5 Best Small (3 cups) Japanese Brand Rice Cookers | 2024

A size 3 cups rice cooker is a great option for singles and couples. It makes about 6 bowls of rice.

Size 3 – 3.5
(cups)
Size 5 – 5.5 
(cups)
Size 8 -10
(cups)
Single Person
Couple
Family of 3 – 5Family of 6 +
6 – 9
rice bowls
10 – 15
rice bowls
16 – 23
rice bowls
Rice Cooker Size Reference

It is compact, light, and easy to carry and transport. It does not take a lot of space in the kitchen.

There are 5 Japanese brand rice cookers with 3 cups capacity.

Zojirushi
NP-GBC05XT
Zojirushi
NS-LHC05
Zojirushi
NS-LGC05XB
 
Zojirushi
NL-BAC05SB
Toshiba
TRCS02
TypeIHMicomMicomMicomMicom
List Price (USD)*$330$185$184.50$172$89.15
Keep warm time
(Max.)
12 hours +12 hours12 hours12 hours24 hours
Easy cleaning**✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ 
Delay Timer Setting✅ ✅ ✅ ✅ 
Rice cook time
(Approx.)
40-50 min50-60 min50-60 min51-60 minN/A
Quick cook time
(Approx.)
24-35 min27-39 min27-39 min25-40 minN/A
Built-in retractable
power cord
Slow cooking
Sushi rice✅ ✅ 
Mixed rice✅ ✅ 
Porridge✅  
Quinoa 
Brown rice✅ ✅ 
GABA brown rice✅ 
Multi-grain rice
Jasmine rice 
Steel cut oatmeal 
Cake
* List price is the suggested retail price of a product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller.
** The definition of the easy cleaning is both the steam vent cap and the inner lid are detachable.

BEST OVERALL – Zojirushi NP-GBC05XT Induction Heating System Rice Cooker and Warmer

If you are looking for a small Japanese brand rice cooker that is made in Japan, this Zojirushi model fits your needs perfectly. The heating type of this rice cooker is IH (Induction Heating) and it can cook the best tasting rice! (The type of the rice cooker is explained in this article.)

It is light weight and compact for the IH rice cooker as one of the cons of the IH rice cookers is the heavy weight.

It is made in Japan and Zojirushi is one of the most popular brand for the rice cooker in Japan. The company was founded in 1918 and it has obtained top market share in the industry.

It is not as pricey as other IH rice cookers which cost more than $300. The timer function is great for a busy household (you can set the timer in the morning and it will be ready by the time you get home!).

The accessories include the rice scooper holder which can be attached to the rice cooker. It is a nice added bonus!

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BEST SMALL MICOM RICE COOKER

Zojirushi NS-LHC05 Micom Rice Cooker & Warmer

This model comes with the advanced fuzzy logic technology. What is the advanced “Fuzzy Logic” technology? Read this article for more details!

The heat source is at the bottom of the rice cooker for the micom (microcomputer) rice cookers, however, this model has the triple heater (bottom, side, and lid) to generate heat all around for even heating.

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Zojirushi NS-LGC05XB Micom Rice Cooker & Warmer

This model looks very similar to the above model (NS-LHC05). It has the same feature such as the advanced fuzzy logic, the built-in retractable power cord, and the heating source.

The difference between the two models is:

NS-LHC05NS-LGC05XB
Cooking optionPorridgeSteam cut oatmeal

A price point is also similar in these 2 models.

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BEST MULTI-FUNCTIONAL RICE COOKER – Zojirushi NL-BAC05SB Micom Rice Cooker and Warmer

This multi-functional micom rice cooker can not only cook rice but also bake cake and cook quinoa!

The modern and sleek look will complement the sophisticated kitchen design.

This model also comes with the advanced fuzzy logic technology and the triple heater!

2.5 mm thick inner pan keeps the high temperature for a longer period of time.

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BEST VALUE – Toshiba 3 cups TRCS02 Mini Multi-functional Rice Cooker

This rice cooker can cook not only different kinds of rice, soup, and the dishes, but also bake cake too!

The design is sleek and modern and the white color is a safe and neutral color that works well with any kitchen color.

It is the most affordable option but comes with all the standard features such as the delay timer, the keep warm option, and easy to clean option (both inner lid and vent cap are detachable)!

This is the best value multi-functional small rice cooker!

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