The Panasonic Home Chef 4-in-1 won because it does something no other microwave in this price range can: it replaces four separate countertop appliances. Kitchen Hacks, Things We Buy, and TrustRanker all reached the same conclusion independently. The air fryer function crisps frozen tater tots in 20 minutes without preheating (Things We Buy tested this directly). The convection oven hits 425°F and bakes cookies that came out "perfectly crunchy outside, moist inside" per Things We Buy. The FlashXpress broiler browns food in 3 minutes flat.
Under the hood, Panasonic's inverter technology delivers continuous power instead of the on-off cycling found in cheaper microwaves. Top 5 Review Kitchens and Tech Picked both confirmed this eliminates the cold-center-hot-edge problem that plagues traditional models. For standard reheating, it performs identically to Panasonic's simpler (and cheaper) models.
The Home Chef isn't perfect. Top 5 Review Kitchens, Kitchen Hacks, and TrustRanker all flagged the same issue: 20 cooking presets across 6 modes means you're reading the manual for real. The cooling fan keeps running after cooking and it's noticeably loud. You also need somewhere to store the air fry basket, enamel tray, and wire rack when you're not using them. If your kitchen drawers are already full, that's a genuine problem.
At $500, you're paying roughly 2.5x what the NN-SN686S costs. The premium buys you air frying, convection baking, and broiling. If you'll actually use those features, the math works out. If you just reheat leftovers and make popcorn, save your money.
What It Won't Do
The learning curve is real. Twenty presets across six cooking modes, multiple accessories to swap in and out, and a cooling fan that runs after every cook cycle. Top 5 Review Kitchens called it overly complex for users who just want a basic microwave. If you're the kind of person who never reads appliance manuals, you'll underuse this thing badly.
The Panasonic NN-SN686S packs the same inverter technology found in Panasonic's $500 models into a $205 box. Top 5 Review Kitchens crowned it the best value for most people, and the reasoning is straightforward: 1200W of continuous, smooth power that thaws meat and reheats pasta without the frozen middles or rubbery edges you get from cycling-type microwaves.
The Genius Sensor monitors steam output and auto-adjusts cooking time and power. In practice, you drop your leftovers in, press a button, and walk away. Top 5 Review Kitchens verified that it handles everyday tasks (reheating, defrosting, cooking potatoes) at the same quality level as Panasonic models costing twice as much.
At $205, the NN-SN686S costs less than half the Home Chef 4-in-1 and still gives you the core technology that makes Panasonic microwaves better than the competition. You lose air frying, convection, and broiling. You keep even heating, smart sensing, and reliable build quality.
What It Won't Do
The touchpad interface feels dated. Top 5 Review Kitchens noted it can be unresponsive and clunky compared to dial-based controls on the Breville Smooth Wave. The sensor also gets confused when food is covered with a plate or plastic wrap, so you need to learn when to cover and when not to.
Who Should Buy Which
Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 (NN-CD87KS)
Four appliances in one box, all powered by inverter tech that actually works
- Home cooks who want to consolidate their microwave, air fryer, convection oven, and broiler into one machine
- People with enough counter space for a full-sized unit but who want to eliminate 3 other small appliances
- Anyone who regularly bakes, roasts, or air fries and wants microwave-level convenience for those tasks
- Tech-comfortable buyers willing to spend 30 minutes learning the manual to unlock all 20 presets
- Households that cook varied meals and want one appliance that handles reheating through roasting
Panasonic NN-SN686S
Premium inverter heating at a mid-range price
- Budget-conscious buyers who want premium inverter technology without paying $400+
- Anyone whose microwave use is 90% reheating leftovers and defrosting meat
- Apartment dwellers or small-kitchen households who need reliable performance in a compact footprint
- People who already own a separate air fryer or toaster oven and just need a great microwave
- First-time buyers who want something proven, simple, and backed by Panasonic's track record