Whether you're cooking for one, two, or just love having perfect rice on hand, these little powerhouses deliver big flavor and convenience. We’ve tested top models, comparing ease of use, cooking performance, and extra features, so you don’t have to guess.
Editor's Choice
Best for a specific purpose
- Best for fuzzy logic pro: CUCKOO Micom Rice Cooker 3-Cup Uncooked / 6-Cup Cooked with Nonstick Inner Pot
- Best for ceramic nonstick: AROMA® Rice Cooker
- Best for compact oatmeal: Zojirushi Micom 3-Cup Compact Size
- Best for versatile 8-function: Toshiba Mini Rice Cooker
- Best for glass lid classic: Zojirushi 3 Cup Rice Cooker/Steamer ( White)
- Best for ultra-thick pot: TOSHIBA Rice Cooker Small 3-Cup Uncooked– LCD Display with 8 Cooking Functions: Rice
- Best for steamer basket: BLACK+DECKER 3-Cup Rice Cooker
- Best for digital dual capacity: AROMA Digital Rice Cooker
- Best for family fuzzy logic: CUCKOO Micom Rice Cooker 3-Cup Uncooked / 6-Cup Cooked with Nonstick Inner Pot
- Best for one-touch simplicity: Aroma Housewares 4-Cups (Cooked) / 1Qt. Rice & Grain Cooker (ARC-302NG)
Product Comparison: Best 3 Cup Rice Cooker
Fuzzy Logic Pro
CUCKOO Micom Rice Cooker 3-Cup Uncooked / 6-Cup Cooked with Nonstick Inner Pot, Small Rice Maker with 8 Menu Options, Fuzzy Logic Technology, Auto Clean, Quick Rice Mode, White (CR-0375FW)
CUCKOO
- EASY TO USE & CLEAN: Cook up to 6 cups of rice with ease with this Korean rice cooker! Features include a self-clean setting, non-stick pot, and removable lid for hassle-free prep and cleanup.
- VERSATILE COOKING OPTIONS: This small electric rice cooker lets you prepare everything from glutinous white rice to brown rice, oats, and even baby food! With adjustable settings and easy-to-use controls, you can enjoy a wide range of dishes, perfect for all rice lovers.
- COOKS UP TO 6 CUPS OF RICE: This Asian rice cooker offers a 3-cup uncooked / 6-cup cooked capacity, complete with a rice spatula and measuring cup for easy use. Perfect for cooking large batches for gatherings or daily meals.
- GREAT FOR BUSY FAMILIES: Packed with useful features like quick white rice and a timer setting + warming mode, this rice pot ensures your food is ready whenever you are. Perfect for busy individuals or families on the go.
- COOKING MADE SIMPLE: Equipped with Fuzzy Logic Technology, our CUCKOO rice cooker guarantees perfectly cooked rice every time. It automatically adjusts cooking time and temperature to ensure your rice is never burnt, delivering superior results with minimal effort.
Ceramic Nonstick
AROMA® Rice Cooker, 3-Cup (Uncooked) / 6-Cup (Cooked), Small Rice Cooker, Oatmeal Cooker, Soup Maker, Auto Keep Warm, 1.5 Qt, White, ARC-363NG
AROMA
- 6 CUPS COOKED: We’ve mastered the art of fluffy rice and hearty grains. Rice doubles in size, so this multicooker turns 3 cups of raw rice into 6 cups cooked – all with one touch.
- MINI RICE COOKER: It’s the perfect electric rice pot for individuals, couples, and small families. Use it to warm a side dish or bring dip to the party with 1.5 quarts of yum!
- CERAMIC POT: Remove the inner pot and lid for easy cleaning. Aroma's CoreCoat ceramic coating is naturally nonstick and made without PFAS!
- EASY TO USE: Pour ingredients inside, add water, and press the button. This small rice cooker automatically switches to Keep Warm when rice is fluffy and ready to serve!
- PERFECT EVERY TIME: This ceramic coated pot has convenient measuring lines, and the appliance manual is filled with cooking tips. Just add rice first, then fill to the water line.
- DESIGNED IN CALIFORNIA: Based in San Diego, CA, we combine innovative design with functionality to bring you the best products. Our local customer service team is dedicated to ensuring you have a seamless experience, from purchase to use. Whether you’re new to our products or a longtime user, our US-based support is always here for you.
Compact Oatmeal
Zojirushi Micom 3-Cup Compact Size, Multiple Settings, Stainless Steel Made, Built-In Retractable Power Cord and Easy to Transport Rice Cooker and Warmer
Zojirushi
- Compact: With its compact size and ability to cook as little as 1/2 a cup of rice or oats, this rice cooker is ideal for small families or couples
- Steel Cut Oatmeal Menu Setting: This is a special menu setting for cooking steel-cut oatmeal. The cooking flow is different than the regular Porridge setting and has a shorter completion time
- Brown or GABA Brown Menu Setting: The Brown Rice Activation (or GABA Brown Setting) activates brown rice by keeping the temperature inside the pan at about 104 degrees F for 2 hours. By activating brown rice, GABA, one of the nutrients contained in brown rice, increases its amount by 1.5 times as much as that contained in non-activated brown rice
- Long Grain White Menu Setting: This is a special menu setting for cooking long-grain white rice. The cooking flow is different than the White rice setting because long-grain white rice cooks differently than short or medium-grain white rice
- Easy to Transport and Hassle Free Storing: It can be transported easily with the help of a fold-down handle. The built-in retractable power cord makes moving and storing hassle-free
Versatile 8-Function
Toshiba Mini Rice Cooker, 3 Cups Uncooked Small Rice Cooker, Steamer & Warmer, With Fuzzy Logic And One-Touch Cooking, 24 Hour Delay Timer And Auto Keep Warm Feature, White
TOSHIBA
- Multi-Function - This mini rice cooker cooks a variety of dishes, not just rice. Features 8 cooking functions, including White Rice, Quick Cook, Brown Rice, Mixed Grain, Slow Cook, Porridge, Cake, and Egg. This sticky rice cooker also makes soups, stews, oatmeal, cakes, and more. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned chef, this Toshiba rice cooker 6 cup Cooked offers great versatility and convenience
- Highly Versatile – This small rice cooker can make a variety of rice types, including brown rice, jasmine rice, sushi rice, white rice, basmati rice, and wild rice, as well as grains like oatmeal, quinoa, mixed grain, and more. This 3 cup rice cooker is perfect for families or individuals who want to cook multiple servings of rice, while still being compact enough to fit comfortably on your kitchen counter
- Fuzzy Logic Rice Cooker - Allows this Japanese rice cooker to sense the moisture content of the rice and adjust the temperature and cooking time accordingly. Results in perfectly cooked fluffy rice every time, without the need for manual adjustments or guesswork. It also helps the rice maker cooker cook other types of grains and dishes to perfection by adjusting the cooking parameters to the specific needs of the food
- Easy To Use- This electric rice cooker 3 cup is designed with intuitive control panel features a large LED display for quick and effortless programming. Keep Warm/Reheat function keeps your rice warm and delicious for hours, the Delay Timer allows you to schedule your cooking up to 24 hours in advance. Accessories included: measuring cup, spatula, and soup ladle.
- Easy To Clean-Inner pot with non-stick coating and not recommended dishwasher safe and should be washed with mild soap and soft cloth. The steam valve located on the top of the lid can be easily removed for cleaning. Steam vent cap is also removable for easy cleaning
- Safe Hassle-Free Cooking – Detachable power cord prevents accidents caused by entanglement. Lid locks firmly in place during cooking to prevent spills. Thermal fuse prevents overheating. Steam vent cap prevents hot steam from escaping during cooking. Automatic shut-off turns off heating element when cooking is done. Compared to other high-end rice cookers, this Toshiba model is a great option for those on a budget who still want a quality sushi rice cooker
Glass Lid Classic
Zojirushi 3 Cup Rice Cooker/Steamer ( White)
Zojirushi
- Easy-to-use single switch control
- See-through glass lid with stay cool knob
- Stay cool handles for easy transport
- Durable nonstick inner cooking pan
- Every Zojirushi rice cooker comes with a plastic measuring cup. This cup has a capacity of 6-ounces, or about 3/4 of a U.S. measuring cup. The capacity of the rice cooker is counted in these 6-ounce cups of uncooked short grain white rice. One 6-ounce cup of raw rice makes about 2 to 3, 6-ounce cups of cooked rice
Ultra-Thick Pot
TOSHIBA Rice Cooker Small 3-Cup Uncooked– LCD Display with 8 Cooking Functions: Rice, Oatmeal, Mixed Grains and More, NonStick Inner Pot, Grey
TOSHIBA
- Multi-Function - This mini rice cooker features 8 programable cooking functions, including White Rice, Quick Cook, Brown Rice, Mixed Grain, Slow Cook, Porridge, Cake, and Egg. Offers great versatility and convenience
- Highly Versatile –Perfect for families or individuals who want to cook multiple servings of rice, while still being compact enough to fit comfortably on your kitchen counter. Including brown rice, jasmine rice, sushi rice, white rice, basmati rice, and wild rice, as well as grains like oatmeal, quinoa, mixed grain, and more.
- Smart Rice Cooker - TOSHIBA rice cooker senses the moisture in the rice and adjusts the temperature and cooking time accordingly. Results in perfectly cooked fluffy rice every time. It also cooks other types of grains and dishes to perfection by adjusting the cooking parameters to the specific needs of the food
- Ultra-thick Inner Pot - This small rice cooker features a 3MM ultra-thick inner pot which is more wear-resistant, as well as infused with Binchotan carbon material to help concentrate heat during cooking, ensuring that the rice is more fluffy
- Easy To Use- Designed with intuitive control panel features a large LED display for quick and effortless programming. Keep Warm/Reheat function keeps your rice warm and delicious for hours, 2 Delay Timers allows you to schedule your cooking up to 24 hours in advance. Accessories included: measuring cup, spatula, and soup ladle
Steamer Basket
BLACK+DECKER 3-Cup Rice Cooker, RC503, 1.5-cup Uncooked Rice, Steaming Basket, Removable Non-Stick Bowl, One Touch, White
BLACK+DECKER
- 3-Cup Cooked Rice Capacity – Makes 1 to 3 cups of cooked rice (white rice), perfect for small meals, sides, or leftovers. Max capacity: 1.5 cups of uncooked rice using the included cup. Do not fill past the highest water line in the pot.
- Use Only Included Measuring Cup – Comes with a 3/4 cup rice measuring cup (not a standard kitchen cup). For best results, only use this cup to measure dry rice. See product images for rice-to-water ratios, cook times, and final yield.
- Automatic Keep Warm – After cooking, the rice cooker automatically switches to “Keep Warm”, so your rice stays hot and ready to serve without overcooking.
- Nonstick Pot & Steam Basket – Features a nonstick, removable inner pot for easy cleanup and a steaming basket for preparing vegetables, seafood, or dumplings while rice cooks below.
- Compact & Convenient – Space-saving design: 10 x 9.0 x 5.5 inches, 120V ~ 200W. Includes a nonstick-safe plastic spoon and easy-to-follow user manual with care and cooking tips.
Digital Dual Capacity
AROMA Digital Rice Cooker, 4-Cup (Uncooked) / 8-Cup (Cooked), Steamer, Grain Cooker, Multicooker, 2 Qt, Stainless Steel Exterior, ARC-914SBD
AROMA
- Easy-to-use programmable digital controls complete with an automatic Keep Warm mode after each cycle
- An array of preset functions for every kind of meal: White Rice, Brown Rice, Steam, Flash Rice
- Steam meat, vegetables and more with the provided Steam Tray all while rice cooks below
- Perfectly prepares 2 to 8 cups of any variety of cooked rice or grains
- Sensor Logic Technology for delicious, fluffy rice and grains every time - automatically controls the internal temperature throughout the cooking cycle for optimal texture and flavor
- Item holds up to 2 to 8 cups of cooked rice. 8 cups is the cooked rice capacity. Rice must be cooked in the cup that comes along with this product.
- Steams meat and vegetables while rice cooks below
- Easy-to-use, programmable digital controls with automatic Keep-Warm and White Rice and Brown Rice functions
- Great for soups, jambalaya, chili, and more. Save time with the Flash Rice function which cuts cooking time by up to 50%
- 15-hour Delay Timer for flexible meal planning
- Includes steam tray, rice measuring cup, serving spatula, and exclusive recipes and coupons for Mahatma and Carolina Rice
Family Fuzzy Logic
CUCKOO Micom Rice Cooker 3-Cup Uncooked / 6-Cup Cooked with Nonstick Inner Pot, Small Rice Maker with 8 Menu Options, Fuzzy Logic Technology, Auto Clean, Quick Rice Mode, Gray (CR-0375FG)
CUCKOO
- EASY TO USE & CLEAN: Cook up to 6 cups of rice with ease with this Korean rice cooker! Features include a self-clean setting, non-stick pot, and removable lid for hassle-free prep and cleanup.
- VERSATILE COOKING OPTIONS: This small electric rice cooker lets you prepare everything from glutinous white rice to brown rice, oats, and even baby food! With adjustable settings and easy-to-use controls, you can enjoy a wide range of dishes, perfect for all rice lovers.
- COOKS UP TO 6 CUPS OF RICE: This Asian rice cooker offers a 3-cup uncooked / 6-cup cooked capacity, complete with a rice spatula and measuring cup for easy use. Perfect for cooking large batches for gatherings or daily meals.
- GREAT FOR BUSY FAMILIES: Packed with useful features like quick white rice and a timer setting + warming mode, this rice pot ensures your food is ready whenever you are. Perfect for busy individuals or families on the go.
- COOKING MADE SIMPLE: Equipped with Fuzzy Logic Technology, our CUCKOO rice cooker guarantees perfectly cooked rice every time. It automatically adjusts cooking time and temperature to ensure your rice is never burnt, delivering superior results with minimal effort.
One-Touch Simplicity
Aroma Housewares 4-Cups (Cooked) / 1Qt. Rice & Grain Cooker (ARC-302NG), White
AROMA
- Perfectly prepares 2 to 4 cups of any variety of cooked rice
- Simple, one-touch operation with automatic Warm mode
- Easy-to-clean, nonstick removable inner pot
- Full-view tempered glass lid for easy monitoring as food cooks to monitor food as it cooks
- Great for soups, jambalaya, chili and so much more!
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
What key features should I prioritize in a 3‑cup rice cooker?
Look for fuzzy logic or micro‑computer technology, which adjusts temperature and time for perfect texture. A non‑stick inner pot and removable lid simplify cleaning, while a keep‑warm function keeps rice ready for hours. Versatile cooking modes (white, brown, porridge, steam) add value if you plan to prepare other grains or dishes.
How does the CUCKOO Micom model compare to the Toshiba mini cooker?
Both offer fuzzy logic and a 3‑cup uncooked capacity, but CUCKOO includes a self‑clean setting and a dedicated baby‑food mode, whereas Toshiba provides eight programmable functions, including cake and slow‑cook. CUCKOO’s non‑stick pot is praised for durability, while Toshiba’s ultra‑thick inner pot with Binchotan carbon improves heat retention. Price‑wise, CUCKOO tends to be slightly higher, reflecting its premium branding.
Is a ceramic‑coated inner pot better than a non‑stick one?
Ceramic coatings, like Aroma’s CoreCoat, are free of PFAS and provide a naturally non‑stick surface that many users find easier to clean. Traditional non‑stick pots, such as those in CUCKOO and Toshiba, often have superior durability and can handle higher heat without degradation. Choose ceramic if you prioritize a chemical‑free surface, or non‑stick for long‑term wear resistance.
Can I use these small rice cookers for foods other than rice?
Yes, most models listed (Toshiba, Zojirushi, Aroma) include additional functions such as porridge, oatmeal, quinoa, and even cake or steam settings for vegetables and fish. The Zojirushi Micom even has a dedicated steel‑cut oatmeal menu, while the BLACK+DECKER offers a steaming basket for side dishes. Check the specific function list to ensure the cooker meets your broader cooking needs.
How important is the keep‑warm timer and delay start for daily use?
A reliable keep‑warm feature prevents rice from drying out, which is essential for busy households that need meals ready on demand. Delay start lets you program the cooker to finish just as you return home, reducing food waste and ensuring freshness. Models like CUCKOO and Toshiba provide both, making them convenient for work‑day schedules.
What should I know about measuring cups and capacity labels?
Manufacturers often use a 6‑ounce measuring cup, which is about ¾ of a standard US cup; this means the stated "3‑cup" capacity refers to uncooked rice measured with that cup. Always follow the included cup’s water‑to‑rice ratios to avoid under‑ or over‑cooking. If you prefer standard measurements, you may need to convert using the product’s guidelines.
Is the Zojirushi 3‑cup rice cooker worth the extra cost?
Zojirushi is known for its durable stainless‑steel construction, intuitive single‑switch operation, and a glass lid that lets you monitor cooking. While it lacks some advanced programmable functions, its simplicity and reliable performance make it a solid choice for users who want straightforward operation. The higher price reflects its build quality and long‑term reliability.
How do I maintain and clean these compact rice cookers?
Most models feature removable, non‑stick or ceramic inner pots that can be washed by hand with mild soap and a soft cloth; some, like Aroma, are dishwasher‑safe. Regularly wipe the steam vent and lid to prevent residue buildup, and run the self‑clean cycle if available (e.g., CUCKOO). Proper cleaning extends the lifespan and ensures consistent cooking results.