Toshiba EM131ABC Review
📌 What It Is
The Toshiba EM131ABC you’re asking about appears to be the same microwave widely sold as the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS model — a 1.2 cubic-foot capacity countertop microwave oven with up to ~1100 W cooking power, a smart humidity sensor, easy-to-use controls, and a black stainless-steel finish.
⭐ Quick Summary
Ideal for: everyday reheating, defrosting, simple cooking, kitchens that need a roomy but affordable countertop microwave.
Not ideal for: advanced cooking (no convection or air-fry), perfectly even heating every time.
Typical rating: ~4.2–4.4 ★ from user reviews overall.
🔧 Key Features & Specs
Capacity: ~1.2 cu ft — roomy for plates, bowls, family meals.
Power: ~1100 W with 10 power levels for versatile cooking.
Smart Humidity Sensor: auto-adjusts cooking time based on steam to reduce guesswork.
Easy Controls: large digital display with one-touch presets and smaller buttons for time/power.
Extras: ECO mode (low standby power), mute buzzer option, defrost by time/weight.
Exterior: sleek black stainless steel — more modern than plain white.
Warranty: Typically 1 year manufacturer.
👍 Pros
🔥 Powerful & Fast:
Heats food quickly thanks to strong 1100 W output — fast reheats and boiling water is efficient.
📊 Sensor Cooking:
The smart humidity sensor helps the microwave adjust cook times automatically for common foods like pizza or vegetables (not perfect, but useful).
🎛 Simple & Practical:
Large display and one-touch presets make it very easy for anyone to use — no complicated menus.
🤫 Useful Extras:
Mute function is handy if you want quieter operation. ECO mode reduces standby power use.
🍽 Roomy Interior:
The 12.4 in turntable and 1.2 cu ft cavity can fit plates and bowls comfortably.
👎 Cons
🍲 Uneven Heating:
Some tests show heating can be inconsistent — hot spots, especially on pizza edges or deep bowls.
📉 Basic Feature Set:
Lacks premium features like inverter cooking (for perfect even power) or convection/air fry options.
🤔 Durability Variation:
Some users report durability issues (e.g., interior light flicker or components failing). This seems occasional but worth noting.
🧼 Smudge Magnet:
The black stainless finish looks great but can show fingerprints easily.
📊 What Reviewers Say
RTINGS: Rates this model very high for its power and simplicity, noting it heats food fast and includes helpful features like sensor cooking and a mute button.
Product Review Crew: Calls it a great mid-range microwave that looks classy and feels solid, though not as even as top inverter models.
Consumer Reports: Found it performs well in defrost tasks but has average heat evenness, typical for countertop models without inverter tech.
User Feedback (varied): Many find it reliable and easy to use, but occasional users report early failures or inconsistent heating.
🧾 Bottom Line — Is It Worth It?
✅ Yes, if you want:
A capable, roomy countertop microwave for everyday tasks.
Strong heating power and simple presets.
Good value for its price bracket.
❌ Maybe not if you want:
Advanced cooking features (convection, air fry, inverter tech).
Perfectly even heat every time.
Long-term durability with minimal service calls.