{"slug":"best-microwave","title":"Best microwave?","question":"What is the best microwave for most people right now?","verdict":"As of 2026-07-01, ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini collectively rank Toshiba EM131A5C-BS #1 for microwave on ModelsAgree by aggregate score. The models' case: Best balance of price, 1.2 cu ft size, 1000-watt power, sensor reheating, simple controls, wide availability, and consistently solid everyday heating for leftovers. The models' main caveat: Add true inverter heating for smoother low-power cooking. The strongest alternative is Breville Smooth Wave (BMO850) — Exceptionally premium and whisper-quiet design featuring a soft-close door, Sensor iQ, customizable shortcuts, and precise power-smoothing inverter. Not unanimous: Claude picks Panasonic NN-SN966S. Source: https://modelsagree.com/best/best-microwave (modelsagree.com, CC BY 4.0).","category":"Consumer","url":"https://modelsagree.com/best/best-microwave","updated":"2026-07-01","models":["ChatGPT","Claude","Gemini"],"consensus":"2 of 3 models rank Toshiba EM131A5C-BS the top pick","disagreement":"Claude picks Panasonic NN-SN966S","combined":[{"rank":1,"product":"Toshiba EM131A5C-BS","domain":"toshiba.com","score":14,"appearances":3,"modelRanks":{"ChatGPT":1,"Claude":2,"Gemini":1},"reason":"Best balance of price, 1.2 cu ft size, 1000-watt power, sensor reheating, simple controls, wide availability, and consistently solid everyday heating for leftovers, popcorn, and frozen meals"},{"rank":2,"product":"Breville Smooth Wave (BMO850)","domain":"breville.com","score":5,"appearances":2,"modelRanks":{"ChatGPT":4,"Gemini":3},"reason":"Exceptionally premium and whisper-quiet design featuring a soft-close door, Sensor iQ, customizable shortcuts, and precise power-smoothing inverter technology."},{"rank":3,"product":"Panasonic NN-SN966S","domain":"panasonic.com","score":5,"appearances":1,"modelRanks":{"Claude":1},"reason":"1250W inverter power delivers fast, even cooking with true variable-power simmering (not on/off cycling), a roomy 2.2 cu ft cavity, genuine Inverter Turbo Defrost, and a long track record of reliability that makes it the default \"best for most people\" pick."},{"rank":4,"product":"Panasonic NN-SN67HS","domain":"panasonic.com","score":4,"appearances":1,"modelRanks":{"ChatGPT":2},"reason":"Strong 1200-watt inverter performance, reliable Genius Sensor reheating, compact 1.2 cu ft footprint, and better evenness than many basic microwaves"},{"rank":5,"product":"Panasonic NN-SN686S","domain":"panasonic.com","score":4,"appearances":1,"modelRanks":{"Gemini":2},"reason":"Uses patented 1200W Inverter technology to deliver a continuous, even stream of power, making it outstanding at defrosting and reheating without hot spots or rubbery edges."},{"rank":6,"product":"Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 (BMO870)","domain":"breville.com","score":3,"appearances":1,"modelRanks":{"Claude":3},"reason":"Combines microwave, convection oven, and air fryer in one footprint with inverter power and Smart Cook settings, making it the most versatile single appliance and ideal for small kitchens."},{"rank":7,"product":"LG NeoChef LMC1575ST","domain":"lg.com","score":3,"appearances":1,"modelRanks":{"ChatGPT":3},"reason":"Roomy 1.5 cu ft capacity, 1200-watt Smart Inverter heating, easy-clean interior, stable sensor cooking, and a cleaner modern design than most rivals"},{"rank":8,"product":"GE 3-in-1 Countertop (GCST10A1WSS)","domain":"geappliances.com","score":2,"appearances":1,"modelRanks":{"Gemini":4},"reason":"Multi-functional versatility in a compact footprint, offering dedicated Air Fry, Convection, and Broil modes that save counter space by replacing multiple appliances."},{"rank":9,"product":"GE JES1095SMSS","domain":"geappliances.com","score":2,"appearances":1,"modelRanks":{"Claude":4},"reason":"Trusted mainstream brand, 0.9 cu ft compact size that fits dorms and small counters, 900W with sensor cooking, simple reliable controls, and easy nationwide service/parts support."},{"rank":10,"product":"Black+Decker EM720CB7","domain":"blackanddecker.com","score":1,"appearances":1,"modelRanks":{"Gemini":5},"reason":"The ideal compact and affordable option for dorms or small offices, featuring intuitive quick-start buttons, a child safety lock, and an extremely small footprint."},{"rank":11,"product":"Panasonic NN-SD975S","domain":"panasonic.com","score":1,"appearances":1,"modelRanks":{"ChatGPT":5},"reason":"Huge 2.2 cu ft capacity, powerful 1250-watt Cyclonic Wave Inverter cooking, excellent for large dishes, and dependable sensor cooking"},{"rank":12,"product":"Toshiba ML-EM45P","domain":"toshiba.com","score":1,"appearances":1,"modelRanks":{"Claude":5},"reason":"Bundles microwave, convection, and air fry with a humidity sensor and a speakable mute function in a mid-size 1.5 cu ft cavity, giving multi-function value below Breville's price."}],"perModel":{"ChatGPT":[{"rank":1,"product":"Toshiba EM131A5C-BS","reason":"Best balance of price, 1.2 cu ft size, 1000-watt power, sensor reheating, simple controls, wide availability, and consistently solid everyday heating for leftovers, popcorn, and frozen meals","fix":"Add true inverter heating for smoother low-power cooking"},{"rank":2,"product":"Panasonic NN-SN67HS","reason":"Strong 1200-watt inverter performance, reliable Genius Sensor reheating, compact 1.2 cu ft footprint, and better evenness than many basic microwaves","fix":"Make the controls and door feel less dated"},{"rank":3,"product":"LG NeoChef LMC1575ST","reason":"Roomy 1.5 cu ft capacity, 1200-watt Smart Inverter heating, easy-clean interior, stable sensor cooking, and a cleaner modern design than most rivals","fix":"Improve the reflective control panel readability"},{"rank":4,"product":"Breville Smooth Wave (BMO850)","reason":"Quiet operation, polished build, excellent presets, soft-close door, 1250-watt power, and strong defrosting and reheating performance","fix":"Cut the price substantially"},{"rank":5,"product":"Panasonic NN-SD975S","reason":"Huge 2.2 cu ft capacity, powerful 1250-watt Cyclonic Wave Inverter cooking, excellent for large dishes, and dependable sensor cooking","fix":"Shrink the footprint for normal countertops"}],"Claude":[{"rank":1,"product":"Panasonic NN-SN966S","reason":"1250W inverter power delivers fast, even cooking with true variable-power simmering (not on/off cycling), a roomy 2.2 cu ft cavity, genuine Inverter Turbo Defrost, and a long track record of reliability that makes it the default \"best for most people\" pick.","fix":"Modernize the dated control panel and add a clearer interior light and quieter operation to feel premium against newer entrants."},{"rank":2,"product":"Toshiba EM131A5C-BS","reason":"Excellent value 1.2 cu ft, 1100W with a smart-sensor that auto-adjusts time/power, a one-touch mute option, easy-clean stainless interior, and the best price-to-performance ratio for the average kitchen.","fix":"Improve build quality and keypad longevity, which are the main long-term reliability complaints, to challenge Panasonic for the top spot."},{"rank":3,"product":"Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 (BMO870)","reason":"Combines microwave, convection oven, and air fryer in one footprint with inverter power and Smart Cook settings, making it the most versatile single appliance and ideal for small kitchens.","fix":"Lower the premium price and simplify the menu learning curve so it stops being a niche splurge."},{"rank":4,"product":"GE JES1095SMSS","reason":"Trusted mainstream brand, 0.9 cu ft compact size that fits dorms and small counters, 900W with sensor cooking, simple reliable controls, and easy nationwide service/parts support.","fix":"Increase wattage and cavity size so it competes on cooking performance, not just compactness."},{"rank":5,"product":"Toshiba ML-EM45P","reason":"Bundles microwave, convection, and air fry with a humidity sensor and a speakable mute function in a mid-size 1.5 cu ft cavity, giving multi-function value below Breville's price.","fix":"Tighten quality control on the air-fry results and door/handle durability to earn a higher, more confident rank."}],"Gemini":[{"rank":1,"product":"Toshiba EM131A5C-BS","reason":"Unbeatable value-to-performance ratio for under $150, offering a reliable humidity sensor, quiet operation with a mute button, and excellent defrosting capability for everyday tasks.","fix":"Upgrade to true inverter technology for more consistent cooking at lower power levels."},{"rank":2,"product":"Panasonic NN-SN686S","reason":"Uses patented 1200W Inverter technology to deliver a continuous, even stream of power, making it outstanding at defrosting and reheating without hot spots or rubbery edges.","fix":"Modernize the outdated, busy keypad controls with a more responsive and illuminated interface."},{"rank":3,"product":"Breville Smooth Wave (BMO850)","reason":"Exceptionally premium and whisper-quiet design featuring a soft-close door, Sensor iQ, customizable shortcuts, and precise power-smoothing inverter technology.","fix":"Reduce its high-end price tag to make it more competitive with mainstream countertop options."},{"rank":4,"product":"GE 3-in-1 Countertop (GCST10A1WSS)","reason":"Multi-functional versatility in a compact footprint, offering dedicated Air Fry, Convection, and Broil modes that save counter space by replacing multiple appliances.","fix":"Increase its base microwave power from 1050 watts to 1200 watts to speed up standard reheating times."},{"rank":5,"product":"Black+Decker EM720CB7","reason":"The ideal compact and affordable option for dorms or small offices, featuring intuitive quick-start buttons, a child safety lock, and an extremely small footprint.","fix":"Increase the power output from 700 watts to 900 watts to reduce heating times for denser foods."}]},"missedByModel":{"ChatGPT":[{"product":"Breville Compact Wave Soft Close","reason":"excellent small, quiet design but weaker heating and no smart sensor cooking"},{"product":"Panasonic NN-SF57RM Japanese Countertop Microwave","reason":"promising flatbed inverter design and advanced sensing, but too new and expensive to rank above proven picks"}],"Claude":[{"product":"Amazon Basics Microwave with Alexa","reason":"cheap and voice-enabled but low 700W power and limited cavity make it underwhelming for real cooking"}],"Gemini":[{"product":"Sharp SMC2266KS","reason":"its massive 2.2 cubic feet size is too bulky for typical countertops and unnecessary for most households"},{"product":"Galanz 3-in-1 SpeedWave","reason":"its air fryer and convection cooking modes are slower and less effective than dedicated standalone appliances"}]}}