Is the Zojirushi Induction Worth It?
Based on tests by America's Test Kitchen (Oct 2025). How we score
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Why
America's Test Kitchen rates it Recommended, a tier below its winners: induction "didn't improve the speed or performance of the machine," and "short-grain white rice and a large batch of long-grain white rice were softer and wetter than we wanted." ATK's verdict: "For such a large price tag, we expect more consistent results without needing to tinker with the water levels ourselves." ATK's Budget Winner, the Toshiba 6-Cup, scored higher on performance and cleanup and costs less.
Cheaper alternatives, scored against the Zojirushi
6-Cup Rice Cooker with Fuzzy Logic
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
America's Test Kitchen's Budget Winner, rated Highly Recommended: it "made delicious, evenly cooked rice in all our tests," the consistency the induction Zojirushi lacked. It "beeped audibly when a cooking cycle ended". ATK didn't test long-term durability, and neither listing states a warranty.
| Criterion | Zojirushi | Toshiba |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 2/3 | 3/3 |
| Ease of use | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| Cleanup | 2.5/3 | 3/3 |
From America's Test Kitchen: The Best Rice Cookers (updated Oct. 23, 2025)
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Rice Cookers (updated Oct. 23, 2025)
Common questions
Is an induction rice cooker better?
Not in America's Test Kitchen's test: the Zojirushi induction model's heating "didn't improve the speed or performance," and it rated below two conventional fuzzy-logic cookers from Zojirushi and Toshiba.
Zojirushi induction or Toshiba?
America's Test Kitchen rated the Toshiba 6-Cup higher for performance and cleanup. The Zojirushi adds a steam function and a wider menu.
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Rice Cookers (updated Oct. 23, 2025), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
