CUCKOO High Pressure Induction Rice Cooker, 12-Cup Cooked, CRP-JHR0609F

Why it's worth it

The Cuckoo CRP-JHR0609F pairs induction heating with high-pressure cooking in a 6-cup body. If you want the stickiest, plumpest short-grain rice and you cook brown or GABA rice regularly, this is the meaningful step up.

Induction heating and pressure are two different upgrades and this cooker has both. Induction energizes the inner pot itself so heat comes from all around rather than just below. Pressure lets the water inside go above its normal boiling point, which breaks down starch more thoroughly. The result is rice that's stickier and plumper — a texture a conventional element genuinely can't reach.

Brown rice is the clearest reason to buy this. Conventional fuzzy logic cookers can leave brown rice a little tough at the center, because the bran layer resists water. Pressure solves that. If you've been disappointed by brown rice from a normal cooker, or you want to cook GABA rice, this is the tier where the difference stops being subtle. There are 16 modes, including nu rung ji for the crispy scorched rice at the bottom.

From our review of 9 fuzzy logic rice cookers, by David Sinclair, Managing Editor

What we like

• +Induction heating and pressure are two different upgrades and this cooker has both
• +Brown rice is the clearest reason to buy this
• +It's the compact option in the pressure category
• +There's voice navigation in English and Korean, which is genuinely useful if you have trouble reading a small display

What to know

• –Pressure cooking is slow
• –The pressure gasket and valve need cleaning after every use, and owners who skip that report smells and sealing problems down…
• –The price is high for six cups of capacity