The catch
Zojirushi Micom NS-LGC05XB
Brown rice tops out at two dry cups, though white rice reaches three.
Side by side
Zojirushi NS-LGC05 vs NL-BAC05: Half a cup works on both, LGC adds GABA brown and BAC adds quinoa and cake
Quick verdict
The NS-LGC05 is the pick if you want a named GABA-brown program and a shallower body. The NL-BAC05 is the pick for named quinoa and cake programs. Half-cup white rice is documented on both, and both handle cord storage, with a built-in retractable cord on the LGC and a detachable cord on the BAC.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Both cover the same white-rice range
Batches of white rice from half a cup to three cups are covered on both, so that range picks no winner. Decide on the extra grain programs, the body depth and the cord arrangement.
Where this comes from
zojirushi-ns-lgc05xb: 0.5-3 dry cups of white rice. zojirushi-nl-bac05sb: 0.5-3 dry cups of white rice.
The catch
Zojirushi Micom NL-BAC05SB
Adding quinoa and cake programs doesn’t raise its ceiling of three dry cups of white rice.
Zojirushi Micom NS-LGC05XB
- Why pick it
- A named GABA-brown program and a shallower body are what you’re after.
- You prefer a built-in, retractable cord to a separate, detachable one.
- The catch
- Brown rice tops out at two dry cups, though white rice reaches three.
Zojirushi Micom NL-BAC05SB
- Why pick it
- You expect quinoa and cake to each have a named program.
- A detachable cord is your preference, and your space allows the 12.875-inch body depth.
- The catch
- Adding quinoa and cake programs doesn’t raise its ceiling of three dry cups of white rice.
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What this page compares
See how the 3-cup NS-LGC05 and NL-BAC05 differ on half-cup rice, oatmeal, quinoa, cupboard storage and fitting a narrow counter.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
The cooker has to sit on a shallow counter
LGC is one inch less deep. Both still need clearance for the lid and steam.
- Zojirushi Micom NS-LGC05XB
- Better fit
- Zojirushi Micom NL-BAC05SB
- Depends
Quinoa and cake sit next to rice in the weekly routine
BAC has a dedicated program for each.
- Zojirushi Micom NS-LGC05XB
- Depends
- Zojirushi Micom NL-BAC05SB
- Better fit
A normal meal is half a dry cup of white rice
White-rice batches are documented from half a supplied cup up to three cups on both. Decide based on your other cooking and storage needs.
- Zojirushi Micom NS-LGC05XB
- Similar
- Zojirushi Micom NL-BAC05SB
- Similar
You want the inner lid and steam cap to come off so you can wash them
A removable inner lid and steam cap are documented for both. The grain menus and body depth differ, but easy access for routine cleaning doesn’t set them apart. Being removable doesn’t mean dishwasher-approved.
- Zojirushi Micom NS-LGC05XB
- Similar
- Zojirushi Micom NL-BAC05SB
- Similar
In practice
Differences you will notice
Both cover the same white-rice range
Batches of white rice from half a cup to three cups are covered on both, so that range picks no winner. Decide on the extra grain programs, the body depth and the cord arrangement.
How we worked this out
zojirushi-ns-lgc05xb: 0.5-3 dry cups of white rice. zojirushi-nl-bac05sb: 0.5-3 dry cups of white rice.
Breakfast could go either way
Both have a setting for steel-cut oats. The BAC leads on quinoa and cake, while the LGC explicitly has GABA brown. Those are differences in menus. They don’t mean other foods are impossible.
How we worked this out
NS-LGC05XB: Menus for steel-cut oatmeal and GABA-brown. NL-BAC05SB: Menus for steel-cut oatmeal, quinoa and cake.
Depth and cord type each need their own check
LGC is one inch less deep. For packing away, both manage the cord, with LGC retracting it and BAC detaching it. A detachable cord isn’t automatically easier to store.
How we worked this out
zojirushi-ns-lgc05xb: Built-in retractable cord, 11.875-inch depth. zojirushi-nl-bac05sb: Detachable cord, 12.875-inch depth.
Option A
Zojirushi · NS-LGC05XB
Micom NS-LGC05XB
This three-cup cooker documents half-cup batches of both white and brown rice. A small household that eats rice often and doesn’t want leftovers piling up is who it suits.
- Best for
- A named GABA-brown program and a shallower body are what you’re after.
Facts we checked
- Range for white rice: 0.5-3 dry cups
- Handy extra menus: Steel-cut oatmeal and GABA brown
- Depth of body: 11.875 inches
- Cord storage: Built-in retractable cord
Option B
Zojirushi · NL-BAC05SB
Micom NL-BAC05SB
This small rice cooker has its own quinoa and steel-cut oatmeal settings. Those extra grains are what matter if one appliance has to serve both breakfast and dinner.
- Best for
- You expect quinoa and cake to each have a named program.
Facts we checked
- Range for white rice: 0.5-3 dry cups
- Handy extra menus: Steel-cut oatmeal, quinoa and cake
- Depth of body: 12.875 inches
- Cord storage: Detachable cord
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Zojirushi Micom NS-LGC05XB | Zojirushi Micom NL-BAC05SB | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| White-rice range | 0.5-3 dry cups | 0.5-3 dry cups | For a half-cup batch of white rice, neither comes out ahead. |
| Useful extra menus | GABA brown and steel-cut oatmeal | Quinoa, cake and steel-cut oatmeal | Choose the menu that fits the grain or dish you really cook. |
| Body depth | 11.875 inches | 12.875 inches | On a narrow counter or shelf, one inch counts. |
| Cord storage | Built-in retractable cord | Detachable cord | Both handle cord storage. Choose whether you want the cord built in or as a separate piece. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Zojirushi Micom NS-LGC05XB
- With the lid open it needs 14.25 inches of height, before any required allowance for steam clearance.
With Zojirushi Micom NL-BAC05SB
- The 12.875-inch body takes an extra inch of depth over LGC.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
You can’t store a body deeper than 12 inches, and a GABA-brown setting would help.
Go with Zojirushi Micom NS-LGC05XB. LGC is 11.875 inches deep and explicitly provides GABA brown. BAC is 12.875 inches deep. Check width, open-lid room and where you will cook separately.
Named quinoa and cake programs matter more to you than a shallower body.
Go with Zojirushi Micom NL-BAC05SB. Both programs are explicitly part of BAC. LGC’s published menu list doesn’t name them, so the choice rests on documented programs and not on any claim that LGC can’t cook those foods.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the rice cookers we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zojirushi Micom NS-LGC05XB |
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| Zojirushi Micom NL-BAC05SB |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Zojirushi Micom NS-LGC05XB
A named GABA-brown program and a shallower body are what you’re after.
See price & reviews on AmazonZojirushi Micom NL-BAC05SB
You expect quinoa and cake to each have a named program.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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