Best Rice Cooker 2025: Aroma ARC-914SBD Review + Easy One-Pot Meal Maker
- Easy-to-use programmable digital controls complete with an automatic Keep Warm mode after each cycle
- An array of preset functions for every kind of meal: White Rice, Brown Rice, Steam, Flash Rice
- Steam meat, vegetables and more with the provided Steam Tray all while rice cooks below
Why this 8-Cup Aroma cooker is a dorm-friendly MVP
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Set-it-and-forget-it cooking. Digital one-touch buttons and an auto “keep warm” mode turn raw rice into fluffy perfection with zero babysitting.
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Versatile menu presets. Beyond white and brown rice, you get Steam, Flash Rice (cuts white-rice time in half), and a programmable delay timer for meal-prep magic.
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Perfect size. Cooks up to 8 cups of cooked rice (4 cups uncooked) — enough for roommates or meal prep, still compact for small counters.
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All-in-one pot. Steam veggies or dumplings above while rice cooks below, or switch to the “Slow Cook” setting for chili, oats, or quinoa.
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Easy cleanup. The non-stick inner pot, steam tray, spatula, and measuring cup are all dishwasher-safe.
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Stainless-steel exterior. Looks sharp and wipes clean — no cheap plastic vibes.
- Easy-to-use programmable digital controls complete with an automatic Keep Warm mode after each cycle
- An array of preset functions for every kind of meal: White Rice, Brown Rice, Steam, Flash Rice
- Steam meat, vegetables and more with the provided Steam Tray all while rice cooks below
Stand-out features
Flash Rice button
Need rice in a hurry? Hit Flash Rice and shave roughly 20 minutes off the usual cook cycle — clutch for late-night study sessions.
12-hour delay timer
Load rice, water, and seasonings before class; come home to perfectly cooked rice ready for stir-fry.
Built-in steam tray
Steam broccoli, dumplings, or chicken breasts simultaneously — saves dishes and time.
Automatic keep-warm
No more scorched bottoms; rice stays fluffy for hours until everyone grabs their serving.
Real-world wins & minor gripes
What owners love
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Fluffy, evenly cooked rice every time — even brown or jasmine.
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Fool-proof interface: one button for white, one for brown, done.
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Compact footprint fits tiny kitchens, RVs, and dorms.
Things to know
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Inner pot coating will scratch if you use metal utensils — stick to plastic or wooden spoons.
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Flash Rice isn’t ideal for brown rice (stick to the regular cycle for best texture).
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No fancy smartphone connectivity — just old-school push buttons (a plus for many).
Is this the best rice cooker for you?
Choose the Aroma ARC-914SBD if you want:
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Simple, reliable rice with one button press.
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A single appliance that can also steam veggies and slow-cook soups.
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An affordable unit that doesn’t hog counter space.
Skip it if you need:
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Sushi-chef precision with fuzzy-logic temperature control (look at Zojirushi models).
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A huge 20-cup capacity for large families.
Quick rice-cooker hacks
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Rinse your rice until the water runs nearly clear — it prevents gummy texture.
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Use broth instead of water for extra flavor.
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Add frozen veggies on the steam tray in the last 10 minutes so everything finishes together.
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Clean the lid gasket after each use; trapped starch can cause odors over time.
Bottom line: The Aroma Housewares ARC-914SBD digital rice cooker nails perfectly cooked rice and simple one-pot meals with minimal effort, all in a compact, budget-friendly package — ideal for students, busy parents, or anyone who wants dinner handled at the push of a button.
- Easy-to-use programmable digital controls complete with an automatic Keep Warm mode after each cycle
- An array of preset functions for every kind of meal: White Rice, Brown Rice, Steam, Flash Rice
- Steam meat, vegetables and more with the provided Steam Tray all while rice cooks below
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