10 Best Rice Cookers 2025 in the United States

The Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 is a versatile kitchen tool that goes beyond just cooking rice. With a 6-quart capacity, it can comfortably prepare meals for small to medium families, making it suitable if you often cook for about 4 to 6 people. It offers many cooking options—including pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming, sautéing, and yogurt making—giving you more flexibility than a basic rice cooker. The 15 smart programs simplify meal preparation, and the real-time cooking progress bar keeps you informed without guesswork. Cooking times are generally faster thanks to the pressure cooker function, while the keep warm feature ensures food stays ready to eat for hours. Cleanup is straightforward since both the lid and inner pot are dishwasher safe, saving you time and effort.

The stainless steel inner pot with a tri-ply bottom helps cook food evenly and locks in place for stable use. The design is user-friendly with a clear touch control panel, although the unit is somewhat heavy and takes up a fair amount of counter space. It is priced higher than simple rice cookers, but its multi-functionality adds value if you're looking for an all-in-one appliance. If your main goal is just cooking rice quickly and simply, there are less expensive options, but this Instant Pot is a great choice if you want a reliable device that handles rice along with many other cooking tasks.

The Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker stands out for its versatility, making it a great addition to any kitchen, especially for families or individuals who enjoy meal prepping. It combines seven functions—pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, sauté pan, and food warmer—so you can prepare a variety of meals using just one device. The quick one-touch cooking feature simplifies meal preparation with 13 customizable Smart Programs, allowing for easy cooking of rice, soups, and more.

One of its greatest strengths is the time-saving ability to pressure cook meals up to 70% faster than traditional methods. Additionally, the keep warm function ensures that your meals stay hot until you're ready to serve. Cleaning is hassle-free too, thanks to its fingerprint-resistant stainless steel design and dishwasher-safe components. This means less time scrubbing and more time enjoying your delicious creations.

While its 6-quart capacity is suitable for most families, it may not be large enough for gatherings or bulk cooking. Some users might find it a learning curve initially, especially if they’re not accustomed to multi-cookers. There’s also a noticeable weight of 11.8 pounds, which may be cumbersome for some when lifting or storing. Safety is another focus of the Instant Pot, boasting over 10 safety features, including overheat protection, which provides peace of mind during use. The added bonus of having access to a recipe app allows for ongoing inspiration in the kitchen.

The Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Mini Electric Pressure Cooker stands out for its multifunctionality. It not only serves as a rice cooker, but also as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, sauté pan, and food warmer. This versatility makes it highly valuable for users looking to save space and money by combining multiple appliances into one. Its 3-quart capacity is suitable for smaller families or individuals, perfect for meal prepping or batch cooking. The stainless steel design is durable and fingerprint-resistant, enhancing its ease of cleaning, especially since the lid, inner pot, and accessories are dishwasher-safe.

Additionally, it offers 13 customizable Smart Programs, allowing for quick one-touch cooking of various dishes beyond rice, from ribs to desserts. This feature can significantly reduce cooking time, which is a great advantage for busy users. The Instant Pot Duo also boasts over 10 safety features, including overheat protection and a safe-locking lid, ensuring user safety during operation. Another highlight is the free Instant Brands Connect App, providing access to over 1900 recipes, which can be a great resource for those looking to explore new meals.

However, its relatively small size might be a drawback for larger families or those who require more capacity for cooking bigger meals. Additionally, at 8.65 pounds, it might be a bit heavy for some users to handle easily. The price can be another consideration; although it offers multiple functions, it might be on the higher side compared to basic rice cookers. This product is particularly well-suited for small households or individuals who value multifunctionality, ease of use, and safety features in their kitchen appliances.