Best rice cookers in Australia 2026

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Breville The Smart Rice Box Rice Cooker

Best overall rice cooker

• Multi-purpose

Cons

• Some buyers had reliability issues
• More expensive than competitors

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We picked Breville's The Smart Rice Box Rice Cooker as the best overall rice cooker available online thanks to its popularity, design and versatility. On Amazon and Harvey Norman, it has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Breville's The Smart Rice Box Rice Cooker uses fuzzy logic technology to cook the best rice for any meal. This means that it has a computer chip that helps adjust the cooking temperatures throughout the cooking process for optimal results.

The cook bowl is ceramic-coated with 5 layers of durable materials that are heat-conductive, ensuring you get excellent results every time. Additionally, you can use this appliance to make sushi, sticky rice, soup and porridge.

Customers praised the product's ease of use, durable design and versatility. While it's pricier than its competitor, the Smart Rice Box is a great option for bigger households. It can make up to 25 servings of rice and has removable parts for your cleaning convenience.

Panasonic SRDF181WST 1.8L Rice Cooker

Best small rice cooker

• 10-cup capacity

Cons

• Some customers said it takes an hour to cook rice
• Flimsy plastic housing

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Panasonic's SRDF181WST 1.8L Rice Cooker is our choice for the best small rice cooker. It has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on Harvey Norman.

Featuring 1-touch control buttons and fuzzy logic technology, this small Panasonic rice cooker has a 10-cup capacity. It comes with a non-stick cooking bowl that is suitable for cooking white or brown rice.

When the rice is cooked it automatically switches to "keep warm" mode with up to 5 hours of duration. It also comes with a steam basket for steaming other tasty dishes.

Many customers praised the product's compact design and easy controls. Despite being small, this rice cooker can cook up to 10 cups of rice, making it a suitable option for large households with a small kitchen space. It also automatically adjusts its power and cooking time to give consistently perfect results each time. However, several users complained that the cooking process takes about 1 hour.

Kambrook KRC150WHT Rice Express 5 Cup Rice Cooker

Best cheap rice cooker

• Non-stick cooking bowl

Cons

• May be too small for some households
• Doesn’t have advanced features

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With a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Harvey Norman, we chose the Kambrook KRC150WHT Rice Express 5 Cup Rice Cooker as the best cheap option.

This rice cooker boasts a 5-cup capacity and a 1-touch operation. It comes with a non-stick cooking bowl that is easy to clean after use. Additionally, it has a "keep warm" feature to ensure your rice stays at the ideal temperature, while the glass lid makes it easy to monitor the cooking process.

At under $50, Kambrook's Rice Express 5 Cup Rice Cooker is a basic but durable option if you're on a budget. It doesn't have the bells and whistles of fancier models, but it does the job phenomenally. Users said it is easy to use and cooks rice in a jiffy. However, the 5-cup capacity might be too small for households with more than 4 members.

Russell Hobbs RHRC1 10 Cup Family Rice Cooker

Best large-capacity rice cooker

• Easy to clean

Cons

• A bit heavier than other models
• Not suitable for cooking brown rice

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If you're looking for a large-capacity rice cooker, we recommend the Russell Hobbs Family 10 Cup Rice Cooker. On Catch, it has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from over 300 reviews.

Russell Hobbs' Family 10 Cup Rice Cooker is a simple and affordable option suitable for large households. Apart from its 10-cup capacity, it comes with a stainless steel outer and non-stick cooking pot. It has "cook" and "keep warm" functions and a jar-style locking lid that prevents steam from escaping. You'll also get a steaming basket for steaming your favourite veggies.

With its durable design and budget-friendly price tag, it's no wonder this appliance has gained positive reviews. It is user-friendly with a 1-touch single button interface. The bowl is also removable for easy cleaning. It's a bit bulkier and heavier than other models out there, which may be a con if you have a small kitchen.

Nutri Ninja Foodi Multi Cooker

Best multi-purpose rice cooker

• Versatile

Cons

• Short power cord
• Too bulky for some

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With a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars on Amazon, Nutri Ninja's Foodi Multi Cooker is our pick for the best multi-purpose rice cooker. This appliance is also one of our choices for the best pressure cookers available online.

While not technically a rice cooker, Nutri Ninja's Foodi Multi Cooker is your one-stop shop for cooking a wide range of dishes, including some tasty rice. It can slow cook, air fry, steam, sauté and brown any ingredients, making meal prep a lot easier. It features TenderCrisp technology to ensure meals are crispy and delicious.

Customers gave positive feedback on the appliance's quick cook time and versatility. The control buttons are also easy to use as well. It offers tons of functions and a 40-minute cook time, making it an ideal option for people with a busy lifestyle. However, it's quite bulky and heavy.

Tefal RK900 Multicook and Grains Rice Cooker

Best rice cooker for brown rice

• Lets you save up to 5 recipes

Cons

• Some users found the build a bit flimsy
• Expensive

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For brown rice, we chose Tefal's RK900 Multicook and Grains Rice Cooker as the best option. It has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on Appliances Online and Myer.

Tefal's RK900 features exclusive patented technology to ensure a healthier cooking experience, offering different textures to your meals. It comes with over 80 cooking programs and 4 grain cooking options for cooking all types of grains like rice, lentils, beans and chickpeas. The control panel is also easy to use and the My Recipe mode allows you to save up to 5 recipes in the memory.

This multi-purpose rice cooker is equipped with convenient features like express soaking, 3D heating and automatic keep warm. The cooking bowl is made of ceramic material with a diamond-shape coating for durability. According to the brand, it can also preserve the nutrients of your favourite grain for the healthiest meal possible.

Joseph Joseph M-Cuisine Microwave Rice and Grain Cooker

Best microwave rice cooker

• 2L capacity

Cons

• Some customers experienced durability issues
• Inconsistent cooking results

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When it comes to microwave rice cooking, we picked the Joseph Joseph M-Cuisine Microwave Rice and Grain Cooker as the best choice. It has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon from more than 3,000 reviews.

The M-Cuisine Microwave Rice and Grain Cooker features a 2L cooking pot, a colander, measuring cup and a nifty multi-purpose rice paddle. You can use the pot to measure, wash, cook and serve rice. It is also dishwasher-safe.

Despite being pricier than other microwave rice cookers, this product has gained loyal customers. It is easy to use and quite durable, withstanding multiple microwave sessions without melting. And because it is dishwasher-safe, cleaning is also a breeze. Users also loved that sleek design, which makes the rice cooker a great serving pot. Some people said it doesn't produce the most consistent results, but this seems to be an isolated concern.

Save on rice cookers with deals and discounts:

Appliances Online

$642 off Bosch Serie 6 90cm Freestanding Dual Fuel Oven/Stove

Save $642 on the Bosch Serie 6 90cm Dual Fuel Oven/Stove at Appliances Online. This premium freestanding cooker features an extra-large 112L oven with 8 heating modes and a spacious 6-burner gas cooktop, including a powerful dual wok burner. Valid for a limited time only. T&Cs apply.

Appliances Online

30% off Westinghouse 90cm Induction Pyrolytic Freestanding Cooker

Save 30% off when you buy Westinghouse 90cm Induction Pyrolytic Freestanding Cooker with SteamBake Dark Stainless Steel WFEP9757DD at Appliances Online. Limited time offer. T&Cs apply.

Appliances Online

27% off Haier 54cm Freestanding Electric Cooker

Get 27% off Haier 54cm Freestanding Electric Cooker at Appliances Online while stocks last. T&Cs apply.

Kogan

49% off Devanti Ceramic Cooktop 77cm Electric Cooker

Get the Devanti Ceramic Cooktop 77cm Electric Cooker for 49% less at Kogan. T&Cs apply.

Old price: $499.99
New price: $244.95

How did we pick this list?

• Crock-Pot
• Cuisinart
• Handy Gourmet
• Healthy Choice
• Instant Pot
• Joseph Joseph
• Kambrook
• Nutri Ninja
• Panasonic
• Russell Hobbs
• Sistema
• Sunbeam
• Tefal
• Vinod
• Westinghouse

• Zeafree

We narrowed down our choices based on customer ratings and reviews (as of March 2022). We also considered each model's key product features, such as capacity, design and value for money. We came up with what we believe are the 7 best rice cookers you can buy right now in Australia.

What does a rice cooker do?

A rice cooker uses steam to perfectly cook rice. Most models automatically switch from "cooking" to "keep warm", allowing the rice to stay at the optimal temperature for hours. It comes in various sizes and cup capacities to suit any household needs.

Types of rice cookers

There are tons of rice cooker models to cater for any cooking needs. The most common is the basic rice cooker, which features a 1-touch function and a non-stick cooking bowl for convenience. This option comes in various sizes and designs. This type is also the most affordable, but it doesn't come with advanced features.

Advanced and multi-purpose rice cookers are also available. They have different functions for cooking white rice, brown rice and other dishes. Some models also have digital readouts, pre-cooking function, delay timers and a "keep warm" mode that keeps the rice at the optimal temperature for up to 24 hours. Several brands also offer units that can be used to steam, sauté, fry and brown ingredients.

Microwave rice cookers are another option. These are compact and more affordable if you prefer using a microwave oven to create perfectly fluffy rice. Some microwave rice cookers are multi-purpose, allowing you to wash, measure, cook and serve rice in 1 pot. However, microwave cookers don't provide consistently good results compared to electric options.

How to compare rice cookers

Consider the following factors when choosing a rice cooker:

Cup capacity

Consider how many people the rice cooker will serve. For large households, a rice cooker with a 10-cup capacity may be enough. But for 1 to 2 people, a smaller option with a 5-cup capacity might be more ideal.

User-friendliness

Most rice cookers have a straightforward operation using a 1-touch control, which makes cooking rice quite easy. However, more advanced models offering different features have a more complicated operation. Choose a rice cooker model with a user-friendly control panel to make cooking more convenient, especially if you have a busy lifestyle.

Cooking bowl

Consider picking a rice cooker with an easy-to-clean cooking bowl. Most brands offer options with non-stick and removable bowls. Others also offer dishwasher-safe bowls.

Advanced features

A basic rice cooker is ideal for making white rice and steamed veggies, but if you want a more versatile option, consider picking a model with advanced features. Some rice cookers have pre-cook functions, automatic timers and pre-programmed recipes. Others also let you cook different grains and recipes. However, more advanced rice cookers are often pricier.

Footprint

If you have a small kitchen, a lightweight and compact rice cooker might be ideal. But do note that smaller models often have a smaller cup capacity.

Price

There are tons of rice cookers available at different price ranges. Basic rice cookers usually go for $35 to $100, depending on the model, cup capacity and features. Multi-purpose and more advanced options are priced at $110 to $3,400.

How to clean a rice cooker

Follow these steps to ensure your rice cooker stays clean after each use:

1. Make sure to unplug the appliance and let it cool down before cleaning.
2. Remove all the removable parts and soak them in a container filled with water and 2 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid for about 30 minutes.
3. Afterwards, use a sponge to scrub off any rice build-up.
4. Never use a cleaning tool with hard bristles to ensure the non-stick coating stays intact.
5. Rinse the parts and let them air dry before putting them back in.
6. Using a wet towel, wipe down the exterior of your rice cooker and the power cord to remove dirt and grime.

1. Lastly, remove any leftover grains or dirt from the heating plate using another clean cloth.

What is a rice cooker?

A rice cooker is an appliance designed to automatically cook rice. It usually features a heating element, a bowl and a thermostat. To use a rice cooker, all you have to do is pour a specific ratio of water and uncooked rice into the bowl, turn it on and let the rice cooker do the rest.

These appliances then heat the rice and water to boiling point. Once the rice has been cooked, the cooker switches to "keep warm" mode to ensure that your rice is ready to serve whenever you're ready to eat.

Why should I consider a rice cooker?

Why bother buying a rice cooker when you can do the same job using nothing more than a humble saucepan? Well, rice cookers offer a few key advantages:

Save time

Less guesswork

Consistent results

Free up stove space

More than just rice

Why shouldn't I get a rice cooker?

If you're a whiz in the kitchen and you don't have any trouble cooking perfect rice the old-fashioned way, you may decide that you don't need a rice cooker. Similarly, if you and your family simply don't cook rice all that often, a rice cooker may be a poor investment.

Another issue to be aware of is the fact that some models can be quite large. If you have limited bench or cupboard space in your kitchen, you may be better off sticking with cooking rice in a pot.

If you're looking for a different cooking appliance for your kitchen, check out our guides to the best slow cookers and the best pressure cookers.

What types are available?

There are a couple of different ways to distinguish between the different types of rice cookers available, and the first is to consider whether the product has a sealed or unsealed lid.

• Unsealed lid. Models with an unsealed lid are typically cheaper and extremely straightforward to use. They're easy to clean and make it easy to monitor the progress of your rice if needed, but they can tend to rattle and even spit water onto your bench.
• Sealed lid. Sealed-lid rice cookers remove the risk of any rattling or water spatter, but they're usually more expensive and can be a hassle to clean.

The second factor you can consider when comparing types of rice cookers is to look at the cooking settings they offer. Basic, cheaper models tend to feature just 2 cooking modes – "cook" and "keep warm". However, advanced models towards the top end of the price range use fuzzy logic technology and include multiple settings, not only for cooking rice but also for cooking a variety of other dishes.

Recent years have also seen the emergence of induction rice cookers, which create heat using a magnetic field. They're theoretically designed to cook rice more evenly than conventional rice cookers, but their high price point means they're a little excessive for most buyers.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to leave a rice cooker on overnight?

While most rice cookers operate with little to no supervision, it is best not to leave your rice cooker plugged overnight. Leaving it on overnight to keep your rice warm poses the risk of causing a fire or a short circuit.

Are rice cookers and steamers the same?

Rice cookers use steam to cook rice to perfection. Basic rice cookers only have one function, while multi-purpose ones can be used to steam, fry and even sauté ingredients. Steamers also use steam to cook rice and other ingredients, preserving their nutrients. These are multi-tier, which makes cooking dishes simultaneously a lot easier. Some steamers come with a bowl for cooking rice, too.

How many calories does white rice have?

About 100g of white rice has 123 calories, composed of 2.9g of proteins and 30g of carbs. This is slightly more than the 111 calories that brown rice has.

Best rated rice cooker: Finder award breakdown

2020 Best rated rice cooker brand