Both of these countertop microwaves share a 4.4-star rating and more than 32,000 reviews each, which puts them on equal footing for buyer satisfaction. Where they differ is in everything practical: the Farberware runs at 700 watts with a 0.7 cu ft cavity and costs $79.99, while the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS delivers 1000 watts into a 1.2 cu ft interior at $148.99. The Farberware is the lighter, smaller, and more affordable option; the Toshiba is the faster, roomier one. Which is right for you comes down to how much cooking you do, how big your counter is, and how much you want to spend.
The Toshiba EM131A5C-BS is the better all-around microwave for most kitchens, its 1000W output, 1.2 cu ft cavity, and 12.4-inch turntable handle real cooking tasks that the Farberware's smaller, lower-power setup cannot; pick the Farberware only when counter space or budget is the deciding factor.
| Spec | Farberware Countertop Microwave | TOSHIBA EM131A5C-BS Countertop Microwave |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | $148.99 |
| Rating | ||
| Capacity | 0.7 cu ft | 1.2 cu ft |
| Wattage | 700 W | 1000 W |
| Power levels | 10 | 10 |
| Installation | Countertop | Countertop |
| Width | 17.3 in | 20.6 in |
| Controls | Buttons | Buttons, Keypad |
| Color | Stainless Steel | Black Stainless Steel |
| Turntable | 10.6 in | 12.4 in |
| Dimensions | 12.99 X 17.3 X 10.14 In | 16 X 20.6 X 11.8 In |
| Weight | 22.5 lb | 34.6 lb |
| Voltage | 120 Volts | 120 Volts |
The Farberware Countertop Microwave is a stainless steel, 0.7 cu ft unit that runs at 700 watts with 10 power levels and a 10.6-inch turntable. It measures 12.99 x 17.3 x 10.14 inches and weighs 22.5 lb, making it one of the more compact and portable microwaves in this category. At $79.99 it is priced for buyers who need basic countertop convenience without spending much. The 700-watt output is adequate for reheating leftovers and warming beverages, but noticeably slower than higher-wattage competitors when cooking from cold. Its 4.4-star rating across more than 32,700 reviews reflects strong satisfaction for what it is designed to do.
Buy this if: The Farberware is the practical choice for anyone with a very small kitchen, a dorm room, or an office kitchenette where the microwave mostly warms up drinks and single-serving containers. It also makes sense as a secondary unit or a low-use backup when $79.99 is all the budget allows.
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The Toshiba EM131A5C-BS brings 1000 watts and 1.2 cubic feet of interior space in a black stainless steel body, making it a meaningfully more capable microwave than the Farberware. The 12.4-inch turntable accommodates dinner plates and larger containers that would be tight in a 0.7 cu ft unit, and button-plus-keypad controls make it easy to dial in precise cook times. At 16 x 20.6 x 11.8 inches and 34.6 lb it takes up considerably more counter space and is harder to move around. Priced at $148.99 it costs nearly twice the Farberware, but 131 buyers picked it up last month alone, and its 4.4-star rating across 32,299 reviews confirms it earns that premium for regular users.
Buy this if: Buy the Toshiba EM131A5C-BS if the microwave is a daily workhorse in your kitchen, reheating full plates, defrosting proteins, or cooking family-sized portions. The 1000-watt output and 1.2 cu ft interior give it the headroom to handle those tasks efficiently, and the price is fair for what you get.
Check price on AmazonThe Toshiba runs at 1000 watts versus the Farberware's 700 watts, roughly a 43 percent power advantage. In practical terms, a dish that takes about two minutes in the Toshiba can take close to three minutes in the Farberware at the same power level setting. Both offer 10 power levels for precision, but the Toshiba's higher ceiling means less waiting for everyday reheating.
The Farberware has a 10.6-inch turntable in a 0.7 cu ft interior. Most 10-inch plates will fit, though clearance is tight and a 12-inch plate likely will not spin freely. The Toshiba's 12.4-inch turntable and 1.2 cu ft cavity give a noticeably more comfortable fit for standard dinner plates and larger bowls.
For households that use a microwave heavily, yes. The Toshiba gives you 43 percent more wattage, 71 percent more interior volume, and nearly two inches more turntable diameter for $69 more. If the microwave is your main shortcut for cooking and reheating every day, that gap pays off quickly. If you use it once or twice a day for simple tasks, the Farberware at $79.99 is completely adequate.
The Farberware measures 12.99 x 17.3 x 10.14 inches and weighs 22.5 lb, while the Toshiba is 16 x 20.6 x 11.8 inches and 34.6 lb. The Farberware takes up meaningfully less surface area and is easier to reposition or store when not in use. On a tight countertop, the size difference is a real practical consideration.