A microwave rice cooker is simpler than an electric one and takes up no counter. It’s a pot and a lid built to hold steam, and to stop starchy water from boiling over onto your turntable. You give up the automatic shutoff and the keep-warm setting, so you need to set the time yourself and be there when it finishes.
This guide covers seven microwave cookers in plastic and glass. We haven’t used them. The details come from makers and listings, and from the reviews we read at Expert Reviews, NBC Select and theSkimm. If you cook rice several times a week, it’s worth comparing these with an electric model in our budget rice cooker guide.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications, maker information and the sources we name.
Quick verdict: which microwave rice cooker to buy
For most people, buy the Joseph Joseph M-Cuisine, which Expert Reviews named its top microwave rice cooker and which washes, cooks and serves in one tub. For a large batch, buy the Prep Solutions 12-cup set. If you’d rather not cook in plastic, the Anyday 12-cup glass dish is the alternative, though it takes some adjusting.
Five rice cookers side by side
Five of the seven, one for each kind of cook. All seven are covered in full below.
| Pick | Best for | Material | Capacity | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Joseph Joseph M-Cuisine Rice Cooker, 8.5-CupBest overall
|
Everyday white rice | Not stated | 2 L pot (8.5 cups) | View on Amazon |
Sistema Heat & Eat Rice Cooker and Container SetBest for fluffy rice
|
Fluffy rice, plus a storage dish | Plastic, BPA free | 2.6 L | View on Amazon |
Prep Solutions Rice and Pasta Cooker, 17 PiecesBest for big batches
|
Large batches and extra tools | BPA-free plastic | 12 cups | View on Amazon |
Anyday 12-Cup Glass Rice Cooker DishBest glass option
|
Avoiding plastic | Borosilicate glass | 12 cups | View on Amazon |
Nordic Ware Microwave Multi-Boiler, 5.5-CupBest for small batches
|
Small batches and boil-over control | BPA- and melamine-free plastic | 5.5 cups | View on Amazon |
Our picks for the best microwave rice cooker
1. Joseph Joseph M-Cuisine Rice Cooker, 8.5-Cup – Wash, Cook and Serve in One
The M-Cuisine is built around one idea: measure, rinse, cook and serve all in the same tub. You get a 2-liter pot, a colander insert for rinsing the rice, a measuring cup and a paddle. The paddle also locks the lid and gives you two carrying handles, which is a smart way to handle hot steam.
Expert Reviews named it the best microwave rice cooker in its roundup, calling it the easiest way to get fluffy white rice, and noting it’s dishwasher safe and small enough for small kitchens. It suggests it mainly for people who only cook rice occasionally.
The listing doesn’t state the material or a warranty. As with any microwave cooker, expect to adjust your timing to your oven’s power.
Why we like it
- Best microwave rice cooker at Expert Reviews
- Colander insert for rinsing
- Paddle locks the lid and acts as handles
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | 45002 |
|---|---|
| Material | Not stated |
| Capacity | 2 L pot; 8.5 cups per title |
| Comes with | Colander, measuring cup, paddle |
| Lid | Locks with the paddle |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Suits someone who wants simple fluffy rice a few times a month, in a small kitchen, without learning a new routine.
Skip it if you need to cook large batches every day. An electric cooker will do that better.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Independent praise
- All-in-one design
- Small footprint
Cons
- Material not stated
- Best for occasional use, per Expert Reviews
2. Sistema Heat & Eat Rice Cooker and Container Set – A Plate Inside Holds the Steam
This set includes a 2.6-liter rice cooker, a rice spoon and a separate 915-milliliter round container with a vented lid. The cooker uses an inner pressure chamber plate, which Sistema says keeps rice moist and fluffy. You add rice and water, close the clips and cook. Sistema also suggests couscous and polenta.
The set is designed and made in New Zealand, free of phthalates and BPA, and safe in the top rack of the dishwasher, the fridge and the freezer. Sistema says to use the container in the microwave with the vent open.
The extra container is handy for reheating leftover rice, or for anything else. This listing is from Amazon, and we read no independent test of this exact set.
Why we like it
- Pressure chamber plate inside
- Extra vented container included
- Locking clips
- Made in New Zealand
Key specifications
| Model | 82001ZS |
|---|---|
| Material | Plastic, phthalate and BPA free |
| Capacity | 2.6 L |
| Comes with | Plate, spoon, 915 ml container |
| Lid | Clips; vented container lid |
| Dishwasher | Top rack |
| Made in | New Zealand |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Suits someone who wants a larger pot than the Joseph Joseph with clear details of how and where it’s made.
Skip it if you’re short on storage. The two-piece set takes up more room.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clear origin and care
- A second useful dish
- Grains as well as rice
Cons
- No independent test read
- Takes more storage
3. Prep Solutions Rice and Pasta Cooker, 17 Pieces – The Big Batch Kit
This is a kit rather than a single pot. The 12-cup cooker makes up to 8 cups of rice and has a locking lid, a pasta-draining insert and a vegetable-steaming insert. You also get measuring cups and spoons, a rice paddle and a pasta measurer, which is how it reaches 17 pieces.
It’s the only pick here that handles rice, pasta and vegetables with separate inserts, which will suit a household that wants one microwave pot for all three. Progressive says it’s BPA free and backs it with a one-year limited warranty.
The listing is silent on cooking times by grain, so look for the instructions in the box. We read no independent test of this exact kit.
Why we like it
- Up to 8 cups of rice
- Pasta and steaming inserts
- Locking lid
- 1-year limited warranty
Key specifications
| Model | PS-97GY |
|---|---|
| Material | BPA-free plastic |
| Capacity | 12 cups; makes up to 8 cups rice |
| Comes with | Inserts, measures, paddle |
| Lid | Locking |
| Dishwasher | Yes, per the listing |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Warranty | 1-year limited |
Why we recommend it
Suits a family or a shared house that wants one large microwave pot for several jobs.
Skip it if you only cook for one. Extra parts just become clutter in a small kitchen.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Biggest batch here
- Multi-purpose
- Clear warranty
Cons
- Many small parts to store
- Size may not suit compact microwaves
4. Anyday 12-Cup Glass Rice Cooker Dish – Glass, With Some Learning
Anyday’s extra-large dish is borosilicate glass with a vented glass lid. Pull the knob up to vent while cooking, and press it down to store. The maker says it can go from microwave to fridge, freezer, oven, table and dishwasher, and that no plastic touches the food.
Rice is where reviewers had the most trouble with Anyday’s other dishes. NBC Select’s team needed to adjust power, timing and measurements before it came out well. A reviewer at theSkimm said rice took her about 25 minutes. Those reviews covered Anyday’s frosted sets and not this particular clear dish, but it’s fair to expect a similar learning curve.
It weighs 4.3 pounds with the lid and is 9.4 inches wide, so check your turntable. Also note the glass gets hot and has no separate handles.
Why we like it
- No plastic in contact with food, per the maker
- Doubles as a storage dish
- Vent knob on the lid
- Large capacity
Key specifications
| Model | 62053-C002 |
|---|---|
| Material | Borosilicate glass |
| Capacity | 12 cups |
| Comes with | Glass lid |
| Lid | Vent knob; doesn’t lock |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Suits a cook who wants to avoid plastic and will take the time to work out the timing for their own microwave.
Skip it if you want quick, foolproof rice. Reviewers found rice was this brand’s harder job.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Plastic-free cooking
- Stores in the same dish
- Oven use, per the maker
Cons
- Heavy and hot
- Rice can take longer
- Glass can break
5. Nordic Ware Microwave Multi-Boiler, 5.5-Cup – A Lid That Flips to Drain
The Multi-Boiler is a simple two-piece pot for rice, pasta, oatmeal and vegetables. Its perforated lid does the clever work: face up, it’s meant to prevent boil-overs, and flipped down, it’s a strainer for draining.
Nordic Ware says it’s made in America from BPA- and melamine-free plastic, top-rack dishwasher friendly, with a 5-year warranty. At 5.5 cups, it suits one or two people, and it measures about 7.3 by 6.1 inches, so it should fit a smaller oven than most on this page.
It isn’t sold specifically as a rice cooker, so there’s no paddle, no measuring cup, and no rice instructions on the listing. Follow your rice packet’s water amount and watch the first few batches.
Why we like it
- Lid helps prevent boil-overs
- Flips into a strainer
- Compact footprint
- 5-year warranty
Key specifications
| Model | 68500AMZ |
|---|---|
| Material | BPA- and melamine-free plastic |
| Capacity | 5.5 cups |
| Comes with | Lid only |
| Lid | Perforated, reversible |
| Dishwasher | Top rack |
| Made in | USA |
| Warranty | 5-year |
Why we recommend it
Suits a single cook in a small kitchen who wants one pot for rice, oatmeal and vegetables.
Skip it if you want a dedicated rice kit with measures and paddle. Joseph Joseph’s comes with both.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Compact
- Made in USA
- Long warranty
Cons
- Small capacity
- No rice-specific tools
6. Lékué Rice, Grain and Quinoa Cooker – Cook, Drain and Serve in One Pot
Lékué is a Spanish maker best known for silicone microwave cookware. This 7-inch round pot is made of silicone and polypropylene, and the listing says it cooks quinoa, rice and other grains without boiling water first, then drains and serves from the same pot. Lékué says it makes up to four servings in about 12 minutes and is meant to stop foamy spill-overs.
It comes with a recipe book that gives cooking times for different grains, which is the main reason it’s here. Most listings on this page say little beyond white rice. The listing gives 4.2 cups as its size, says it’s dishwasher safe and backs it with Lékué’s two-year guarantee.
As with any microwave cooker, the printed times are a starting point, so expect a couple of trial batches. When we checked, it was sold by a third-party seller, not Amazon or Lékué. We read no independent test of it.
Why we like it
- Cooking times for several grains
- Drains in the same pot
- Two-year maker guarantee
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | 200700 |
|---|---|
| Material | Silicone and polypropylene |
| Capacity | 4.2 cups; up to 4 servings |
| Comes with | Recipe book |
| Lid | Draining lid, per the listing |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
| Warranty | 2-year maker guarantee |
Why we recommend it
Suits someone who cooks quinoa, brown rice and other grains in small amounts and wants written times to start from.
Skip it if you cook rice for a family. At four servings, the Prep Solutions or Sistema pot holds more.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Grain guide included
- Established cookware maker
- Clear guarantee
Cons
- Third-party seller at last check
- No independent test read
7. Hario Glass Microwave Rice Pot, 1 to 2 Cups – A Small Glass Pot From Japan
Hario is a Japanese glassware maker, better known for coffee gear. This small glass pot is made for cooking one or two servings of rice in the microwave, and the listing says it’s made in Japan and includes Hario’s own recipes.
Glass doesn’t hold on to smells the way old plastic can, which the listing points out, and it’s the smallest pot on this page. It’s the second glass choice after Anyday, and a much smaller one, for a single cook who wants to avoid plastic.
The listing is short on details. It doesn’t give the lid design, the outer size or a warranty, and the “cups” in its title may be Japanese rice measures, which are smaller than US cups. It was sold by a third-party seller, Ignite Ideas, when we checked. We read no independent test of it.
Why we like it
- Glass from an established maker
- Made in Japan, per the listing
- Sized for one or two servings
- Recipes included
Key specifications
| Model | XRCN-2-B |
|---|---|
| Material | Glass |
| Capacity | 1 to 2 cups rice, per the title |
| Comes with | Recipes |
| Lid | Not stated |
| Dishwasher | Not stated |
| Made in | Japan |
| Warranty | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Suits a single cook who makes a little rice at a time and prefers glass.
Skip it if you need more than a couple of servings. Anyday’s 12-cup dish is the bigger glass option.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No plastic pot
- Compact
- Clear origin
Cons
- Few listing details
- Small capacity
- Glass can break
How to choose a microwave rice steamer
Know your microwave’s power
A rice timing written for one oven won’t be right for another. Reviewers using Anyday’s dishes needed to adjust power and time for theirs, and you should expect the same with any cooker. Write down what works.
Size it for cooked rice
Rice roughly doubles or more in volume, and the water needs space to bubble. Don’t confuse a pot’s total volume with how much rice it cooks. Prep Solutions, for example, is a 12-cup pot that makes up to 8 cups.
Look for boil-over control
Starchy water is what makes a mess. Locks, plates and guards are all attempts to deal with it. Nordic Ware’s flip lid and Lékué’s draining lid both target it, but follow the fill lines regardless.
Think about what else you cook
Prep Solutions and Nordic Ware also do pasta and vegetables, and Anyday doubles as storage. A cooker that does more may earn its cabinet space.
Take care with steam
The FDA says most microwave injuries are burns from hot containers, hot food and bursting liquids. Lift lids away from your face, and let the pot sit a moment after cooking before you open it.
How we picked these seven rice cookers
We looked for microwave cookers, not electric ones, that state rice as a purpose, from makers we could identify. Each was in stock with a new offer when we checked, and none is an Amazon-first brand. We read Expert Reviews on Joseph Joseph, and NBC Select and theSkimm on Anyday, then each listing.
We did not test these ourselves. Apart from Joseph Joseph, no pick has an independent test of its exact model that we read, so those picks rest on listing and maker details. We left out listings showing limited stock, including Sistema’s standalone rice cooker, Home-X’s and a larger Tupperware cooker, and we dropped Amazon-first brands with little maker information.
Microwave rice cooker questions, answered
Is a microwave rice steamer as good as an electric cooker?
It depends on how often you make rice. Expert Reviews suggests the Joseph Joseph for occasional use. If you make rice several times a week, an electric cooker gives you a timer and keep-warm feature that a microwave pot can’t. Compare them in our rice cooker guide.
Why did my rice boil over?
There may be too much water or too much power, or the pot may be too full. Follow the fill line, and lower the power if your microwave allows it.
Can I cook brown rice in a microwave cooker?
Some listings say so, such as Anyday’s, and Lékué’s recipe book gives times for several grains. Expect brown rice to take longer than white, and check your cooker’s instructions.
How much water do I use?
Use the cooker’s instructions first, then the rice package. Water ratios vary by rice type and pot, so a good result takes one or two tries.
Will it fit in a small microwave?
Measure your oven’s interior and the cooker. The Hario and the Nordic Ware are the smallest here, and if you need a smaller electric option, look at our small rice cooker guide.
Our final pick for rice without a machine
For most small kitchens, the Joseph Joseph M-Cuisine is where we’d start, and the Prep Solutions set is the choice for large batches. If you decide on an appliance after all, our budget rice cooker guide covers the entry-level electric models.
Julia’s is a working Mexican kitchen in Houston, and our rice comes with the plate. Call to order at (346) 546-8283, or look through our menu.