If you're in the market for a compact, efficient way to cook rice for one, a 1-cup rice cooker might be your kitchen's new best friend. Whether you're a college student, a minimalist, or just cooking solo meals, these pint-sized powerhouses deliver perfect rice every time—without the waste. We’ve tested top models to find which ones truly shine in performance, ease of use, and value. Ready to discover the best small rice cooker for your lifestyle? Let’s dive in and find your perfect match.
- Best for compact steamer: BLACK+DECKER 3-Cup Rice Cooker
- Best for single-serve versatile: Rice Cooker Small 1-1.5 Cups Uncooked(3 Cups Cooked)
- Best for ceramic style cooker: IMUSA 1.5cup Electric Ceramic Rice Cooker
- Best for colorful compact steamer: DASH Mini Rice Cooker Steamer with Removable Nonstick Pot
- Best for value mini steamer: DASH Mini Rice Cooker Steamer with Removable Nonstick Pot
- Best for multi-function mini: AROMA® Mini Rice Cooker
- Best for glass-lid grain cooker: Aroma Housewares 4-Cups (Cooked) / 1Qt. Rice & Grain Cooker (ARC-302NG)
- Best for portable tayama cooker: Tayama 1.5 Cup Portable Mini Rice Cooker
- Best for bento box companion: Mini Rice Cooker 1-1.5 Cups Uncooked(3 Cups Cooked)
- Best for travel-ready bear: Bear Mini Rice Cooker 2 Cups Uncooked
Product Comparison: Best Small Rice Cooker 1 Cup
BLACK+DECKER 3-Cup Rice Cooker, RC503, 1.5-cup Uncooked Rice, Steaming Basket, Removable Non-Stick Bowl, One Touch, White
- 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.
Rice Cooker Small 1-1.5 Cups Uncooked(3 Cups Cooked), Mini Rice Cooker with Removable Nonstick Pot, One Touch&Keep Warm Function, Travel Rice Cooker for Soup Grain Oatmeal Veggie, White
- IDEAL FOR SINGLES - Macook 0.6L mini rice cooker can cook up to 1-3 cups of cooked white rice when use the standard 160ml measuring cup, perfect for singles. The portable size won’t take up too much space and this small rice cooker is your MUST-HAVE for first apartment, smaller kitchen, college dorm life, or camper/traveling.
- NOT JUST FOR RICE - The small rice cooker 1-3 cups also suitable for soup, oatmeal, pasta, veggie, stew and more. The small capacity allows for healthier portion control, or individual, quick and easy breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, or sides.
- QUICK & EASY - Easy to use with one button operation. Just spend a few minutes to prep your delicious meals then fill it in the pot, press the button to start cooking! Your steamed meal (or side) is ready in less than 25 minutes.
- AUTO KEEP WARM- When cooking is complete, the rice maker will enter the automatic keep-warm function. Never overheat or overcook ingredients again, making for a healthy, perfect meal each and every time.
- EASY TO CLEAN - The aluminum inner pot is treated with food-grade non-stick coating and prevents the sticking of cooked rice to the bottom. The inner pot features removable, portable, and easy to clean. You can soak it in water for 10 minutes before cleaning or wash it in the dishwasher conveniently.
- Package Includes: Rice cooker, rice spatula, measuring cup, power cord, User Manual
IMUSA 1.5cup Electric Ceramic Rice Cooker, White
- COOKING VERSATILITY: This rice cooker boasts a 1,5 cup uncooked capacity, yielding 3 cups of cooked rice, perfect tool for quick and efficient meal preparation in smaller quantities, making it ideal for everyday use
- STYLE AND FUNCTIONALITY: Crafted from aluminum with a sleek black ceramic non stick coating and a modern white exterior, this rice cooker combines functionality with style while providing easy cleaning and long lasting performance
- EFFORTLESS OPERATION: Features a ceramic non stick coating for effortless food release, a warm function to maintain optimal serving temperatures, and includes a serving spoon and measuring cup for added convenience
- FLEXIBLE COOKING APPLICATIONS: Perfect for cooking rice, oatmeal, stews, quinoa, and a variety of grains, this multipurpose cooker accommodates a range of dishes, providing versatile culinary options for any meal
- ADAPTABLE COOKING COMPANION: Ideal for small kitchens, college dorms, campers, and RV travel, and comes packaged in a gift box, making it a thoughtful and practical gift for anyone in need of a compact cooking solution
DASH Mini Rice Cooker Steamer with Removable Nonstick Pot, Keep Warm Function & Recipe Guide, One Half Quart, for Soups, Stews, Grains & Oatmeal - Black
- MORE THAN RICE: Oatmeal, stew, soup, quinoa, rice, and pasta. The 2-cup capacity allows for healthier portion control, or individual, quick and easy breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, or sides.
- QUICK plus EASY: Set it and forget it. Prep time is minutes (simply add water and your uncooked rice, pasta, or veggies), and press the cook button. Your steamed meal (or side) is ready in less than 20 minutes, with less clean up.
- KEEP WARM FUNCTION: Updated with a keep warm function and indicator light - never overheat or overcook ingredients again, making for a healthy, perfect meal each and every time. Removable pot with nonstick coating that releases foods easily.
- PORTABLE plus COMPACT: The Dash Rice Cooker is your MUST-HAVE for that first apartment, smaller kitchen, college dorm life, or camper/RV traveling. Plus, the fun color options will match any kitchen décor (add to your registry now.).
- INCLUDES: The 200-Watt Dash Mini Rice Cooker is backed by a 1-year manufacturer warranty and includes a rice paddle, measuring cup, removable pot with PFOA-free nonstick coating, recipe book and recipe database access
DASH Mini Rice Cooker Steamer with Removable Nonstick Pot, Keep Warm Function & Recipe Guide, Half Quart, for Soups, Stews, Grains & Oatmeal - Red
- MORE THAN RICE: Oatmeal, stew, soup, quinoa, rice, and pasta. The 2-cup capacity allows for healthier portion control, or individual, quick and easy breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, or sides.
- QUICK plus EASY: Set it and forget it. Prep time is minutes (simply add water and your uncooked rice, pasta, or veggies), and press the cook button. Your steamed meal (or side) is ready in less than 20 minutes, with less clean up.
- KEEP WARM FUNCTION: Updated with a keep warm function and indicator light - never overheat or overcook ingredients again, making for a healthy, perfect meal each and every time. Removable pot with nonstick coating that releases foods easily.
- PORTABLE plus COMPACT: The Dash Rice Cooker is your MUST-HAVE for that first apartment, smaller kitchen, college dorm life, or camper/RV traveling. Plus, the fun color options will match any kitchen décor (add to your registry now.).
- INCLUDES: The 200-Watt Dash Mini Rice Cooker is backed by a 1-year manufacturer warranty and includes a rice paddle, measuring cup, removable pot with PFOA-free nonstick coating, recipe book and recipe database access.
AROMA® Mini Rice Cooker, 2-Cup (Uncooked) / 4-Cup (Cooked), Grain Cooker, Soup Maker, Oatmeal Cooker, Auto Keep Warm, 1 Qt, Milk Tea color
- Convenient Cooking & Cleaning – With the included nonstick inner pot, you can rest assured that cooking will be a breeze. When the cooking is completed, the inner pot can be safely and conveniently cleaned in the dishwasher!
- One-Touch Operation – This product is also a proud member of our “set it and forget it” mentality. The cooker is incredibly simple to operate with our user-friendly controls that switch to Warm mode automatically once the grain is finished cooking
- Multi-Functional Use – Whether you're in the mood for a hearty jambalaya, steamed veggies and rice, or even a delectable cake, you can accomplish it all with your rice cooker
- Free Recipe Booklet – Register your product to receive a free digital recipe booklet filled with 17 simple, delicious recipes to prepare in your new cooker
- Accessories – Rice measuring cup and serving spatula included
Aroma Housewares 4-Cups (Cooked) / 1Qt. Rice & Grain Cooker (ARC-302NG), White
- 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!
Tayama 1.5 Cup Portable Mini Rice Cooker, White (TMRC-03R)
- Cook & keep warm functions- 1 touch operation
- Small and portable design
- Removable nonstick-coated cooking pot
- Capacity: 3 cups Cooked Rice; 1.5 cups Uncooked Rice
- Included components: rice cooker,inner pot,removable lid,spatula,measuring cup,manual,warranty
Mini Rice Cooker 1-1.5 Cups Uncooked(3 Cups Cooked), Rice Cooker Small with Bento Box, Removable Nonstick Pot, One Touch&Keep Warm Function, Portable Cooker for Soup Grain Oatmeal Veggie, Black
- IDEAL FOR SINGLES - Macook 0.3L mini rice cooker can cook up to 1-3 cups of cooked white rice when use the standard 160ml measuring cup, perfect for singles. The portable size won’t take up too much space and this small rice cooker is your MUST-HAVE for first apartment, smaller kitchen, college dorm life, or camper/traveling.
- NOT JUST FOR RICE - The small rice cooker 1-3 cups also suitable for soup, oatmeal, pasta, veggie, stew and more. The small capacity allows for healthier portion control, or individual, quick and easy breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, or sides.
- QUICK & EASY - Easy to use with one button operation. Just spend a few minutes to prep your delicious meals then fill it in the pot, press the button to start cooking! Your steamed meal (or side) is ready in less than 25 minutes.
- AUTO KEEP WARM- When cooking is complete, the rice maker will enter the automatic keep-warm function. Never overheat or overcook ingredients again, making for a healthy, perfect meal each and every time.
- EASY TO CLEAN - The aluminum inner pot is treated with food-grade non-stick coating and prevents the sticking of cooked rice to the bottom. The inner pot features removable, portable, and easy to clean. You can soak it in water for 10 minutes before cleaning or wash it in the dishwasher conveniently.
- BENTO BOX - Made with food-grade, eco-friendly materials. The bento box can be put into the rice cooker to heat your food, but it does not have the function of steaming. You can enjoy a delicious meal even in the office or outdoors
Bear Mini Rice Cooker 2 Cups Uncooked, 1.2L Portable Non-Stick Small Travel Rice Cooker, BPA Free, One Button to Cook and Keep Warm Function, Blue
- 【Effortless Cooking】Master rice dishes effortlessly with our user-friendly design, making cooking as easy as 1-2-3. This rice cooker is a great choice to replace your stove, instant rice or your old traditional rice cooker
- 【Small Rice Cooker 2 Cup】Can cook up to 2 cups of uncooked white rice, perfect for 1-2 people. The compact size won't take up too much space, a MUST-HAVE for first apartments, smaller kitchens, college dorms, or for those who travel in RVs or campers. 👉NOTE: 1*BEAR MEASURING CUP=150ML. In order to avoid overleaking, please use Bear measuring cup to guide the capacity of the rice, and the scale on the inner pot to guide how much water should be put
- 【Quick plus Easy】One-button to cook, your rice is ready in 25 minutes. With a keep warm function and indicator light - never overheat or overcook ingredients again, making for a healthy, perfect meal every time
- 【Cleaning is a Breeze】With a removable non-stick inner pot and a detachable inner lid, cleaning this rice cooker is very easy. The use of an extended steam port can effectively control the overflow of the rice cooker, making it safer to use and keep your desk clean
- 【What You Get】Small rice cooker, rice paddle, measuring cup, user manual, all-day customer service, worry-free 365-Day warranty, and lifetime technical support
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
How do I choose the right capacity for a mini rice cooker?
Look at the uncooked rice capacity; most models listed cook 1‑1.5 cups uncooked (about 3 cups cooked), which is ideal for singles or couples. If you often prepare side dishes or larger meals, consider a 2‑cup uncooked model for extra flexibility. Check the measuring cup provided with each unit, as some use a proprietary size.
What should I know about the non‑stick inner pots?
All the featured cookers have a non‑stick coating, but the material varies: aluminum with food‑grade coating (Macook, Bear), ceramic coating (IMUSA), or PFOA‑free coating (Dash). Ceramic surfaces are easier to clean and more durable, while aluminum heats quickly. Ensure the pot is removable for dishwasher use if that matters to you.
Do these rice cookers offer a keep‑warm function, and how reliable is it?
Every model includes an automatic keep‑warm mode that activates after cooking finishes, preventing overcooking. The Dash and Black+Decker units have indicator lights that show when the cooker is in warm mode. Keep‑warm power consumption is low (around 30‑40 W), so it won’t significantly increase your electricity bill.
Can I use these mini cookers for foods other than rice?
Yes, most of them are versatile: you can steam vegetables, cook oatmeal, quinoa, pasta, or even soups and stews. The Dash, IMUSA, and Aroma models specifically highlight multi‑function cooking, while the Black+Decker includes a steaming basket for side dishes. Just follow the water‑to‑food ratios in the included recipe booklet for best results.
How important is the included measuring cup, and can I use a standard kitchen cup?
The Black+Decker cooker requires its proprietary 3/4‑cup measuring cup for accurate water ratios, so using a standard cup may affect texture. Other brands (Macook, Bear, Aroma) use a standard 160‑ml cup, which aligns with common kitchen measurements. Always refer to the product’s instructions to avoid under‑ or over‑cooking.
Which model provides the best value for a tight budget?
The Macook and Bear mini rice cookers are among the most affordable while still offering keep‑warm, one‑button operation, and non‑stick pots. The Dash models add extra accessories like a recipe book and color options but cost a bit more. Compare the price per cup of cooked rice capacity to gauge overall value.
Are any of these rice cookers especially suited for travel or dorm life?
The IMUSA, Tayama, and Bear models emphasize portability with compact dimensions and lightweight designs, making them ideal for dorms, RVs, or camping. They also feature removable lids and easy‑clean pots that fit in small kitchens. Look for models with a power rating around 200 W to ensure they work with limited outlet capacity.
What cleaning and maintenance tips should I follow?
Always let the cooker cool before removing the inner pot, then wash the non‑stick surface with a soft sponge; avoid abrasive cleaners that can damage the coating. Most aluminum and ceramic pots are dishwasher‑safe, but hand‑washing prolongs their life. Periodically check the steam vent for blockages and wipe the exterior with a damp cloth.