Cuisinart gives this upscale rice cooker extra panache with a cord that pulls out and then retracts for storage. One lever is all that's required to flip the machine on. Two different colored LED lights illuminate, one during the cooking phase, and the other when the machine automatically switches to warm when cooking is done. Included with the machine are a textured plastic paddle for stirring and serving, and a plastic measuring cup calibrated specifically for rice. All the unit's removable parts are dishwasher-safe. The cooker measures 9 by 9 by 10 inches, and is covered by a three-year warranty. --Ann Bieri