The best Zojirushi rice cooker will make preparing your favorite rice dish effortless. Models made by this manufacturer have a reputation for faster cooking time, and perfect results each and every time. This manufacturer has been around for decades, so it’s no surprise that they’re the leading rice cooker manufacturer in the industry, producing bigger and better models year after year. If you’re shopping for a new rice cooker, and specifically looking for the best model by Zojirushi, then this buyer’s guide and my product recommendations, will help you narrow down your choices to find the perfect model, one that’s powerful and capable of preparing your favorite rice dish in just a few simple steps. I’ve included four of the best-selling models made by this manufacturer. Each rice cooker earned a high user rating for ease of use, versatility, and efficiency.
Below, you’ll find a comparison chart, which includes each of these top-selling models, their best features, and how they rated.
Table of Contents
Zojirushi Rice Cooker Comparison Chart
| Product | Sizes | Induction Heat | Capacity | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH Rice Cooker  Shop On Amazon! | 2 | Yes | 5.5 Cups | |
Zojirushi NS-TSC10 Rice Cooker  Shop On Amazon! | 1 | No | 5.5 Cups | |
Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 Rice Cooker  Shop On Amazon! | 1 | No | 5.5 Cups | |
Zojirushi NHS-06 Rice Cooker  Shop On Amazon! | 3 | No | 3 Cups |
Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH Induction Heat Rice Cooker
Our Rating:
This is Zojirushi’s top-selling induction rice cooker, with a power rating of 1230 watts. This model has a rice cooking capacity of five and a half cups and an automatic keep warm feature and extended keep warm option. Since this model uses induction heat, the cooker will be able to adjust the temperature inside the inner pan, for perfectly cooked rice. The multiple cooking modes will allow you to make brown rice, sweet rice, sushi rice, jasmine, oatmeal, and more. Because this is a smart cooker, even beginners will have no trouble choosing the right mode, based on the type of rice or dish they want to prepare. The detachable lid allows users to easily clean out the interior of the cooker and the lid itself, which makes maintenance a cinch.
Pros
- Induction heat
- Several cooking modes to choose from
- High cooking capacity
- Easy to use
Cons
- Makes a loud humming noise
Conclusion
The induction heat technology makes it easy to cook a variety of grains, perfectly. The multi-menu cooking functions allow cooks to use this model for so much more than just cooking rice. This rice cooker has a reputation as one of the most beginner-friendly models on the market, partially due to the large LED display that makes it easy to choose the settings and cooking program. Additionally, this model comes with a one-year limited warranty on labor and parts, which will give buyer’s peace of mind knowing the manufacturer stands behind their products.
Zojirushi NS-TSC10 5Micom Rice Cooker
Our Rating:
This rice cooker is equipped with fuzzy logic technology, which allows it to expertly adjust temperature settings and lengthen the cooking time based on the doneness of the food. The cooker has a cooking capacity of five and a half cups, which makes it a good choice for bigger families. The automatic warming feature and the optional extended warming feature will ensure your rice stays warm and ready to serve, for as long as you need it to. The large LCD control panel is easy to read and includes timer and clock functions. Aside from rice, users can also choose from a variety of cooking functions using the included steaming basket for fish, veggies, and more. There is also a cake menu setting, so you can whip up your favorite cake in no time. A cake in a rice cooker? Yep! This set includes a spatula and holder, measuring cup for rice, and a steam basket.
Pros
- User-friendly
- Includes a steaming basket
- Fuzzy logic technology
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Price
Conclusion
The high cooking capacity, cooking programs, and the included steam basket will make this appliance one of the most versatile in the kitchen. Bake a cake, steam fresh veggies and fish, or cook a large pot of rice to perfection, this model will be invaluable to the busy cook who’s in need of a rice cooker that’s versatile and able to withstand heavy-duty use.
Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 Rice Cooker
Our Rating:
This computerized five and a half cup rice cooker utilizes fuzzy logic technology to produce perfectly cooked rice, each and every time. The large LCD display makes choosing the correct settings and cooking programs a breeze. The cooking functions include options for brown rice, sweet rice, porridge, mixed rice, white, and more. The steam program can be used to steam your favorite foods including fresh fish and veggies.
The keep warm feature will switch on automatically once the rice has finished cooking, so you’ll have rice that’s warm and ready to serve, anytime. As I mentioned above, this model uses microcomputer technology, which will do all of the thinking for the cook, adding time to the presoak stage or extending the cooking time, based on the doneness of the rice. This takes all the guesswork out of cooking the perfect dish.
Pros
- Fuzzy logic technology
- Includes several cooking programs
- Steam mode
- Stay warm feature
Cons
- Exhaust leaks water
Conclusion
The addition of fuzzy logic technology allows cooks of all skill levels to create perfectly cooked rice. With the use of the stay warm feature, you can have rice hot and ready to serve, whenever you need it. This model is perfect for the busy professional who normally scrambles to get dinner on the table after a long day at the office. Cooks looking for a rice cooker that allows you to set it and forget will fall in love with everything this model has to offer.
Zojirushi NHS-06 Rice Cooker
Our Rating:
This rice cooker is one of the most budget-friendly options in the Zojirushi lineup. While it’s pretty basic in design, it’s a great choice for the family on a tight budget and anyone who doesn’t need a rice cooker for anything other than cooking a pot of rice to perfection. The controls are very simple, which makes this cooker more beginner-friendly compared to competing models in this price bracket. The inner cooking pan is coated with a durable nonstick coating, so clean up is fast and simple. Unfortunately, this particular model has a smaller cooking capacity of three cups, however, this lower cooking capacity will work out great for smaller families. The pot is equipped with stay cool handles, so the cooker can be transported from surface to surface without burning the user’s hands. The included steam tray is a nice extra and one that adds more functionality to this basic model. With the use of the steam tray, cooks can prepare steamed fish and veggies, which allows users to whip up a healthy meal in no time.
Pros
- Compact
- Basic controls
- Pan features a durable nonstick coating
- Steam tray included
- Low price
Cons
- Does not include cooking programs
- Does not use fuzzy logic or induction heat
- Low rice cooking capacity
Conclusion
This is one of the most basic rice cookers that you’ll find from Zojirushi. However, for the cook who is simply looking for a straightforward rice cooker, this model will be a great buy. It may not be flashy or loaded with cooking programs, but it cooks rice just as well as other higher priced models in the manufacturer’s lineup.
Zojirushi Rice Cooker Buyer’s Guide
If you’ve used a rice cooker in the past, then you may be surprised to learn what modern models are able to do, aside from cooking fluffy jasmine rice with the perfect texture. In fact, many of Zojirushi’s rice cookers are so popular because they can cook anything from rice and oatmeal, to steamed veggies and bread. Their extensive line of rice cookers give buyers a variety of top-selling, feature-packed models to choose from that are available in a variety of price points. Of course, the type you choose will be based on your budget, how many people you will be preparing food for, and the type of functionality you’re looking for. If you’re searching for a model that’s a true workhorse and one that you can use to cook different dishes, aside from rice, then these models by Zojirushi are a great choice. But before I dive into what makes these models so popular, let’s first learn how a standard rice cooker works, in order to understand why models produced by this manufacturer are so different.
A rice cooker is made up of four main parts:
- Thermal sensor
- Main body
- Heating plate
- Inner cooking pan
The thermal sensor is a spring-loaded, small thermometer that will measure the heat inside the rice cooker, throughout the cooking process. When the inner pan is filled with food and water, the thermometer is depressed. As soon as the heating element is turned on, the appliance will quickly bring the water to a boil. Once the water reaches the boiling point it will remain stable as the rice cooks. As the grains start soaking up the water, it will begin to steam, which is what cooks the rice. As all off the water is absorbed, the temperature in the pan starts to increase again. The thermometer senses this change in temperature and causes the device to shut down or it will switch to the keep warm setting.
A rice cooker heats the contents of the inner pan by transferring heat from the heating element that’s located on the bottom of the pan up into the inner pan.
How long it takes to cook the rice will depend on the type of material the pan is made out of. Certain types of materials, such as aluminum and copper, can conduct heat better than others.
Must-Have Features
Below, I’ll go over some of the common features you’ll find on a rice cooker made by Zojirushi and how these devices work.
Fuzzy Logic
Many models will also come equipped with fuzzy logic. This technology is used to cook rice using a more humanistic approach. Fuzzy logic will incorporate the idea of almost or slightly to help determine a rice’s doneness. This will give the appliance the ability to make a judgement call in terms of when to shut down the cooking process.
Models with fuzzy logic often come equipped with a variety of cooking functions, while a standard rice cooker will only be able to prepare white rice.
Rice cookers with fuzzy logic will often allow users to prepare curry rice, dessert rice, sticky rice and more.
Induction Heat
Many top of the line Zojirushi cookers also use induction heat. The heat used in induction cooking is created via a magnetic field that develops when the heating element’s copper coil reacts with the conductive metal of the inner pan. This will create an electric current, which heats up the food. This type of warming method will improve the rice cooker’s functionality in a few ways. Instead of the heat coming solely from the heating element located on the bottom of the pan, the heat will be generated all over the pan. This results in rice that’s evenly cooked.
With induction heat, the temperature sensing feature is also more accurate, so more delicate temperature adjustments can be made.
Last of all, the temperature is changed instantly when the user makes an adjustment, which isn’t something you can expect from a standard rice cooker, so it’s a huge selling point for many serious cooks who often prepare delicate dishes.
Unfortunately, a traditional heating element can take at least two to three minutes before a temperature change will be registered, which can be problematic for certain dishes.
Lids
Many lids are attached to the top of a cooker via a hinge system. For easier cleanup, look for a model that has a lid that’s detachable, so you can clean the lid separately. This will also make it a lot easier to wipe out the interior of the cooker.
Settings
If you haven’t had much luck preparing brown rice in the past, then you’ll be blown away by how easy it is to cook brown rice in a rice cooker. Fortunately, most models will come with dedicated buttons for each type of rice, including brown, so you’ll no longer have to deal with rice that’s over or undercooked. However, feature-packed models will come with a variety of cooking modes that are designed for different types of foods including veggies, pasta, oats, and grains. You’ll find a wide range of cooking modes to choose from. Some models are pretty basic and will only allow you to choose the type of rice you want to prepare, while others offer more options including dessert rice, yogurt, steamed veggies, oats, and more. A rice cooker with more modes will come with a higher price tag, but this type of versatility will allow you to get more use out of your rice cooker.
Why Are Zojirushi Rice Cookers Better?
These rice cookers are often known for their quality. They’re also popular for their versatility. Many models offer a wide range of features that will allow the user to prepare different types of grains, in addition to your favorite rice cooker recipes. The cooker can be used to cook, bake, and steam. Additionally, most models will come with a stay warm feature and a delay timer, both of which are popular features that allow the user to program the cooker to prepare rice and have it warm and ready at a set time.
Modern Designs
Considered one of the best rice cooker manufacturers, Zojirushi’s models often feature a smart design, such as LCD displays, automatic cleaning modes, different cooking methods, and more. One of the most popular features is the microcomputer chip technology that you’ll find in higher priced models. This tech works to automatically control the cooking temperature, allowing you to set it and forget it. Basically, this means the rice cooker will cook the rice to perfection, without your intervention, so you can always anticipate great results.
Maintenance
Some models will come with a self-cleaning mode, while lower-priced models won’t. Fortunately, these rice cookers are very easy to clean, mainly due to the high-quality inner pans that feature a nonstick surface. For more information on the do’s and don’t of cleaning your rice cooker, be sure to stop by and read my in-depth article on how to clean a rice cooker in five easy steps.
Final Thoughts
The best Zojirushi rice cooker will come loaded with all the right smart features that are designed to turn out rice that’s cooked to perfection each and every time. These rice cookers are popular for both amateur and pro cooks and are a great choice for beginners since cooking a wide variety of dishes in one of these appliances is a relatively hands-off process. This guide and the products I’ve included will help you choose the right rice cooker based on your cooking preferences, the size of your family and your budget. Many of the models in my lineup scored big in several areas including versatility, ease of use, power, and overall durability. If you’re looking for an appliance that can handle heavy-duty use, and a rice cooker that can prepare so much more than just rice, then a model made by Zojirushi is the perfect choice.
