AROMA Rice Cooker 3-Cup Uncooked / 6-Cup Cooked, Oatmeal & Soup Maker, 1.5 Qt, ARC-393NG Review (2026)

Who The ARC-393NG Fits

This rice cooker is aimed at someone in a small kitchen, apartment or dorm who wants one appliance that reliably makes rice for dinner and leaves enough for lunch the next day, without the price or footprint of a larger multi-cooker. The 3 cup uncooked to 6 cup cooked range comfortably covers a household of one or two eating rice as a regular side, and the added oatmeal and soup settings mean it can also handle a hot breakfast or a simple soup without switching appliances. It suits someone who wants dead-simple operation over programmable presets, since the AROMA design favors straightforward controls rather than a touchscreen full of options. It is a weaker match for anyone who specifically wants the smallest possible single-serve cooker, since the 1.5 quart body is larger than true one-cup mini cookers built for solo instant meals.

Capacity, Functions and Build

The ARC-393NG holds a 1.5 quart nonstick pot rated for 3 cups of uncooked rice, which AROMA states yields about 6 cups cooked, enough for several servings or leftovers. Beyond plain white rice, the cooker includes settings for oatmeal and soup, using a detachable steamer tray for some functions, which extends its use into breakfast and light lunch cooking rather than rice alone. It runs on a standard 120V household outlet and includes an automatic keep warm mode that switches on once cooking finishes, so rice does not need to be eaten immediately or reheated later. The housing includes heat-resistant handles and knobs along with a steam vent designed to reduce the risk of scalding when the lid is opened after cooking. AROMA backs the cooker with a one year warranty against defects in material and workmanship.

Living With It Day to Day

Operation is meant to be simple, add rinsed rice and water to the marked pot, close the lid, and let the cooker switch to keep warm automatically once the rice is done, without needing to watch a timer or adjust heat manually. The nonstick pot makes rinsing out cooked-on starch easier than a bare metal insert, though like most basic nonstick cookware it benefits from a plastic or silicone rice paddle rather than metal utensils to avoid scratching the coating over time. Because the unit is compact, it stores easily on a shelf or in a cabinet between uses, and the detachable steamer tray adds a bit of flexibility for steaming vegetables alongside the main pot. Cleanup is limited to wiping the pot, lid and tray, since there is no complex removable inner mechanism beyond the basic pot and steamer pieces.

Trade-offs Versus Other Small Cookers

Compared with newer compact rice cookers that add ceramic nonstick coatings and multiple digital functions, the ARC-393NG sticks to a simpler formula, a proven AROMA design with keep warm and a few extra settings rather than a long list of programmable presets. That simplicity is a plus for anyone who just wants consistent rice without learning a new interface, but buyers who want fuzzy logic style programmable cooking or a nonstick pot upgraded beyond the basic finish may prefer a pricier alternative. Against true mini cookers built for one or two cups, this model's 1.5 quart size and 6 cup cooked output make it a better fit for two people eating regularly than for someone who only ever cooks a single small portion at a time.

Final Verdict

The site's 8.4 out of 10 score reflects a dependable, well-priced small rice cooker from a long-established brand, with oatmeal and soup functions that add real everyday value beyond plain rice. It is a strong pick for anyone furnishing a small kitchen who wants dinner rice with leftovers to spare and does not need programmable presets or app control. The main caveat is the basic nonstick finish, which lasts longest with a plastic paddle and gentle cleaning rather than metal utensils or abrasive scrubbing. Shoppers who want the smallest possible single-cup cooker for solo meals, or who specifically want a multi-function digital cooker with more presets, should look elsewhere, but for straightforward rice, oatmeal and soup in a compact footprint this cooker does the job.

Frequently asked questions