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Getting your head around cooking rice, its many varieties and the water ratios can be tricky. This is why a rice cooker is a valuable piece of kitchen equipment. Rice cookers come in all shapes and sizes, from the most straightforward, affordable microwave models to all-singing, dancing multi-cookers. We tested an extensive range and the results were surprising.

So, which is the best rice cooker for you? Read on to discover our top buys. The Bamboo matches its price tag in the quality of its build, attractive design and the fluffy, flavourful rice it produces. Settings include a ‘GABA’ option that’s designed to germinate brown rice, and ‘Yumami’ function for white rice that uses phased temperatures to release sugars for a sweeter flavour. Non-rice programmes include slow cooking, porridge making, steaming and cake baking. The Sage the Fast Slow Go multi-cooker is a super-stylish, with a brushed stainless steel outer so good looking, you’ll want to keep it on your worktop.

Apart from making tender, fluffy rice, it has many valuable functions, including making excellent risottos. The instructions are well-written, so you can have the Sage up and running in no time. This specialist machine scores highly for its simple functionality. We tested the three-cup cooker, but the Cuckoo is also available in a larger six-cup model.

Both versions are compact and have small footprints. Though there is only one programme for cooking rice, we had good results with white, brown and short-grain. Read our full Cuckoo automatic rice cooker review. Multi-cookers offer just that: a variety of cooking options in one appliance.