Panasonic NN-SN966S

UPDATE 7/2022: I just noticed this review I wrote was now 5 years old and this model IS still being sold. So I thought I’d note this unit is still going strong. Used several times daily for over 5 years without a single hitch. Other than the need to wipe it down when someone forgets to cover a bowl of spaghetti. But alas, they haven’t seem to have invented the self-cleaning microwave yet so it looks like I’ll be using this one until they do. ORIGINAL REVIEW 6/2017: I waited for nearly a year of use before posting this review. And having briefly re-reviewed a few of the lower ratings/comments, I can say I have not experienced any of the specific complaints reported (i.e. door button sticking, poor door fit, wi-fi interference (although that has a lot of variables), etc.) What I can say is that this microwave is big and powerful. I remember pulling the turntable glass out of the box during unpacking and saying "holy cow, I could nuke a whole cow" on this. At just over 16" in diameter, what you can cook is 2-3 bowls of frozen vegetables at the same time. While the unit is certainly one of the larger non-commercial microwaves I've seen, the large cooking area appears to come more from efficiencies in Panasonic's design. In other words, more cooking area out of the same footprint of a microwave of this size from a few years ago. When I was first evaluating this purchase I wasn't sure if the "Microwave Inverter" technology, now unique to Panasonic due to licensing/patents, was gimmick or not. But now I don't believe it is (despite at least one non-Amazon/independent buying guide that tried to claim otherwise). This unit doesn't "pulse" on and off during the cooking cycle like other microwaves I've used. It's more like the described "steady stream of power" which definitely reduces cooking time and makes trips to the kitchen faster. However, you do have to be aware that similar to switching from a standard toaster oven to a convection toaster oven, cooking times need to be reduced or your food will truly be "nuclear" (ok, overheated). The inverter technology also appears to improve defrost mode in my experience. If you flip the food as instructed, it generally avoids partially cooking the edges of food like other non-inverter units I've used over the years. The only thing (or two) I personally didn't love about this unit was the power function on the controls. I'm used to hitting "power" and then a number. This unit starts at power 10 and you have to hit the power button 1-9 times to reduce it to the level you want. Admittedly, part of my aggravation is having had "power #" a habit long ago formed. But I actually find it less efficient this way. Also, I feel I should comment that the "cheat sheet" for the smart cooking modes is on the inside of the door on the bottom, conveniently printed for those of us that like to keep a magnifying glass velcro'd to the side of our kitchen appliances. I don't know why manufacturers think this is a good placement or print size but this issue is not unique to Panasonic. I guess my disappointment is that after buying a microwave several years newer than my previous, the leap in generation fails to provide any leap in improvement in the capability of the timer/display and keypad controls. Simply allowing you to scroll through the cooking options to appear on the display by hitting each number. (i.e. hitting "Sensor Cook" and then 1 would display "Frozen dinner", then 2 would display "Popcorn", etc.) would be a welcome improvement on the printed microscopic label approach. However, I can't honest say these cons outweigh the pros and I feel this is a very good unit overall. I'm not sure how often the models change over time, so this review may not be relevant for very long. But in general, I wouldn't hesitate to consider the Panasonic brand and their unique "Microwave Inverter" technology again if I had to. (Hopefully at least 9-15 years from now. ;-) ) Happy nuking!

I did a LOT of research on many microwaves before I settled on this Panasonic. Before beginning this process, I really didn't recognize Panasonic as a leading name in kitchen appliances so I was kind of skeptical at first. Afterward, I realized that they were a front-runner when it came to microwaves. Man, I am really, really pleased with my purchase here. This microwave has performed stellar and I'm closing in on one year's use! I love everything about this microwave but there's one feature in particular that takes this appliance over the top for me. The 'Genius Sensing' technology that's built into this microwave that allows that 'Sensor Reheat' button to work so flawlessly is a game-changer! I mean that. This feature allows me to reheat anything that's been already cooked to perfection. No cold spots, no overheated dried-out food, none of that! Food comes out perfectly reheated every time! In comparison, at work we use a Toshiba EM131A5C-BS. Supposedly has the same type of 'Sensor Reheat' button. I can honestly tell you that it does NOT work as dependable, as consistent, or as thorough as my Panasonic at home. Besides everything else, this thing looks fabulous in our new kitchen. The space inside is HUGE! I think I could cook a whole turkey in this thing! And the cleanup is so easy. Overall, I'm smiling from ear to ear with this purchase. If you can find one that's still out there, BUY IT QUICK!!

Panel went out prior to even a year after purchase. Microwave started beeping continuously and very loud. No buttons on panel work, therefore microwave doesn't work. Called to activate warranty because as I said prior to 1 year. First called Amazon extra warranty we paid for (Asurion I believe was name) because it was a 3 year warranty. Asurion said I had to go through Panasonic first because their warranty didn't start until at 1 year mark. Called Panasonic customer service. Panasonic said no, use Amazon warranty because they can't ensure how long it was in Amazon warehouse prior to arriving to us. This back and forth lasted for weeks with me contacting both companies. Finally, Panasonic said, "Oh, you're now 3 days past your year warranty." So, I said "fine, I will call Amazon warranty again, maybe since now 3 days past manufacturers warranty I can get any traction. This has been nearly a month of back and forth". Amazon/Asurion warranty then proceeded to tell me, because it was a known flaw in Panasonic and because I started inquiry with Panasonic a month ago that they would not cover it either. I have been contacting both companies back and forth for a year now, limping the microwave along. Thankfully, because it is occurring to SO MANY PEOPLE, there are YouTube videos on work arounds. Can't be fixed, but can be tricked is how some state it. Videos state you essentially have to keep microwave unplugged until moments prior to microwaving. Immediately after microwave done, you unplug it and pull your food out. It is annoying and frustrating but it was working while we navigated both warranties refusing to stand behind the lies they sold us. Problem is, now that we have done the work around for a year, the work around is no longer working. I have Essentially paid $350 for 2 years worth of microwaving, in addition to the 3 year warranty I purchased above and beyond. It is a pile of junk and Panasonic KNOWS AND KEEPS SELLING IT! Panasonic customer service agent WAS aware of this malfunction because apparently they receive numerous calls about it. Customer service agent said, "Usually there is a switch behind control panel to reset this problem. They failed to put one on this model. There is nothing we can do to fix it. And, you are 3 days past your 1 year warranty being out." I now have a $350 paper weight. Have lost numerous hours of my life arguing with Panasonic warranty and Amazon/Asurion warranty, and I am about to have to fork out another $300 for another microwave. Do yourself a favor... don't buy this microwave. Don't give Panasonic nor Amazon Asurion your money. Go elsewhere. They know the problem and have not issued any warnings nor recalls. AVOID AT ALL COSTS.

large interior, easy to use and the sensory reheat is a dream (just not for use on liquids) - food only it cooks till it senses steam then stops - love it 1250watts seems to be the most powerful countertop model i could find - the 1200 w takes a full 30sec more to reheat coffee

Excelente producto

It stopped working after just 4 years, the display started cycling through 'P1 to P10' repeatedly all of a sudden.

Habrá sido mala suerte pero en menos de 2 meses dejó de funcionar, lo tuve que regresar.

Muy buen tamaño y su funcionamiento bueno