best rice cookers and steamers

Most combine standard rice cooking with steaming, reheating and keep-warm. Many models add multi-function options such as slow-cook, cake/bake and extra grain settings (e.g., porridge, brown, sushi).

Common controls include digital displays, one-touch operation, timers and delay-start. Many units offer multi-mode menus with several preset programs—examples list 1–8 settings or named modes like sushi, porridge, brown and quick-cook.

Reviewers describe compact models as fitting “1–2 person portions” or calling them “compact,” “small” or “portable.” Larger, family-sized units are labelled “16-cup,” “large” or “ideal for families and meal prep.”

Care instructions vary: many recommend hand-washing or spot/wiping the main unit. Removable inner pots, steam/egg trays and other detachable parts are sometimes listed as dishwasher-safe, but listings don’t consistently specify which models or parts are dishwasher-safe.

They can cook oatmeal and multi-grains (including steel‑cut oats and GABA brown rice), steam eggs via trays, bake small cakes in some models, prepare small beans or lentils, and steam meats and vegetables.