Hi all, I’m looking to buy a new rice cooker and need some advice on which brand and model I should get. I cook rice quite frequently, around 2-3 times per week. I also want a rice cooker that can steam, make porridge, has a timer and fuzzy logic. Budget is under $200, thanks!
Rice Cooker - Which One to Choose?
AvidDealHunter on 20/05/2025 - 18:05
Comments
Agreed. I bought my parents a fancy zojirushi rice cooker and compared to the cuckoo one, they cant tell much of a difference
Yeah, that's the one. I think Costco was ~$130
Sounds like a steal at that price! Unfortunately it's not on sale at the moment so I'll have to wait.
I have this one and I'm shocked how good it is for $60. Makes great sushi rice too.
https://www.kmart.com.au/product/rice-multi-cooker-43264940/Probably because it's a rebadged Chinese model. Chinese rice cookers are pretty good, they cook all kinds of things in them, not just rice.
Are you looking for a family-oriented model? Some are warm and nurturing, others are a bit cool and precise, it really depends on what you’re after. That $200 budget might be on the modest side, though. Might be worth taking a little tour to see what’s out there. Just try to avoid the temperamental ones.
Like with everything else, the cheapest is usually pretty shitty, affordable mainstream is where the value is, premium is usually good, but only for people who really want those niche features.
Just get your bog-standard Cuckoo, Panasonic or Tiger one, and call it a day. Cuckoo and Panasonic should land you around the $150 mark, Tiger probably around the $250 mark.
I also want a rice cooker that can steam, make porridge, has a timer and fuzzy logic.
The funny thing is that the rice cookers that seem to have the least features seem to last the longest. These new models which have all of these whacky features and microcomputers always seem to have issues after a while.
My parents have this Tiger one (see: https://www.binglee.com.au/products/tiger-jnp1000flz-electri…) that has been serving them well for over 20 years.
I got a cuckoo one from Costco. I think its excellent