A 7‑cup (uncooked) capacity yields roughly 14 cups of cooked rice, which comfortably feeds a family of four with leftovers. Look for models that list both uncooked and cooked yields so you can verify they meet your typical portion size. If you often cook for larger gatherings, a 10‑12 cup uncooked model may give you extra flexibility.

Key features include an automatic Keep‑Warm function, a steam tray for vegetables or fish, and a clear water‑level indicator. Digital controls with preset programs (white rice, brown rice, quick rice) add convenience, while a one‑touch analog model can be simpler and cheaper. A removable non‑stick or stainless‑steel inner pot makes cleaning easier.

Glass‑lid models, like the Aroma 14‑cup pot‑style cooker, let you watch the rice as it cooks and often have a tempered‑glass lid that stays cool to the touch. Stainless‑steel versions, such as the Aroma 6‑cup or 14‑cup stainless models, offer greater durability and are dishwasher‑safe, but you can’t see inside while cooking. Choose glass if you value visual monitoring, or stainless steel for rugged, long‑term use.

Digital rice cookers, like the Toshiba 6‑cup with fuzzy logic, provide multiple cooking modes (brown rice, porridge, steel‑cut oats) and precise temperature adjustments, resulting in consistently fluffy rice. They also often include a delay‑start timer, which is handy for meal planning. If you primarily cook plain white rice, a basic one‑touch model can save money while still delivering good results.

Fuzzy logic continuously monitors moisture and temperature, automatically adjusting cooking cycles for each grain type, which yields very consistent texture across white, brown, and mixed rice. Aroma’s sensor logic uses a simpler temperature sensor to trigger the Keep‑Warm phase once the water is absorbed. While both produce good rice, fuzzy logic generally offers finer control for specialty grains.

Ceramic coatings, found in Aroma’s mini 3‑cup cooker, are PFAS‑free and provide a non‑stick surface without metal leaching concerns. Stainless steel pots, like those in the Elite Gourmet and many Aroma models, are also safe and highly durable, but they may require a little more oil to prevent sticking. Aluminum pots are lightweight but can react with acidic foods, so many shoppers prefer ceramic or stainless options for health reasons.

The Aroma 6‑cup stainless‑steel model balances price, capacity, and features: it cooks up to 6 cups of rice, includes a stainless steam tray, and has a one‑touch Keep‑Warm function. For a slightly higher budget, the Hamilton Beach 14‑cup cooker adds a rice rinsing basket and delay‑start, offering more versatility. Both provide solid value without the premium price of high‑end fuzzy‑logic units.

A delay‑start lets you load rice and water in the evening and have perfectly cooked rice ready for breakfast, eliminating morning prep time. Models like the Hamilton Beach and Toshiba include programmable timers up to 11 hours, which is ideal for coordinating meals with other dishes. If you rarely need to schedule cooking, a basic model without this feature can save you a few dollars.