Best Rice Cookers UK (2026)
A rice cooker's real test is whether it gives consistently fluffy rice without watching the pan. This guide is based on Expert Reviews' tested roundup, where each cooker was timed on two scoops of long-grain and short-grain white rice (excluding the recommended five-minute rest), then used across its other functions. Expert Reviews updated the guide in May 2025 and prices are as reviewed. Where the source states no drawback for a model, this guide says so rather than inventing one.
We have not hands-on tested these products. Our picks are based on published independent tests and reviews, listed at the bottom of this page. How we pick.
Our top pick
Russell Hobbs Rice Cooker and Steamer 19750
Best budget
Expert Reviews found a neat, crowd-pleasing cooker that's really helpful for big family dinners, with fuss-free controls, auto switch-off after cooking and a keep-warm function. It doubles as a steamer using a basket for fish, potatoes and vegetables with no added fat, and comes with a spatula and measuring cup, in a stainless steel finish smart enough to leave on display.
- Makes up to ten cups of rice
- Doubles as a steamer
- Auto switch-off and keep-warm function
Quick comparison
| Product | Best for | Key spec | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russell Hobbs Rice Cooker and Steamer 19750 | Best budget | Up to ten cups of rice, auto switch-off, keep-warm, steamer basket, non-stick removable bowl | Check price |
| Yum Asia Bamboo Induction Rice Cooker | Best all-round | Fuzzy-logic chip with induction heating, touchscreen with ten presets including GABA and Tahdig crust, steam, bake, slow cook | Check price |
| Panda Mini Rice Cooker | Best compact | 0.6L capacity, 22.5 x 30 x 21cm, Fuzzy Logic microprocessor, also steams and makes yoghurt, porridge and cakes | Check price |
| Joseph Joseph 45002 M-Cuisine Microwave Rice Cooker | Best microwave rice cooker | Microwavable pot with lid, included cup measure, dishwasher-safe, 2L | Check price |
| Lakeland Mini Multi Cooker | Best small multi-cooker | 1.4L, white, brown and quick-cook rice modes, also slow cooks and makes yoghurt, porridge and cakes | Check price |
| Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus | Best pressure cooker for rice | 5.7L, 10 functions, rice presets, pressure, saute, steam, slow cook, yoghurt, sous vide | Check price |
| Sage Risotto Plus | Best mid-range | Multipurpose rice and risotto cooker with a well-designed steamer | Check price |
| Cosori 5L Rice Cooker | Best for families | 5L capacity (up to seven people), fuzzy logic, Quick Rice and Delayed Start, steam, slow cook, soup, saute, cake and jam modes | Check price |
Our picks in detail
Best budget
Russell Hobbs Rice Cooker and Steamer 19750
Expert Reviews found a neat, crowd-pleasing cooker that's really helpful for big family dinners, with fuss-free controls, auto switch-off after cooking and a keep-warm function. It doubles as a steamer using a basket for fish, potatoes and vegetables with no added fat, and comes with a spatula and measuring cup, in a stainless steel finish smart enough to leave on display.
- Capacity
- Up to 10 cups of rice
- Extras
- Steamer basket, spatula, measuring cup
- Bowl
- Non-stick, removable
- Price guide
- £40 (as reviewed)
Pros
- Makes up to ten cups of rice
- Doubles as a steamer
- Auto switch-off and keep-warm function
- Smart stainless-steel finish and glass lid
Cons
- Expert Reviews noted no specific drawbacks
Best all-round
Yum Asia Bamboo Induction Rice Cooker
Expert Reviews loved this high-tech eight-person cooker, which adjusts temperature during cooking and offers presets for white, brown and short-grain rice plus a Yumami setting for sweeter rice, a porridge or congee mode and a crust setting for Persian Tahdig. The GABA setting gave a noticeably softer, slightly different-tasting brown rice, though testers couldn't confirm the extra nutrients claimed, and it also steams, bakes cakes and slow cooks.
- Heating
- Induction with fuzzy logic
- Presets
- 10 on the touchscreen
- Extras
- Steam, bake, slow cook
- Price guide
- £200 (as reviewed)
Pros
- Fuzzy logic and induction give smart temperature adjustment
- Wide range of presets including brown rice, congee and Tahdig
- Multi-functional: steams, bakes and slow cooks
- Alerts at ten minutes left and keeps warm afterwards
Cons
- The GABA setting's claimed nutrient benefit couldn't be confirmed in testing
- Expensive
Best compact
Panda Mini Rice Cooker
Expert Reviews found a straightforwardly great compact choice with one of the cheaper Fuzzy Logic chips you'll find, which produced excellent, replicable results on long-grain, basmati and brown rice. It cooked a couple of minutes faster than other models tested and can steam rice and dim sum at the same time, handle vegetables and grains together and make yoghurt, porridge and cakes.
- Capacity
- 0.6L
- Size
- 22.5 x 30 x 21cm
- Key tech
- Fuzzy Logic microprocessor
- Price guide
- £95 (as reviewed)
Pros
- Compact but a solid 0.6L capacity
- Fuzzy Logic gives consistent results on long-grain, basmati and brown rice
- A couple of minutes faster than other models tested
- Versatile: steams, makes yoghurt, porridge and cakes
Cons
- Not the lowest-priced small rice cooker
Best microwave rice cooker
Joseph Joseph 45002 M-Cuisine Microwave Rice Cooker
Expert Reviews called this the easiest way to fluffy white rice for those who cook rice occasionally: measure rice and water with the included cup, put the lid on and microwave, with no watching over a saucepan. It's stylish, dishwasher-safe and small enough for tiny kitchens, at a great price.
- Type
- Microwave pot
- Capacity
- 2L
- Dishwasher safe
- Yes
- Price guide
- £25 (as reviewed)
Pros
- Easy fluffy white rice with no pan-watching
- Dishwasher-safe and small for tiny kitchens
- Great price, includes a cup measure
Cons
- Best suited to occasional rice cooking rather than regular use
Best small multi-cooker
Lakeland Mini Multi Cooker
Expert Reviews found surprisingly good rice for the price, with little difference in taste or texture compared with pricier cookers, and an easy-to-use interface that more than makes up for its clunky looks. Some steam escaped from under the lid unlike on pricier models, but this didn't harm the rice if left to sit after fluffing, and despite the mini label it can feed up to four people.
- Capacity
- 1.4L
- Rice modes
- White, brown, quick cook
- Extras
- Slow cook, yoghurt, porridge, cake
- Price guide
- £70 (as reviewed)
Pros
- Surprisingly good performance for the price
- Easy-to-use interface
- Feeds up to four people
- Slow cooks and makes yoghurt, porridge and cakes
Cons
- Some steam escapes from under the lid
- Not the prettiest appliance
Best pressure cooker for rice
Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus
Expert Reviews found the pressure cooking function worked like a dream on even the toughest cuts, and the rice presets produced fluffy white grains for three people in around 22 minutes. It saves owning separate appliances, with a stylish, easy-to-use digital interface that suits first-time pressure cooker users.
- Capacity
- 5.7L
- Functions
- 10 in 1
- White rice for three
- About 22 minutes
- Price guide
- £141 (as reviewed)
Pros
- Pressure cooking breaks down even tough cuts
- Rice presets gave fluffy white rice in about 22 minutes
- Saute, steam, slow cook and more in the same pot
- Stylish, easy-to-use digital interface
Cons
- Expert Reviews noted no specific drawbacks
Best mid-range
Sage Risotto Plus
Expert Reviews found this not the flawless five-star appliance expected from Sage, but reasonably inexpensive, good looking and easy to use, with a handy steamer for cooking vegetables alongside rice. It cooks long-grain rice to a good standard in very little time, though you have to jump through hoops to get good short-grain rice, the mess it makes needs extra cleanup, and it doesn't reach the standard of pricier cookers.
- Type
- Multipurpose rice cooker
- Extras
- Steamer included
- Long-grain rice
- Good standard, very quick
- Price guide
- £110 (as reviewed)
Pros
- Reasonably inexpensive and good looking
- Easy to use, with a well-designed steamer
- Long-grain rice cooked to a good standard quickly
Cons
- Hoops to jump through to master quality short-grain rice
- The mess it generates needs extra cleanup
- Not up to the standard of more expensive rice cookers
Best for families
Cosori 5L Rice Cooker
Expert Reviews found the fuzzy logic chip produced perfectly cooked basmati, jasmine and brown rice, with a generous 5L capacity that comfortably serves up to seven. The Quick Rice and Delayed Start functions help sync it with meal prep and the extra modes gave snappy steamed veg, a tasty stew and hearty tomato soup, though it isn't the speediest cooker on the list.
- Capacity
- 5L, up to seven people
- Key tech
- Fuzzy logic
- Extras
- Steam, slow cook, soup, saute, cake, jam/sauce
- Price guide
- £120 (as reviewed)
Pros
- Consistent, perfectly cooked basmati, jasmine and brown rice
- Large capacity feeds up to seven
- Quick Rice and Delayed Start functions
- Much more versatile than a standard rice cooker
Cons
- Isn't the speediest rice cooker on the list
- Can't match a fully-fledged multi-cooker
Buying guide
What is fuzzy logic in a rice cooker?
A microprocessor that adjusts cooking temperature and time automatically, giving more consistent results across rice types. The Panda Mini, Cosori and Yum Asia Bamboo here all use it. Expert Reviews notes cooking times vary on such models for that reason, and long times aren't necessarily a disadvantage, since some of the slowest cookers produced the best rice.
Do I need a rice cooker if I have a saucepan?
Expert Reviews' view is that a good cooker produces consistently high-quality rice even skilled pan cooks can't match, lets you leave it unattended, and keeps it warm for later. Once tried, they say it's hard to go back to saucepan rice, although it's most worthwhile if you eat rice regularly.
How much should I spend?
Expert Reviews' tested cookers start just over £20 and reach £330, with mid-range models around £100. A cheaper cooker like the Russell Hobbs handles standard white rice well, while higher-priced models use fuzzy logic or induction for more consistent results across rice types.
Rice cooker, multi-cooker or pressure cooker?
A dedicated rice cooker is simplest. A multi-cooker like the Lakeland Mini or Cosori adds slow cooking, soups and cakes. A pressure cooker such as the Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus here also cooks rice well, in about 22 minutes for three people, and adds fast cooking of tough cuts, making it good value if you'd otherwise buy both.
Sources
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