If all you are making is rice in it, I think most any rice cooker will be better than a pan. It couldn't be any easier, you put the stuff, press the button, and it cooks and shuts off when it's done (or switches to warm)

We have two, a small one and a larger one, they are not the expensive models. For rice, I can't picture one that requires a second mortgage making much of a difference, but as you noted, I don't have a reference point.

I say get a cheap one first and see how you like it. Later you can toss it and get an expensive one if you want, all you would have wasted was $10 or $20.

If teflon doesn't freak you out and you don't own a parrot, consider a non stick one, it's much easier to clean up.