have own 1 rice cooker before this one I be tempt to replace my old one with a similar one that cost about $ 20 . it last I 22 year and be still go strong when someone in my household run cold water on the hot glass lid . quite a mess by the way . I assume all rice cooker burn on the bottom before I can across the $ 50 - $ 100 - $ 200 - $ 400 rice cooker . I have sticker shock for about week before I finally take the plunge and buy the Zojirushi WAC10 5 1\/2 cup . let I back up . I actually buy a 10 cup aroma as a replacement . I like it and the $ 40 price . the problem be everything I read say you have to cook at least 2 cup . it be just my wife and I and despite what I read all over the place the two of we can not eat 2 cup of uncooked rice . I bring it home and verify 2 cup be too much and we do not like leftover rice . I be only a 230 pound fellum so you can guess I be a pretty light eater -lrb- ha-ha -rrb- . I sell it to a buddy at work and buy the Zoji . I be impressed in every way . I cook 2 cup of brown rice tonight . it take about 1:45 minute to cook and be great . if you do not know it , brown rice take a long time to cook . it will probably cook white rice in around 30-40 minute . my old cheapie would cook it in 20 . Time be key , not the speed mind you but the quality it give you with even control heating . the fuzzy logic or whatever it be make the rice in the Zoji come out far better without stick to the bottom than my $ 20 unit . by the way , the $ 40 aroma from Walmart do not stick either . be it worth 3 time as much or more to get the Zoji , do not know for sure , time will tell . I do know that by go ahead and spend the money now I will not have to look over my shoulder and wonder if I could have have better rice on the dinner table . other stuff : I like the detachable cord for storage . I be not crazy about retractable cord . I replace one on my vacuum and it cost $ 100 . if I have to replace this one it will be cheap . handle be neat but not need . the etch fill line inside be easy to read and should be easy to read year from now . Easy to program and use . Pretty small footprint . I think a 5.5 cup will easily feed 6 adult . 4\/6\/12 : I have own this cooker for over a year now . still love it . best tip I get for cooking white rice be rinse the rice until the water be clear before cooking . it really help keep the rice from sticking .