When I was in Hawaii I bought a cheap $20 rice cooker... I used it so much I ended up getting a more expensive/sturdier model. The pot works fine, but when you can throw in water, rice, and push a button and 25 minutes later you have PERFECTLY cooked rice... I think it's worth it. Just my 2 cents.

And to be fair, this device is not exclusively a rice cooker. I won't comment on the price of this specific model, but rice cookers are pretty cool.

I bought this cooker 2 years ago, and haven't thrown a bad batch out yet. Fuzzy logic rules! This is a good price for the reliability and convienence if you are a regular rice eater. My daughter puts the rice in first, then the water; the instructions are a little confusing. I also use it to steam lobster and artichokes. As with most rice steamers, it takes more time than on the stove. But then with this steamer, I walk away and know what the end result will be.

$20 steamers work for me, seems expensive for this one.

Tried Zojirushi neuro for all that big price, but end up trading it with Sanyo. For lower price get the double function as a slow cooker not included two pans and two inner lids. Better quality on the pans and get the same quality of cooked rice. Worth the money!