You may not think that a 12v rice cooker has enough power; and you may be right in most cases. A 12v rice cooker may not be enough to cook rice for your entire family. However, they are incredibly handy when you are traveling, camping or if you tend to just cook rice for yourself.
One of the best things about these little devices is that they’re, well, little. They don’t take up much space and they don’t draw a lot of electricity either. But if you want the best 12v rice cooker then be sure to take a look at the following list as we highlight the best of the best!
Osba Mini Rice Cooker
Editors’ Choice: 4.8 out of 5.0 stars
The Osba Mini Rice Cooker is the first car rice cooker (12v) on our list. What makes it a car rice cooker? It comes with a DC power plug so you can stick it into the cigarette lighter of your car, truck or RV! This is a 12v DC rice cooker that we really only have one problem with: it doesn’t come with a regular power cable.
You can buy one for cheap that will work with this Osba model; but it would have been nice if they included it in the package. However, the Osba Mini Rice Cooker cooks rice very quickly. It has a rapid heating mode and a “keep warm” mode.
There is also a heating port at the bottom which prevents the entire unit from getting too hot. The capacity is 1 liter which is large enough to produce about two cups of cooked rice. This is a great overall traveling rice cooker.
Onezili Multi-Function (Cooking, Heating, Keeping warm) Mini Travel Rice Cooker
Editors’ Choice: 4.8 out of 5.0 stars
What we really like about this little rice cooker is that it can be used as a heated lunchbox. The lid locks tight so you can carry it around. It is also well-insulated so even when it’s not plugged in, it can keep food warm for about half an hour.
This 12v mini rice cooker is just 6.2 inches in diameter, 6.1 inches tall and 5.1 inches from front to back. It’s compact enough to keep in your RV, your semi truck or even in your backpack for camping. It has a 1 liter capacity and can make about 2 cups of rice in about half an hour.
It is a bit slower than some of the models on our list; but it cooks very evenly and as long as you add the right amount of water, produces fluffy rice every time. The inner pot is lined with a non-stick coating and has a steam vent for safety.
Onezili Mini Rice Cooker
Editors’ Choice: 4.7 out of 5.0 stars
This is another product from Onezili and it has a slightly larger cooking capacity. This rice cooker has a 1.3 liter capacity so it can make about 3 cups of cooked rice at a time. Like the last model on our list, the Onezili Mini Rice Cooker has a non-stick lining on the inner pot.
It also operates at a max of 100 watts so it’s slightly more powerful too. At max capacity you still have to wait about 25 minutes for the rice to fully cook but that’s not bad considering that the internal cooking space is larger than usual.
The set comes with a rice paddle, a DC car adapter, a measuring cup, a steam plate and a user’s manual. It has a unique, sort of lime green finish and a hinged lid which is very convenient when you’re camping or out on a road trip.
AngVin Electric Lunch Box
Editors’ Choice: 4.7 out of 5.0 stars
The AngVin Electric Lunch Box is a bit larger than the last entry on our list. It’s still a 12v rice cooker but it actually has a 1.6 liter internal cooking capacity. So you can make nearly 4 cups of rice at a time with this cooker.
The slightly larger size makes it ideal for RV trips or when you are cooking for about 2-3 people. It can be used to make soups, porridge and oatmeal as well. The inner pot is very easy to clean and you get a steam plate.
The steam plate sits above the water and the internal heating element so you can use it to steam vegetables and other ingredients. The heating element and insulation work very well together so it doesn’t take much time to heat up and keeps your food warm for about a half hour.
Kuuleyn Portable Rice Cooker
Editors’ Choice: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars
Last on our list is another 1 liter capacity 12v rice cooker. If you are looking for a 12v rice cooker for car use, this would be a great option. It sports a compact design and it even comes with a steam plate so you can steam your favorite foods on it.
It comes in a white finish with a cute cat graphic on the front. Like many of the other rice cookers on our list, this one can be used to make soup, porridge oatmeal and to keep food warm. It has a convenient double handle on the top so you can even use it as a lunch box.
This rice cooker can make about 2 cups of rice at a time. The compact size also makes it an excellent 12v camping rice cooker.
12v Rice Cooker Buying Guide
Sure these small rice cookers are convenient and compact. But what features should you look out for if you want the best 12v rice cooker? Here are a few:
Locking Lid
If you are on the go then you need to make sure any portable rice cooker has a lid that firmly locks in place.
DC Car Adapter
If you’re planning to use your rice cooker in your car, semi truck or RV then you need to make sure it includes a DC power cable.
Steam Plate
While it’s not necessary, if you want to steam veggies and other foods, you will need a rice cooker that comes with a steam plate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use a rice cooker in the car?
A: Yes. All of the products on our list were made to be used in the car, RV or truck.
Q: How many volts does a rice cooker need?
A: Regular units need about 220 volts but portable rice cookers only need 12 volts.
Q: How many watts is a mini rice cooker?
A: Your average mini rice cooker will generate about 100 watts.
Parting Words
The best 12v rice cooker will depend on your needs and preferences. But we are sure you will find one you love on our list so be sure to check out these rice cookers today!
