Sushi is well-loved all over the world, but few people realize that they can actually make sushi rice at home, and serve it with whatever they prefer. But the thing is, you have to use the right rice cooker. All rice cookers are awesome for making perfectly cooked rice, but not all of them can claim to be the best sushi rice cooker.
In this article, we’ll show you the best of the best sushi rice cookers as well as what features they need to cook rice so it’s perfect for making those delicious recipes.
Without further ado, let’s start our journey to find the best rice cooker for sushi.
Don’t have time to read? Here are our top picks and why we picked them:
| Rice Cooker Name | Why We Picked It |
| Aroma Housewares ARC-5000SB Digital Rice Cooker | Massive capacity |
| Zojirushi NS-TSC18 Rice Cooker for Sushi | Slow cooker abilities |
| MOOSUM Rice Cooker MO-RCB01US | Ideal for smaller families |
| Dash DRCM200GBAQ04 Mini Rice Cooker | Compact and affordable |
| Zojirushi NS-RPC10HM Rice Cooker and Warmer | Durable and robust |
| Cuckoo CRP-P0609S Pressure Cooker and Rice Cooker | Premium rice cooker |
| Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer | Makes delicious rice |
| Tiger JNP-1800-FL Rice Cooker and Warmer | Beautiful and versatile |
| Aroma Housewares MTC-8010 | Uses induction heating |
| Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH Induction Heating System | Comes with a warranty |
Benefits of Rice Cookers for Sushi
Okay, before diving into what you should always look for in a sushi rice cooker, let’s quickly look at the benefits of using the right rice cookers.
Perfectly Cooked Rice
One of the main benefits of using these rice cookers is that you’ll have rice that is well-suited to making sushi. They are designed to give you the right kind of rice every time. All you have to do is measure your liquid and rice correctly, press the right buttons, and sit back and wait for the machine to prepare it perfectly.
Grain Variety
Did you know that there are 40,000 types of cultivated rice? That’s an amazing amount and just serves to remind us why rice is a staple food in most countries.
The best sushi rice cooker will know how to cook the different rice types using the best methods. It will be able to cook short, medium, and long-grained rice just right so they taste as good as possible. Of course, no rice cooker can cook 40,000 different ways, but they are designed to know how to cook so that all varieties can be enjoyed.
Saves Time
You will find that most rice cookers can do more than just cook rice. They can also prepare other meals and help you save time so you can focus more on the things you’d like to do rather than be in the kitchen.
Can Save Your Money
Eating out every time you crave sushi can become expensive, especially if you have a big family. Making your own sushi rice and meals at home will not only be more fun but can also save you a lot of money.
How To Choose The Best Sushi Rice Cooker
Since not all sushi rice cookers are created the same, you have to keep several things in mind when shopping for one. The properties we list here are some of the most important ones but there might be something else that matters to you. Make sure the rice cooker you choose meets all your requirements before taking out your wallet.
Ease of Use
Making sushi rice should be fun, so the sushi rice cooker you use to prepare it should be easy to use. You should not have to spend most of your time just trying to figure out and set up the cooker. Sushi rice cookers with clear and easy-to-read LCD screens are usually the easiest to use.
Capacity
The capacity of the rice cooker is basically how much rice it can make in one session. How much you need depends on how big your family is and for what occasions you’ll be making sushi rice. Remember that the rice cookers with large capacity will take up more space in your kitchen.
Price
Although it can be tempting to try and save money and buy a cheaper sushi rice cooker, you should consider that cheaper models are often not of the best quality. You may have to spend a pretty penny on a new sushi rice cooker, but it is likely to last you many years.
Cleaning
It is very important that your sushi rice cooker is easy to clean because it needs to be cleaned after every use to stay in good condition. A rice cooker with dishwasher-safe parts will probably be best because they’re easier to clean. If the inner pot is non-stick and the outer body is stainless steel, even better.
Fuzzy Logic Technology
You will likely find fuzzy logic technology in all the high-end sushi cookers, especially the Asian models. This technology makes it much easier to cook any kind of rice, from brown rice to sticky rice and long-grain rice and anything in between.
Versatility
If you’re going to spend your hard-earned money on a sushi rice cooker, you might as well be sure it’s money well spent. Look for a rice cooker that is versatile and can cook rice as well as other foods like meat and vegetables. The more versatility, the more you’ll love your sushi rice cooker.
Extra Features
Any extra features that come with the cooker that you buy will make it more awesome for you. Some of the added features you can look out for are a ‘keep warm’ function, induction heating, and free accessories like measuring cups and rice spoons.
Durability
Chances are you’re not looking to buy sushi rice cookers every few months or years. It’s important, then, that you make sure the product you buy is of the highest possible quality. Take note of the materials the cooker is made of and whether or not it comes with a warranty. Most rice cookers don’t come with warranties, unfortunately.
Top Sushi Rice Cookers
Aroma Housewares ARC-5000SB Digital Rice Cooker
First on our list is the Aroma Housewares digital rice cooker, which is one of the biggest and best on the market. It has an impressive capacity of 20 cups of cooked rice, meaning you could feed your whole family with this machine.
This is an incredibly versatile rice cooker that can take care of many tasks with rice. From cooking sushi rice to preparing brown rice, steaming, sautéing, and even making fluffy cake, this rice cooker can do it all.
Although it doesn’t have the hefty price of a slow cooker, it can act as one for you. You can even make hard-boiled eggs using the steamer basket.
The delay timer makes it easy to set up your food and cooking ahead of time for up to 15 hours. You can steam your vegetables at the top while cooking your rice (or even soup) below.
An audible beep will let you know when your rice and other food are done cooking. The settings are very user-friendly, and this sushi rice cooker comes with accessories like a rice measuring cup, rice spatula, and steam tray.
The non-stick inner pot is easy to clean, and the stainless steel exterior ensures that cleaning isn’t a tedious chore.
No sushi rice cooker is perfect though, and this one has a few drawbacks. When using the ‘keep warm’ function, the rice can often come out a little bit singed or gummy because of condensation. This won’t affect the quality of your sushi rice but isn’t ideal for normal rice dishes.
Pros
- Easy to use and clean
- Very versatile cooking
- Delay timer
- Audible beep alarm
- Impressive rice capacity
- Well-designed and good-looking
Cons
- Keep warm function isn’t perfect
Zojirushi NS-TSC18 Rice Cooker for Sushi
Zojirushi rice cookers are well-known as being some of the best sushi rice cookers you’ll find. The manufacturers invest a lot of time and money to make products that serve buyers well, and this model is no exception. The stainless inner coating and exterior are of high quality and not only means the rice cooker is easy to clean, but also highly durable.
With a capacity of 20 cooked cups of rice, you can cook lots when needed. Versatility is great with this model, you can cook brown rice, sticky rice, make porridge or a cake, and prepare vegetables as well.
There are two delay time settings that make it easy to choose when the cooker should start cooking rice (or whatever else you want to prepare). An interchangeable melody and beep signal will let you know when the cooking process is finished. There is also an extended warm and reheating cycle to keep your food warm and fresh until you’re ready to eat.
The power cord is retractable for safety and convenience, and you’ll find that this sushi rice cooker is very easy to use. Thanks to the fuzzy logic technology used by this machine, your cooked rice will always come out perfectly cooked.
However, if you’re looking for a rice cooker that can do everything a slow cooker can, you’ll be disappointed by this one. It’s not able to, unfortunately. Still, it’s a fantastic rice cooker for sushi rice, and any type of rice you can think of.
Pros
- Easy to use and clean
- Uses fuzzy logic technology
- Impressive rice capacity
- Time delay settings
- Versatile cooking
- Durable
Cons
- Not suitable for slow cooking
MOOSUM Rice Cooker MO-RCB01US
The MOOSUM rice cooker is ideal for small families who don’t want a big and bulky rice cooker for making sushi rice. It has a capacity of five cups of cooked rice, so it’s not very big at all. With that said, this is cooker is capable of cooking rice perfectly.
You should note, though, that although the manufacturer says this rice cooker can make five cups of rice at once, they base it on their own measuring cups, which are a bit smaller than international measures. You’ll get just under four cups of cooked rice.
One thing that stands out about this rice cooker is how easy it is to use and make sushi rice with. You may have to experiment with the water-to-rice ration to get your different kinds of rice just perfect, but once you do you won’t look back.
The MOOSUM rice cooker is able to steam pasta, seafood, and vegetables, as well as cook soups and stews very well. Cleanups are fairly easy and straightforward, but the inner pot is not dishwasher-safe.
If you’re looking for a compact but capable rice cooker that won’t cost a fortune, this might be the perfect one for you. It doesn’t have many of the fancy features other similar rice cookers have but can still get the job done well.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Versatile cooking
- Affordable
- Cleanups are easy
- Compact and ideal for smaller families
Cons
- Must use the measuring cups provided
- Inner pot isn’t dishwasher-safe
Dash DRCM200GBAQ04 Mini Rice Cooker
This is another small and affordable sushi rice cooker that won’t break the bank but can still be useful in the kitchen. It’s available in different colors like pink, aqua, and yellow, which makes it stand out amongst other rice cookers.
You can cook sushi rice, quinoa, stews, soups, and pasta with this little guy with ease. Although it only has a capacity of two cups of rice, so it’s good for two people at most, it’s really quick at what it does. You can expect your food to be ready within less than half an hour.
However, since this is a no-frills cooker, it doesn’t come with the nice features you get with similar products. There is no on/off button so you have to unplug the cooker once you’re done and you’re not using the automatic warming function.
The handles ensure you’ll never have to burn your hands while handling this rice cooker, and the non-stick coating of the inner pot makes cleaning a breeze. It’s also dishwasher safe and surprisingly durable. You get a cute rice paddle included to prevent scratching of the inner pot and easy dishing up.
Pros
- Affordable
- Attractive and colorful design
- Versatile cooking
- Effective warming function
- Easy to use and keep clean
- Ideal for single persons or students
- Durable
Cons
- No on/off button
Zojirushi NS-RPC10HM Rice Cooker and Warmer
Here we have another Zojirushi rice cooker for sushi (certainly not the last one!) that is excellent at cooking rice perfectly every time you use it. With a capacity of 10 cups of cooked rice, you can prepare tasty rice for your whole family with ease.
The triple heater this rice cooker uses makes it one of the best rice cookers for sushi because it distributes the heat evenly for better results. The heat is conducted from the bottom, the side, and the lid for perfect temperatures for rice.
You’ll find cleanups are a breeze because the inner lid is detachable and can be washed quickly. The inner pan is just as easy to clean with a non-stick coating that also protects it.
This rice cooker is a bit expensive for its size though, and that might put you off. However, you can rest assured that it’s worth every penny because this simplistic but robust cooker is so durable and good at cooking rice.
The detachable power cord ensures safety and ease of use, and the included rice measuring cup, holder, and spatula add to the overall appeal of the product.
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Durable and robust
- Detachable inner lid and power cord
- Cleanups are a breeze
- Triple heater
Cons
- A bit expensive
Cuckoo CRP-P0609S Pressure Cooker and Rice Cooker
This Korean-made rice cooker is incredibly well designed and robust, as well as highly versatile. If you’re looking for a high-quality rice cooker that can do many tasks and last you long, this is a great option. Of course, this greatness comes at a rather steep price, so keep that in mind for the sake of your budget.
With a capacity of 12 cups of cooked rice, you can easily feed your entire family and have leftovers.
The LCD screen makes the cooker really easy to use, even with an impressive 12 cooking programs to choose from. Some of the menu options you can choose from include: GABA rice, porridge, multi-cook (for meat), scorched rice, and more. This is truly a premium rice cooker that can take on any rice-related task you can throw at it, and then some.
The rice cooker uses pressurized heat that circulates inside it to make cooking time faster, resulting in more tender textures and more flavorful dishes. The unique voice guidance function can guide you through your cooking process and is available in English, Korean, and Chinese.
This Cuckoo rice cooker comes with many safety features to ensure you stay safe while using it. Features like a pressure regulator, pressure control device, lock-checking device, overheat indicator, and automatic pressure release valve are designed for ultimate safety.
Cleaning is also very easy with the non-stick coated inner aluminum pot and a stainless steel inner lid that can be removed and washed. The cooker also uses high-power steam for impressive self-cleaning at the touch of a button.
The only negative aspect of this cooker is that its lid opens very suddenly, which might be a safety issue.
Pros
- Easy to clean with self-cleaning
- Durable and high-quality
- Very versatile cooking
- Good safety measures
- Easy to use
- Unique voice guidance
Cons
- Lid opens suddenly
- Expensive
Zojirushi NS-ZCC10 Neuro Fuzzy Rice Cooker and Warmer
This rice cooker makes use of the so-admired fuzzy logic technology that makes it a fantastic rice cooker for sushi and easy cooking. You can make perfect rice every time if you use this cooker.
With a capacity of 5.5 of uncooked rice in one session, you’ll make enough for yourself and your family with just the click of a few buttons. The handles stay cool so you can move the rice cooker around at any point if you need to.
This rice cooker is perfect for short-grain rice, and can also make fantastic sushi rice, brown rice, and even wild rice. You can also steam vegetables and pasta as well as make porridge.
Note, however, that cleaning this rice cooker isn’t as easy and can be quite a pain. You have to remove the lid and clean it after every use to prevent a build-up of mold in the crevice. The non-stick coating can also wear off over time. Because the cooker is so focused on making perfectly fluffy rice, it can take longer to cook, which might be an annoyance for some.
The programmable delay timer means you can set up your cooking ahead of time and the automatic warm cycle will keep your food warm until you’re ready to eat. An audible indicator will let you know when you’re food is done cooking.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Versatile cooking
- Good capacity
- Makes delicious rice
- Uses fuzzy logic technology
- Stay-cool handles for safety
Cons
- Pricey
- Difficult to clean
- Slow cooking
Tiger JNP-1800-FL Rice Cooker and Warmer
If you’re looking for a durable, well-designed, and effective rice cooker that is also attractive, you will love this one. It has a beautiful floral design that makes it stand out from other rice cookers. And it’s not just beauty you get, this rice cooker has a capacity of 10 cups of cooked rice, making it a really big cooker.
You’d expect this cooker to be very expensive, but it’s surprisingly affordable. The cooker uses a heating pad that will cook your rice to perfection and the one-touch function is all you need for your rice cooking needs.
However, this method of heating can sometimes lead to the bottom rice being too dry or burning, so you may have to use a little more water than normal to prevent this problem.
An auto-shutoff and keep warm function means you can leave your rice for up to 12 hours without worrying if it will go soggy. The retractable power cord makes the cooker convenient to use and the removable steam vent will keep your rice from becoming too moist.
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Versatile cooking
- Easy cleaning
- Great rice capacity
- Auto-shutoff
- Up to 12 hours effective keep warm function
- Retractable power cord
- Beautiful design
Cons
- Heating can cause dry or burned rice
Aroma Housewares MTC-8010
This beautiful multi-cooking rice cooker is versatile, durable, and uses clever technology to cook perfect rice. It uses induction heating along with conductive heavy copper that makes sure your food is heated from all sides. This results in even cooking and delicious food.
With 12 cooking programs, you can prepare almost anything you wish in this rice cooker. While your rice cooks below, you can steam vegetables and meat in the steam tray simultaneously, saving you a lot of time. The automatic heating function will keep your food fresh and warm, and you can choose between high and low slow cooking settings for convenient cooking.
You can choose to make as much as 20 cups of cooked rice in one cooking session or as little as four cups. This cooker is also able to perfectly cook a variety of grains, and prepare other foods like cake, tart, soup, and even yogurt.
The sauté-then-simmer feature will bring up the heat to sauté your food and then simmer the liquids, giving everything wonderful flavors. Although there are so many controls and features, the cooker is easy to use and has a digital display that keeps you informed of what’s going on.
Included with the rice cooker are a bamboo spatula, rice spatula, soup ladle, and a measuring cup. The only negative comment to make about this cooker is that it is rather big and bulky, and will take up quite a bit of space in your kitchen. It is also a bit expensive.
Pros
- Versatile rice capacity
- Easy to use and clean
- Automatic keep warm function
- Very versatile cooking
- 12 easy cooking programs
- Comes with nice accessories
- Induction heating
Cons
- Pricey
- A bit bulky
Zojirushi NP-HCC10XH Induction Heating System
We round up our list with this Zojirushi rice cooker that uses induction heating to evenly heat your food for better taste and quicker cooking. This is another premium rice cooker that is made from high-quality materials and will last you for many years.
Of course, this kind of promise comes at a price, and the cooker is one of the most expensive you’ll find. Fortunately, though, you get a one-year warranty for peace of mind — something not many rice cookers offer. If you want perfectly cooked fluffy rice every single time, you won’t mind spending extra money on this cooker.
A capacity of 10 cups of cooked rice means you can easily cook an entire feast or make a meal with some leftovers. The stainless steel exterior and non-stick coated interior mean you won’t ever have to struggle to clean the cooker. The ‘keep warm’ function works well and you can make more than rice — porridge and pasta is no problem for this rice cooker.
An orange LCD control panel makes the machine easy to use and the clock and timer add to its convenience. You can choose from two different delay timer settings and an interchangeable melody will let you know when your food is ready.
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Effective, even induction heating
- Durable
- Good rice capacity
- Keep warm function ensures freshness
- Comes with a one-year warranty
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Expensive
Frequently Asked Questions
Here we have some of the most commonly asked questions regarding sushi rice cookers:
Is a Rice Cooker Good for Sushi?
Yes, as long as you buy the best rice cooker you can find. You can use any of the rice cookers on our list — they’re great at cooking perfect sushi rice.
Which Brand Rice Cooker Is Best?
There are many fantastic brands that make delicious sushi rice. Some of the most trusted include Zojirushi and Aroma Housewares.
How Long Does It Take to Cook Sushi Rice in a Rice Cooker?
This depends on the rice cooker you’re using, but you can expect anything between 20 minutes and 35 minutes to be spent on cooking perfect sushi rice.
Can a Rice Cooker Be Used to Slow Cook the Rice?
There are some rice cookers that can do exactly this. But you’ll find that most rice cookers take a bit longer anyway to give your rice an enhanced texture and flavor.
How Long Can You Use the Keep Warm Function?
Again, this is something that depends on the rice cooker. Some can keep your rice warm for 12 hours while others are able to do so for 48 hours. It is not recommended that you leave your rice for more than 48 hours because the quality of the rice will begin to seriously decrease.
What Kind of Rice Should I Use for Sushi?
The best kind of rice is typically white rice of the long-grain Calrose variety. You should always use white rice. Some rice sellers will indicate that their product is ‘Sushi rice’, to make it easier for you. The most important factor is how you cook it, so don’t worry too much about what kind of rice you use, as long as it’s white.
Final Thoughts
Finding the perfect rice cooker for sushi isn’t as easy as it seems since there are so many options to choose from, but our list here should guide you in the right direction. Use this article to make an informed choice and make the most delicious rice, whether it’s for sushi or stews!
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
