When preparing a simple yet satisfying meal, perfectly cooked white rice is a staple many rely on, and the Instant Pot offers a convenient, efficient way to achieve consistent results. This comparison explores how different Instant Pot models perform when cooking one cup of white rice, evaluating factors like texture, cooking time, and ease of use. Whether you’re a busy home cook or a kitchen novice, understanding the nuances of each model can help you select the right tool for effortless, restaurant-quality rice every time. Stay tuned for unbiased insights to streamline your cooking routine.
Editor’s Choice
Best for a specific purpose
- Best for best overall: Instant Pot Zest 8 Cup One Touch Rice Cooker
- Best for health-focused: Instant Pot 20-Cup Rice Cooker
- Best for small capacity: Instant Pot 4QT RIO Mini 7-in-1 Multi-Cooker
- Best for compact design: Aroma Housewares 4-Cups (Cooked) / 1Qt. Rice & Grain Cooker (ARC-302NG)
- Best for stainless steel: Aroma Housewares 6-Cup (Cooked yield ) / 1.2Qt. Select Stainless Pot-Style Rice Cooker
- Best for multi-functional: Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Mini Electric Pressure Cooker
- Best for best budget: Aroma Housewares Aroma 6-cup (cooked) 1.5 Qt. One Touch Rice Cooker
- Best for quick serve: Minute Ready-to-Serve White Rice
- Best for travel-friendly: 1.0L Mini Rice Cooker
- Best for premium features: TOSHIBA Umami Smart Rice Cooker 5.5-Cup Uncooked
Product Comparison: Best Instant Pot White Rice 1 Cup
Best overall
Instant Pot Zest 8 Cup One Touch Rice Cooker, From the Makers of Instant Pot, Steamer, Cooks Rice, Grains, Quinoa and Oatmeal, 8-cup cooked/4-cup uncooked, No Pressure Cooking Functionality
Instant Pot
- 4 SMART PROGRAMS: make cooking your favorite rice, oatmeal, and grains to fluffy perfection super-fast and one touch easy!
- STEAM VEGGIES: Easily steam veggies, fish and more!
- DOUBLES AS A WARMER: Keep foods nice and warm during pot lucks, parties, picnics and more!
- 8 CUP CAPACITY: 4-Cup (Uncooked)/8-Cup (Cooked). Its compact capacity is perfect for preparing small individual meals, or meal prep side dishes.
- ACCESSORIES INCLUDED: In addition to the non-stick ceramic coated pot, the Zest Plus also comes with a dishwasher-safe steamer tray, rice measuring cup and rice spoon.
- SAFETY FEATURES: Includes over 10 safety features, plus overheat protection and safe-locking lid.
- DISCOVER AMAZING RECIPES: Includes the free Instant Brands Connect App, where you can find new recipes to create quick favorites and prepare delicious meals, available for iOS and Android.
Health-focused
Instant Pot 20-Cup Rice Cooker, Rice and Grain Multi-Cooker with Carb Reducing Technology without Compromising Taste or Texture, From the Makers of Instant Pot, Includes 8 Cooking Presets
Instant
- 8 Cooking Functions: Make rice, grains, quinoa, mixed grains, slow-cooked dishes, sautéed meals, steamed recipes, and keep food warm for up to 10 hours—all in one appliance
- User-Friendly Presets: 8 smart cooking programs take the guesswork out of meal preparation.
- CarbReduce Technology: Enjoy rice with up to 40% fewer carbs and sugar* while keeping the taste and texture right where they should be: perfect
- Modern, Space-Saving Design: Sleek matte finish, space-saving shape—looks good, fits anywhere, and keeps your counter clutter-free
- Easy Water Measurement: Built-in level marks inside the CarbReduce steam basket make prep simple and foolproof
- Quick Cleanup: No more fighting about who has to do the dishes. The dishwasher-safe non-stick cooking pot, stainless steel CarbReduce steam basket, and removable lid make clean up a breeze
- Power Packed Performance: 860 watts, 120 V 60 Hz, UL & ULC Listed
- A Little Extra: Includes a rice spoon and measuring cup to keep you ready for anything.
Small capacity
Instant Pot 4QT RIO Mini 7-in-1 Multi-Cooker, Pressure Cooker, Slow cook, Sauté, Steam, Rice Maker, Yogurt, & Warmer, Sea Salt, 4 Quarts
Instant Pot
- 7 Cooking Functions: Pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, cook rice, make yogurt, or keep your meals warm, all in one compact device.
- Mini and Mighty: Easy to store, offering the same cooking surface as an 8-inch pan
- Fun Sized Capacity: The 4-quart capacity is perfect for up to 4 servings, ideal for students, singles, and small families
- Cooking Status at a Glance: Progress indicator lets you monitor your cooking status with ease
- Intentionally Convenient: Anti-spin design ensures the pot stays steady for effortless stirring and sautéing
- Colorful Design: The Rosewater finish adds a lovely modern touch to your kitchen
- Good Food Done Faster: Cook up to 70% faster compared to slow cooking methods.
- Quick Cleanup: No more fighting about who has to do the dishes. Dishwasher-safe lid and cooking stainless steel pot make cleaning a breeze
Compact design
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!
Stainless steel
Aroma Housewares 6-Cup (Cooked yield ) / 1.2Qt. Select Stainless Pot-Style Rice Cooker, & Food Steamer, One-Touch Operation, White
AROMA
- Perfectly prepares 2 to 6 cups of any variety of cooked rice
- 100% food-grade 304 stainless steel cooking pot for clean eating and optimal durability
- Steams meat and vegetables with the provided stainless steel steam tray while rice cooks below
- Simple, one-touch operation with automatic Keep Warm function at the end of the cycle
- Great for soups, jambalaya, chili and so much more!
Multi-functional
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Mini Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, Warmer & Sterilizer, Includes Free App with over 1900 Recipes, Stainless Steel, 3 Quart
Instant Pot
- 7 Cooking Functions: Pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, make rice, yogurt, or simply keep your meal warm—all in one appliance.
- Compact Yet Capable: A 3-quart capacity makes it perfect for small households or side dishes, and with 11 one-touch smart programs, it can tackle everything from hearty soups to decadent cakes.
- Good Food Done Faster: Cook up to 70% faster compared to slow cooking methods.
- Pro-Grade Cooking Pot: Crafted from stainless steel (18/8) with a tri-ply bottom—perfect for searing and sautéing like a pro.
- Quick Cleanup: No more fighting about who has to do the dishes. The dishwasher-safe lid and inner pot make washing up effortless.
- Power-Packed Performance: 700 watts, 120 V 60 Hz, UL & ULC Listed.
- Proven Peace of Mind: Features over 10 safety mechanisms, including overheat protection, an easy seal safety lid lock, and more.
- A Little Extra: Includes a stainless steel steamer rack to keep you ready for anything.
Best budget
Aroma Housewares Aroma 6-cup (cooked) 1.5 Qt. One Touch Rice Cooker, White (ARC-363NG), 6 cup cooked/ 3 cup uncook/ 1.5 Qt.
AROMA
- Perfectly prepares 2 to 6 cups of any variety of cooked rice
- Simple, one-touch operation with automatic Keep-Warm
- Great for soups, jambalaya, chili and so much more!
- Full-view tempered glass lid
- Easy-to-clean, nonstick removable inner pot
- Includes Rice Measuring Cup and Serving Spatula
Quick serve
Minute Ready-to-Serve White Rice, Microwavable Rice Cups, 8.8-Ounce Cups (Pack of 8)
Minute
- QUICK & TASTY EVERY TIME: You deserve to enjoy a delicious meal, even on a busy day. Our microwavable white-rice cups provide fluffy fully cooked rice that any meat lover, vegan, or vegetarian will enjoy.
- READY IN ONE MINUTE: Upgrade your pantry food items! Pop a Minute rice cup in the microwave, and you’ll have a quick snack or side in one minute. Each BPA-free cup is perfectly portioned for a meal or side dish.
- DELICIOUS ON-THE-GO RICE: These single-serving instant-rice cups are the perfect size to take with you anywhere you go. Our white-rice cups contain no preservatives, are gluten-free, and are Non-GMO Project Verified. They’re also free of cholesterol and MSG.
- UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES: Our fully cooked rice is a great addition to any breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack. You can even add it to desserts like rice pudding! Top this white-rice cup with an egg, use it as a quick meal side, or add it to your favorite soup, stir-fry, or fried rice recipes.
- MORE TIME FOR YOU: Spend less time cooking in the kitchen and free up more time for you with this quick rice. Cleanup is a snap since you can eat the rice right out of the cup! Think outside the cup with our delicious and convenient rice.
Travel-friendly
1.0L Mini Rice Cooker,WHITE TIGER Portable Travel Steamer Small,15 Minutes Fast Cooking, Removable Non-stick Pot, Keep Warm, Suitable For 1-2 People - For Cooking Soup, Rice, Stews & Oatmeal
WHITE TIGER
- FEATURES:15 minutes to finish cooking(coarse cereals may take longer to cook);1.0L Capacity,suitable for 1-2 people,suitable for a family of two and busy office workers,can save time for you.
- ALL in 1 Multi-cooker: A novice in the kitchen? It doesn’t matter. With this all-in-1 smart electric cooker,everyone can choose the most desired way to cook a big meal easily. Rice, soup,oatmeal,cake, yogurt,pasta or dessert.
- Keep Warm Function:This mini rice cooker has updated with a keep Warm function and indicator light,never overheat or overcook ingredients again,making for a healthy,perfect meal every time.
- UNIQUE DESIGN: The bottom of the rice cooker has a heat dissipation port ,so as to prevent the damage of the machine caused by the excessive temperature,so that the rice cooker has a longer service life;the inside of the rice cooker is a pot with non-stick coating,easy clean.
- Package Includes:Our 110V mini rice cooker is backed by a 365 Days manufacturer service and includes a rice paddle,rice spoon,measuring cup,removable pot with PFOA-free nonstick coating. 24hs Customer Service, any quesiton pls contact us anytime!
- Operate according to the instructions, adding the appropriate amount of water to your taste, and do not exceed the maximum level.
Premium features
TOSHIBA Umami Smart Rice Cooker 5.5-Cup Uncooked, Fuzzy Logic, 15-in-1 Functions, Digital Display, Delay Timer, Keep Warm, Nonstick Inner Pot, White
TOSHIBA
- Multi-Function - This 5.5 CUP rice cooker cooks a variety of dishes, not just rice. Features 15 cooking functions, including White Rice, Quick Cook, Brown Rice, Mixed Grain, Jastmine Rice, 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
- Easy To Use- This electric rice cooker 6 cup is designed with intuitive control panel features a large LCD display for quick and effortless programming. Keep Warm/Reheat function keeps your rice warm and delicious . Accessories included: measuring cup, spatula, and soup ladle.
- 3D Heating technology and 24H Timer - Toshiba rice cooker with 3D heating technology delivers uniform cooking for rice while saving water and energy. Featuring a 24-hour timer and keep-warm function, it meets your food cravings anytime
- 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
- Ultra Capacity and Thick Pot-The 5.5 Cup uncooked capacity can meet the food needs of a family of 6. 3.1mm thick Pot compatible with durable inner pot with PFAs free ceramic coating ,It can also be safely used by children. Both of all making it an essential rice cooker for every household.
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
Which Instant Pot product is best for cooking 1 cup of white rice?
The Instant Pot Zest 8 Cup One Touch Rice Cooker (B07TZL8Y3C) is designed for precise rice cooking.
Is there a compact option for small portions?
The Instant Pot 4QT RIO Mini (B0F9B9R5J9) is ideal for small batches and space-saving use.
Which model offers carb-reducing features?
The Instant Pot 20-Cup Rice Cooker (B0BK2CP4CB) includes carb-reduction technology for healthier cooking.
What is the simplest rice cooker for 1 cup?
The Aroma Housewares 4-Cup Cooker (B0979TYRYN) provides one-touch simplicity for small portions.
Are there non-electric options for quick rice?
Minute Ready-to-Serve Rice (B07B8WCHS5) is a microwavable cup for instant white rice without appliances.
Which cooker has the fastest cooking time?
The 1.0L Mini Rice Cooker (B07Q81ZPGV) prepares rice in 15 minutes for quick meals.
Does any model include pressure cooking for rice?
The Instant Pot Duo Mini (B06Y1YD5W7) combines pressure cooking and rice functions in one.