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Pressurized cooking, substantial construction, and lightning-fast, delicious results make this the right cooker for the demanding cook and the serious rice eater.

Pressurized cooking, substantial construction, and lightning-fast delicious results make this the right cooker for the serious rice eater, especially if you love sushi rice.

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Why We Love the Cuckoo Rice Cooker

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America's Test Kitchen

This rice cooker consistently produced excellent rice in both small and large batches. The water measurement markings on the cooking bowl, which are clearly labeled in white writing, were easy to read. The machine played a song both when it started cooking and when it switched to the “keep warm” setting. A timer counted down the final minutes of cooking. Plus, the handles on its cooking bowl protected our hands from heat. This model’s menu was simple enough, though we had to refer to the manufacturer’s booklet when picking the setting for long-grain white rice (it cooks on the mixed-rice setting, not white rice setting, which wasn’t obvious at first). It kept rice at a food-safe temperature for 12 hours, a helpful perk for people who like to enjoy rice at multiple times throughout the day. We also tested the larger version of this model, Zojirushi 10-Cup Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker & Warmer, which makes from 2 to 20 cups of cooked rice; it performed as well as our winner.

"I was a rice-cooker skeptic for years; I preferred stovetop rice that relied on a perfectly precise ratio of water to grains and was entirely dependent on my stovetop’s simmer ability. Carolyn Grillo reviewed our winning rice cooker, which takes the guesswork out of preparing this surprisingly finicky staple, with clear indicator lines for water levels and a keep-warm function that will hold temperature for hours. It even sings to you when it’s done cooking! I’ll never go back to stovetop rice." - Chase Brightwell, Assistant Editor, ATK Reviews

"When I brought this home, my husband said, 'We don't need a rice cooker.' He changed his tune pretty fast, and now he even has cute nicknames for “his” rice cooker. We use it three or four times a week, and have done so for years. It makes perfect sushi rice, brown rice, and long-grain white rice with the push of a button; never, ever scorches; and holds the cooked rice at a steamy, food-safe temperature for hours until you're ready for it. And, if you need one more reason to get it: It's simple to clean." -LM

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The Neuro Fuzzy makes sublime Japanese rice and is great at other varieties, even if you mess up the ratios. Although it’s a little slow, it’s the most all-around excellent and foolproof cooker we tested.

The Neuro Fuzzy makes sublime sushi rice and is great at other varieties, even basmati, which is one of the hardest to get right in a machine. Although this model is a little slow, it’s the most all-around excellent and foolproof cooker we tested.

This simple model ranks among the fastest non-pressure cookers we tested, making jasmine rice in around 35 minutes. The rice isn’t perfect, but this model is a great option for college students or anyone on a budget.

Best Rice Cookers From Consumer Reports' Tests

Consumer Reports

Despite the name, the Instant Zest 8 Cup is actually a 4-cup rice cooker. (The “8 Cup” refers to cooked rice; most rice cookers go by dry measurements.) Like most of the rice cookers in our ratings, this one scores a Very Good rating for cooking rice. One taster on our trained panel said the brown rice made in the Zest had a good texture and a nice bite. However, many tasters found that while the white rice was cooked through, it often came out a little sticky.
For more options: Best Rice Cookers

The secret to a hearty bowl of rice? A dedicated cooker that can get the job done without a hitch. The Instant Zest Rice Cooker is among the highest-rated in our tests. It can hold up to 4 cups of dry rice and can be programmed. It receives a Very Good rating for cooking as well as for convenience and how easy it is to use the controls. The Instant Zest comes with a steamer tray, rice spoon, measuring cup, and condensation collector, ensuring that you have all your bases covered.
For more options: Best Rice Cookers

The secret to a hearty bowl of rice? A dedicated cooker that can get the job done without a hitch. The Instant Zest Rice Cooker is among the highest-rated in our tests: It can hold up to 4 cups of dry rice and can be programmed. It receives a Very Good rating for cooking, as well as for convenience and how easy it is to use the controls. The Instant Zest comes with a steamer tray, rice spoon, measuring cup, and condensation collector, ensuring that you have all your bases covered.
For more options: Best Rice Cookers

Despite the name, the Instant Zest 8 Cup is actually a 4-cup rice cooker. (The “8 Cup” refers to cooked rice; most rice cookers go by dry measurements.) Like most of the rice cookers in our ratings, this one scores a Very Good rating for cooking rice. One taster on our trained panel said the brown rice made in the Zest had a good texture and a nice bite. However, many tasters found that while the white rice was cooked through, it often came out a little sticky.For more options: Best Rice Cookers

The secret to a hearty bowl of rice? A dedicated cooker that can get the job done without a hitch. The Instant Zest Rice Cooker is among the highest-rated in our tests: It can hold up to 4 cups of dry rice and can be programmed. It receives a Very Good rating for cooking, as well as for convenience and how easy it is to use the controls. The Instant Zest comes with a steamer tray, rice spoon, measuring cup, and condensation collector, ensuring that you have all your bases covered.For more options: Best Rice Cookers

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