11 Best Rice Cooker Under 100 Dollars

Now, what can we say about rice? If you asked an Asian, the person would probably say- It’s his life! The price of a rice grain is beyond our imagination for the people who know its actual worth. Rice is a source of food that has an impact on our life! As we can eat it with so many dishes without getting bored. We get most of our glucose from rice. So, to get the maximum benefit from rice, we need to cook every grain properly. That is when the best rice cooker under 100$ will help you the most!

A rice cooker can cook your rice easily without spoiling a single grain. You can get rice in no time with the help of a rice cooker. For how long can you cook rice on a stove? Sometimes, the grains are not fluffy enough, maybe they are too pumped up, and sometimes it takes too much time! But, if you use a rice cooker, you can easily avoid all these hassles. If you are too busy or not a good cook, a rice cooker can be a significant companion for you. Now, you might question which rice cooker is better. So, after a long period of research, we have narrowed down the list of best rice cooker under 100 dollars, which are both cheap and durable for you!

In a rush? Check Our Top Choices then –

• Best Overall: Hamilton Beach Fuzzy Logic Rice Cooker
• Best Easy to Clean: Zojirushi Rice Cooker and Warmer
• Best Affordable: Instant Pot Lux 6-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
• Best Versatility: COMFEE’ Rice Cooker
• Best Quickness: Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker
• Best Easy to Use: Aroma Housewares ARC-6106AB Rice Cooker

How we tested the Cookers

At Kitchenological, we take our kitchen appliance evaluations seriously, and our latest venture involved putting 25 top-rated rice cookers to the test. To find the crème de la crème, we cooked various types of rice and analyzed essential features to bring you the most comprehensive review possible. Our meticulous approach, combining side-by-side comparisons and taste tests, ensured that only the finest rice cookers made it to our list of finalists.

Performance Testing: To gauge the rice cookers’ capabilities, we began by cooking 2 cups of medium grain rice on the plain/white rice setting. After tasting and comparing the flavor, consistency, and overall quality, we eliminated those that failed to meet our high standards.

Next, we focused on cooking brown rice, a true test of a rice cooker’s prowess. For this round, we cooked 2 cups of short-grain brown rice using the respective brown rice setting of each contender. Again, taste and consistency were paramount in our evaluations.

To ensure a comprehensive assessment, we didn’t overlook the popular choice of long-grain basmati rice. Cooking 2 cups of long-grain basmati rice in each cooker on the designated brown rice setting allowed us to examine its performance with this specific type of rice.

Feature Analysis: Beyond the rice’s taste and texture, we delved into the rice cookers’ extra functionalities. Our expert team counted and compared the number of different modes and settings each appliance offered. We took note of settings for brown rice, porridge, and more, as well as additional features like Keep Warm, timers, and Auto Clean.

Ease of Cleaning: A clean kitchen is a happy kitchen, so we didn’t overlook the importance of easy cleaning. We dismantled each rice cooker, evaluating how straightforward or challenging it was to clean the components, along with the time required for the task.

Design and Build Quality: We examined the rice cookers’ capacity and size options, ensuring they catered to various households’ needs. The appliances’ dimensions and weight were measured and recorded for your convenience. Additionally, cord length was considered, as it can significantly impact placement in your kitchen.

Aesthetics: The aesthetics of a kitchen appliance matter too! Our team judged each rice cooker’s general design and look, taking note of any standout features that might enhance your kitchen’s style.

Combining Approaches: In a quest to present a well-rounded evaluation, we also adopted a side-by-side testing approach. We simultaneously cooked 1 cup of white rice and 1 cup of brown rice in each of the 12 rice cookers. Following individual instructions and standard settings, we allowed each rice cooker’s recommended steaming time after cooking.

At the 15-minute mark, we fluffed and tasted the rice from each appliance, analyzing cooking consistency and rice quality. We made observations regarding any uncooked rice, unevenly cooked kernels, or undesired mushiness. To account for individual preferences, we also re-evaluated the rice’s state after an hour on the “warm” setting.

Speed Matters: We recognized the importance of time efficiency, especially in a busy kitchen. Thus, we meticulously timed how long it took each rice cooker to prepare both white and brown rice, understanding that quick cooking is a priority for many households.

After rigorous testing and careful consideration, we proudly present our top recommendations. At Kitchenological, we strive to provide you with insightful evaluations, empowering you to make informed decisions for your kitchen. From performance and features to design and ease of cleaning, we’ve left no stone unturned in our pursuit of the perfect rice cooker. So, embark on your culinary journey with confidence, armed with our comprehensive rice cooker analysis. Happy cooking!

Here are the best rice cooker under 100$ for you-

1. Best Overall: Hamilton Beach Fuzzy Logic Rice Cooker

This wonderful Hamilton Beach advanced multi-function rice cooker is built with advanced technology microcomputers, which will help you to perfectly adjust the time and temperature for better performance and results. It comes to you with a sum of 9 various functions. You can prepare different sorts of dishes with it alongside rice! It can make rice, slow cooks, sauté, steams, and cereals.

The nonstick inner pot and lid are made with quality material and are easily removable. You can easily disassemble them anytime without facing many difficulties. The parts are dishwasher free. So, there are no chances of chemical separation or discoloration, making the cooker easy to clean and maintain. The digital display has adjustable timers and easy controls.

It also has a cooking progress countdown indicator and easy to read display. For safety and convenience, the premium inner 3.5-quart bowl with thick walls has an adjusted handle. You can hold the handle of the bowl comfortably to take out the bowl from the cooker and place it on the tabletop easily! For this reason, it is the first choice as the top rice cooker under 100.

2. Best Easy to Clean: Zojirushi Rice Cooker and Warmer

Zojirushi Rice Cooker and Warmer is probably the most trending rice cooker now. The best thing you will see in it is the one-touch operation system with an automatic keep-warm function that automatically adjusts the temperature with a single touch. Three heaters inside it conduct the ideal amount of heat from the bottom, side, and lid to produce tasty rice.

The pan inside the cooker is easy to clean and is built with a non-stick coating. The inner lid is also easily detachable and washable. It comes with a tight lock accessible with the push button only and a dew collector that reduces the extra amount of dew created from the steam. The lid also features an easy-to-open handle!

The amazing cooker showcases handy accessories like a measuring cup, spatula, and spatula holder. The product has a big name in the market of rice cookers and is available for you in 5.5-cup and 10-cup (uncooked rice) in both tulip and metallic gray sizes and colors. Thus it is the second choice as the top rice cooker under 100.

3. Best Affordable rice cooker: Instant Pot Lux 6-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker

With a combination of 6 appliances in one cooker, Instant Pot Lux 6-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker gives you the service of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, and warmer! Which will cook 70% faster than usual and save you time. Its advanced system has 12 Smart One-Touch features which will help you cook delicious rice, beans, soup, ribs, poultry, desserts, and many more items. You can cook them in autopilot mode as well!

The fingerprint-resistant stainless steel lid, components, and accessories are dishwasher-safe, making the cooker easy to clean. You will also find up to 10 advanced safety features inside it like- an overheat protection system, safety lock, and more to ensure the ultimate protection. The large capacity of 6 quarts stainless and dishwasher-free pot inside the cooker can make rice for 8 people at once! Which is perfect for families. It can also cook batches of other meals for singles and smaller households in less time.

The cooker comes with a cluster of accessories that includes stainless steel steam rack with handles, a rice paddle, a soup spoon, a measuring cup, and a condensation collector. There is also a free instant pot app where you can find tons of recipes you can make using this cooker. The stainless items and the pot is made with a 3-ply bottom which will give high durability and the cook-making process will provide 100% healthy food! For this reason, it is our third choice!

4. Best Versatility: COMFEE’ Rice Cooker

With a 6-step intelligent cooking process, COMFEE’s 5.2Qt Asian Style Programmable All-in-1 Multi Cooker will give you perfect rice every time! The steam valve and inner pot are engineered wonderfully to preserve steam and heat to keep the rice fluffy and warm. The versatile cooker has 17 Smart cooking programs, allowing endless meal options from traditional rice cooking to steamed veggies, soup, meat, and sweet treats like cake and even yogurt!

You can make anything you imagine with its Smart DIY design. Set your cooking time and program with the user-friendly digital LED screen and sensitive touch panel with just a single touch. Besides, the “24-hour delay timer” can help you to figure out the proper meal planning. The 5.2-quart high-capacity pot can cook about 10-20 cups of rice regularly, specifically designed for families and parties!

The non-stick coating pot is very easy to clean. The parts and other accessories have BPA-free food-grade TRITAN material that ensures healthy cooks. They also come with a handful of cooker accessories like a measuring cup, a steamer basket, and a rice spatula. This amazing multi-cooker comes to you with a 1-year manufacturer warranty as well! 

5. Best Quickness: Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker

The Hamilton Beach Digital Programmable Rice Cooker and Food Steamer is more than a rice cooker! It will let you cook various kinds of food effortlessly. From breakfast to dinner, you can cook every significant part of your meal using it. Grains, cereal, packaged rice mix, salmon (for steaming), zucchini (for steaming), and even more! To prevent the food from sticking, it has a non-stick cooking pot.

Easy to use, all you have to do is, put your ingredients into the pot, turn it on, select the setting, and done! Your cooker will do the rest! You can use the included 2 in 1 basket to rinse and steam as well.

It also allows you to plan your meals. The “delay start” would let your food be whenever you want it to be. Once the cooking process is completed, the cooker automatically shifts to warm to avoid burning. You can use it to cook your own recipe for pasta, rice, oatmeal, grits, cream of wheat, etc.! It has 4-20 cups of cooked and 1-10 cups of uncooked rice capacity.

It can cook all varieties of rice like- long and short-grain, whole-grain rice. It’s great for making flavored pasta, rice mixes, beans, soups, and one-pot meals. The” delay start” feature programs your food 11 hours earlier. There are six different cooking features for making a variety of foods. You can even cook and steam at the same time! You can make your food with minimal effort and less time.

6. Best Easy to Use: Aroma Housewares ARC-6106AB Rice Cooker

Aroma Housewares ARC-6106AB makes fluffy, soft rice with perfect moisture and texture with minimal effort. Keeps the meal warm for you so that you can have it at your desired time. This cooker can cook all kinds of long, short, whole grain, and brown rice. It can also stream at the same time while cooking.

In a rush? The quick rice function of this cooker will cook your rice within a short time. More than a rice cooker, it will provide your family with tasty foods and one-pot meals like soups, stews, stock gumbos, jambalaya, frittatas, desserts, and even dips!

First, its patent-pending technology and later sauté-then simmer feature add a new dimension to your rice cooker. It allows you to sauté food at high heat and automatically shifts to simmer mode once the liquid is added. It makes exquisite risotto and stirs fry dishes.

With the slow cook function, you can make delicious and tender stews, roasts, and more! Moreover, it sets 2-10 hours to make slow-cooked meals easily for you and your family.

7. Cuckoo CR-0631F 6-cup Multifunctional Micom Rice Cooker & Warmer

You can prepare the perfect GABA, mixed rice, porridge, and many more with the one and only Cuckoo Rice Cooker & Warmer. The LCDs have 10 menu options – multigrain, multi-cook, steam, etc. You can also select the degree of softness, glutinosity, and tastiness of your desire! This cooker can also detect grain type, temperature, and cook time with its fuzzy logic and cooking algorithm.

The premium inner bowl can preserve optimal temperature and distribute heat perfectly. The lid has an easy one-touch release button and drains wash system for easy cleanup. An automatic steam and pressure emission, a lid-locking device, and auto temperature control make the electric rice cooker super safe to use!

Cuckoo has almost 40 years of experience in cooking perfect rice! They have created their appliance with proper features and materials that serves the purpose of making perfect rice! Options like adjustable keep-warm temperatures and reheating make this appliance more useful.

8. GreenLife Healthy Rice Oats and Grains Cooker

GreenLife rice and grains cooker is a powerhouse of efficiency, revolutionizing the way we cook rice and grains. With a capacity of 4 cups, it’s the ideal size for everyday use. Its healthy ceramic nonstick interior, derived from sand, ensures effortless release and quick cleanup.

What sets it apart is the toxin-free coating, free from PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium, making every meal healthier. The easy-to-use control panel with a vibrant LED display offers simple presets for white rice, brown rice, quinoa, and steel-cut oats, guaranteeing perfect results every time.

Thanks to its fuzzy logic technology, this rice cooker automatically adjusts to your home’s unique conditions, optimizing cooking performance. Moreover, the Go Grains cooker comes with a delay timer and adjustable timing, allowing you to customize your cooking process.

9. TIGER JBV-A10U Micom Rice Cooker

TIGER JBV-A10U Micom Rice Cooker with Food Steamer Basket is a multi-functional rice cooker. Tiger’s own “Tacook” function allows you to cook two dishes (rice and a main dish at the same time) simultaneously. For a perfect meal, monitoring cooking temperatures is necessary. This rice cooker automatically monitors the temperature to make cooking easier for you. It needs very minimal preparation for use. Unlike other rice cookers, it doesn’t affect texture, taste, or color as the cooking plate is well-designed and BPA-free.

This cooker also includes a non-stick inner pot so your food won’t stick, burn, or crisp from the bottom. Once cooking completes, it automatically goes to keep you warm. It also has a detachable inner steam cap. This rice cooker comes with four cooking features. The plain rice feature allows you to make fluffy rice. For longer water absorption, the brown rice feature goes well. Slow cook your favorite recipe with the slow cooker feature in the ultimate multi-functional rice cooker.

To simplify your cooking, you can use the synchro-cooking feature. Cook your rice and another dish at the same time just by placing the Tacook cooking plate above and pressing start. Makes your cooking more time-saving, effortless, and comfortable.

10. Panasonic SR-DF101 Rice Cooker

The Panasonic SR-DF101 Rice Cooker is one of the leading rice cookers on the market. Despite pricing at only under 100$, this cooker showcases features like- cooking or heating rice, porridge, soup, and many more.

You can precisely adjust cooking time and temperature with its micro-computer technologies. The rice cooker is a consistent performer! It also features pre-programmed settings that can prepare anything for you with just one touch. Besides, there is also an automatic shut-off function to keep it safe from overheating.

The specialty of this cooker is its keep-warm function. It can comfortably keep rice, soup, and other items warm for up to 12 hours. You can also get a steaming basket, measuring cup, and authentic rice spoon with the cooker.

11. Cuisinart CRC-400 4 Cup Rice Cooker

The Cuisinart CRC-400 Rice Cooker is great for steaming rice, vegetables, and meats. Built with stainless steel for long-term use in a square-shaped design, You can fit it anywhere in your kitchen or home.

The best thing about this cooker is that it automatically switches to warm after the rice has been cooked. This feature is very handy for office workers who don’t have enough time to monitor while cooking. You can easily use it with its smart functions as well!

Besides, this rice cooker comes with many useful; components like- a Stainless-steel steaming basket, a Non-stick coated anodized aluminum cooking bowl, a glass lid, a paddle, and a measuring cup.

Things to see before buying a rice cooker (Rice Cooker Buying Guide) –

The Size of the Rice Cooker and Rice Pot

The size of the rice cooker and its rice pot will determine the amount of rice you can get from it at once. The size varies from product to product. So, always get a cooker and a rice pot that can make enough rice according to your requirement. The rice pot comes in different shapes and sizes. If you feel the size is better and more comfortable, don’t hesitate to buy it. So, pick a rice cooker that matches your criteria properly!

Can it cook and steam other types of food?

Many rice cookers come up with a steaming basket nowadays! This interesting function allows you to steam other types of food inside the rice cooker. It works well because you can turn your rice cooker into a steamer. Some rice cookers also allow you to cook other types of food like pasta, pizza, grains like barley, and other things that require a process similar to rice. In addition, you can also boil eggs and meats inside it as well. So, always look for a rice cooker that has these additional features.

Can it do slow cooking?

Many rice cookers consist of a slow cooking setting in them. This setting can help you to use your rice cooker almost like a slow cooker. All you have to do is adjust the temperature of your cooker. Usually, the main reason behind this function is to keep the rice warm after it’s cooked inside the rice cooker. But you can also use it as an alternative function to slow-cook other foods. So, a rice cooker with this function will be beneficial for you!

The type of material it is built from

These days, modern rice cookers are built with aluminum from the inside. Because the aluminum rice pot keeps the rice warm. But, some rice cookers also use stainless steel and other materials such as copper, pure carbon, diamond powder coating, and ceramic for higher heat conduction and better taste. A rice cooker built with verified materials will provide you with high durability, better heat, and fresh rice!

Are rice cooker pots dishwasher safe?

Due to different kinds of materials, all rice cooker pots are not dishwasher free. Many materials can leak harmful chemicals from them if washed inside a dishwasher. The rice cookers which have better materials and tested certificate of being dishwasher free are good for you! Therefore, always buy a rice cooker that is dishwasher safe. So that you can easily clean them.

Some FAQs about Rice cookers for under $100 –

Can rice cooker go in dishwasher?

Yes, you can wash the parts inside a dishwasher. It’s safe and healthy. It is made of washable materials.

How often replace rice cooker?

It depends on the durability of your rice cooker and also the way you use it. If it’s a heavy and solid rice cooker, it can generally last for a long time and you don’t need any replacement.

Can rice cooker cause fire?

It’s a rare case that a rice cooker catches fire. It usually uses pressure to cook. Electricity is the main generator of this pressure. Every cooker uses a fixed amount of electricity so, there are very rare chances that it may cause a fire.

Will a rice cooker boil water?

Yeah. You can easily boil water inside a rice cooker. But, you need to wash the whole cooker perfectly if the water is required for drinking. The inside metal is safe! So, you can also boil water in a rice cooker.

When to clean rice cooker?

If you want to keep your rice cooker clean and tidy then I recommend you wash it every time after using it!

Can rice cooker be used for frying?

Yes. You can also fry foods with a rice cooker. Even though you can’t deep fry because of the low temperature but you can stir fry different veggies, meats, etc. inside it.

Are rice cooker pots oven safe?

Not all rice cooker pots are oven safe. If it’s mentioned inside the description of your rice cooker then you can temporarily put it inside the oven. But, if there is no mention of it being oven safe. Then don’t take the risk of putting it in the oven. The pot might melt or crack!

Can a rice cooker cook brown rice?

Yes. You can easily cook brown rice in your rice cooker. All you have to do is just put 3 cups of water for 1 cup of rice instead of 2 cup of water and wait for more time than usual, it takes for plain rice!

How does rice cooker work?

The theory behind the rice cooker is pretty simple. All you need to do is just put rice and water inside the metal bowl of the cooker. Usually, the proportion of water and rice will be around 2:1(it’s like 2 cups of water for one cup of rice). Then you have to turn on the plug and wait for few minutes. In a short time, perfect rice will be produced! The rice cooker has a sensor that can sense the temperature of the cooker. When the temperature reaches a fixed level. It automatically shuts down the process and produces rice!

Why use rice cooker?

You do know how much effort is required if you want to make rice on a stove! First of all, you need to keep patience and notice it until the water fully boils. If you lose your concern for even a minute, there is a high chance of the rice being overcooked, burnt, or spoilt. But, if you choose to cook rice in a rice cooker then you can cook rice easily at any time for you! You don’t have to go through these problems at all! That is why most people prefer rice cookers these days. Some use Non stick cooking pans they are also quite good.

Is rice cooker healthy?

The main reason behind the rice cooker is so handy for people is that it is very safe to use and there is no chance that it might be harmful to anyone. Even though it uses electricity to cook the rice but still it doesn’t affect anyone negatively. It’s a healthy and quick way of making rice. Rice cookers keep the grains separate and clean. As a result, the rice becomes healthier and preserves more amount of nutrients in it. So, it’s totally healthy to use a rice cooker.

Conclusion

Rice cookers are both time-efficient and cost-efficient. It saves you all your time and effort and produces far better rice compared to the rice which is made on the stove. Prepared rice is also healthy for you. I have given my best reviews and thoughts about the best rice cooker under 100. Read all the features, descriptions, pros, and cons first. Then analyze all the details to pick the best cooker which fits your criteria. I hope you find the best one for YOU!