Head-to-head · Best Countertop Microwaves

Panasonic NN-SN686S vs Toshiba EM131A5C-BS

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Panasonic NN-SN686S comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.4 vs 4.3). The gap is mostly about Buyers who want Panasonic's inverter even-heating and excellent defrost but don't have room or budget for the 2.2 cu ft flagship. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Countertop Microwaves

Panasonic NN-SN686S

4.4

3 sources2 derived$259.95as of Aug 1

The Panasonic NN-SN686S brings the flagship's inverter technology and Genius Sensor down to a more manageable 1.2 cu ft, 1200W body. Consumer Reports rated it Excellent for both heat evenness and auto-defrost, which arguably makes it the best-heating microwave in this roundup per dish. Buy it if you want Panasonic's even cooking without the 2.2 cu ft model's bulk, and can accept a smaller interior and dated looks.

Strengths

— Same inverter even-heating and Genius Sensor as the flagship in a smaller body
— Excellent Consumer Reports scores for heat evenness and defrosting
— 1.2 cu ft fits most dishes while taking less counter space than the 2.2 model

Watch-outs

— Capacity can feel limiting if you frequently cook large dishes
— Old-fashioned styling and membrane controls
— Costs more than conventional microwaves of similar size

$259.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #3 in Best Countertop Microwaves

Toshiba EM131A5C-BS

4.3

3 sources1 derived$148.99as of Aug 1

The Toshiba EM131A5C-BS is the value all-rounder of the category: a 1.2 cu ft, 1000W microwave with a humidity sensor, 12 auto menus, a mute function, and a black-stainless look that punches above its price. TechGearLab scores it 70/100 and singles out its excellent defrosting, while flagging uneven heating as the main weakness. For most households it is the sensible mid-priced default.

Strengths

— Best-in-class defrosting that thaws meat evenly without cooked edges
— Smart humidity sensor with 12 auto menus for hands-off cooking
— 1.2 cu ft is a practical mid-size that fits most dinner plates

Watch-outs

— Heat distribution is uneven — you may need to stir or rearrange food
— Sensor reheat function underperforms in testing
— Bulky external size relative to its interior

$148.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Panasonic NN-SN686S

The compact sibling of the Panasonic NN-SN966S, sharing its inverter and Genius Sensor in a 1.2 cu ft body that matches the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS's footprint. Its inverter even-heating beats the conventional Toshiba EM131A5C-BS, Black+Decker EM925AB9, and Galanz GLCMKZ09BKR09; the only thing it gives up to the NN-SN966S is interior size and a little power.

Toshiba EM131A5C-BS

Conventional (non-inverter) like the Black+Decker EM925AB9 and Galanz GLCMKZ09BKR09, so it shares their tendency toward uneven heating versus the inverter Panasonic NN-SN966S and NN-SN686S. But its defrosting is the best in this group, its humidity sensor outclasses the budget Black+Decker and Galanz, and its 1.2 cu ft size matches the NN-SN686S while costing less.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Panasonic NN-SN686S	Toshiba EM131A5C-BS
Power	1200W	1000W
Capacity	1.2 cu ft	1.2 cu ft
Technology	Inverter + Genius Sensor	Humidity sensor
Programs	14 sensor presets	12 auto menus
Turntable	13.4 in	12.4 in
Defrost	Turbo Defrost	—
Finish	Stainless steel	Black stainless
Warranty	1 year	1 year
Dimensions	15.8"D x 20.7"W x 12.2"H	16"D x 20.6"W x 11.8"H
Wattage	1480 watts	1000 watts
Material	Stainless Steel	Stainless Steel
Extras	—	Mute function, ECO mode

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