Rice is a staple food for many people around the world, but cooking it can be tricky and time-consuming. You need to measure the right amount of water, adjust the heat, and watch the pot to prevent it from boiling over or burning. And if you live alone or have a small family, you may not want to deal with a large and bulky rice cooker that takes up too much space in your kitchen.

That’s where mini rice cookers come in handy. These small appliances are designed to cook rice for 1-3 people, using less energy and space than regular rice cookers. They are also easy to use, easy to clean, and versatile enough to cook other grains, oats, and even steam vegetables and dumplings.

But how do you choose the best mini rice cooker for your needs? There are many models available on the market, with different features, capacities, and prices. To help you make an informed decision, we have reviewed some of the best mini rice cookers in 2023, based on their performance, quality, design, and customer feedback.

The 6 Best Mini Rice Cookers of 2023

Here are our top picks for the best mini rice cookers of 2023, along with their pros and cons:

1. Aroma Housewares Digital Cool-Touch Rice Grain Cooker and Food Steamer

This is our top pick for the best overall mini rice cooker, as it offers a great combination of functionality, quality, and affordability. It can cook up to four cups of dry rice at a time, and has several preset functions for white rice, brown rice, steam, keep warm, and flash rice. It also comes with a measuring cup, a spatula, and a steam tray that you can use to steam vegetables or meat while your rice is cooking.

The Aroma Housewares Digital Cool-Touch Rice Grain Cooker has a sleek and modern design, with digital controls and a cool-touch exterior. The inner pot is nonstick and dishwasher-safe, making it easy to clean. The glass lid allows you to monitor the cooking process without lifting it, and the automatic keep-warm function keeps your rice warm until you are ready to serve.

Pros:

• Dishwasher-safe
• Multiple preset functions
• Digital controls
• Nonstick pot
• Glass lid
• Steam tray included

Cons:

• None

2. Zojirushi 3-Cup Rice Cooker

If you are looking for a simple and reliable mini rice cooker from a reputable brand, you can’t go wrong with the Zojirushi 3-Cup Rice Cooker. This model is one of the best Japanese mini rice cookers on the market, as it uses advanced technology to cook perfect rice every time. It has a single switch control that automatically adjusts the temperature and cooking time according to the type and amount of rice you are cooking.

The Zojirushi 3-Cup Rice Cooker has a durable and elegant design, with a stainless steel exterior and a nonstick inner pot. The inner pot has markings for measuring water levels for different types of rice. The glass lid has a steam vent that prevents boiling over and spilling. The detachable cord makes it easy to store and transport.

Pros:

• Single switch control
• Automatic temperature and time adjustment
• Nonstick pot
• Glass lid with steam vent
• Detachable cord

Cons:

• No keep-warm function

3. TLOG Mini Rice Cooker

This is our top pick for the best mini rice cooker for travel, as it is compact, lightweight, and portable. It can cook up to two cups of dry rice at a time, and has a special program for brown rice that ensures even cooking and optimal texture. It also has a keep-warm function that keeps your rice warm for up to six hours.

The TLOG Mini Rice Cooker has a unique and stylish design, with a ceramic coating inner pot that is healthy and easy to clean. It also has a large and stay-cool handle that you can use to carry it around. The lid has a lock mechanism that prevents accidental opening and spilling. The power cord is detachable and can be stored inside the cooker when not in use.

Pros:

• Compact and lightweight
• Special program for brown rice
• Keep-warm function
• Ceramic coating pot
• Large handle
• Lid lock mechanism
• Detachable cord

Cons:

• No steam tray included

4. GreenLife Healthy Ceramic Nonstick Rice Cooker

If you are looking for a mini rice cooker that has an attractive appearance and a healthy inner pot, you may want to consider the GreenLife Healthy Ceramic Nonstick Rice Cooker. This model can cook up to three cups of dry rice at a time, and has an easy-to-use one-button operation. It also has a keep-warm function that keeps your rice warm until you are ready to serve.

The GreenLife Healthy Ceramic Nonstick Rice Cooker has a colorful and eye-catching design, with a turquoise exterior and a white ceramic nonstick inner pot. The ceramic coating is free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium, making it safe and eco-friendly. The glass lid has a steam vent that prevents boiling over and spilling. The cooker also comes with a measuring cup and a rice paddle.

Pros:

• Colorful and eye-catching design
• Ceramic nonstick pot
• One-button operation
• Keep-warm function
• Glass lid with steam vent
• Measuring cup and rice paddle included

Cons:

• No steam tray included

5. Aroma Housewares Rice Cooker, Steamer, Multicooker

This is another great mini rice cooker from Aroma Housewares, but this one has more features and functions than the previous model. It can cook up to four cups of dry rice at a time, and has multiple preset functions for white rice, brown rice, oatmeal, soup, quinoa, and cake. It also has a delay timer that allows you to set the cooking time up to 15 hours in advance.

The Aroma Housewares Rice Cooker, Steamer, Multicooker has a versatile and multifunctional design, with a nonstick inner pot and a steam tray that you can use to cook different dishes at the same time. The digital controls and the LCD display make it easy to select the desired function and monitor the cooking progress. The automatic keep-warm function keeps your food warm until you are ready to serve.

Pros:

• Multiple preset functions
• Delay timer
• Digital controls and LCD display
• Nonstick pot
• Steam tray included
• Automatic keep-warm function

Cons:

• None

6. White Tiger Mini Rice Cooker

This is our top pick for the easiest to clean mini rice cooker, as it has a nonstick inner pot that is PFOA-free and dishwasher-safe. It can cook up to three cups of dry rice at a time, and has an easy-to-use one-button operation. It also has a keep-warm function that keeps your rice warm for up to 12 hours.

The White Tiger Mini Rice Cooker has a simple and elegant design, with a white exterior and a stainless steel lid. The lid has a steam vent that prevents boiling over and spilling. The cooker also comes with a measuring cup, a spatula, and a soup spoon.

Pros:

• Easy to clean
• Nonstick pot
• One-button operation
• Keep-warm function
• Stainless steel lid
• Measuring cup, spatula, and soup spoon included

Cons:

• No steam tray included

How to Use a Mini Rice Cooker

Using a mini rice cooker is very easy and convenient. Here are the basic steps to follow:

1. Measure the amount of rice you want to cook using the measuring cup that comes with the cooker. Rinse the rice under running water until the water runs clear.
2. Add the rice to the inner pot of the cooker, and level it with a spatula or spoon.
3. Measure the amount of water you need according to the type of rice you are cooking and the markings on the inner pot. You can also add salt, oil, or other seasonings if you like.
4. Place the inner pot inside the cooker, and close the lid securely.
5. Plug in the power cord, and press the switch or button to start cooking. Some models may have different functions or modes that you can select according to your preference.
6. Wait until the cooker switches to the keep-warm mode or turns off automatically when the rice is done. Some models may have an indicator light or sound that lets you know when the cooking is finished.
7. Fluff the rice with a spatula or spoon, and enjoy your delicious meal.

How to Clean a Mini Rice Cooker

Cleaning a mini rice cooker is very easy as well, especially if it has a nonstick inner pot. Here are the basic steps to follow:

1. Unplug the power cord, and let the cooker cool down completely before cleaning.
2. Remove the inner pot from the cooker, and wash it with warm water and mild soap using a sponge or cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners or metal utensils that may scratch or damage the coating.
3. Rinse the inner pot thoroughly, and dry it with a soft towel or cloth.
4. Wipe the exterior of the cooker with a damp cloth or sponge, and dry it with a soft towel or cloth.
5. Store the cooker in a cool and dry place when not in use.