Zojirushi NHS-06 Rice Cooker/Steamer 3 vs Black+Decker RC506 3-Cup Rice Cooker
Both made our Best Small Rice Cookers for One or Two People shortlist, at #1 and #3. Here's how they differ and who each one suits.
- BuyOnceRight Research Desk
- Updated
- 4 min read
Quick verdict
Choose the Zojirushi NHS-06 Rice Cooker/Steamer 3 Cup if you want zojirushi reliability and inner pot quality in the smallest Zojirushi size offered. Choose the Black+Decker RC506 3-Cup Rice Cooker if you'd rather have lowest price in this roundup for a functional, reliable rice cooker. Overall we rank the Zojirushi NHS-06 Rice Cooker/Steamer 3 Cup higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Small Rice Cookers for One or Two People list.
Winner overall: Zojirushi NHS-06 Rice Cooker/Steamer 3 Cup
Zojirushi NHS-06 Rice Cooker/Steamer 3 Cup vs Black+Decker RC506 3-Cup Rice Cooker compared
Every difference that matters, in one table.
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Our ranking | #1 of 10 in Best Small Rice Cookers for One or Two People | #3 of 10 in Best Small Rice Cookers for One or Two People |
| Pick label | Top pick | |
| Brand | Zojirushi | Black+Decker |
| Key features | 3-cup uncooked capacity; Simple cook/steam/warm switch; Nonstick inner pot | 3-cup uncooked capacity; Single cook/warm switch; Nonstick removable bowl |
| Biggest strength | Zojirushi reliability and inner pot quality in the smallest Zojirushi size offered | Lowest price in this roundup for a functional, reliable rice cooker |
| Main trade-off | No fuzzy logic, single-thermostat control, same as budget brands | Single-thermostat design cannot handle brown rice consistently |
| Best for | Most buyers | Most buyers |
Which should you buy?
#1 pick · Top pick
Choose the Zojirushi NHS-06 Rice Cooker/Steamer 3 Cup if…
- Zojirushi reliability and inner pot quality in the smallest Zojirushi size offered
- Steaming basket adds vegetable and fish steaming without a separate appliance
- Compact footprint fits a dorm desk or small kitchen shelf comfortably
Prefer the alternative? See the Black+Decker RC506 3-Cup Rice Cooker section.
#3 pick
Choose the Black+Decker RC506 3-Cup Rice Cooker if…
- Lowest price in this roundup for a functional, reliable rice cooker
- 3-cup size covers two servings comfortably in a single cycle
- Simple one-switch operation with no learning curve
Prefer the alternative? See the Zojirushi NHS-06 Rice Cooker/Steamer 3 Cup section.
Pros and cons of each
Zojirushi NHS-06 Rice Cooker/Steamer 3 Cup
Pros
- Zojirushi reliability and inner pot quality in the smallest Zojirushi size offered
- Steaming basket adds vegetable and fish steaming without a separate appliance
- Compact footprint fits a dorm desk or small kitchen shelf comfortably
Cons
- No fuzzy logic, single-thermostat control, same as budget brands
- 3-cup ceiling means a second cycle for more than 2 to 3 servings
- Priced above true budget compacts despite the basic thermostat
Black+Decker RC506 3-Cup Rice Cooker
Pros
- Lowest price in this roundup for a functional, reliable rice cooker
- 3-cup size covers two servings comfortably in a single cycle
- Simple one-switch operation with no learning curve
Cons
- Single-thermostat design cannot handle brown rice consistently
- No steaming basket included at this price point
- Non-stick coating and switch mechanism tend to wear within 1 to 2 years of daily use
Zojirushi NHS-06 Rice Cooker/Steamer 3 Cup vs Black+Decker RC506 3-Cup Rice Cooker: common questions
Which is better, the Zojirushi NHS-06 Rice Cooker/Steamer 3 Cup or the Black+Decker RC506 3-Cup Rice Cooker?
Choose the Zojirushi NHS-06 Rice Cooker/Steamer 3 Cup if you want zojirushi reliability and inner pot quality in the smallest Zojirushi size offered. Choose the Black+Decker RC506 3-Cup Rice Cooker if you'd rather have lowest price in this roundup for a functional, reliable rice cooker. Overall we rank the Zojirushi NHS-06 Rice Cooker/Steamer 3 Cup higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Small Rice Cookers for One or Two People list.
What is the difference between the Zojirushi NHS-06 Rice Cooker/Steamer 3 Cup and the Black+Decker RC506 3-Cup Rice Cooker?
The Zojirushi NHS-06 Rice Cooker/Steamer 3 Cup stands out because zojirushi reliability and inner pot quality in the smallest Zojirushi size offered, while the Black+Decker RC506 3-Cup Rice Cooker stands out because lowest price in this roundup for a functional, reliable rice cooker. The trade-offs differ too: the Zojirushi NHS-06 Rice Cooker/Steamer 3 Cup's main caveat is that no fuzzy logic, single-thermostat control, same as budget brands, and the Black+Decker RC506 3-Cup Rice Cooker's is that single-thermostat design cannot handle brown rice consistently.
Is the Zojirushi NHS-06 Rice Cooker/Steamer 3 Cup worth it over the Black+Decker RC506 3-Cup Rice Cooker?
For most buyers, yes: it's our #1 pick. Consider the Black+Decker RC506 3-Cup Rice Cooker instead if no fuzzy logic, single-thermostat control, same as budget brands is a deal-breaker for you.