The Best Zojirushi Rice Cookers for Every Home Cook

Do you want an automatic rice cooker or a Micom rice cooker?

As mentioned above, Zojirushi makes two types of rice cookers: conventional automatic electric rice cookers and the more technologically advanced Micom (or “microcomputerized”) rice cookers. Automatic rice cookers are pretty straightforward—generally they feature one switch to toggle between “cook” and “keep warm.”

Regular rice cookers simply turn off when the water temperature is above boiling. In contrast, Micom cookers feature fuzzy logic that allows the machine to customize the cooking time and temperature so that your rice is cooked perfectly. Fuzzy logic is a mathematical term, but in the world of rice cookers, it refers to the machine’s ability to assess the level of doneness in your rice (or whatever grain), and then use this assessment to adjust the cooking temperature up or down, or shut off the machine entirely.

Machines with fuzzy logic capabilities will never give you mushy, overcooked rice—and they’ll likely even allow you to cook rice perfectly even if you’re a little imprecise with your water filling and measuring.

Should I get a rice cooker with induction heating?

Basic rice cookers featuring a heat source from the bottom of the pot. An induction rice cooker, however, provides full coverage using electromagnetic induction—which heats the entire pot, instead of just one area. While fuzzy logic helps account for errors or variable cooking times in different types of rice to more precisely prepare your grains, induction heating is meant to generally offer more even cooking results.

Automatic Rice Cookers

This automatic rice cooker may not have an elaborate control panel or the ability to prepare rice in advance, but its single switch—which toggles between “cook” and “keep warm”—makes it the best rice cooker for those who want a machine that’s straightforward and easy to use. Once your grains are cooked, the machine automatically shifts into “keep warm” mode.

The three heaters positioned on the bottom, middle, and top of the inner pot ensure that the rice stays at the ideal temperature, while the tight-sealing lid locks moisture in and prevents grains from becoming dry. The spatula holder attached to the side of the machine means you won’t have to travel far for a serving utensil when you finally get around to enjoying your batch of rice.

Like the brand’s other automatic rice cooker, this machine only has a single switch and transitions into the warm setting once your rice is done. Though it doesn’t come with a spatula holder, its accessories include a spatula, a steamer basket, and handles that allow you to easily move the rice cooker. The glass lid also allows you to check on the cooking process of your rice in its nonstick inner pot.

Micom Rice Cookers

This versatile Zojirushi Micom rice cooker tackles both sweet and savory cooking. You can program its menu settings to prepare white or brown rice, porridge, or mixed grains, and use the steam or bake setting to rustle up desserts like cheesecake. Set yourself up for success with the delay timer and keep warm options: Simply measure the grains and water in the morning, set the desired cooking start time, and you’ll come home to a fresh batch of rice after a long day of work.