TOSHIBAML-EM45P(BS) Countertop Microwave Oven with Smart Sensor and Position Memory Turntable, Function, 1.6 Cu.ft 13.6" Removable Black Stainless Steel, 1200W

We bought this to replace a 2 month old Hamilton Beach microwave we'd purchased from Walmart (didn't realize many name brands contract with Walmart to make a specific product of inferior quality specifically sold at their stores cheaper and not warrantied by the brand, only by the store). After that demonically possessed machine overheated twice and flipped the circuit breaker, I was done with it. I needed another microwave fast and was scared to trust any brand at that point. I researched and read the reviews then decided to take a chance with Toshiba. We've only had it a short time but so far I am definitely impressed. It's heavy and well made, it's stylish, the keypad is easy to read and has both basic functions and more complex ones if you want to go that route. The one we were replacing had a lighted clock that was as bright as those ridiculous blue headlights you see coming at you these days and no way to dim it. This Toshiba has a reasonably dim lighted clock. It cooks evenly and consistently and does not vary from time to time (popcorn cooks at 2 min each time, bacon at 6 min each time, etc) I was having to constantly check on the previous brand because it was wildly inconsistent. The biggest thing I've noticed about this Toshiba is how QUIET it is. I mean, to the point where I have to stop what I'm doing and check to make sure it's actually running (I'm still a little gun-shy from the other microwave overheating and shutting down). This is a great little machine and I'm happy with my purchase.

Got the 1.6 Cu.Ft version. I've read some other reviews that said the clock/timer display was hard to see, ours was very easy to see.There was one review that said the touch buttons were black on black, that's not true as they are a sort of silver'ish grey (like an aluminum color) on black and are easy to see if you are looking straight at them in a well lighted room. When you touch a button the actual touch point is very slightly up and to the left and not in the center of the button where its more intuitive to press. Plus it would be better if the silver'ish grey was white and not silver'ish grey, the 'wording/writing/numbers' for the buttons would stand out better if they were white.So my first suggestion for improvement is that the button press spot be in the center of the button where its more intuitive. However, this being said, its ok after you get used to it but I noticed my senior aged next door neighbor who came over to visit to look at the microwave because she wants to buy a new one, she tried to use it and it wasn't very intuitive for her slightly shaky hands not having a definite intuitive point to aim for.My second suggestion for improvement is that It would be nice if the controls panel buttons were lit. As it is right now even though the control button locations are visible in a well lighted room looking straight at them, in a more dimly lit room or are looking at them off axis (not straight on) they are not as easy to see to older eyes even though still visible if you look more closely and directly at them. Lighting them would help.Contrary to that implied/stated by the advertisement there is not a "one touch popcorn button as kitchen essential". To do popcorn without doing a timed cook by entering the cook time manually you use the 'Custom Cook' functions (page EN-25 - EN-26 in my manual in English). The one for popcorn is CC-6, you press the 'Auto Cook' button 6 times. But there is a problem with CC-6, and that is if you look at the manual you will see CC-6 is set up for 3.5 ounces of popcorn and this means if you use the 'mini bags' of popcorn which are about 1.5 ounces and use CC-6 that your popcorn is going to overcook and burn. For the 1.5 ounce 'mini bags' the cook time is 1 minute and 10 seconds and you need to set this manually and can't use a 'Custom Cook' function. I can't find a way to 'program' the 'Custom Cook' settings, and although I have not tried each of these settings with the items shown in the manual (or a comparable weight/portion of something else) to that shown, I suspect that anything outside of that manual listed 'weight/portion' would either over cook or under cook if a 'Custom Cook' setting was used. So my third suggestion for improvement is to allow a user defined 'Custom Cook' function to be programmed in and saved for recall later.Yes, I realize this thing costs ~150.00 + tax... so I don't expect 'super duper luxury' type improvements, and these suggestions I know would be ignored and maybe they could be viewed as sort of nit-pickey in some ways. But if you want a decent microwave this one works well and works as advertised except for that advertised "one touch popcorn button as kitchen essential" thing which does not exist.

Works well! Just hard to see screen if room isn't lit up well.

My Sharp Carousel MIcrowave Oven just died, so went shopping online for another microwave oven. So many choices, but I needed one that fits my cabinet and with 1200W. So I narrowed it down to a few and found this one on Amazon. It was at a very good price, size and power, but this Toshiba model had mixed reviews. So, I am writing my reviews to address the points from other owners of this microwave oven.First, some owners had a difficult time setting the clock. I read the instructions, and it was pretty intuitive and I was able to set the clock time with ease. As for the control panel not well lit, I can see when my kitchen lights were dimmed or shut, it was a bit difficult to see (not back lit) but with normal lights on, control panel was easy to see. You can see the picture that you can clearly see the control panel.The noise level is quieter than my Sharp Carousel model, so I give it thumbs up. Yes, you do hear the humming of a microwave oven, but it is low level and I think it is expected. As for ease of use, yes the bottom two icons can be confusing at first, but once you read the manual (I wonder if owners read the manual before they start complaining about how difficult it is to use) and follow the instructions, and get used to the control panel, it turns out that it is easy to use.I am very pleased with the popcorn option. My Sharp Carousel had a difficult time popping popcorn without burning 10% of the popcorn. Or when I tried to time it to not burn, there were quite a few kernels not popped. This Toshiba to my surprise at it at 1:45 minutes for 3.5 oz bag and it popped 99% if not 100% of the kernels and not of them were burnt. That is enough for me to buy this model.This is only my first day of unpacking, setting it up and using it to heat some water for tea and pop one bag of pop corn, but so for I really like my investment in this microwave oven. I will continue to use it and if I have any issues or praises in the coming weeks, I will certainly write a more complete review.So far, it is 5 stars for me ... and it only costed me $169.99. That is a good price and it is sizeable for a family of 5.Now, with more usage, (updated review - part 2) I used the reheat feature and I was half expecting to set the time, but it did not require setting the time. I then patiently waited for it to reheat my dinner from the night before with its smart sensor feature. When it was done, it then went into the mode of returning the plate to its original position (which was not necessary because it was a circular plate), but the dinner was heated evenly. Another plus. And the noise level was low. So far, so good.