The Best Low Watt Rice Cookers To Buy In 2024
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AT A GLANCE
Choosing to buy a rice cooker could be one of the most important decisions you make this year. A rice cooker will not only save you time in food prep, but could be the difference between an average meal and a delicious meal.
Why buy a rice cooker?
Cooking rice used to be simple, but now there are so many different types of rice to choose from, all of which are prepared differently.
The right rice cooker will take much of the guesswork and necessity for skill out of the cooking process, automatically cooking each type of rice to perfection every time. Leaving you the freedom to work on preparing other food or doing non-cooking related tasks.
Are rice cookers energy efficient?
In addition to all the above, rice cookers are perhaps some of the most energy-efficient kitchen appliances out there, and you could save a fair amount of money on your monthly electricity bill if you choose your model wisely.
What is the average wattage of a rice cooker?
A typical rice cooker will be anywhere from 300W – 1000W, though you can find a few models that fall below or above that range. Anything under 500W is considered low wattage.
Smaller rice cookers, best suited for single people or couples, will come in at the lower end, roughly (300W – 500W); and though less powerful than their higher wattage counterparts, they’re well-equipped to make great meals.
Below you’ll find our list of 5 awesome rice cookers that are 300 watts and under.
Word of caution: in order to avoid water boiling over, wash your rice thoroughly before using any rice cooker. Unwashed rice contains lots of starch, and this will bulk up the rice’s volume, making it more likely to over-boil.
The Top 5 Energy-efficient Rice Cookers
WATTAGE: 300W
CAPACITY: 1.74 liters (cooked rice)
SIZE: 10 x 9 x 5.5 inches
WEIGHT: 3.76 lbs
The 2-in-1 BLACK+DECKER RC506 Rice Cooker combines the convenience of automatic rice cooker with the ability to steam vegetables and fish.
With one easy-to-use switch, you can effortlessly cook both your main dish and simmer vegetables, making any meal complete all at once.
The nonstick bowl is completely removable and dishwasher safe, making clean-up a breeze, while the tempered glass lid (with steam vent) is also dishwasher-friendly.
The 2 indicator lights show whether your food is cooking or warming.
There's even a built-in lid holder that lets you easily remove the lid and place it on the unit, keeping it close by and quickly accessible.
And after cooking? With the handy "keep warm" function that automatically kicks in after cooking is done, there's no need to worry about whether or not your food will get cold while you go off to do other things.
As a bonus, the BLACK+DECKER RC506 comes with a steaming basket, measuring cup and spoon.
Pro: Hardly takes up space on your counter, and is super easy for even the layman to operate.
Con: Any rice other than white might not cook as well.
Zojirushi NHS-06 Rice Cooker
$49.99
WATTAGE: 300W
CAPACITY: 0.6 liters (uncooked rice)
SIZE: 7.5 x 9.1 x 7.5 inches
WEIGHT: 3.1 lbs
Zojirushi's rice cooker is a neat, compact appliance that provides the versatility and high quality cooking performance that you've always wanted. With single switch operation, this handy rice cooker makes cooking simple and effortless.
Its see-through glass lid has a steam hole and stay cool handle for easily carrying and transporting the hot food, while its durable nonstick inner cooking pan means cleaning up after use will be a breeze.
The indicator light reminds you that the appliance is on, so you never forget and burn your rice.
Finally, the Zojirushi NHS-06 Rice Cooker comes with a plastic measuring cup and spatula set to help you prepare and serve your food.
Pro: Sturdy, super easy to clean bowl, and a long cord make this model extra convenient.
Con: Might not cook rice evenly unless left to cook much longer. Cleaning up isn't as easy as it is with other models on this list.
Aroma Housewares Select Stainless Rice Cooker & Warmer
$32.77
WATTAGE: 300W
CAPACITY: 1.3 liters (cooked rice)
SIZE: 8.2 x 8.1 x 10.3 inches
WEIGHT: 3.94 lbs
The Aroma Housewares Select Stainless Rice Cooker & Warmer combines simplicity with versatility to make cooking rice easy.
The one-button design makes it effortless to hit the timer, hit start, and walk away knowing your rice will cook on its own. And the automatic "keep warm" mode means that once your rice is cooked, it will stay warm for a while until you're ready to serve it.
The tempered glass lid allows for easy viewing while also letting steam vent out through the tiny hole, while the 2 indicator lights let you know if your food is cooking or warming.
The food-grade 304 stainless steel interior is coating-free, durable and non-stick, meaning no nasty chemicals enter your food, and cleaning the pot afterwards won't be a hassle.
On top of this, it is all made easier with the included measuring cup and spatula, making sure that you use just the right amount of ingredients every time. There's even a spatula holder on the unit, for your convenience.
With the Aroma Rice Cooker, you're not only limited to cooking rice; you can cook pasta, oatmeal, soup and more.
Pro: Cooks white rice quickly and evenly, and the reheat function works great.
Con: Might burn rice at the bottom, and water may splatter through the steam vent.
WATTAGE: 200W
CAPACITY: 0.47 liters (uncooked rice)
SIZE: 8.3 x 6.5 x 16 inches
WEIGHT: 2.88 lbs
The Dash Mini Rice Cooker Steamer is a compact, portable appliance that takes the difficulty out of cooking not only rice but oatmeal, stew, soup, quinoa, and pasta.
With only one button to press, it's easy to use and has a cool touch design for safety, so you don't burn your hand when serving. Your food can be cooked in 20 minutes or less.
Another handy feature is the removable pot with nonstick coating, which makes cleaning quick and easy.
The device features 2 indicator lights so you know when your meal is cooking or warming, while the useful "keep warm" feature does just that – it keeps your food warm until it's time to serve it.
You also get a rice paddle and measuring cup to help you prepare your food perfectly.
The Dash Mini Rice Cooker Steamer comes in different colors, so you're sure to find one that will fit right into your kitchen!
Pro: Rice cooks evenly, the cooker takes up little room, and the warming feature doesn't burn your food. Also, don't be fooled by the small size, because it makes a lot of rice.
Con: Teflon coating in interior pot – might be an issue for some people. Plus, you have to unplug the device to turn it off.
IMUSA GAU-00011 Electric Nonstick Rice Cooker
$21.86
WATTAGE: 300W
CAPACITY: 1.3 liters (cooked rice)
SIZE: 8.25 x 9.1 x 6.4 inches
WEIGHT: 2.6 lbs
The IMUSA GAU-00011 rice cooker is perfect for anyone who loves to cook. Its simple, easy-to-use design means you can cook up tasty dishes quickly and effortlessly.
The smart, automatic warming function keeps your food warm until you're ready to serve, while the single switch operation means you can set your food to cook and forget about it.
This rice cooker also features two indicator lights, with one for cooking and the other for warming. This helps keep track of the status of your dish, ensuring it is neither overcooked nor undercooked.
Its removable nonstick cooking pot means washing up afterwards is simple, while the measuring marks let you regulate how much food goes into your pot.
You can easily carry this pot elsewhere thanks to the stay cool handles, and the tempered glass lid with steam vent ensures easy viewing without opening the lid itself.
If that wasn't enough, you get a bonus rice paddle and measuring cup.
Pro: Rice comes out fluffy, not clumped, and with no need to stir. It's small but cooks plenty of rice.
Con: Coating might come off early on, and the pot lid might make a popping sound when it's cooking.
Are rice cookers any good? Are they worth it?
Rice cookers are becoming more and more popular in households across the world. They’re efficient, effective at producing good rice, and there are now so many different models to choose from that you can find one for any household size or budget.
Not only that, but most rice cookers don’t just limit you to cooking rice; you can also steam vegetables, cook other grains, and more.
This can all be done with minimal effort on your part. No constant stirring – just set your rice to cook, and let the device work its magic. Cooking rice this way usually means rice cooks more evenly and tastes better.
Rice is notoriously difficult to get right on the stove or in the microwave, and it’s much easier to burn. So, in our opinion, if you’re not the best cook, or you’re a busy person, a rice cooker is a no-brainer.
Rice cooker power consumption on keep warm?
A typical keep warm setting on a rice cooker uses between 50W – 100W, so it won’t use much electricity.
Rice cookers with a keep warm function should be able to maintain a temperature of around 140°F for between 30 minutes and 1 hour.
