We tested rice cookers from Kmart, Target and Big W that all cost less than $39 to see if they’re worth buying.
- Rice cookers are a popular kitchen addition – they free up hob space and help you turn out perfect rice for all your mealtime and meal prep needs
- They range from basic models that just cook rice to fancy multi-program machines you can use to cook different grains and make everything from porridge to congee
- In our kitchen labs, we tested 21 rice cookers from brands including Sunbeam, Breville and Kambrook, ranging in price from $14 to $269
Lets see a show of hands from those of you who find the absorption method of cooking rice elusive and utterly confounding. If you cant seem to find the sweet spot between soggy grains and a burnt saucepan, you may be a prime candidate to buy a rice cooker.
Or perhaps you just like to eat a lot of rice and youre looking for a convenient way to prepare it. After all, its a cheap, nutritious and crowd-pleasing way to bulk out a number of family-favourite dishes, from stir-fries to chilli con carne, salads and more.
Also handy for make-ahead prep and available in a wide range of varieties, rice is a great-value pantry staple that can help keep your grocery bills in check.
A rice cooker can make it even easier to get fluffy, just-tender grains, every time.
But even though theyre not the most expensive appliance around, the price of rice cookers still ranges anywhere from about $250 for a premium brand model, right down to a thrifty $14 for a budget option.
So this raises the questions: what can the more expensive rice cookers do that the cheaper ones cant? And is it worth spending an extra couple of hundred dollars?
Budget rice cookers worth considering
CHOICE tested four budget rice cookers costing $39 or less that we think you could be happy with.
“Although they are very basic rice cookers and cook small amounts of rice, they are inexpensive and relatively easy to use,” says Fiona.
The Kmart rice cooker costs just $14, which is one of the cheapest model we tested. It has some shortcomings but may be worth a look. credit: Kmart.
Lets start with the $14 Kmart rice cooker, which demands the lowest investment for well-cooked rice. But, as its price suggests, this small, seven-cup capacity device is a no-frills affair.
The settings, although easy to use, are basic. It doesnt suction to the bench and can slide easily. The surface of the cooker can also become dangerously hot. And theres no audible beep when your rice is ready.
Still, for such a small price tag, you may be willing to forgive these issues for rice at the touch of a button.
The Target rice cooker is just $18 and outperforms some more expensive, big-brand models on cooking jasmine rice.
Next up a notch on the price tag is the Target model, which looks almost identical to its Kmart counterpart. Its also small in size (two litres) and doesnt beep when its finished.
But of these cheap machines, it does the best job of cooking jasmine rice, even outperforming more expensive, big brand models for this task.
Why You Need a Rice Cooker
FAQ
Are cheap rice cookers OK?
Do expensive rice cookers make a difference?
How long does a cheap rice cooker take?
What is the life expectancy of a rice cooker?
How much does a rice cooker cost?
But if you want to make perfect short-grain white rice, sushi rice, or brown rice, or to experiment with other types of grains, you may want a more advanced cooker, which can range from $100 to $400 or so. A rice cooker is also perfect for people who don’t cook often or who don’t enjoy it.
Which type of rice is best for which recipes?
Forbidden rice, which is also known as black rice, is one of the healthiest rice varieties you can buy and make salads or mix it with vegetables and meat. Other healthy rice varieties are wild rice and brown rice, including types like brown jasmine rice and brown basmati rice, that are good to prepare fried rice, curries, or risottos.
Should I buy a rice cooker?
Some models were cheaper than others but lacked certain functions that would be useful for my cooking needs. One of the downsides of owning a rice cooker is its limited capacity. Most models can only cook up to six cups of rice, which may not be enough for larger families or parties.
Can a rice cooker make more than just rice?
Rice makers can make more than just rice. Maybe you’re just not that into rice. That’s OK — a rice cooker may still be an appliance worth having. The simplest models have one button that switches over to the warm setting when the rice is finished cooking, but fancier models have modes for porridge, steaming and even making cake.