Compare To Similar Products
Excellent with packaged frozen foods, compact, very easy to use | Inexpensive, above-average performance, compact | Easy to use, relatively inexpensive, excellent with prepared frozen items | |||
Cons | Low power, Amazon Alexa device required for some functions | Not the most convenient to use, heating performance could be better | Struggled to defrost the ground turkey | ||
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Bottom Line | An excellent all-around product with a large capacity, this model has convenient features and is exceptional at defrosting | For those with limited kitchen space, this is the best compact model we tested | This compact model is a great value, offers good performance, and features smart home integration | This product pairs average results with an average price, failing to stand out from the competition | This product had mixed results overall, failing to distinguish it all that much from other products |
Rating Categories | |||||
20.5″W x 12.8″H x 17.1″D | 17.7″W x 11.0″H x 14.5″D | 17.3″W x 10.1″H x 14.1″D | 19.1″W x 11.5″H x 14.8″D | 19.2″W x 11.5″H x 15.9″D | |
Turntable Diameter | |||||
15″W x 9.5″H x 13.1″D | 13.6″W x 9.3″H x 12.4″D | 10.9″W x 6.9″H x 10″D | 13.9″W x 8.1″H x 12.4″D | 13.7″W x 8.7″H x 12.3″D | |
Child lock | |||||
45 Sec Heating Temp Rise | 111 F |
Page : Grounding Instructions
This Sleek Appliance Is Easy To Use And Clean
Rachel is a writer for The Spruce Eats. She is passionate about all things fashion and home and takes pride in helping readers make informed consumer decisions.
We independently research, test, review, and recommend the bestproductslearn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
The Spruce Eats / Rachel Ellison
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Handle is a welcome alternative to button
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Offers substantial power and multiple settings
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Easy-to-clean interior and exterior
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Too big for small kitchens
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Preset heat times are too aggressive
The Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave Oven features one-touch functionality, an easy-to-clean interior, and a sleek, stainless steel body.
We purchased the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave Oven so our reviewer could put it to the test in her kitchen. Keep reading for our full product review.
We all aspire to cook dinner each night and bring in leftovers for lunch. In reality, though, a microwavable dinner is sometimes all we can muster after a draining nine-to-five and a taxing commute home. In these scenarios, we need our microwave to really do the trick. Weve owned microwaves so powerless we were forced to double our cook times, and others? Total stain magnets. This time around, we were on the lookout for something that was powerful, easy to use, and relatively simple to clean. Read on to see how the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave Oven performed in our home.
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Competition: Best In Class
Amongst microwaves in the $100 range, the Toshiba Microwave Oven is definitely a top-performer. We particularly loved the easy-clean interior and stainless steel exterior.
If youre looking into options at a higher price point, however, there are two things that more high-end machines offer: better temperature control and a keep warm feature. While the Toshiba Microwave Oven can heat food from frozen to piping hot, there are occasional hot/cold patches in the finished product. The appeal of a pricier microwave is that these patches give way to an even temperature throughout your meal.
Secondly, we noticed when shopping for microwaves that some models, such as the Panasonic Microwave Oven , offer a feature that keeps food warm. Though this does seem like a luxury, we dont consider it a necessity.
Yes, buy it.
The Toshiba Microwave Oven checks all of our boxes. It offers 1100 watts of power, a one-touch start feature, an easy-to-clean interior, and a sleek, smudge-resistant exterior. If youre in the market for a reliable microwave, we highly recommend it.
Auto And Custom Defrost

This Toshiba microwave features two defrost functions to help you thaw various ingredients.
The Auto Defrost is preset to emit enough heat to defrost 1 pound of food. The Custom Defrost option can be adjusted to thaw any other amount up to 6 pounds of fish, poultry, and meat. You can increase the time, and the microwave will guarantee even heat distribution.
What we loved is that the microwave will thaw several ingredients without cooking them, so you wont end up with food that looks cooked on the edges while remaining frozen in the center.
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Price: Definitely A Hot Commodity
Retailing for $120but often on sale for $100 or lessthis microwave is a modest investment. If your needs are relatively basicheating up leftovers and perhaps making the occasional nacho platethen the Toshiba Microwave Oven is perfect. Comparing it to some cheaper alternatives with lower wattage, the extra $50 or so youre spending is certainly worth it. Also, keep in mind that this microwave comes with a 1-year warranty as long as you keep the original packaging.
What To Consider When Choosing The Best Toshiba Em131a5c
Buying a toshiba em131a5c-bs microwave oven can be a complicated process. There are many things to consider, and you may be overwhelmed by the options. While theres no surefire way to guarantee that youll buy the right product every time, some things can help guide you through this maze. The following tips will help you choose the best toshiba em131a5c-bs microwave oven.
Here are some questions to ask before buying anything online:
Is the product being sold by a reputable company? A company that has been around for years and has a good reputation is more likely to provide quality products.
Do I really need this product? Ask yourself if you need this toshiba em131a5c-bs microwave oven or if its just something that sounds nice. It may seem like a great idea to purchase something cheaper than its retail price, but it might be better not to buy it at all if you dont need it.
Is the item sold through Amazon? If so, then its likely that Amazon will have user reviews on this product. You can use these reviews to determine whether or not the toshiba em131a5c-bs microwave oven is worth buying.
How much does shipping cost? Many online retailers offer free shipping when you buy certain items, so consider this when comparing prices between different online stores.
Fits your needs and wants perfectly! If you have special needs or desires for this toshiba em131a5c-bs microwave oven, make sure that your chosen product will meet them before making your purchase!
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Power Level: Dont Follow The Directions
When we picked up this microwave we were fresh off a $50 model that left a lot to be desired. So when we placed our Annies meal into this bad boy and saw our dinner heat up in the anticipated four and a half minutes, we couldnt have been more pleased. Most microwaves range in power, from 600 watts to 1200 watts, so this microwave actually falls on the higher end of the spectrum at 1100 watts. There are ten power settings in total, with the default power level set to 10. Throughout our testing process, we kept our power setting at 10, and were pleased with the results.
Something that must be addressed in this review, however, is the slightly misleading direction with regard to changing the power level. The manual reads: “Prior to cooking, press Power Level and ‘PL10’ will display. Then press number pads to select a different power level. If you attempt this, however, you will find that the power level will not change. What you need to do instead is press Time Cook, then enter the time, and then press the Power Level button to change the level.
Toshiba : Microwave Ovens
Microwave ovens have become a kitchen must-have. Whether youre trying a new recipe, reheating your meal for dinner or making popcorn for movie night, a microwave makes your life a whole lot simpler. At Target, find microwave ovens based on the size of your counter, the wattage you need and the brand you love. Countertop Microwaves are easy to use and one of the most essential kitchen appliances. They give you the versatility needed to prepare everything from frozen pizza to dinner plate quickly and easily. If youre split between an oven and a microwave, pick the microwave with a built-in convection function. These microwaves can be used for power grilling, baking and other functions just like an oven. You can mount this onto your kitchen cabinet or place it on the countertop. To avoid the hassle of messy cleanups pick stainless steel microwave ovens that are super easy to clean and maintain. Whether you choose an over-the-range microwave or a regular one, a microwave oven gives you fast, even, thorough and quick-cooking options.
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Presets: Not As Precise As Manual
There are several preset buttons in addition to the one-touch functionalityyou will find buttons for Frozen Pizza, Frozen Entrée,Potato, Rice, Veggie, as well as Custom Cook,Soften/Melt, Popcorn, along with some defrosting options.
Most of the presets seemed to work relatively well. When we popped an Amys Frozen Mexican Casserole into the microwave and tested the Frozen Entrée button, it emerged cooked to perfection. But its easy enough most often to simply cook or heat food for the suggested time.
Throughout our testing process, we kept our power setting at 10, and were pleased with the results.
As far as the Frozen Pizza preset goes, we refuse to cook a pizza in a microwave as opposed to an oven, so we may never know if it works. We did defrost bananas, which took a little finagling. We pressed Defrost, and entered in 1 pound when prompted for the weight. The microwave timer suddenly jumped to seven minutes, as it attempted to defrost just three bananas. We stopped it about halfway through the process, and the fruit seemed soft enough. The soften/melt presets arent exact, either, and we had to take our butter out early. Though, to be fair, we simply wanted it to soften, not melt.
Page 1: Setting Up Your Oven
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Should You Buy The Toshiba Em131a5c
If you want a large capacity and high-power microwave that does an excellent job with frozen foods, then this should be one of the first options you consider. It performed almost perfectly in our defrosting tests and heated most foods very evenly. However, those with small kitchens and small budgets should look elsewhere.
Page : Important Safety Instructions

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Functionality: Simple And Straight
When we first got our fingers on the touchpad of the Toshiba Microwave Oven, we werent sure what to think. Attempting to heat up a quesadilla, we pressed four and proceeded to hover over the five, obviously going for the ideal cheese-melting length of 45 seconds. No sooner did we press four, however, than the microwave began its four-minute countdown.
Weve never owned a microwave with this one-touch functionality, but we quickly grew accustomed to it. There is a 30-second button as well as quick-touch buttons for everything from one to six minutes. We seamlessly adapted to rounding our cook times to the nearest 30 seconds. If presets arent your thing, you can manually input the cook time by pressing the button that reads Custom Cook, and then entering in the number of seconds of minutes youd like.
Other functionalities include a clock, a kitchen timer, and various presets based on food type. Lastly, you can adjust the power level of the device, but well get to that in a minute.
An Overview On Portable Microwaves
Although portable microwaves are smaller and easier to move around, theyâre just as powerful as their bigger counterparts. This is great news for anyone who needs a portable microwave for their RV, sleeper truck, dorm room or small apartment. Keep the following features in mind as you shop for the best portable microwave on the market.
Consider whether you really need a microwave with all the bells and whistles. Something like the Commercial Chef Counter Top Portable Microwave, 600-Watt is a better choice in some cases, as you only need to turn the power and time dials to use it. Itâs perfect for the individual who typically only uses a microwave to heat up a cup of coffee or a plate of leftovers
If you prefer a portable microwave thatâs more modern and comes with additional settings, go with the BLACK+DECKER Turntable Digital Portable Microwave, 900-Watt. This model offers 10 power settings, six pre-programmed cooking settings and a 30-seconds express cooking setting. If you have small children in the home, youâll also appreciate the included child safety lock, which helps prevent unnecessary accidents from occurring.
Finally, look for a portable microwave that comes in a style that suits your tastes. For example, the Nostalgia Retro Portable Microwave, 800-Watt takes you back to times past, while still dazzling you with its sleek chrome door handle. It also comes in five fun colors, including aqua, ivory, seafoam green, jet black and retro red.
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What Other Microwaves Should You Consider
The only other microwave we tested that scored on par overall with this one was the Kenmore 70919. If you eat a lot of frozen packaged items, we’d recommend the Kenmore or the premium Panasonic NN-SN67KS, although that one comes with a premium price tag.
David Wise and Austin Palmer
Ease Of Cleaning: The Best Feature Of This Model
One of the immeasurable upsides to this particular device is the ease of cleaning. First of all, the stainless steel on the exterior is relatively smudge resistant, so you dont have to worry about unwieldy fingerprints or food stains. And while some stainless steels claim to eschew oil and grime, this iteration actually lives up to its claim.
Splatters of food are inevitable, but the slick surface allowed our sponge to glide seamlessly, and all spots disappeared within seconds.
Obviously, as with all microwaves, the glass turntable can be removed to be cleaned, either by hand or in the dishwasher. Luckily, the interior is just as easy to clean. Splatters of food are inevitable, but the slick surface allowed our sponge to glide seamlessly, and all spots disappeared within seconds.
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Our Review Of The Toshiba Em131a5c
Testing and reviewing the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS is something that we had to do since this is one of the most popular models in its category, in fact, this medium-sized countertop microwave has a lot of fans, but does it offer something that justifies the slightly higher price?
Fortunately, it does. In addition to the intuitive preset cooking functions, this unit offers some extra features that we could only find on more expensive models. We analyzed all its features to help you .
Smart Sensor Preset Menu Settings
This microwave is equipped with 6 different Preset Menu functions that you can choose from to prepare your snacks or meals when youre in a hurry.
You can choose between frozen entrées, frozen pizza, fresh or frozen veggies, rice, potatoes, and popcorn. These settings are perfect for the busiest days and we love how this feature shortens meal preparation.
The built-in Smart Sensor is a big plus for those who dont have much experience in the kitchen as it continuously measures the humidity level in your food to adjust the heat output.
As a result, your food will never be over or undercooked. Thanks to this Toshiba microwave with Smart Sensor, every meal will taste and look perfect.
While some people might find these settings quite limiting compared to other appliances of the same capacity, theyre suitable for those who get overwhelmed with too many functions and buttons. This unit is the perfect choice for someone who knows exactly what they want from a reliable microwave.
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