Cooking brown rice on a regular kitchen stove can be super frustrating. White rice is pretty easy, but brown rice is a whole different story. It still has its tough outer bran layer. Because of that tough shell, it needs a lot more water and a much longer cooking time to get soft.
We have all been there. You follow the directions on the bag, but the rice still comes out crunchy and undercooked. Or worse, you add too much water and end up with a mushy, wet mess. It is enough to make you want to give up on eating healthy whole grains altogether.
But don’t give up just yet! Buying a dedicated kitchen appliance fixes all of these problems. A good machine takes away all the guesswork. You just add the rice and water, press a button, and walk away. If you want to stop eating crunchy rice and start enjoying fluffy, perfect meals, you are in the right place. We put together this guide to help you find the 9 best rice cooker for brown rice options you can buy today.
We looked at everything from fancy high-tech models to simple, budget-friendly choices. Let’s dive in and find the perfect fit for your kitchen.
Our Quick Picks: 9 best rice cookers for brown rice at a Glance
| Product Name | Size (Uncooked) | Best Feature | Link |
| Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 | 5.5 Cups | Smart computer chip adjusts heat | View on Amazon |
| TIGER JBV-A10U | 5.5 Cups | Cooks rice and meat at the same time | View on Amazon |
| CUCKOO CRP-P1009SB | 10 Cups | Cooks super fast with high pressure | View on Amazon |
| COSORI Rice Cooker | 10 Cups | Ceramic pot is safe for the dishwasher | View on Amazon |
| TOSHIBA Small Cooker | 3 Cups | Extra thick pot keeps heat locked in | View on Amazon |
| Tiger JKT-D (IH) | 5.5 Cups | Magnetic heating makes the fluffiest rice | View on Amazon |
| Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 | 6 Quarts | Replaces 7 different kitchen tools | View on Amazon |
| AROMA ARC-914SBD | 4 Cups | Very affordable with a delay timer | View on Amazon |
| COMFEE’ Compact 6-in-1 | 4 Cups | Small size saves counter space | View on Amazon |
Detailed Reviews of Our Top Picks
1. Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 5-1/2-Cup Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker
Many people think Zojirushi makes the best rice cookers in the world. After looking at the NS-ZCC10, it is easy to see why. This machine has a special “Neuro Fuzzy” computer chip inside. That means the cooker can actually think for itself. If the kitchen is too cold, or if you added a tiny bit too much water, the machine notices. It changes the heat and the cooking time all by itself to make sure your rice comes out perfect.
Brown rice needs to soak before it boils. This machine handles that whole process for you. It even has a special setting just for semi-brown rice. The inside pan is shaped like a sphere, which helps the heat move around evenly. It also plays a cute little song when your food is ready.
Key Specifications:
- Capacity: 5.5 Cups (Uncooked)
- Dimensions: 13″D x 10.13″W x 8.13″H
- Power: 680 Watts
- Care: Wipe clean, hand wash the inner pot
Pros and Cons:
- Pros:
- The smart computer chip makes perfect rice every time.
- It has special buttons just for brown and semi-brown rice.
- The power cord rolls up inside the machine to save space.
- The round inner pot cooks everything evenly.
- Cons:
- It takes a long time to cook brown rice (over an hour).
- You have to wash the inner pot by hand so the non-stick coating doesn’t peel.
Who it’s for:
This is for people who eat rice almost every day and care a lot about the texture. If you want restaurant-quality rice and don’t mind waiting a little longer for it to cook, this is the one for you.
2. TIGER JBV-A10U 5.5-Cup Micom Rice Cooker and Warmer
If you are always busy and want to make dinner faster, you will love the Tiger JBV-A10U. The coolest thing about this machine is its “Tacook” feature. It comes with a special orange cooking tray that sits right above the rice. You can put chicken, fish, or vegetables in this tray. The machine will cook your main dish and your rice at the exact same time.
You might worry that the meat juices will drip down and ruin your rice. But Tiger designed the tray so that doesn’t happen. The flavors stay totally separate. It also has a specific button for brown rice. This setting lets the tough grains soak up water for a longer time before the heat turns up.
Key Specifications:
- Capacity: 5.5 Cups (Uncooked)
- Dimensions: 13.9″D x 10.6″W x 8.4″H
- Power: Corded Electric
- Care: Hand wash the pot and tray
Pros and Cons:
- Pros:
- You can cook a whole meal (meat, veggies, and rice) at the same time.
- The brown rice button makes sure the grains get soft.
- It is very easy to use with just four simple buttons.
- It keeps your food warm for up to 12 hours after it finishes cooking.
- Cons:
- It does not have a timer to delay the cooking for later.
- You cannot put the parts in the dishwasher.
Who it’s for:
This is great for busy parents or people who work long hours. If you want to throw your whole dinner into one machine and press a single button, this is a huge time-saver.
3. CUCKOO CRP-P1009SB High Pressure Rice Cooker
Sometimes you need to feed a lot of people. The CUCKOO CRP-P1009SB is a massive machine that can handle big jobs. It holds 10 cups of uncooked rice, which turns into 20 cups of cooked food. But size isn’t its only trick. This machine uses high pressure to cook.
Pressure cooking is amazing for brown rice. The high pressure forces the water deep into the hard outer shell of the rice grain. This makes the rice super soft and flavorful in way less time than a normal cooker. It also has a special setting for “GABA” brown rice. This setting slightly sprouts the rice before cooking it, which unlocks a bunch of healthy nutrients. It even has a voice guide that talks to you while you use it!
Key Specifications: (See Also: 7 Best Humidifiers Under $50)
- Capacity: 10 Cups (Uncooked)
- Dimensions: 11.6″D x 14.2″W x 10.2″H
- Power: 1150 Watts
- Care: Hand wash the inner pot
Pros and Cons:
- Pros:
- Pressure cooking makes brown rice soft much faster.
- The GABA setting makes your meals healthier.
- It holds enough food for huge families or parties.
- The voice guide helps you figure out the settings.
- Cons:
- It is very big and takes up a lot of room on the counter.
- It costs a lot more than basic rice cookers.
Who it’s for:
This is perfect for large families, people who like to meal-prep for the whole week, or anyone who wants the health benefits of sprouted GABA brown rice.
4. COSORI Rice Cooker 10 Cup
The COSORI 10-Cup Rice Cooker looks great and does a little bit of everything. It has 18 different functions. You can even tell the machine exactly how you want your brown rice to feel. You can choose soft, regular, or hard textures. The machine uses a smart computer chip to change its 7-step cooking process based on what you pick.
One big problem with cheap rice cookers is that steam turns into water on the lid and drips back down, making the rice soggy. COSORI fixes this by putting heaters on the top and the bottom. Also, the inner pot is made of ceramic, not standard non-stick chemicals. Best of all, you can take the pot out and put it right in the dishwasher.
Key Specifications:
- Capacity: 10 Cups (Uncooked)
- Dimensions: 12.3″D x 10.6″W x 9.2″H
- Power: 1000 Watts
- Care: Dishwasher safe parts
Pros and Cons:
- Pros:
- You can pick exactly how soft or firm you want your rice.
- Top and bottom heaters stop your food from getting soggy.
- The ceramic pot is tough and free of harsh chemicals.
- Cleanup is super easy because it goes in the dishwasher.
- Cons:
- Having 18 buttons can be confusing when you first open the box.
- It is pretty heavy, weighing over 9 pounds.
Who it’s for:
This is a great choice if you hate washing dishes by hand. It is also perfect for picky eaters who want total control over how soft or chewy their rice turns out.
5. TOSHIBA Small 3-Cup Rice Cooker
Not everyone cooks for a giant family. If you live alone, share an apartment with one other person, or have a tiny kitchen, the TOSHIBA Small 3-Cup cooker is awesome. Even though it is small, it still has the smart computer chips that the big, expensive machines have.
The best part of this little machine is the pot inside. It is 3 millimeters thick, which is very thick for a rice cooker. It is also mixed with a special material called Binchotan carbon. This carbon helps hold the heat in and pushes it right into the middle of the rice. Because the pot is so thick, your small batch of brown rice cooks perfectly without burning on the bottom.
Key Specifications:
- Capacity: 3 Cups (Uncooked)
- Dimensions: 9″D x 11″W x 8″H
- Power: 400 Watts
- Care: Wipe clean, hand wash inner pot
Pros and Cons:
- Pros:
- The extra-thick pot keeps the heat steady and stops burning.
- It is small and easy to store in a cabinet.
- It has two different delay timers so your food is ready when you wake up or get home.
- The smart chip makes sure small batches don’t dry out.
- Cons:
- It is way too small if you want to cook for more than two or three people.
- You cannot take the inner lid off, which makes it a bit annoying to wipe clean.
Who it’s for:
College students, people living alone, or couples with small kitchens. If you only want to make a little bit of rice at a time but still want it to taste great, this is for you.
6. Tiger JKT-D Multi-Functional Induction Heating (IH) Rice Cooker
If you want the absolute best technology, you need to look at Induction Heating (IH). Most normal rice cookers just have a hot metal plate at the bottom. The Tiger JKT-D uses magnets to turn the entire inner pot into the heater. The heat comes from the bottom, the sides, and everywhere all at once.
Because the heat is so even, brown rice cooks perfectly. You don’t get mushy rice on the bottom and hard rice on the top. The pot itself has three layers and a ceramic coating. It even has little handles on the side so you can lift it out without burning your fingers. It has 12 settings, including regular brown rice and the super-healthy GABA brown rice.
Key Specifications: (See Also: 10 Best Blenders: Reviews and Buying Guide)
- Capacity: 5.5 Cups (Uncooked)
- Dimensions: 10″D x 14″W x 8″H
- Power: Corded Electric
- Care: Hand wash the inner pot
Pros and Cons:
- Pros:
- Magnetic heating cooks the rice perfectly from all sides.
- It has a setting to make healthy sprouted GABA brown rice.
- The pot has handles so you won’t burn your hands taking it out.
- You can take the steam cap and inner lid off to wash them easily.
- Cons:
- This is a premium machine, so it costs a lot of money.
- You have to wash the pot carefully by hand.
Who it’s for:
People who take their rice very seriously. If you eat rice every single day and are willing to pay more for the absolute best texture and flavor, induction heating is the way to go.
7. Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
You have probably heard of the Instant Pot. While it is not just a rice cooker, we had to include it because it does such a great job with whole grains. Brown rice usually takes about an hour to cook in a normal machine. Because the Instant Pot traps steam and builds up high pressure, it can cook brown rice up to 70% faster.
Another huge bonus is the pot itself. It is made of plain stainless steel. There is no non-stick coating to scratch or peel off over time. You can use metal spoons, scrub it hard, and throw it right into the dishwasher. Plus, when you aren’t making rice, you can use it to make soup, cook a roast, or even make yogurt.
Key Specifications:
- Capacity: 6 Quarts
- Dimensions: 12.2″D x 13.38″W x 12.48″H
- Power: 1000 Watts
- Care: Dishwasher safe pot and lid
Pros and Cons:
- Pros:
- It cooks brown rice way faster than a normal rice cooker.
- The stainless steel pot will last forever and won’t peel.
- It replaces seven different kitchen tools, saving you money and space.
- The pot and the lid can go straight into the dishwasher.
- Cons:
- It doesn’t have the smart computer chips that adjust the heat for perfect texture.
- Because it isn’t non-stick, rice can stick to the bottom if you don’t use enough water.
Who it’s for:
People who want to cook fast. It is also great for people who want one machine that can cook a bunch of different meals, or people who prefer cooking on plain stainless steel instead of non-stick pans.
8. AROMA Digital Rice Cooker ARC-914SBD
You don’t have to spend a ton of money to get a good machine. The AROMA ARC-914SBD is very friendly on the wallet but still gives you digital controls. It holds 4 cups of uncooked rice. It uses basic sensors to check the temperature while it cooks.
It has a specific button just for brown rice, so you don’t have to guess how long to cook it. It also comes with a plastic steam tray. You can put broccoli or chicken in the tray and let the steam from the cooking rice cook your food. It even has a 15-hour delay timer. You can put the rice and water in before you leave for work, and it will be hot and ready the second you walk through the door.
Key Specifications:
- Capacity: 4 Cups (Uncooked)
- Dimensions: 8.63″D x 9.25″W x 8.5″H
- Power: 350 Watts
- Care: Hand wash the pot
Pros and Cons:
- Pros:
- It is very affordable and fits almost any budget.
- The delay timer is great for planning meals ahead of time.
- It comes with a tray to steam veggies while the rice cooks.
- It is simple and very easy to use.
- Cons:
- The basic heater doesn’t make rice quite as fluffy as the expensive smart machines.
- You have to wash the inner pot by hand.
Who it’s for:
College students, beginners, or anyone who wants a solid, easy-to-use digital cooker without spending a lot of money.
9. COMFEE’ Compact 6-in-1 Rice Cooker
If you have a small kitchen with very little counter space, the COMFEE’ Compact Rice Cooker is a great choice. It has a sleek, modern look and doesn’t take up much room. It holds 4 cups of uncooked rice. It has 6 simple buttons on the front, including specific settings for brown rice, oatmeal, and quinoa.
What makes this budget-friendly cooker special is how easy it is to clean. The outside is stainless steel, so you can just wipe it down with a damp cloth. The inside pot has a non-stick coating, and unlike many other cheap cookers, this pot is completely safe to put in the dishwasher. It also has a cool-touch handle so you won’t burn yourself when you open it.
Key Specifications: (See Also: 10 Best Air Fryers For French Fries)
- Capacity: 4 Cups (Uncooked)
- Dimensions: 8.82″D x 9.06″W x 9.53″H
- Power: 450 Watts
- Care: Dishwasher safe pot and accessories
Pros and Cons:
- Pros:
- It is small and easy to tuck away in a corner.
- The pot and all the extra parts can go in the dishwasher.
- It has specific buttons for healthy foods like quinoa and oats.
- It keeps your food warm automatically after it finishes cooking.
- Cons:
- It is too small if you want to cook for a big group of friends.
- It doesn’t have the advanced computer chips for super precise cooking.
Who it’s for:
People who want a small, cheap machine that is incredibly easy to clean. If you hate doing dishes and just want a simple bowl of brown rice or oatmeal, this is a great pick.
How We Chose the 9 best rice cookers for brown rice
Picking the right machines for this list took some work. Brown rice is stubborn. Because it still has its outer bran layer, water has a hard time getting inside the grain. That is why we focused on machines with smart heating technology.
We looked for cookers with “Fuzzy Logic” or microcomputer chips. These chips are smart enough to let the rice soak in warm water for a while before the water actually starts to boil. This soaking time is the secret to soft brown rice. We also gave high marks to Induction Heating (IH) models because they heat the pot from all sides, not just the bottom. Pressure cookers made the list because they use force to push water into the hard grains quickly.
We also looked at what the pots are made of. Thick pots hold heat better, which stops the bottom layer of rice from burning. Finally, we looked at how easy the machines are to use and clean. We wanted to make sure we included options with delay timers and dishwasher-safe parts.
Buying Guide: What to Look For
If you are still trying to decide which machine to buy, keep these simple things in mind:
1. How It Heats Up
- Basic Heaters: These just have a hot plate at the bottom. They are cheap and good for white rice, but brown rice might cook a little unevenly.
- Smart Chips (Micom/Fuzzy Logic): These have a computer inside that changes the heat as it cooks. They are amazing for brown rice because they program a soaking time into the cooking cycle.
- Magnetic Heating (Induction/IH): These turn the whole metal pot into a heater. They cook the most evenly but cost the most money.
- Pressure Cookers: These trap steam to cook food super fast. They make brown rice very soft in half the time.
2. How Much It Holds
Rice cookers measure size in “uncooked cups.” Keep in mind that the plastic cup that comes in the box is actually a little smaller than a normal American measuring cup.
- 3 to 4 Cups: Good for 1 or 2 people.
- 5.5 Cups: The normal size. Good for a family of 3 to 5 people.
- 10 Cups: Great for huge families, parties, or cooking food for the whole week.
3. Cleaning Up
If you cook rice every day, you have to wash the pot every day. If you hate washing dishes by hand, make sure you buy a model that says it is “dishwasher safe” (like the Instant Pot, COSORI, or COMFEE’). Many expensive models require you to wash the pot by hand so you don’t ruin the non-stick coating.
best rice cookers for brown rice FAQ
Do I really need a special machine just for brown rice?
You don’t need one, but it makes life much easier. You can cook brown rice in a cheap, one-button cooker by adding extra water, but it might still come out crunchy. A machine with a specific “Brown Rice” button is programmed to soak the grains at a low temperature before boiling them. This makes a huge difference in how soft the rice gets.
How long does it take to cook?
Brown rice takes longer than white rice. In a smart rice cooker, it usually takes about 60 to 90 minutes. The machine takes its time to soak the grains so they get soft. If you are in a rush, a pressure cooker (like an Instant Pot) can do the job in about 30 to 40 minutes.
Do I have to soak the rice in water before I turn the machine on?
If you buy a machine that has a “Brown Rice” button, no. The machine will do the soaking for you as part of its cooking cycle. But, if you buy a very cheap, basic cooker, letting the rice sit in water for 30 minutes before you turn it on will help make it softer.
How much water do I put in?
Always use the plastic cup that comes in the box to measure your rice. Then, look at the lines drawn on the inside of the metal pot. Fill the water up to the line that matches the number of cups you put in. If you lose the cup, a good rule is to use 1.5 to 2 cups of water for every 1 cup of brown rice.
Final Thoughts
Eating healthy whole grains shouldn’t be a stressful chore. You shouldn’t have to stand over a hot stove, guessing if your food is burning or turning into mush. By picking the right kitchen tool, you can take all the stress out of dinner time.
Whether you want the super-smart brain of the Zojirushi NS-ZCC10, the lightning-fast speed of the CUCKOO CRP-P1009SB, or the wallet-friendly price of the AROMA ARC-914SBD, there is a perfect machine out there for you. Finding the 9 best rice cooker for brown rice options just depends on your budget, how much space you have, and how many people you need to feed. Pick the one that fits your life, and get ready to enjoy perfect, fluffy brown rice every single time.
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