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Toshiba EM131A5C-BS vs BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7: Which Fits Your Kitchen?

This is mainly a capacity-and-space choice, followed by a different documented reheat-control routine. Toshiba lists a 1.2 cu. ft. cavity and Sensor Reheat; BLACK+DECKER lists 0.7 cu. ft., a 10-inch turntable and six Auto Menu choices. Toshiba’s product page has inconsistent dimension entries, so treat its exact fit as unresolved until you check the unit and clearance requirements. No heating performance comparison was performed.

Published by Pickoryx · Published 2026-10-04

Source checked 2026-10-04 18:44 UTC

Products compared

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The buying question

Do you need the Toshiba’s larger listed cavity and sensor-reheat routine, or does the BLACK+DECKER’s smaller published size and named Auto Menu presets better fit your space and habits?

The Toshiba is listed at 1.2 cu. ft. and has a Sensor Reheat menu with specific food and preparation limits. The BLACK+DECKER is listed at 0.7 cu. ft. with six named Auto Menu choices and smaller manual-listed exterior measurements. Toshiba’s current product page contains conflicting dimension entries, so confirm its exact unit measurements before planning a tight installation.

Quick verdict

Choose Toshiba EM131A5C-BS 1.2 Cu. Ft. Microwave Oven if

  • You need the larger listed 1.2 cu. ft. cavity and 12.4-inch turntable, subject to checking the exact external fit.
  • You want Toshiba’s named Sensor Reheat option and can follow its documented food exclusions and preparation instructions.
View Toshiba EM131A5C-BS 1.2 Cu. Ft. Microwave Oven on AmazonPaid link

Choose BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 0.7 Cu. Ft. Microwave Oven if

  • A 0.7 cu. ft. cavity and 10-inch turntable suit the dishes you actually use.
  • The BLACK+DECKER’s manual-listed smaller exterior envelope and named Auto Menu options fit your counter and reheating routine.
View BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 0.7 Cu. Ft. Microwave Oven on AmazonPaid link
When the recommendation changes
  • If your dishes or serving portions need more room, the Toshiba’s listed 1.2 cu. ft. capacity and 12.4-inch turntable become more relevant.
  • If counter or shelf space is tight, the BLACK+DECKER manual’s 17.3 x 13 x 10.2-inch exterior listing is useful, while Toshiba’s official page conflicts with itself on dimensions; measure the exact Toshiba unit and account for its manual before committing to a tight space.
  • For reheating, choose by the documented control routine and food fit: Toshiba has Sensor Reheat with stated exclusions and preparation guidance; BLACK+DECKER lists six Auto Menu categories. Neither routine establishes superior heating results.

The differences that matter

Cavity Capacity And Counter Fit

Toshiba EM131A5C-BS 1.2 Cu. Ft. Microwave Oven

Toshiba lists a 1.2 cu. ft. cavity and 12.4-inch turntable. Its model manual gives external dimensions of 20.5 x 17.1 x 12.8 inches. The current Toshiba product page also displays two Product Dimensions entries that do not agree, so verify the specific unit and clearance before a tight fit.[1, 2]

BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 0.7 Cu. Ft. Microwave Oven

The EM720CB7 manual lists a 0.7 cu. ft. cavity, 10-inch turntable and external dimensions of 17.3 x 13 x 10.2 inches. Check your dishes and installation clearances against those listed measurements.[3]

What this changes: The Toshiba has more listed cavity volume and a larger turntable; the BLACK+DECKER has smaller listed exterior dimensions. Toshiba’s official product page has conflicting dimension entries, so use its actual unit measurements rather than relying on a single published figure for tight cabinetry.[1, 2, 3]

The better fit depends on your priorities

Reheat Control And Preset Workflow

Toshiba EM131A5C-BS 1.2 Cu. Ft. Microwave Oven

The Toshiba manual names Sensor Reheat and other sensor-menu options. Sensor Reheat has documented food exclusions and preparation conditions, including 8–32 oz portions; follow the manual for eligible dishes.[2]

BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 0.7 Cu. Ft. Microwave Oven

The BLACK+DECKER manual lists six Auto Menu buttons: popcorn, potato, pizza, frozen vegetable, beverage and dinner plate; the instructions provide the button workflow and preset quantity choices.[3]

What this changes: Pick the documented control routine that matches what you reheat: Toshiba’s Sensor Reheat has specific use conditions, while BLACK+DECKER names its one-touch menu categories. The manuals do not establish which produces better results.[2, 3]

The better fit depends on your priorities

Best for your routine

A shopper whose dishes need more listed cavity space

Best fit: Toshiba EM131A5C-BS 1.2 Cu. Ft. Microwave Oven

Based on listed features, not comparative testing.

Toshiba lists a 1.2 cu. ft. cavity and 12.4-inch turntable, compared with 0.7 cu. ft. and 10 inches for BLACK+DECKER. This is a capacity comparison, not a cooking-performance result.

View Toshiba EM131A5C-BS 1.2 Cu. Ft. Microwave Oven on AmazonPaid link

A shopper choosing between documented reheat-menu routines

The better fit depends on your priorities

Toshiba documents Sensor Reheat with conditions and exclusions; BLACK+DECKER documents six named Auto Menu choices. Which list is more useful depends on the foods and portions you commonly reheat.

Value and trade-offs

One or both observed offers have eligibility conditions, so no unrestricted price difference is shown.

No price premium or value winner is calculated here. Compare current checkout prices, seller, delivery terms and availability against the capacity and control features you will use.

Check current checkout prices, seller terms, package contents and availability before choosing. Price history was not assessed.

Limitations

  • No hands-on testing or side-by-side measurement of heating evenness, speed, noise, temperature accuracy, reliability or energy use was performed.
  • Toshiba’s current official product page displays conflicting external-dimension entries; its EM131A5C-BS manual lists 20.5 x 17.1 x 12.8 inches. Confirm the dimensions on the specific unit and required ventilation clearances before a tight installation.
  • The Toshiba Sensor Reheat instructions specify eligible foods, portion limits and preparation conditions. The comparison does not claim that its sensor menu outperforms the BLACK+DECKER Auto Menu.

Questions shoppers ask

Which microwave has more interior room?

Toshiba lists 1.2 cu. ft. and a 12.4-inch turntable; the BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 manual lists 0.7 cu. ft. and a 10-inch turntable. The Toshiba manual identifies its exterior size, but the current Toshiba product page shows conflicting dimension entries, so verify the actual unit dimensions and clearance before purchase.

Are the reheat controls the same?

No. Toshiba’s manual names Sensor Reheat and gives food and preparation conditions. BLACK+DECKER lists six Auto Menu buttons, including beverage and dinner plate. Choose the categories and routine that match your usual food; neither manual is a comparative test of the resulting heating quality.

Does Sensor Reheat work for every food?

Toshiba’s instructions say no: they list exclusions and preparation guidance, including portion and temperature conditions. Check the EM131A5C-BS manual for the food you plan to reheat.

Methodology and sources

Compared the Toshiba US EM131A5C-BS product page and model-specific instruction manual with the BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 instruction manual. The comparison covers listed capacity/exterior dimensions and documented menu workflows; it does not report comparative cooking tests.

AI assistance was used to organize the research and draft the comparison; the claims were checked against the cited manufacturer documents.

View 3 sources
  1. 1.1.2 Cu. Ft. Microwave Oven with Smart Humidity Sensor - EM131A5C-BSToshiba Lifestyle USA · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-04 18:14 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • Product details identifies EM131A5C-BS and lists capacity, sensor/preset features and two conflicting Product Dimensions entries; package dimensions are separately labeled.: US manufacturer product page identifies the exact -BS model and lists 1.2 cu. ft. capacity, turntable and sensor/preset features. It displays conflicting Product Dimensions entries (20.6 x 16 x 11.8 in and 20.5 x 17.2 x 12.8 in); these are disclosed as a source conflict.
  2. 2.Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave Oven Instruction ManualToshiba · Official support · Source checked 2026-10-04 18:44 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • PDF physical page 6, “Specifications” section; physical pages 28–30, “Sensor Menu” and “Sensor Reheat” sections; physical page 20, “Countertop Installation” / “Installation” section for ventilation and placement requirements. OEM manual hosted on Amazon media.: Toshiba-branded manual identifies EM131A5C-BS and lists its capacity, turntable and exterior dimensions; it documents Sensor Reheat use conditions, exclusions and portions, and its Countertop Installation section instructs users on required open space/clearances. Physical page references are used because extracted printed footer labels can be offset.
  3. 3.BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Microwave Oven Use and Care ManualBLACK+DECKER · Official support · Source checked 2026-10-04 18:44 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • PDF physical page 2, “Specifications” section; physical page 9, “Control Panel and Features” / Auto Menu section; physical page 8, “Installation” / “Countertop Installation” section for ventilation and placement requirements. Manufacturer manual hosted by Lowe’s.: BLACK+DECKER model-specific manual identifies EM720CB7 and lists its capacity, turntable and exterior dimensions; it describes six Auto Menu choices and its Countertop Installation directions for open space and placement. Physical page references are used to avoid ambiguity from extracted printed page labels.

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