Is the Rice Robot worth a spot on your kitchen? A stay-at-home mom of 3 reviews this As Seen On TV kitchen gadget.
Spoiler alert: Not every As Seen On TV gadget deserves a spot in your kitchen. As a mom constantly juggling picky eaters, school runs, and late-night snack cravings, I’m here to tell you what’s worth it… and what’s not.
About the Rice Robot
The Rice Robot is one of those quirky kitchen gadgets you spot on a TV commercial while folding laundry and think, Hmm, maybe this’ll make dinner easier. It claims to cook perfect rice every time, and it doesn’t stop there — apparently, it can steam veggies, make soups, and even bake little cakes.
It’s compact, cutesy, and looks like a miniature robot (hence the name). You get one-touch controls and a non-stick inner pot.
I got the Rice Robot for $39.95 directly on Amazon.com as I didn’t want to deal with the shipping hassles of the official website.
My Experience: The Good, The Bad & The Sticky
Serving Size: The Rice Robot can cook up to 3 cups of uncooked rice, yielding approximately 6 cups of cooked rice. This is sufficient for about 3-4 servings, depending on portion sizes.
First test: White Jasmine Rice
I followed the instructions, added rice and water, pressed the button, and waited. It beeped, the rice looked cooked, but when I fluffed it… it was clumpy. Edible, but definitely not “fluffy perfection” like the commercial promised.
Second test: Steamed Broccoli
This went better. It steamed nicely in the little basket. No complaints there.
Third test: “Robot Rice Pudding” Recipe
I made the lemon, mustard seed rice and was very disappointed with the results – the rice was very gummy and overdone (I could crush the rice with a spoon and make a paste.) The recipe book does not indicate how long recipes might take. There is no indicator beep when the rice is done, it just changes the light from COOK to WARM. Also, the metal inside the lid, which drops down on what is being cooked, is very thin, flimsy aluminum.
Cuckoo vs Zojirushi vs Rice Robot: Mom’s Honest Comparison
| Feature | Cuckoo | Zojirushi | Rice Robot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $130+ | $160+ | $39 |
| Cooking Functions | Rice, porridge, GABA rice, steam, slow cook | Rice, porridge, cake, steam, sushi rice | Rice, steam, soup, cake |
| Non-Stick Pot Material | Teflon coated | Teflon coated | Non-stick (unspecified material) |
| Capacity | 6 cups uncooked | 5.5 cups uncooked | 3 cups uncooked |
| Ease of Use | Medium (lots of buttons) | Easy | Very basic |
| Durability | High | High | Low |
| Smart Features | Voice navigation, keep warm, preset timer | Fuzzy logic tech, keep warm, delay timer | None |
| Child-Friendly? | Not really | Not really | Safe but basic |
| Final Mom Verdict | Great if you cook rice often and love gadgets | Best for serious rice lovers | Cute novelty, not essential |
Pros of Rice Robot
- Cute, compact design
- Budget-friendly
- Steams veggies decently
- One-touch operation
Cons:
- Rice turns out clumpy, not fluffy
- Cheap build — feels like it could break in a toddler tantrum
- Non-stick material isn’t specified (I always get iffy about that)
- No smart features like delay timers or fuzzy logic
- Small capacity
Better Alternatives This Mom Swears By
Cosori Rice Cooker — $99.99
A Story from My Kitchen:
I needed a reliable rice cooker that could handle a large batch without constant supervision. Enter the Cosori Rice Cooker. I set it up with jasmine rice, selected the appropriate setting, and let it do its thing. The result? Fluffy, perfectly cooked rice that had everyone asking for seconds. The best part was the “Keep Warm” function, which ensured the rice stayed warm throughout the meal without drying out.
Why I Love It:
- Ceramic-coated pot (non-toxic, no questionable coatings)
- 18 cooking functions, including options for brown rice, quinoa, steam, and slow cooking
- Fuzzy logic technology for precise temperature control
- 24-hour keep warm and delay timer functions
- Dishwasher-safe accessories for easy cleanup
- Large 5-quart capacity, perfect for families
Available for $99 on Amazon.com
NutriChef Rice Cooker — Approximately $39.99 (Same price as Rice Robot)
A Story from My Kitchen:
Its user-friendly control panel made it easy to select the cooking mode, and the clear display kept me informed throughout the process. I appreciated the simplicity, especially when my hands were full with other tasks.
Why It’s Great:
- User-friendly control panel with clear digital display
- Multiple cooking modes, including options for white rice, brown rice, and steaming
- Automatic keep warm function to maintain optimal serving temperature
- Compact design suitable for smaller kitchens
- Affordable price point, offering great value for its features
Available for approximately $39 on Amazon.com
Final Thoughts
Would I keep the Rice Robot on my kitchen counter? Honestly… no. It’s a fun little novelty, but it doesn’t match up to serious contenders like Cosori or NutriChef. If you want a rice cooker that actually makes your life easier — especially with a house full of kids — invest a bit more for one of those.
But hey, if you love collecting quirky kitchen gadgets or need a white elephant gift for next Christmas, the Rice Robot might be your guy.
While you’re here, check my review on the Midea Mini Dishwasher I bought last month