-warm setting to keep it at the perfect temperature until you’re ready to serve.
This rice cooker can also be used to make soup, oatmeal, and stew, and with the included insert, you can even reheat vegetables, meat, and more! It’s an all-in-one solution for a single meal. With an affordable price tag and an ultra-compact design, this rice cooker will work for every budget and every kitchen size.
Of course, a rice cooker this small will also come with some limitations. The obvious one is the small capacity — since it can’t make more than 3 cups of rice at a time, it isn’t a great choice for families. It also doesn’t offer any additional functionalities that you’ll sometimes see with other rice cookers. Hopefully, these are downsides that won’t affect you too much.
Overall, the Macook MCUS-81273 Rice Cooker was an easy favourite for us this year. Whether you’re looking for a compact option or faster cooking of small batches, this rice cooker is a fantastic choice. It’s even got a great price tag! What a winner.
- Performance: 5/5
- Usability: 5/5
- Price: 5/5
- Quality: 5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Macook MCUS-81273 Rice Cooker
Reviewers have very positive feedback about the Macook MCUS-81273 Rice Cooker. It cooks small batches of rice very quickly, so it’s perfect for lunches on busy days, and it’s very easy to clean either by hand or in the dishwasher. The included bento box insert does a great job of reheating vegetables, meats, and soups, too.
Macook MCUS-81273 Rice Cooker Pros and Cons
Buy If…
- You need a rice cooker that takes up as little space as possible
- An affordable price tag would be nice
- You want to make other foods in your rice cooker
- You won’t always eat your rice as soon as it’s done cooking
Don’t Buy If…
- You tend to need rice cooked in large batches
- You want something with additional functions
Macook MCUS-81273 Rice Cooker Specifications
- Dimensions: 6.7” x 7.1” x 5.9”
- Weight: 3 lbs
- Colour: White
- Capacity: 3 cups
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
- Warranty: 1 year
Our Budget Pick
Black+Decker 2-in-1 Rice Cooker & Food Steamer Review
What We Think of the Black+Decker 2-in-1 Rice Cooker & Food Steamer
We really like the Black+Decker 2-in-1 Rice Cooker & Food Steamer for shoppers on a budget. You seriously can’t beat its price tag, and it still offers a 6-cup capacity, so it works for singles, couples, and small families. It’s very simple and easy to use, too, so you don’t have to be tech-inclined to figure out how it works.
Since it comes with a steam basket, you’ll be able to make side dishes like vegetables and even cook your meat or fish while the rice is cooking. We love that! We also love that the lid can be secured on one of the handles, so it won’t mess up your countertop or get in the way while you’re serving your rice. Brilliant.
Unfortunately, a rice cooker this affordable will have some shortcomings. The main concern you might have is the lack of features. There’s no delay start timer, no smart cook programs for added versatility, and not even an off switch. It’s about as basic as a rice cooker can get. The steamer tray can be a bit tricky to get out while it’s hot, too, so that’s something else to think about.
All in all, the Black+Decker 2-in-1 Rice Cooker & Food Steamer will be a great fit for small families shopping on a budget. With a highly affordable price tag, a good capacity, and an included steam basket for other dishes, it’s the perfect companion for rice-based meals.
- Performance: 4.5/5
- Usability: 4.5/5
- Price: 5/5
- Quality: 4.5/5
What Reviewers Are Saying About the Black+Decker 2-in-1 Rice Cooker & Food Steamer
Reviewers have a good opinion of the Black+Decker 2-in-1 Rice Cooker & Food Steamer. It’s very simple to use and reliably turns out light and fluffy rice. The steaming basket is perfect for cooking an entire meal at once, too. Some people find the steaming basket difficult to remove when it’s hot, though, and others would prefer an option to shut the cooker off without unplugging it.
Black+Decker 2-in-1 Rice Cooker & Food Steamer Pros and Cons
Buy If…
- Simplicity is what you like in a countertop appliance
- An affordable price is your top priority
- You want to cook other dishes along with your rice
- You’d love a lid that can be secured on the handle
Don’t Buy If…
- You’ll use the steamer tray a lot
- You’d appreciate a delay start timer or additional functionality
Black+Decker 2-in-1 Rice Cooker & Food Steamer Specifications
- Dimensions: 9” x 10” x 5.5”
- Colour: White
- Capacity: 6 cups
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
- Warranty: 2 years
Why Trust Shopping Trends?
At Shopping Trends, every product we review goes through rigorous hands-on testing to ensure we’re recommending only the best for Canadian households. With over a decade of experience in product evaluation and consumer reporting, I personally oversee each test and comparison.
Our process is transparent, methodical, and grounded in real-world usage. Whether it’s a cordless vacuum, a 4K TV, or a hammock for your next camping trip, we evaluate items the way you’d use them at home. When needed, we also consult Canadian industry experts to offer context and help readers make confident, informed decisions. Every “top pick” featured in our guides has earned its spot through careful analysis, not sponsorship.
How to Properly Choose Your Rice Cooker
Price
The price of a rice cooker can vary between $20 and well over $300. It’s a good idea to set your budget early and stick to it. In general, more expensive rice cookers will offer larger capacities and smarter features.
Capacity
The capacity of a rice cooker will typically fall somewhere between four cups and 10 cups. Occasionally, you will find models that fall outside of this range as well. The larger a rice cooker is, the more space it will take up on your counter, so make sure you have the storage space before you commit to an extra-large rice cooker.
Dishwasher-Safe
Looking for a rice cooker with dishwasher-safe components will make your clean-up go a whole lot faster. Not every rice cooker will offer this convenience, though, so you’ll need to make a note of it if it’s something that matters to you.
Menu Settings
Some rice cookers will offer different menu settings to take the guesswork out of cooking different varieties of rice. This type of push-button operation is a major convenience, and if you like to mix up what type of rice you’re eating, you won’t regret prioritizing this feature.
Automation
Almost every rice cooker will offer an automatic keep-warm function, but higher-end models may also offer an auto-clean, an auto-steam release, and even automated cooking adjustments. If you like your countertop appliances managing themselves, you’ll want to look for all of the above.
Accessories
Most rice cookers will come with a selection of accessories to improve usability. Measuring cups and a spoon of some sort are the most common additions, but some models will include steaming racks and other types of accessories.
Timer
The rare rice cooker will offer a delay timer that lets you set a cooking time hours in the future. With this feature, you can prep your rice before you leave for a busy day and have it ready for dinner when you return. The convenience of this speaks for itself.
