Look for a food‑grade 304 or 316L stainless steel inner pot, as it ensures durability and easy cleaning without coating wear. A one‑touch operation with an automatic Keep Warm function adds convenience, while a steam tray lets you multitask by steaming vegetables or meat. Power rating (around 400‑500 W) influences cooking speed, and included accessories like measuring cups can improve value.

The Aroma cooker highlights a simple one‑touch interface and a stainless steel steam tray for simultaneous steaming, whereas Elite Gourmet adds a tempered‑glass lid, cool‑touch handles, and bonus accessories such as a measuring cup and spatula. Both use 304 stainless steel pots, but Elite Gourmet emphasizes a coating‑free interior and a more polished exterior finish. Aroma’s design is slightly more compact, while Elite Gourmet offers a richer accessory set.

Stainless steel pots are coating‑free, eliminating concerns about flaking or chemical leaching, and they provide excellent heat distribution for fluffy rice. Non‑stick pots can be easier to clean but may lose their coating over time, especially with frequent high‑heat use. For health‑conscious shoppers, the stainless steel options like those in Aroma and Elite Gourmet models are generally the better long‑term choice.

The Elite Gourmet ERC006SS balances price, features, and durability, offering a stainless steel pot, a glass lid for visual monitoring, and useful extras such as a measuring cup and spatula. Aroma’s 6‑cup model provides solid core functionality at a lower price point but lacks the premium accessories. If you want a mix of convenience and long‑term reliability, Elite Gourmet typically delivers the highest value per dollar.

Elite Gourmet’s ERC006SS includes a measuring cup, serving spatula, and a tempered‑glass lid, while its ERC006XSS variant adds a surgical‑grade 304 stainless steel pot for extra durability. Aroma’s 6‑cup cooker provides a stainless steel steam tray for steaming vegetables or meat. The Joydeem DFB‑D300 model also offers eight smart menu functions, expanding its use beyond plain rice.

All the listed 6‑cup models feature an automatic Keep Warm mode that activates after cooking, but Elite Gourmet emphasizes a “set‑and‑forget” system that maintains temperature for hours without overheating. Aroma’s Keep Warm is straightforward and dependable, though it lacks adjustable temperature settings. Joydeem’s smart menu includes a dedicated Keep Warm cycle with precise temperature control, making it the most versatile for prolonged serving.

Yes, most models include a stainless steel steam tray (Aroma and Elite Gourmet) that allows simultaneous steaming of vegetables, fish, or dumplings while the rice cooks below. The larger Aroma 14‑cup version and Joydeem’s multi‑function menu also support soup and congee preparation. These extra capabilities make the cooker a small all‑in‑one appliance for everyday meals.

Power ratings range from about 400 W (Elite Gourmet) to 500 W (Aroma), with higher wattage generally resulting in slightly faster cooking times. The Elite Gourmet models often advertise quicker cycles due to efficient heating elements, while Aroma’s 500 W unit may take a minute or two longer but offers robust performance for larger batches. For most home users, the difference is minimal and won’t significantly affect daily use.