This unit replaces our old Pansonic unit that finally gave up the ghost after 12-years. My experience with old trusted brands has been almost uniformly disappointing in recent years. Most are more cheaply and flimsily made to be "competitive" in today's market. Imagine my surprise when I found that this unit was more beautifully and solidly made than my old unit. It exceeds my expectations and is simple to use. I am a 67 year old professional who is, in polite terms, "technically challenged." But this is one device that I do not need my grandchildren to patiently teach me about.
I have always believed that if something sounds too good to be true, it can't be true. I was doubtful about the claims for the "automatic" sensing/cooking features. I don't know how Panasonic does it, but this microwave performs as advertised. When a leftover dish is taken from the refrigerator and placed in the unit, the "sensor reheat" and "Start" buttons are pushed. There is no time for cooking displayed immediately. After the microwave's sensors pick up whatever sensory data (moisture?) they use, the unit performs its calculations for the remaining "reheating" (NOT "cooking"!!!) time and rings twice. If you wish you can look to see the remaining time until the dish is reheated. When the dish is done the bell rings another five times. In regular microwaves reheated bread turns hard after a short time. I put a cold, cream filled Croissant in the unit and used "sensor reheat." The croissant was warmed evenly throughout and was as soft as if it were freshly baked! When I take apple pie from the refrigerator to make pie a la mode, it is reheated evenly. I believe that the secret here is that old microwaves did not lower their power when defrosting or reheating, but "pulsed" on and off at full power. The Panasonic uses a reduced power level at a constant rate so that food is evenly reheated or cooked with no hot or cold spots. Food is not hardened or burned on the top and edges while being left cold on the inside.
My wife does not like her ice cream as cold and hard as I do. Her solution was to leave her small ice cream container out on the counter. The top portion exposed to the air was all melted, but an inch down the ice cream was still rock hard. She had to be satisfied with an AVERAGE between too liquid and too frozen. Now she puts the ice cream container in the unit and presses the "Inverter Melt & Soften" button, dials the weight of the ice cream and hits "Start." Before pressing the "Start" button she has the OPTION of tapping the "more or less" button to set her EXACT preference on softness throughout the entire container. This feature works just as well in softening butter and chocolate. The "more or less" button can be used on most of the automatic microwave functions, but I seldom find it necessary to use. Nice to know its available though.
The automatic defrosting is just as easy. Take a packaged chicken or roast from the freezer, hit the button "turbo defroster," turn the dial to the number of pounds and ounces (or metric measurements if you choose) and simply hit "start."
Of course the unit has "Quick Minute", "Keep Warm", and "Popcorn" features. I greatly value one small item: the clock/timer. I am forgetful and sometimes leave a dish cooking on the stove--intending to check it in 10 minutes. Twenty minutes later I'm reminded of my forgetfulness by the smell of burning food. I press the unit's "timer" button, dial the amount of time and hit "start." The microwave remains off, but its clock displays the remaining time and rings when finished.
Just because this microwave has a delicate, exacting touch does not mean that it does not have power. Its 1200 watts make fast work of its tasks. I have never "cooked" anything in a microwave, but I am sorely tempted to try the "Sensor Cook" button on a test dish.
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From the manufacturer
Power + Innovation
1200 Watts of High Power with Panasonic Inverter Technology for fast, even cooking and delicious results.
Microwaving Has Evolved
A Steady Stream of Cooking Power for Even Results
Panasonic Inverter Technology
Panasonic Inverter Technology generates a steady stream of power at all temperature settings. The result? Consistent, evenly prepared food — edges to center — across a wide range of cooking techniques.
Poach, Braise and Steam to Perfection
Inverter Technology delivers microwave energy in a way that allows delicate foods to simmer without overcooking. In addition, foods retain more color, texture and nutrients for fast, easy and delicious results.
14 Auto Cook Options - Settings for Your Favorite Foods
- Frozen Entrees and Vegetables
- Soup
- Oatmeal
- Pizza
- Pasta
- and More
Maximum Interior, Minimum Footprint
The smart, compact design of the Inverter power unit devotes less space to electronics and provides far more interior capacity. These smaller, more efficient energy and control units are also up to eight pounds lighter than conventional microwave components. All of which adds up to more interior space, while taking up less space on a counter.
Key Features
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Sleek ControlsA sleek dial, pre-programmed quick buttons and four-digit display provide a high-end look, with one-touch sensor cook and reheat. |
Turbo DefrostUtilizes a microwave sequencing system based on Inverter's continuous-power delivery method to thaw foods more evenly and quickly. |
Keep Warm FeatureKeeps foods like vegetables, soups, hors d'oeuvres, gravies, sauces and desserts warm and delicious in the oven until they're ready to serve. |
Modern ConvenienceMore advantages include quick-minute timer that lets you set cooking and reheating times in single-minute intervals, delay start feature and child safety lock. |
Upgrade Your Kitchen
If you prefer your microwave built in to a new or existing wall or cabinet, Panasonic offers optional stainless-steel trim kits. Precision manufactured to enhance the look and fit of your microwave, and the décor of your kitchen, this stylish trim kit will keep its quality and beauty for years to come.
This microwave is compatible with a trim kit for a 27 inch cabinet opening.
27 inch cabinet trim kit model: NN-TK621SS.
Compare with similar items
This Item  Panasonic NN-SD681S Countertop/Built-in Microwave with Inverter Technology, 1.2 Cu. Ft., 1200W Stainless |  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | Currently unavailable. | $299.95 | -13% $199.44 List: $229.99 | -9% $199.99 List: $219.00 | -18% $449.99 List: $549.99 | $149.99 |
| Delivery | — | — | Get it as soon as Friday, Jun 14 | Get it as soon as Friday, Jun 14 | Get it as soon as Friday, Jun 14 | Get it as soon as Friday, Jun 14 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Easy to use | ||||||
| User interface | ||||||
| Noise level | ||||||
| Easy to clean | ||||||
| Value for money | ||||||
| Sold By | — | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Amazon.com |
| capacity | 1.2 cubic feet | 1.4 cubic feet | 2.2 cubic feet | 1 cubic feet | 1.2 cubic feet | 1.2 cubic feet |
| installation | Built -In / Countertop | Countertop | Countertop | Countertop | Countertop | Countertop |
| power levels | 10 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 10 |
| number of programs | 4 | 20 | 6 | 15 | — | 10 |
| material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Metal | Stainless Steel, Glass | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| model name | NN-SD681S | 1.4 cu.ft Smart Inverter Works with Alexa Countertop Microwave Oven | Large Countertop Microwave With Smart Sensor | GE 1.0 Cu. Ft. Capacity Countertop Convection Microwave Oven with Air Fry | HomeChef 4-in-1 Microwave Oven with Air Fryer | EM131A5C-SS |
Reviews with images
UNSAFE -Starts fires on the inside panels- UNSAFE
UPDATE 3-13-16 - Today I took this microwave apart to see what happened and why the fire started. Upon taking the unit apart I noticed that the origin of the fire was from the magnetron. As the magnetron antenna sits directly behind the panel that was scorched. Upon removing the magnetron I noticed that the antenna appeared to be crimped somehow and that the rest of it was nowhere to be found. I don't know if it vaporized in the fire or what happened. This is really really odd. I have included updated pictures of my magnetron and a picture of a brand new magnetron that is the same model. As you can see the antenna needs to be way longer and not be cut off or whatever happened to mine. Be aware that when you buy this model of microwave that you may get some shoddy craftsmanship. Here is a link to the website that has the new magnetron where I got the pictures from. - [...]I bought this microwave on FEB. 2014 after reading many of the 4 and 5 star reviews. However as of today (2 years later) the microwave has stopped working. While I was cooking a piece of pizza on a paper plate the microwave suddenly LIT ON FIRE on the inside. The fire started on the right hand panel and was emitting smoke, sparks and flames. It now displays an H-98 error and will not start at all. Upon reading most of the 1 star reviews (that I wish I would have read earlier) I am discovering that there are many other people that have had the same fire issues that I had. This microwave is not a safe purchase at all. I called Panasonic about it and they escalated my claim and then about a week later I had a supervisor call me and he had me answer an incident questionnaire over the phone. My case was then sent to their safety department where they had me email them pictures of the scorched side of my microwave and the serial number plate. They then called me back about a week later and asked me if I had a receipt and I told them yes, that I had bought it on Amazon. They then said that the product was out of the 1 year warranty window and I would have to send it back at my expense and that it would probably be more economical to buy a new microwave. I told them thanks and that I would buy a different brand. Based on the microwave that I bought and the reviews of others on here, it seems to me that Panasonic knows that there are major safety problems with this microwave but continues to do nothing about them. I WOULD DEFINITELY NOT BUY THIS MICROWAVE.
Top reviews from other countries
nishi
The best microwave oven that I have ever used.
Reviewed in Canada on June 11, 2016Amazon Customer
It looks nice. It heats quickly
Reviewed in Canada on December 10, 2015
RUOK
works great sensor reheat favorite preset would
Reviewed in Canada on December 17, 2016