Toshiba EM131A5C-BS vs Panasonic NN-SN68QB

Which Microwave Is Better?

Products

Toshiba EM131A5C-BS
Panasonic NN-SN68QB

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Feb 27, 2026 07:20 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.1

Updated Mar 23, 2026 03:03 PM

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Panasonic
Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Picture

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Panasonic NN-SN68QB Picture

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  1. Recommended in 3 articles:
  2. Microwaves
  3. Best Countertop
  4. Cheap And Budget

Our Verdict

Toshiba EM131A5C-BS

Panasonic NN-SN68QB

The Toshiba EM131A5C-BS and the Panasonic NN-SN68QB are both medium-sized microwaves. While the Panasonic cooks slightly faster, the Toshiba is easier and more convenient to use, making it a better choice overall. Both microwaves use a membrane touch panel, which is typical of budget options, but the Toshiba makes it easier to start both simple and more complex cooking tasks. You can start cooking for three minutes at 100% power with a single button press, and while it takes more effort to dial in your cooking settings, it's still easier than with the Panasonic. Both include a cooking sensor and operate very quietly.

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Variants

  • EM131A5C-BS (Black Stainless Steel)
  • EM131A5C-SS (Stainless Steel)
  • NN-SN68QB (Black)

Check Price

Black Stainless Steel
EM131A5C-BS
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
NN-SN68QB
SEE PRICE
Panasonic
Stainless Steel
EM131A5C-SS
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
NN-SN68QB
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Black
NN-SN68QB
Walmart.com
 
Black
NN-SN68QB
Lowes.com
 
Black
NN-SN68QB
HomeDepot.com
 
Black
NN-SN68QB
BestBuy.com

Main Differences for
Everyday Use

Threshold 

0.10

Everyday Use 
 

7.6
7.1

Ease Of Use 
 

7.0
5.4

Power 
 

9.4
9.9

Full Comparison

Design

Body 
 

Microwave Dimensions Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave Dimensions Photo
Compare High-Res
Panasonic NN-SN68QB Microwave Dimensions Photo

Installation 
 

Countertop
Countertop

Height  

12.9" (32.8 cm)
12.3" (31.2 cm)

Width  

20.5" (52.0 cm)
20.1" (51.1 cm)

Depth Without Handle 
 

15.7" (40.0 cm)
15.2" (38.7 cm)

Depth With Handle 
 

17.0" (43.3 cm)
15.2" (38.7 cm)

Power Cord Length  

3.53 ft (1.08 m)
3.64 ft (1.11 m)

Internal Capacity 
 

6.9
6.9

Cooking Chamber Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Cooking Chamber Photo
Compare High-Res
Panasonic NN-SN68QB Cooking Chamber Photo

Advertised Chamber Volume 
 

1.2 cu. ft. (34.0 L)
1.2 cu. ft. (34.0 L)

Turntable Diameter 
 

12.4" (31.5 cm)
13.3" (33.9 cm)

Chamber Height 
 

9.3" (23.5 cm)
9.5" (24.1 cm)

Chamber Width 
 

13.1" (33.2 cm)
13.6" (34.5 cm)

Chamber Depth 
 

15.2" (38.6 cm)
14.1" (35.7 cm)

Measured Chamber Volume 
 

1.06 cu. ft. (30.1 L)
1.05 cu. ft. (29.6 L)

Features  

Control Panel Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Control Panel Picture
Compare High-Res
Panasonic NN-SN68QB Control Panel Picture

Cooking Sensor 
 

Yes
Yes

Convection Cooking 
 

No
No

Add Time Button 
 

Yes
Yes

Mute Sounds Button 
 

Yes
No

Lock Controls Button 
 

Yes
No

Ease Of Use 
 

7.0
5.4

Usability Video  

Control Interface 
 

Membrane Touch Panel
Membrane Touch Panel

# Of Actions For 3:00 At 100% 
 

1
4

# Of Actions For 2:30 At 50% 
 

7
10

Door Release 
 

Handle
Button

In The Box 
 

In The Box Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Toshiba EM131A5C-BS In The Box Photo
Compare High-Res
Panasonic NN-SN68QB In The Box Photo
Performance

Power 
 

9.4
9.9

Microwave Power Graph 
 

Compare High-Res
Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave Power Graph
Compare High-Res
Panasonic NN-SN68QB Microwave Power Graph

Inverter Technology 
 

No
Yes

Advertised Microwave Output Power 
 

1,100 W
1,250 W

Tested Heating Rate At 100% Power 
 

737 W
778 W

In-Use Noise 
 

8.5
8.4

Noise Video  

Avg. Noise @ 100% Power 
 

45.8 dBA
46.6 dBA

Shallow Dish Heating Uniformity 
 

Marshmallow Heatmap 
 

Compare High-Res
Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Marshmallow Heatmap
Compare High-Res
Panasonic NN-SN68QB Marshmallow Heatmap

Area Of Underheated Dinner Plate 
 

0%
0%

Grayscale Range Dinner Plate 
 

32
28

Area Of Underheated Turntable 
 

0%
0%

Grayscale Range Turntable 
 

32
28

Deep Dish Heating Uniformity 
 

Mashed Potato 100% Heatmap 
 

Compare High-Res
Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Mashed Potato 100% Heatmap
Compare High-Res
Panasonic NN-SN68QB Mashed Potato 100% Heatmap

Min. Food Temperature (100% Power) 
 

68 °F (20 °C)
N/A

Food Temperature Range (100% Power) 
 

132 °F (74 °C)
N/A

Mashed Potato 50% Heatmap 
 

Compare High-Res
Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Mashed Potato 50% Heatmap
Compare High-Res
Panasonic NN-SN68QB Mashed Potato 50% Heatmap

Min. Food Temperature (50% Power) 
 

68 °F (20 °C)
N/A

Food Temperature Range (50% Power) 
 

106 °F (59 °C)
N/A

Check Price

Black Stainless Steel
EM131A5C-BS
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
NN-SN68QB
SEE PRICE
Panasonic
Stainless Steel
EM131A5C-SS
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
NN-SN68QB
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Black
NN-SN68QB
Walmart.com
 
Black
NN-SN68QB
Lowes.com
 
Black
NN-SN68QB
HomeDepot.com
 
Black
NN-SN68QB
BestBuy.com

Toshiba EM131A5C-BS

Panasonic NN-SN68QB

Comments

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Toshiba EM131A5C-BS vs Panasonic NN-SN68QB: Main Discussion

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