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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.
High-Performance Pick: Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 5.5 Cup Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker
Budget Pick: Black+Decker 2-in-1 Rice Cooker & Food Steamer
Beginner-Friendly Alternative: Cuisinart CRC-400C 4-Cup Rice Cooker
Automatic Alternative: Cuckoo CRP-P0609S 6-Cup Pressure Rice Cooker
The Hamilton Beach rice cooker is a batch cooking champ with its mammoth 20-cup capacity. No more cooking rice in tiny increments for big gatherings. And, the 15-hour delay start timer lets you prep rice before heading off to work, so dinner will be ready when you walk in the door.
This cooker comes equipped with a steaming tray, rice spoon, and measuring cup so you can perfectly nail water ratios every time. Choose between steam and heat/simmer modes for meal versatility. There are even three preset menus for fuss-free cooking.
The downsides are mainly logistical. This beast demands serious counter real estate, so make sure you've got the space. And, be diligent about wiping down the lid after each use to maintain a tight seal — otherwise steam may leak out in the future.
If you regularly cook rice in bulk, this Hamilton Beach model is a workhorse worth clearing the countertop for. Just a few extra steps will keep it in perfect shape for flawless results every time.
This model has over 1,500 reviews on Amazon Canada, with an average star rating of 4.6. Reviewers appreciate its simplicity and efficiency, mentioning that it cooks rice perfectly every time. They also highlight its versatility, noting that it's great for cooking various types of grains beyond just rice. The keep-warm feature is another point of praise, as it ensures the rice stays at the ideal temperature without overcooking. On the downside, some users have pointed out that the non-stick coating can wear off over time, and a few have experienced issues with the cooker overflowing.
Dimensions: 10.6” x 11.3” x 11.7”
Weight: 6 lbs
Colour: Black and silver
Capacity: 20 cups
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Warranty: 5 years
Pros:
Perfect for batch cooking
3 menu options, two cook styles (heat/simmer or steam cook), and a keep warm function
Delay start timer up to 15 hours
Comes with a steaming tray, measuring cup, and rice paddle
Cons:
Requires a lot of counter space
The lid needs to be wiped thoroughly after every use to prevent steam from escaping in the future
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall, this Hamilton Beach rice cooker is a standout product with almost no flaws. As long as you have the counter space for it and keep up with its maintenance, you will be able to enjoy any batch size of rice whenever you want. For this level of quality, the price is unbeatable.
Zojirushi’s Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker has a lot to offer. It weighs only three pounds and will make a great addition to any size of kitchen. Two measuring cups and a spatula are included with the rice cooker, and you’ll also get to enjoy internal cord storage that keeps your counter or cupboard neat and tidy.
One of the things we like most about this rice cooker is the stay-cool handle design. Thanks to this, you won’t need to remember your oven mitts when removing the cooking pot from the base of the rice cooker. Its versatile eight menu options take the guesswork out of cooking, and the reheat and keep warm functions ensure you get everything you need out of one machine.
In order to take advantage of the excellent cooking performance, you’ll need to make a few concessions in some other areas. It is more expensive than some people may wish to spend for a single-function kitchen appliance, and the cooking times are quite long, so you’ll need to budget your time accordingly. Lastly, some people may wish to look for a more aesthetically pleasing rice cooker.
This model has over 10,000 reviews on Amazon Canada, with an average star rating of 4.8. Reviewers are particularly impressed by its consistent cooking results, highlighting that the rice comes out perfect every time. Many appreciate the cooker's "keep warm" feature, which ensures that the rice remains at the ideal temperature for hours. The machine's durability and longevity are frequently mentioned, with some users stating they've had their cooker for over a decade, and it's still working flawlessly.
Dimensions: 13” x 10.125” X 8.125”
Weight: 3.1 lbs
Colour: White
Capacity: 5.5 cups
Dishwasher Safe: No
Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
Has internal cord storage
Has 8 menu options available and keep warm/reheat settings
Stay-cool handles on cooking pot
Comes with two rice measuring cups and a spatula
Cons:
Fairly expensive
Very unappealing design
Cook times are fairly long
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Quality: 4.5/5
All in all, Zojirushi’s Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker is an amazing choice for every rice lover. Its price point isn’t the most accessible, but the safety features, excellent cooking performance, and included accessories add a ton of value to back it up.
The budget-friendly Black+Decker rice cooker offers a second functionality to increase its versatility: it can also steam food. A steaming basket will be included for this purpose, as well as a serving scoop and rice measuring cup to get your ratios right and end up with perfectly fluffy rice every time.
One of the best features offered by this rice cooker is the automatic keep-warm function. Once the rice is done cooking, the machine will switch over to the warming setting to keep the rice ready to eat until you serve it. The controls are incredibly easy to figure out, so this is a great rice cooker for first-timers looking to get started with a new kind of countertop kitchen appliance.
Despite the incredibly affordable price tag, there isn’t much wrong with this 2-in-1 Black+Decker cooker. The only potential issue we see has to do with the power system. There is no way to turn the rice cooker off without unplugging it, so you’ll need to remember this step after serving your rice if you want to save energy and keep the heating element in great condition.
This model has over 9,000 reviews on Amazon Canada, with an average star rating of 4.5. Reviewers appreciate its efficiency, noting that it cooks rice faster than other models they've used. They also highlight its consistent performance, delivering perfectly cooked rice every time. Many users find it to be a good value for money, emphasizing its ease of use and minimal cleanup. However, some reviewers mention its small capacity, which might not be suitable for larger gatherings or families. A few also pointed out the absence of an off switch, requiring users to unplug the device to turn it off.
Dimensions: 10” x 9” x 5.5”
Weight: 3.7 lbs
Colour: White
Capacity: 6 cups
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
Functions as a rice cooker and food steamer
Automatically keeps food warm after cooking
Comes with a steamer basket, serving scoop, and measuring cup
Controls are easy to use
Cons:
Cannot turn off the machine without unplugging it
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4/5
Overall, this Black+Decker model is a very well-rounded product, especially considering its price tag. The lack of a power-off button is a design flaw in our opinion, but the versatile capacity, automatic keep-warm feature, and easy-to-use controls make for a useful rice cooker.
If you’re new to the world of rice cookers, the Cuisinart CRC-400C is a great model to get you started. The simple design is incredibly user-friendly; the controls are obvious and you don’t have a ton of menu buttons cluttering the front of the machine. The included measuring cup and spoon ensure you have all the tools you need to get started without any additional purchases.
One of the things we love most about this rice cooker is how well it fits on a countertop. Many rice cookers are bulky and take up more than their share of space, but this model is compact enough to take a permanent spot without interfering with daily kitchen life. The automatic keep warm feature is a great addition to the overall beginner-friendliness of this machine.
This rice cooker isn’t perfect, though. The 4-cup capacity is fairly small for the price, and the glass lid can be difficult to clean because of the lip design. The most notable problem with this rice cooker is its tendency to boil over if you don’t wash the rice first. Unless this is already a habit for you, you’ll have to adjust to this extra task in your rice prep routine.
This model has over 400 reviews on Amazon Canada, with an average star rating of 4.4. Many reviewers praise its consistent performance, noting that it cooks rice perfectly every time. They also appreciate its compact design, which is ideal for small kitchens. However, some users have pointed out issues with the non-stick coating and difficulty in cleaning the glass lid.
Dimensions: 8.8” x 8.8” x 9.5”
Weight: 6 lbs
Colour: Silver
Capacity: 4 cups
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Pros:
Comes with a paddle and measuring cup
Automatically keeps rice warm after cooking is finished
Simple design is very user-friendly
Fits well on a countertop
Cons:
Glass lid is difficult to clean
May boil over if rice is not washed first
Capacity is small considering the price
Performance: 4/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4.5/5
All in all, this Cuisinart model is our top recommendation for beginners. It is incredibly easy to use, offers a streamlined control system, and is well-suited to any kitchen size.
We are very impressed with this rice cooker. Its larger size can make six cups of uncooked rice at a time, perfect for family dinners or meal prepping in bulk. A reheat function can be used to restore your rice to its freshly cooked glory, and the 12 menu buttons make it incredibly easy to achieve perfect rice no matter what type you are cooking.
The automation of this rice cooker is what makes this product truly stand out. An auto-clean feature makes your life a whole lot easier after the cooking is done, as does the automatic steam release: it works slowly and quietly so it doesn’t accidentally burn you or startle you. Its most advanced automation system is the ability to adjust its temperature and pressure based on the status of the rice.
The high-quality and thoughtful design of this rice cooker doesn’t leave us with any unchecked boxes. The only note we have for you is to pay attention to its price tag. The advanced technology and high level of automation create a pretty expensive appliance, so you may need some time to budget for it properly. A one-year warranty will protect your investment for a while.
This model has over 1,100 reviews on Amazon Canada, with an average star rating of 4.6. Many reviewers appreciate the versatility of the rice cooker, highlighting its ability to cook various types of rice perfectly. They also commend its design and the fact that it can communicate in multiple languages. However, some users have found the interface not as intuitive as they would have liked. Despite these concerns, the majority seem to be satisfied with their purchase, often mentioning its reliability and the tasty results it produces.
Dimensions: 10.1” x 11.6” x 14.2”
Weight: 14.3 lbs
Colour: Black and copper
Capacity: 6 cups
Dishwasher Safe: No
Warranty: 1 year
Pros:
Has 12 menu options and a reheat function
Automatically adjusts temperature and pressure to cook rice to perfection
Automatically releases steam slowly and quietly
Has an auto-clean feature
Cons:
Very expensive
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 3/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall, this Cuckoo rice cooker is the most automated and high-value model you can find in today’s market. Its price may be a little steep, but the versatility and push-button operation add tons of value. No matter what type of rice you love the most, this machine will produce incredible results every time.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The rare rice cooker will offer a delay timer that lets you set a cook 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.
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.