Short answerFor one or two people, the Zojirushi NS-LGC05 is the 3-cup cooker to get. It holds 3 rice cups (0.54 L) and adds GABA brown and steel cut oatmeal settings.
Three rice cups is 540 mL of raw rice, which is about 2 1/4 US cups. That is enough for two people with a little left over, or one person cooking for two days.
If you sometimes cook for guests, consider a 5.5-cup cooker instead. It can still cook a single rice cup, but a 3-cup cooker cannot stretch to more.
| Model | Heating | Capacity | Power | Size (W x D x H) | Stand-out feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zojirushi NS-LGC05Check price on Amazon | Micom | 3 rice cups | 450 W | 9-1/8 x 11-7/8 x 7-1/2 in | Steel cut oatmeal, GABA brown |
| Zojirushi NL-BAC05Check price on Amazon | Micom | 3 rice cups | 500 W | 9-3/8 x 12-7/8 x 7-7/8 in | Quinoa, steel cut oatmeal |
Scroll the table sideways. Figures are from official maker specs (check dates are on each product page).
Our pick. GABA brown rice, steel cut oatmeal and long-grain white settings.
Good forYou live alone or as a couple. You want oatmeal in the morning from the same machine.
Watch outYou meal-prep rice for the whole week.
Choose this one if you cook quinoa. It also has a cake setting.
Good forYou cook quinoa as often as rice. You only need small batches.
Watch outYou cook for three or more.
How we researched this We compiled the specs from official maker pages and Japanese-language manuals and spec sheets (checked 2026-10-25). We have not bought or tested every product ourselves. Makers update their listings, so please confirm on the official page before you buy.