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Toshiba EM131A5C Review

An excellent all-around product with a large capacity, this model has convenient features and is exceptional at defrosting
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toshiba em131a5c microwave review
All in all, we highly recommend this Toshiba model.
Credit: Laura Casner
Price:  $150 List
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Manufacturer:   Toshiba
By David Wise and Austin Palmer  ⋅  Jan 14, 2022
69
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#2 of 11
  • Heating - 40% 5.5
  • Frozen Foods - 30% 7.0
  • Defrosting - 20% 9.0
  • Ease of use - 10% 8.1

Our Verdict

Delivering impressive results across the board, the Toshiba EM131A5C is one of our favorite microwaves we've reviewed. This larger model quickly and evenly heated all sorts of different types of food and has plenty of user-friendly and convenient features and functions. It did particularly well at defrosting frozen items completely without cooking them. This is one of our favorite kitchen appliances, and we highly recommend it to anyone searching for the cream of the crop. See how it measures up versus competitors in our article on the best microwaves.
REASONS TO BUY
Excellent at defrosting
Convenient
REASONS TO AVOID
Large
Expensive
Editor's Note: This product review was updated on March 17, 2022 where it was awarded a Top Pick Award

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toshiba em131a5c microwave review
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Toshiba EM131A5C
Awards Top Pick Award Editors' Choice Award    
Price $150 List
$149.99 at Amazon
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Bottom Line This appliance is a fantastic choice for anyone predominantly heating up frozen foods and seeking a larger modelIf you are searching for a top-tier microwave with plenty of capacity, then this is hard to beatA middle of the road product for a reasonable price, but we weren't exceptionally wowed by any aspect of this microwaveThis microwave will provide average performance at a higher price than other microwaves we testedThis model stood out for its ease of use and great performance with frozen foods, but performed poorly at defrosting
Rating Categories Toshiba EM131A5C Panasonic NN-SN936B Panasonic NN-SB458S Farberware Classic... Toshiba EM925A5A
Heating (40%)
5.5
8.6
6.2
6.4
6.3
Frozen Foods (30%)
7.0
6.6
6.7
6.0
8.0
Defrosting (20%)
9.0
8.0
7.0
5.0
2.0
Ease of use (10%)
8.1
5.9
5.5
7.9
7.7
Specs Toshiba EM131A5C Panasonic NN-SN936B Panasonic NN-SB458S Farberware Classic... Toshiba EM925A5A
Wattage 1100 watts 1250 watts 900 watts 1000 watts 900 watts
Size 1.2 cu. ft. 2.2 cu. ft. 0.9 cu. ft. 1.1 cu. ft. 0.9 cu. ft.
Dimensions (WxHxD) 20.5" x 12.8" x 17.1" 19.44" x 23.88" x 14" 19.1" x 11.5" x 14.8" 20.2" x 12.1" x 16.5" 19.2" x 11.5" x 15.9"
Turntable Diameter 12.4" 16.5" 10.6" 12.4" 10.6"
Internal Dimentions (WxHxD) 15" x 9.5" x 13.1" 18.4" x 10.4" x 18.5" 13.9" x 8.1" x 12.4" 12.9" x 8.1" x 14" 13.7" x 8.7" x 12.3"
Child lock Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
45 Sec Heating Temp Rise 111 F 112 F 89 F 109 F 89 F

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Toshiba EM131A5C is one of the larger and more expensive products in our best microwave review, but it's also one of the highest performing across the board, taking home one of our coveted Top Pick Awards in this category.

Performance Comparison


toshiba em131a5c microwave review - the em131a5c is one of our all-time favorites in this category of...
The EM131A5C is one of our all-time favorites in this category of products.
Credit: Laura Casner

Heating


The EM131A5C got off to a decent start in our first round of tests in the Heating metric, delivering above-average results. This metric covers five sub-tests. We assessed the speed and evenness of heating by measuring the temperature increase in a beaker of water and by making a heat map with marshmallow fluff. We also compared and scored how evenly this microwave heated a mixed plate of leftovers, canned soup, and some slices of pizza.


Heat Map Test


Our Heat Map test comprises 35% of the total Heating score. We cut a sheet of parchment paper into a disc the size of each microwave's turntable tray, and covered it in a thin layer of marshmallow creme. After heating the marshmallow on high for two minutes, we measured hot and cold spots and noted any burned areas.


While most of the marshmallow spread heated up consistently, we found there is a solid hot spot in the center of the sheet, causing it to darken significantly more than the rest, to the point of burning.

The Toshiba 290002 marshmallow cream prior to microwaving.
The Toshiba 290002 marshmallow cream prior to microwaving.
A very prevalent hot spot appeared in the middle of the heat map...
A very prevalent hot spot appeared in the middle of the heat map when using the Toshiba EM131A5C.

Heating Speed Test


To measure the heating speed, we put a 125 mL beaker of room temp water in the center of each microwave and heated it on high for 45 seconds. This test resulted in 20% of each appliance's Heating score.


The Toshiba EM131A5C did much better in the speed test, raising the 125 mL of water a whopping 110.6°F after 45 seconds of microwaving. In this test, the Toshiba microwave blew the other products (forgive our pun) out of the water.

Leftovers Heating


Unfortunately, this model performed less impressively in our leftover heating test, which accounted for 15% of its Heating score. We used the sensor reheat function on our plate of green beans, sausage, and potatoes.


We found that it barely heated up the food, and there was a significant temperature discrepancy between the different types of foods.

toshiba em131a5c microwave review - regrettably, we found the 3 types of food differed quite a bit in...
Regrettably, we found the 3 types of food differed quite a bit in temperature after heating.
Credit: Laura Casner

Soup Heating


Most of the ovens did a great job heating the soup in our tests when heated according to the microwave's instructions. This test also comprised 15% of the Heating score.


The Toshiba EM131A5C tied for first place here, heating the soup to the perfect serving temperature upon following the heating instructions.

Pizza Heating


For the final 15% of the Heating score, we reheated two slices of pizza to test for even heating and satisfactory eating temps.


This appliance unfortunately didn't do great with the pizza. The crust turned out quite cool, while the cheese was scalding.

toshiba em131a5c microwave review - the crust was quite a bit cooler than the rest of the slice.
The crust was quite a bit cooler than the rest of the slice.
Credit: Laura Casner

Frozen Foods


The Toshiba EM131A5C performed even better in our second series of tests, heating up premade frozen foods evenly and effectively. We scored performance by using a group of thermometers stuck into different areas of a Hot Pocket, personal-sized frozen lasagna, and a frozen burrito and comparing the differences in temperature.


This microwave performed impressively with the Hot Pocket, heating it almost perfectly with an average difference of 7°F between the left, right, and center. It did almost as well with the frozen burrito, with the average temperature difference only increasing to 13°F between the different areas.

toshiba em131a5c microwave review - the center region was just a bit cooler than the ends.
The center region was just a bit cooler than the ends.
Credit: Laura Casner

However, it only did about average with the frozen lasagna, showing marked temperature differences across the entire lasagna.

toshiba em131a5c microwave review - the toshiba em131a5c defrosted the entire block of turkey.
The Toshiba EM131A5C defrosted the entire block of turkey.
Credit: Laura Casner

Defrosting


It was in our defrosting metric where the Toshiba EM131A5C stood out from the rest of the competition, easily delivering one of the best overall performances we have seen out of any microwave to date. In this metric, we attempted to defrost a one-pound block of ground turkey using the appropriate settings.


Without cooking it, this appliance perfectly defrosted the entire block in just under 10 minutes, notifying you to flip the meat halfway through defrosting.

toshiba em131a5c microwave review - we like how convenient and easy to use this toshiba microwave is.
We like how convenient and easy to use this Toshiba microwave is.
Credit: Laura Casner

Ease of Use


Our last round of tests looked at the ease of operating this kitchen appliance, where it scored quite well. We compared the ease of using the interface, how well the preset functions worked, the internal lighting, and if it slides around on the countertop during normal use.


This microwave has a +30 Seconds button that automatically starts once you hit the button, as well as quick start functions for 1-6 minutes. It has a solid internal light and stays in place easily, not moving at all when opening, closing, or pushing buttons.

It can be used as a standalone timer, and we found the popcorn preset to be quite effective, with some kernels just beginning to overcook at the end of it but none burning.

toshiba em131a5c microwave review - the toshiba em131a5c does a great job with premade frozen items.
The Toshiba EM131A5C does a great job with premade frozen items.
Credit: Laura Casner

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.

What Other Microwaves Should You Consider?


For a budget-friendly option, the Toshiba EM925A5A is a smaller, more affordable product. It had a good showing with frozen foods and scored high for ease of use.

David Wise and Austin Palmer