Best Rice Cookers Under $50: Complete Buyer’s Guide and Review

Why break your purse on a cereal pot when we can give you a good rice cooker under $50? Technology has given us numerous modern options, but there are traditional one-button with fantastic features. 

Whichever it is, the fact remains that rice cookers prepare the food better, faster, and even with less stress. Check out my review of the best rice cookers under $50 and buying guides to pick out the one that most suits you.

Top 8 Best Rice Cookers Under $50 in 2022

Below I have done thorough research to provide you the best rice cooker at a price of fewer than 50 dollars. 

Products	Capacity/ Cooked Rice(Cups)	Material	Wattage
Aroma Houseware Rice Grain Cooker	8	Stainless steel	200
BLACK+DECKER RC506 Rice Cooker	6	Plastic	300
Dash DRCM200BK Mini Rice Cooker	1	Plastic, Metal	200
Hamilton Beach Programmable Rice Cooker	8	Stainless steel	750
Aroma Housewares Digital Rice Cooker	20	Aluminum	860
Zojirushi NHS-06 Rice Cooker	6	Stainless steel	300
Panasonic SR-3NAL Rice Cooker	3	Aluminum	200
IMUSA GAU-00013 Electric Rice Cooker	16	Glass, Metal	—-

1. Aroma Houseware Rice Grain Cooker

Enjoy well-cooked rice in the shortest cooking time with the Aroma Houseware Rice Grain Cooker. It comes with four preset digital functions which usage is quite easy. 

Besides, the automatic mode ensures that your food remains warm even after hours of switching it off. Moreover, you can utilize its multifunctional feature to make other meals while the rice is cooking. It has a compartment for nutrient-rich foods. 

You know what? 

I would choose aroma digital rice cookers any day for their versatility. The steam from the rice below cooks the food gently and helps to preserve the nutrient in them. 

Here’s an interesting fact.

It also comes with a steam tray that helps separate the cooker into different sections. The material used for the inner pot is not only durable but stick-resistant. 

What does this mean? 

You get to enjoy easy clean processes and non-stick cooking. Besides, its bonded granite finish doesn’t crack or flake. It’s extremely sturdy. 

Additionally, it features accessories that make the cooking process easy and forward. It comes with a measuring cup, rice paddle, and plastic steamer tray. 

Pros 

Cons

Takeaway

This cooker conveniently cooks 2-8 cups of rice with special functions suited for different rice varieties. 

Now here’s the part I love so much.

You mustn’t be around to switch off the cooker as it has an automatic switch to keep warm mode. This mode activates once the rice has finished cooking. You can also use the 15-hour delay timer to stretch the cook-time. 

2. BLACK+DECKER RC506 Rice Cooker

You’d love to cook your rice in a cooker that guarantees maximum flavor, right? Then, I advise you to go for this BLACK DECKER Rice Cooker, which runs on 120 volts and 300 watts power. You can simmer a 6-cup rice meal in a matter of minutes and keep the food warm for the whole day. 

You want to know how? 

The gadget completes the cooking in 20-30minutes and switches to the keep-warm function. You can check this with the indicator lights at the device bottom. 

Moreover, you can remove the cooking bowl from the gadget to enable you to clean it easily.  You can also use your dishwasher to clean the bowl since it’s safe. 

Do you want to add a rice cooker that can steam vegetables and other foods? Then this is the best option for you.

Why is it a perfect choice?

You can steam from the boiling rice using the steaming basket. This method is healthier as it helps to retain nutrients thanks to the non-direct form of heat. 

Pros

Cons

Takeaway

It’s one of the best rice cooker brands with its easy-cook features. After every meal, you save yourself the cleaning stress since the device is dishwasher safe. It also ensures that your food stays hot. 

3. Dash Mini Rice Cooker

Ever thought of going on a trip with a cooker? I guess that’s not on your checklist because they’re always bulky. But Dash DRCM200BK Mini Rice Cooker just changed the narrative with its compactness. 

It’s perfect for your small kitchen and suitable for travel. Besides, it has an easy setup procedure that saves a lot of time for you. Thus, you can get your finished rice in only 20 minutes. Besides, you can steam your veggies at the same time in the healthiest of ways. 

All you have to do is put the food and ingredients and press the cook button. After a few minutes, come back to get your meal. 

Moreover, you don’t have to worry about overcooking again. The gadget activates the keep warm mode after the cooking is over. The food is not overcooked, and the meal remains warm and healthy. 

What’s more, you can prepare your oatmeal and pasta with this cooker with ease. 

Pros

Cons

Takeaway

It’s compact and functional, gets your food done in minutes, and holds its warmth for hours. 

The Dash rice cooker is an asset in the kitchen and a lifesaver on long trips. Not just for grains, you can prepare a full course meal with this fantastic device. 

4. Hamilton Beach Programmable Rice Cooker

Experience technology at its best with the Hamilton beach programmable Rice Cooker. You can leave it with a preset instruction to cook and steam without supervision. 

Do you get that? 

With just the touch of a button, you can always program the device to cook, steam, or warm any food. More so, it comes with a steam basket which can also serve as a rice rinser. 

You can use the basket to steam other foods and to clean the rice before simmering. 

The cover straps help to cover the pot properly when cooking to avoid spillage and leaks. More so, the stainless-steel material gives the pot a classy touch and makes it more durable. 

Moreover, it comes with a display timer that shows the cooking time. It also has a warm function that keeps the food warm for hours after cooking. 

Pros

Cons

Takeaway

The rice cooker is small and would fit into any kitchen size. Besides, its body finish gives it a touch of class and adds to its durability. It’s a device I would buy many times over because it’s one of the best stainless-steel rice cookers available on sale. 

5. Aroma Housewares Digital Rice Cooker

The brand is so good that I had to add another of its efficient cooker to my list. The Aroma digital rice cooker is a massive capacity device that prepares up to 20 cups of rice at a go. It’s your perfect camping cooker for all varieties of rice and grains. 

Besides, it is a perfect commercial rice cooker you can use in restaurants and outdoor events. 

Do you know the exciting part? 

You can use it to steam meat and vegetables when the rice is cooking underneath. And it’s a great deal for soups and jambalaya meals thanks to its massive capacity and keep warm feature. 

Moreover, you may choose to stretch your cook time over a 15-hour delay period with the delay timer. The round-shaped cooker comes with a steam tray, serving spoon, and a measuring cup for an eased-out cooking process. 

You’d want to see this. 

The cooking bowl has 5-non-stick granite layers for enhanced durability. Thus, you don’t have to worry about food sticking to the bottom of the pot. Therefore, you can clean the bowl nicely and easily after every meal. 

Pros

Cons

Takeaway

With the Aroma Digital rice cooker, you can always save time without losing one ounce of quality. The device helps you cook different kinds of food by pressing a button. 

Moreover, you can always set your desired timing to accommodate other chores or routines with the delayed timer feature. 

6. Zojirushi Rice Cooker

This portable stainless-steel rice cooker is the perfect device for all your cooking purposes on a long trip. Zojirushi is one of the best Japanese rice cookers you’ll get on the market without prejudice. 

Why do I say so? 

The reason is that at a 3-cup capacity, the cooker still contains a steaming tray for your vegetable extras. The Zojirushi rice cooker feature gives you the chance to have a complete meal.

The switch is easy to use as you only have to flip it to get the device functional. Besides, it offers the keep warm feature to retain your food’s fresh taste. 

Moreover, you can monitor your cooking through the see-through glass lid. The transparent cover has a knob that is always cool and so doesn’t burn your fingers. 

Pros

Cons

Takeaway

Thanks to its features, this is one of the best rice cookers you’ll get at such a low price. You just have to love its compactness and functionality. All your burnt rice worries are over with the Zojirushi NHS-06. 

7. Panasonic SR-3NAL Rice Cooker

There’s one thing I’m sure you’d love with this automatic rice cooker, and that is the accuracy with which it functions. 

Besides, it comes with a measuring cup for a precise amount of uncooked rice into the bowl. It also starts working immediately you push the switch, and it stops by itself once you finish cooking. 

The pan is an aluminum-coated material, and so it doesn’t burn foods or cause them to stick. This is due to an even distribution of heat to enhance fast and proper cooking. 

Moreover, the tempered glass lid with the white plastic knob helps you to monitor your food safely. The pot also offers easy-clean traits because the aluminum coat is not hard to wash. 

Pros

Cons

Takeaway

This Panasonic rice cooker can handle all your rice cooking problems no matter the variety. It saves you ample time on constant checks and provides the perfect opportunity to multitask. 

However, if you are the type that always wants to monitor your food, the see-through glass makes it even easier. 

8. IMUSA Electric Rice Cooker

IMUSA GAU-00013 Electric Rice Cooker gives you full value for your money. It ensures to preserve your rice and food flavor throughout the time the grains are in the pot. 

Care to know how? 

The gadget steams at a moderate speed to give well-prepared rice in a few minutes. After cooking, the keep warm function comes into full effect. It ensures that you have an enjoyable meal all through your serving time. 

Moreover, just like the Tiger rice cooker, the IMUSA device is easy to use and energy-efficient. It saves energy by using a short time for 16 cups of rice. It’s one of the best rice cookers Amazon sells.

Above all, it doesn’t go off until it gives you the perfect rice texture. 

Pros

Cons

Takeaway

You can use the rice cooker for various meals to enjoy fast cooking. The removable non-stick pot is easy to wash, so you need not worry about that. 

An air vent is on the glass lid, which lets off excess steam and makes for a better-cooked meal. 

Guides to buying the Best Cooker

You should consider some key features if you are looking for the best rice cooker under 50 dollars. Below, I provide you with the rice cooker buying guides to help you make the right choice.

Cooking Capacity

This factor determines the quantity the device can cook conveniently at a go. This feature is the difference between cooking your food once and cooking it more than once. 

Are you cooking for yourself alone, or do you have a large family?

Rice cookers come in various sizes. Before selecting a brand, you must consider what you or your family can eat at a go. If you have a large family, you might consider getting a rice cooker with a large capacity. 

Some people may need only one cup, with others might require up to six cups or more. 

The larger the size, the more expensive the cooker is. Understand this so you do not overshoot your budget.    

Cooking Speed

Do you want your food to be ready within minutes, or do you prefer slowly-cooked food? 

Cooking speed is a critical factor to consider when purchasing the best rice cookers under $50. Consider it carefully. 

If speed is a critical factor for you, you should consider buying a fast product to cook your food within a few minutes. These are faster than the regular ones.  

But you must also understand that the slower your food cook, the more quality the output. If taste and quality are of critical importance to you, a slower cooker might work fine for you.

Hence, when looking for affordable rice cookers, consider the speed and cooking quality. You should not sacrifice one for the other. 

Moreover, some often come with adjustable settings for various kinds of styles. Hence, you can tweak the settings depending on how soft or crisp you want your food.        

Cooker Design

Most Rice cooker brands offer models of various designs and capacities. They also come with several functions and features. 

Some models allow you to cook other foods too. This includes oat and beans.  

There is also an automatic rice cooker that comes with programmable settings and an auto-shut-off function after cooking. This allows you to do other things while your food is cooking.    

Ease of Use

A good cooker should be easy to use. Besides, it should come with an easily understandable manual.  

No one wants to end up stuck and confused when they want to cook and eat.  Buy a brand that is easy to use and understand. 

Cleaning and Maintenance

I will recommend getting the best stainless steel rice cooker as they are easy to clean and maintain. Also, ensure to get one that comes with removable and non-stick components for easy cleaning. 

Do you like to wash your kitchenware in a dishwasher? 

Check the model to see if it is dishwasher safe before buying. The cooker should also have a detachable lid so it can clean the bottom perfectly.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about a rice cooker. They will help you out.  

Is it Possible to Buy Spare Parts for A Rice Cooker?

Yes, you can do so depending on the design and model. But if the damage is severe, or the outer part spoils, you should consider buying another product.  

What Type of Cookers Are There?

There are several types of rice cookers in the market. You can get a conventional or electric model or an automated one.

Now here is the thing.

Basic cookers shut down themselves after cooking. Besides, they cook at the perfect temperature without overheating the food. 

Automatic or digital brands feature advanced technology. You can program them, thanks to the servo controllers, logic gates, and other enhanced chips.

You can also use them for cooking various legumes at adjustable temperatures and cooking time. 

There are rice cookers with pressure cooking features that increase the steam to cook faster.   Besides, some have heating induction to keep the inside warm. This makes for better temperature regulation, better timing, and tasty food. 

So, what does this mean in essence?

Automatic models are more expensive.  

What Accessories Would I Need for My Rice Cooker?

Whether you’re buying a portable model or looking for the best commercial rice cooker, consider getting one with additional accessories. These extra features include a measuring cup, serving spoon, handy recipe book, and stream tray. 

Final Word 

Gone are the days when you worry so much about burning your rice. Rice cookers make the cooking process easier, faster, and better. 

And here is the good thing

You don’t need to break the bank to get one. Just pick from the best rice cookers under $50 on my list.