Best 6 Cheap & Affordable Rice Cookers Reviewed By Expert




Looking to secure the best cheap rice cooker on the market?

In that case, look no further!

Continue reading this informative piece to find out about the prices of the budget rice cookers, their versatile applications, and the features they have to offer. Moreover, read the reviews of best of best, automatic, big, small, Japanese, and plastic models you can buy without spending a lot of money.

The Rundown

Best Of Best Affordable Rice Cooker
Aroma Affordable Rice Cooker
Use the digital panel with programs for white, brown, and flash rice to make between 2 and 8 cups of rice, steam foods, etc.
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Best Automatic Budget Rice Cooker
Black+Decker Rice Steamer RundownBlack+Decker Rice Cooker
Simultaneously steam food and cook rice with a one-touch operation. Get up to 6 cups of cooked rice with an auto warming mode.
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Best Big Cheap Rice Cooker
Elite Gourmet Rice Cooker ERC-2020 RundownElite Gourmet Budget Rice Cooker
This model cooks up to 20 cups of rice inside a surgical-grade 304 stainless steel inner pot, suitable for white, brown, jasmine rice, etc.
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Best Small Budget Rice Cooker
Aroma Mi Single Portion Rice Cooker RundownAroma Inexpensive Rice Cooker
Ideal for serving singles and couples, this model can be used on the go to make 3 cups of cooked white or brown rice.
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Best Japanese Affordable Rice Cooker
Tiger Rice Cooker RundownTiger Rice Cooker
At an affordable price, this model works to control the cooking process of rice with the help of the featuring microcomputer.
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Best Plastic Cheap Rice Cooker
Progressive Plastic Rice Cooker RundownProgressive International Cooker
Made of plastic that is safe for microwave use, this cooker is suitable for any type of rice and cooks it in a matter of minutes.
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Best 6 Budget Rice Cookers

Best Of Best Affordable Rice Cooker

Aroma Affordable Rice Cooker

Versatile Settings
This rice cooker is one of the best affordable rice cooker models. It can be purchased for the price of around just 30 dollars on Amazon. Featuring a digital panel, you can cook white and brown rice and much more with just a touch of a button. You can also choose to cook rice fast, to keep it warm, or to delay cooking.

Aroma 8 Cup Rice Cooker

2 To 8 Cups Of Rice
With a 4-quart unit, it can be used to cook between 2 and 8 cups of rice. Besides rice, it can be used to steam meats and vegetables, cook chili, jambalaya, or even cake. The steaming tray can be used above the cooking rice to make one-pot meals by steaming and cooking rice simultaneously.

Included Contents
The compact size of this digital rice cooker ensures it doesn’t take up a lot of space on the kitchen countertop or in the cupboards when stored away. The handle on top of the lid is also convenient for carrying the cooker. Apart from the steaming tray, you will also get a measuring cup and a rice paddle.

Aroma Rice Cooker Timer

Auto Warm Mode
By using the included instructions, you can do much more than just cook white and brown rice with the programmed settings. It allows you to cook grains such as quinoa, barley, and more. After cooking, this kitchen appliance automatically keeps the rice warm until serving time.

Short Description:

  • digital panel with cooking programs
  • white, brown rice, fast rice, and more
  • cooks between 2 and 8 cups of rice
  • steams foods in the steaming tray
  • can also cook quinoa, barley, chili, etc

Best Automatic Budget Rice Cooker

Black+Decker Rice Cooker

6-Cup Capacity
This automatic rice cooker features a single lever for operation, allowing you to cook rice and then keep it warm. It has a capacity of 6 cups of cooked, and 3 cups of uncooked rice. This best affordable rice cooker can be bought for the price of 20 dollars on Amazon. You can use it to cook as little as 1 and as much as 6 cups of rice.

Black+Decker Rice Steamer

Single Switch Operation
By using this item, you can make bigger or smaller meals that will be automatically kept warm until serving time. All you have to do to start cooking is to add the water and rice to the pot and turn on the switch. The indicator light for cooking will turn on to show that the rice is being cooked.

Dishwasher Safe Pot
After cooking, the cooker switches to the warming mode automatically. To show that the rice is being kept warm, the warming indicator light will turn on. After cooking, you can remove the inner pot from the cooker and put it in the dishwasher for easy cleanup.

Black+Decker Rice Steamer Review

Accessories Included
Besides cooking rice, you can use this model to steam foods above the cooking rice. The steaming tray is included and can be used inside the cooking pot to make one-pot meals while saving time and space, without sacrificing quality. A measuring cup and a rice paddle are included.

Short Description:

  • simple one-touch operation
  • cooks 1 to 6 cups of rice
  • features an automatic warming mode
  • cooking and warming indicator lights
  • steaming tray for steaming foods
  • comes with a measuring cup and spoon

Best Big Cheap Rice Cooker

Elite Gourmet Budget Rice Cooker

20-Cup Capacity
This big rice cooker has a capacity of 20 cups of cooked rice. It can hold 10 cups of uncooked rice and is suitable for brown, jasmine, white, rice, and more. This best affordable rice cooker can be used for more than just cooking rice, allowing you to cook porridge, stews, soups, and oatmeal.

Elite Gourmet Rice Cooker ERC-2020

Free Of Toxins
The inner cooking pot is made of stainless steel material free of any chemical coatings. This makes it a healthy alternative to non-stick inner pots, as it is free of lead, aluminum, and toxins usually found in non-stick coatings. The body of the cooker has cool-touch handles, and the lid is transparent for checking in on the cooking process.

Suitable For Gatherings
To measure the amount of rice properly, you will get a measuring cup with this rice cooker. A rice spatula is also included for serving rice. With the 20-cup capacity, you can feed more than just your family. It is ideal for cooking enough rice for a gathering, or for multiple servings during family dinners.

Elite Gourmet Rice Cooker ERC-2020 Review

Easy To Clean
The 304 surgical-grade stainless steel material will be easy to keep clean, allowing you to enjoy rice with many different meals time and time again. After cooking, this item turns on the warming setting automatically to keep the rice warm until serving.

Short Description:

  • the capacity of 10 cups of uncooked rice
  • it can cook up to 20 cups of rice
  • 304 surgical-grade stainless steel pot
  • healthy material free of chemicals
  • cooks rice, porridge, soup, stew, etc
  • suitable for white, brown, jasmine rice, etc
  • features an automatic warming setting

Best Small Budget Rice Cooker

Aroma Inexpensive Rice Cooker

Digital Cooking Programs
This best cheap rice cooker can be purchase for the price of around 25 dollars on Amazon. It has a capacity of 1.5 cups of uncooked rice and can yield between 2 and 3 cups of cooked rice. This cheap small rice cooker features a small panel with digital programs for cooking white and brown rice, as well as for turning the warming setting on.

Aroma Mi Single Portion Rice Cooker Review

Convenient Handle
The collapsible handle on the unit is ideal for transporting the small cooker with you, no matter where you go. The lid locks easily for security and the body stays cool to the touch for safety. Inside the unit, the cooking pot has a non-stick layer and makes cleanup a breeze.

Ideal For Singles
Apart from white and brown rice, you can also use this cooker to make pasta, soup, oatmeal, as well as omelets. With its small capacity, it is ideal for serving singles and couples. The one-person rice cooker is lightweight for portability and cooks rice quickly. Cooking is easy by adding the ingredients and pressing a button.

Aroma Mi Single Portion Rice Cooker

Dishwasher Safe Parts
After cooking, you can put the inner cooking pot on the top rack of the dishwasher for easy cleaning. A rice paddle for serving rice, as well as a measuring cup are included with the purchase.

Short Description:

  • the capacity of 1.5 cups of rice
  • it can cook up to 3 cups of rice
  • ideal for serving singles and couples
  • features a digital panel with programs
  • settings for white, brown rice, keep-warm

Best Japanese Affordable Rice Cooker

Tiger Rice Cooker

Smart Microcomputer
This small Japanese rice cooker has a capacity for cooking up to 5.5 cups of rice. It features a microcomputer for smart control of the pre-programmed cooking settings. It offers settings for cooking plain and brown rice, as well as for steaming and slow cooking. The synchro-cooking option allows you to make one-pot meals.

Tiger Rice Cooker Review

Simultaneous Steamer
This cheap Tiger rice cooker can be purchased for the price of around 70 dollars on Amazon. By using the ‘tacook’ dish that can be used to steam vegetables, meats, or fish above the cooking rice. This way, you can save time and space in the kitchen, while steaming and cooking simultaneously.

4 Programs
The digital panel on this best budget rice cooker allows you to choose between the 4 available programs for cooking. Inside the cooker, the cooking pot is non-stick coated and thus easy to keep clean. For easy operation, you will also get a non-stick spatula for serving and a cookbook for synchro-cooking.

Tiger Rice Cooker

Controls The Process
To get perfectly cooked rice and steamed foods, the microcomputer controls and actively monitors the temperature used for cooking. After cooking, it automatically keeps the rice warm until you are ready to eat.

Short Description:

  • the capacity of 5.5 cups of rice
  • features a microcomputer for smart programs
  • a control panel with 4 pre-programmed settings
  • programs for white and brown rice
  • the setting for steaming and slow cooking
  • a synchro-cooking option also available

Best Plastic Cheap Rice Cooker

Progressive International Cooker

Microwave Safe
Unlike the other models in this review article, this best cheap rice cooker can be used for cooking rice in the microwave. By adding water and rice and putting the plastic rice cooker in the microwave, you can enjoy cooked rice in a short time. To create a side dish for many meals, this cooker is suitable for use with any type of rice.

Progressive Plastic Rice Cooker Review

6-Cup Capacity
This rice cooker includes a gray cooking pot, a white cover locking lid, a measuring cup, and a rice paddle. To learn how to use the unit, you will also get the manual with instructions. The microwave cooker can make up to 6 cups of different types of rice and grains in minutes.

High-Heat Resistant
The cooker is made of propylene material resistant to high heat that is also free of BPA and safe to wash in the dishwasher. It has a non-stick surface that makes cleaning and maintenance even easier. The food-safe material will make healthy steamed rice in a short time.

Progressive Plastic Rice Cooker

Quickly Cooks Rice
With the price of around 10 dollars on Amazon, this cooker is very affordable. It is ideal for people with a busy lifestyle, who sometimes need a quick meal fix. By adding water and rice, locking the lid, and putting it in the microwave, you will be able to enjoy cooked rice without a lot of trouble.

Short Description:

  • propylene material free of BPA
  • easy to clean, dishwasher safe
  • features a non-stick cooking pot
  • a measuring cup and a rice paddle included
  • cooks rice in minutes in the microwave
  • 6-cup capacity, for different types of rice
  • ideal for people with busy lifestyles

What To Consider In Cheap Rice Cookers?

When looking not to break the bank upon buying a rice cooker, there are several things to look for to get the best budget rice cooker. Firstly, make sure the price is within your budget, and that it can cook enough rice for your needs. Likewise, make sure the unit is easy to use, and suitable for the rice types you usually cook.

Price – The market offers affordable rice cooker models, as well as models with a higher price. In this article, you can read the reviews of models priced under 1oo dollars, with most of them priced between 20 and 30 dollars. When buying a rice cooker, you can get quality models without having to spend too much money.

Capacity – The market offers both models with small and larger capacities. You can choose between models that can cook for one person, a family, or even large models that can cook enough rice for larger gatherings. Even at cheap prices, you can get both small and large capacities in rice cookers.

Simple Operation – To buy the best budget rice cooker, make sure you understand its functions and you know how to operate it. Models that are complicated to use will take a lot of time for you to figure out. Rice cookers should be easy to use so that you can comfortably use them for many cooking needs.

Cooking Possibilities – To enjoy any type of rice you prefer, some rice cookers will be suitable for many different types of rice, such as white, brown, GABA, jasmine, basmati, etc. However, these cookers can be used for much more than just cooking rice. They also offer the possibility of cooking soup, making stews, porridge, oatmeal, and more.

What Else? – An interesting feature of rice cookers can also be the options they offer for keeping rice warm after cooking is completed and the option to steam foods. To be able to easily enjoy the electric cooker steamer, you will need a steaming tray that comes included with the cooker. A measuring cup and a serving rice paddle are usually also included.

To Wrap It Up

The best budget rice cooker is the Aroma rice cooker model. It cooks between 2 and 8 cups of rice and offers settings for white, brown, fast rice, as well as options for keeping the rice warm and for steaming foods. It can also cook barley, quinoa, and other grains. To get the full picture of what the market has to offer, also check out our list of the most expensive rice cookers on the market. For small and funky designs on cookers, consider some of the cute rice cookers.



Meghan
Meghan began her career as a journalist in 2016 after graduating with a Master’s degree. Through her work as a journalist, she has built relationships with many industry leaders, including experts in cooking which prompted her interest in cuisine. In 2018, she joined a cooking course where she explored many tips and tricks she presents in her articles and reviews. Meghan joined the Kitchentoast team in 2020 and since then, she has been focusing on writing about cooking, baking, design, kitchen appliances, and more.