I have be use the same simple on\/off rice cooker -lrb- purchase for about $ 25.00 -rrb- for year . it make cooking rice easy but it be time to replace it . I debate quite a bit on spending over $ 100 for this particular rice cooker ... could it really be that much better ? I think I would give it a try ... I have to say , I be so glad I do . this little gem cook rice perfectly . I always though my old rice cooker do a good job -lrb- despite the bit of burnt rice on the bottom of the pot -rrb- , but i really have no idea that rice could come out like this ! this cooker have make I a rice fanatic . brown rice be amazingly soft and tasty , and I have be try different type of white rice as well . the best part be that you can use this like a crockpot . you can really cook some great dish right in the cooker . put the ingredient hour before dinner , set the timer and come home to a perfectly cook rice meal . my kid have become huge fan of the porridge . a mix of oatmeal and cook rice with a hint of cinnamon and sugar make for a healthy , hearty breakfast that my family can not get enough of . I debate between the 3 cup and the 5 1\/2 cup , but since the 5 1\/2 cup be only a few dollar more I go with that and I be glad I do . I do not think the 3 cup would have be enough - especially since I be use it to cook meal . if you be in the market for a rice cooker , take a serious look at this . it be not just a rice cooker - be sure to get a rice cooker cookbook to compliment it though - the recipe that come with the machine be not that exciting .