Are you tired of spending hours in the kitchen monitoring the stove while cooking rice? Then don’t worry, as I have the solution for you.
Introducing the ultimate guide to the best rice cookers in India.
Rice is an essential part of our daily meals, and having a reliable and convenient rice cooker can make all the difference in the kitchen.
Whether you’re a busy professional or a busy parent, I have got you covered.
I have done research and handpicked the top rice cookers in India to make your kitchen experience hassle-free and delicious.
So, join me in exploring the perfect rice cookers that suit your needs and lifestyle by continuing to read this post.
Our Top Picks For The Best Rice Cookers In India:
| Top Picks | Check The Current Price Here | Capacity | Rice Cooking Capacity | Suitable Family Size |
| Best Overall Rice Cooker | Panasonic Automatic Rice Cooker | 2.2 L | 1.25 kg raw rice | 6-7 People |
| Best Medium Family Rice Cooker | Pigeon Electric Rice Cooker | 1.8 L | 900 g raw rice | 4-5 People |
| Best Small Family Rice Cooker | Prestige Electric Rice Cooker | 1 L | 400 g raw rice | 1-3 People |
| Best Large Family Rice Cooker | USHA Automatic Rice Cooker | 2.8 L | 1.5 Kg raw rice | 10-12 People |
Best Rice Cookers In India
#1. Panasonic Automatic Rice Cooker: Best-Quality Rice Cooker
What I Like:
The first thing I like about this rice cooker is its large capacity, which makes it perfect for cooking for more people, especially if you have a large, joint family or often have guests over.
One of the standout features of this rice cooker is its premium build quality. The overall design and feel of the cooker are very sturdy.
When you’re shopping for rice cookers, you’ll find that many options are available, but many of them have compromised or average build quality.
However, I’m really impressed by the Panasonic Rice cooker in that aspect. It’s made of food-grade materials and the cooking pan is made of anodized aluminum.
Another thing I like about this rice cooker is that it comes from a trusted brand in the Indian electronic space, Panasonic.
Overall, because of its sturdiness and being from a reputable electronic brand, the Panasonic cooker has made it to the top of our list.
What I Didn’t Like:
The only major con of the product is that it is slightly expensive. But with the sturdy build quality, the product is worth it.
Pros And Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| Suitable for a large family | Slightly expensive |
| A trusted brand in India | |
| Auto cooking and auto-cut off available | |
| High-quality and durable material |
Features:
- The Panasonic Rice Cooker has a large capacity of 2.2 liters, which is perfect for bigger families or for those who like to cook in bulk.
- It also has a 5-hour warm function which means that your rice will stay warm for up to 5 hours.
- The cooker is made of high-quality, food-grade materials. The lid is made of strong stainless steel, and the cooking pan is made of anodized aluminum.
- The cooker also has a convenient lid and handles, making it easy to use and transport. Overall, the features of this rice cooker provide the benefits of large capacity, keeping rice warm for a long time, durability and convenience.
Specs:
| Weight | 2 kg 840 g |
| Capacity | 2.2 liters |
| Material | Anodized Aluminium |
| Wattage | 750 W |
| Dimensions | 27 d x 27.4 w x 26 h (in cm) |
Who Should Buy This And Why?
If you’re looking for a rice cooker for a small family, you may want to consider options like Pigeon or Prestige (discussed later in this article).
However, if you have the budget and desire a high-quality rice cooker from a reputable brand, then the Panasonic Rice Cooker is an excellent choice for you.
#2. Pigeon Electric Rice Cooker: Best For Medium-Sized Family
What I Like:
One of the things that I really like about this product is its sleek design. It’s an attractive piece that would look great on any kitchen countertop. If you’re looking for a gift for someone, this rice cooker would be a perfect option because of its lovely design.
Another aspect that I like about this rice cooker is its simplicity. It doesn’t have any complicated features that could confuse or complicate daily usage. As long as you are using the appropriate ratio of rice and water, it’s very easy to use.
What I Didn’t Like:
The build quality of this product is not particularly impressive. However, considering the price point at which it is available, it is good. Overall, the product is simple and designed to perform its intended function well.
Pros And Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| Nice Looks | Average Build Quality |
| Adequate Size | |
| Easy To Operate | |
| Auto-off Feature Available |
Features:
- The 1.8-liter capacity is perfect for cooking rice for 4-5 people, making it ideal for small to medium-sized families or groups.
- The cook and warm mode indicators allow for easy monitoring of the cooking process, and let you know when the rice is ready to be served.
- The auto-off feature is present which ensures your food remains warm for up to 5 hours.
- The rice cooker comes with touch handles for easily carrying the product and also includes a stainless steel lid and an additional cooking pot.
Specs:
| Weight | 3 kg |
| Capacity | 1.8 liters |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Wattage | 700 W |
| Dimensions | 25 d x 25 w x 22 h (in cm) |
Who Should Buy This And Why?
If you have a small-sized family and are looking for a budget-friendly option, then the Prestige Rice Cooker brand might be a good fit for you. (You can find our review of it in the next section of this article).
On the other hand, if you have a high budget and don’t want to compromise on quality, the Panasonic Rice cooker might be a better fit for you.
However, if you have a family of 4-5 people and are looking for a decent rice cooker, the Pigeon brand rice cooker would be a great choice for you.
#3. Prestige Electric Rice Cooker: Best For Small-Sized Family And Bachelor
What I Like:
The first thing I really like about this electric rice cooker is its straightforward design. It doesn’t have a lot of options that could be confusing to use. It’s a simple rice cooker with a basic control panel that includes indicators for cooking, warm mode, and a lever.
Another positive aspect of this rice cooker is that it comes from a well-known kitchen appliance brand in India, Prestige. Purchasing from a reputable brand means there’s a low likelihood of receiving a low-quality product.
What I Didn’t Like:
The only main downside to this rice cooker is that it’s not suitable for large-sized families. It’s best suited for small families or students living in hostels.
Pros And Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy to use | Not ideal for large families |
| Trusted kitchen appliance brand in India | |
| Good value for money |
Features:
- The Prestige Rice Cooker boasts a sturdy, double-wall body design that provides added strength to the structure of the appliance.
- It also features a “warm” mode that maintains the temperature of the rice for up to 4 hours, ensuring that your rice is always ready to eat. Two basic indicators of warm and cook mode are also present.
- The cooker also has convenient touch handles, making it easy to transport, and a stainless steel lid that adds a sleek and modern look.
- With a 1-liter capacity, it is perfect for serving 1-3 people.
Specs:
| Weight | 1 kg 800 g |
| Capacity | 1 liter |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Wattage | 400 W |
| Dimensions | 24 d x 24 w x 21 h (in cm) |
Who Should Buy This And Why?
If you have a large family of more than three people and are looking for a rice cooker, the Panasonic or the Pigeon rice cooker would be better options for you.
On the other hand, if you’re a couple, bachelor, student, or professional living alone and looking for a simple yet functional rice cooker from a reputable brand, the Prestige rice cooker would be an excellent choice for you.
#4. USHA Automatic Rice Cooker: Best Joint Family Rice Cooker
What I Like:
The first thing I like the most about this 2.8 l USHA automatic rice cooker is its huge capacity. The 2.8 L inner rice cooking bowl capacity ensures that you can cook raw rice of up to 1.5 kg. And this is sufficient to cook rice for 10-12 people. So if you live in a joint family, then this cooker is for you.
Next, I really love this product because it comes from a well-known brand in the electric appliance industry – USHA.
Another noteworthy thing is the design of the rice cooker. This USHA 1000W automatic rice cooker comes with an elegant white outer body with a tempered glass lid on the top.
And the best part? The rice cooker is equipped with all the necessary features that you’d expect from a rice cooker like the keep warm function and auto-cut off to ensure the necessary protection while cooking.
What I Didn’t Like:
It would have been better if the lid of the rice cooker was more robust quality and not necessarily made up of a glass material. Other than that, the cost of the rice cooker is also a bit high compared to other rice cookers. But that’s totally justified because it offers a bigger capacity rice cooker.
Pros And Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| Elegant Design | The Lid Could Be Better |
| Big Bowl Capacity | |
| Trusted Brand |
Features:
- This USHA rice cooker comes with a keep warm function that helps you to keep your food warm for up to 5 hours straight.
- It has a separate indicator light that shows both the cooking and the keep warm function status depending on whichever mode is active.
- The 5 years warranty and good brand reputation of USHA, ensure that you can purchase their rice cooker without any hesitation.
- The rice cooker comes with all the necessary accessories like cooking plates, a spatula, and a measuring cup so you don’t have to worry about buying those things separately.
Specs:
| Weight | 2.9 Kg |
| Capacity | 2.8 L |
| Material | Metal |
| Wattage | 1000 Watts |
| Dimension | 31.4d x 35.5w x 27.3d cm |
Who Should Buy This And Why?
In a nutshell, this USHA automatic rice cooker is a great product that can be helpful for you if you have a big family of at least 10-12 people. Or it can also come in handy if you prefer cooking rice in big quantities at once or if guests often come to your house.
However, if you have a small family and don’t prefer big-sized rice cookers, then you can go with other compact rice cookers we mentioned in this guide.
To explore budget-friendly rice cookers check out our detailed guide on the best rice cooker under 2000.
Things To Consider When Buying A Rice Cooker
When it comes to buying a rice cooker, there are a few key factors to keep in mind to ensure you end up with a cooker that not only cooks your rice perfectly but also fits your lifestyle and kitchen needs.
First, consider the capacity of the cooker. If you’re cooking for a large family or frequently entertain guests, a larger cooker will come in handy.
On the other hand, if you’re cooking for just one or two people, like if you are looking for your hostel life – a smaller cooker will do the trick.
Now here’s the thing. From our day-to-day experience, we have found that:
125 grams of raw rice = 1 person
And that translates to around 3 fist-full of raw rice.
So based on that estimation, here’s a chart of raw rice and the number of people for which the amount will be suitable.
| Raw Rice: | No of People: |
| 125 grams | 1 |
| 250 grams | 2 |
| 375 grams | 3 |
| 500 grams | 4 |
| 625 grams | 5 |
| 750 grams | 6 |
| 875 grams | 7 |
| 1000 grams | 8 |
So a 1.8 Liter rice cooker, which can hold up to 900 grams of raw rice should be more than enough if you have a family size of 4-5 people (500 – 625 grams of raw rice will be required).
Another important factor to keep in mind is the features you want in your cooker. Do you want a cooker with a keep-warm function? A timer? A delay start option? Make sure the cooker you choose has the features that matter most to you.
Finally, consider the design and size of the cooker. A cooker that’s too large for your kitchen or doesn’t match your aesthetic can be a real eyesore. So choose a cooker that not only cooks great rice but also looks great in your kitchen.
In short, when buying a rice cooker, consider the capacity, type of rice, features, and design that suit your needs and lifestyle.
What Things Can You Cook In A Rice Cooker?
A rice cooker is a handy kitchen appliance that can make cooking rice, and even other dishes, a breeze! Some of the food items that you are suitable for cooking in a rice cooker include:
- Rice (Regular white rice, brown rice, and other types)
- Beans and lentils
- Soups and Steamed Vegetables
- Cake
However, there are some things that a rice cooker isn’t quite suited for. For example, you wouldn’t want to try cooking:
- Fried Foods
- Food that is too delicate
How To Use Rice Cookers? A Helpful Beginner’s Guide
Using a rice cooker is a great way to make perfect, fluffy rice every time! It’s easy to use and can save you time and energy, so let’s get started.
First, measure out the amount of rice you want to cook and rinse it in a colander to get rid of any dirt or dust. Then, transfer the rinsed rice to the inner pot of the rice cooker.
Next, add the right amount of water – the general rule of thumb is 1 cup of rice to 1 cup of water. However, be sure to check the leaflets or instruction manuals that come along with your Rice cooker for more specific rice-to-water ratios guidelines.
Close the lid, plug in the rice cooker, select the “cook” setting, and press start. Depending on the type of rice, it should take 25-30 minutes to cook. Once the cycle is complete, your rice will be perfectly cooked and ready to enjoy!
That’s it! With a rice cooker, you can make perfectly cooked rice with minimal effort. Enjoy!
Final Verdict – Are Rice Cookers Worth It?
If you’re a small family, a student, or a working professional living alone, the Prestige rice cooker is a great choice for you. For a slightly bigger family, the Pigeon rice cooker might be a better fit.
And, if you’re looking for a top-of-the-line option and have a bit more to spend, the Panasonic rice cooker is a perfect choice.
However, if you prefer huge-capacity electric rice that is sufficient for the entire family (especially big joint families), then the USHA rice cooker is worth considering.
So in general, rice cookers are a worth-it product! They are a convenient and easy way to make perfectly cooked rice and other dishes. Plus, they free up stove space and save you the hassle of constantly checking and adjusting the heat.
Here are some situations where a rice cooker is especially useful:
- If you cook rice often and want perfectly cooked rice every time
- If you have a busy schedule and want to set it and forget it
- If you want to cook other grains, beans, and even desserts in one pot
- If you have limited stove space and want to cook multiple dishes at once
However, there are a few things to be aware of before investing in a rice cooker:
- If you only cook rice occasionally, a pot and stove may be enough
- Some rice cookers are more expensive than others, so make sure you get one that fits your budget
- Some rice cookers are not as durable as others, so make sure you choose a quality product
Also, no matter what rice cookers you use, it may take some time to completely get used to the product and understand the rice-water ratios, and get the perfect cooked rice out of it. But once you learn how to use it, the product becomes very useful in your daily life.
Overall, a rice cooker is a great addition to your kitchen if you cook rice frequently and want to make the process even more convenient and hassle-free. Just be sure to consider your needs and budget before making a purchase. Happy cooking!