Panasonic NN-SN657S 1300-Watt 1-1/5-Cubic-Feet Sensor Microwave Oven, Stainless Steel

Comment: We purchased this microwave on sale at Target, receiving a great discount of $50. One morning, four months later, I was using it and it began to smoke. After boxing up the microwave and toting it to a UPS place, it was returned to Panasonic. Two weeks later it was determined to have a faulty magnetron. Panasonic wanted to either replace it with a model of their choosing (which has received poor reviews) or refund me the sale price. Trouble is, there isn't a sale any longer at Target. This, and the fact that I have been inconvenienced with no microwave for over a month, adds up to Terrible Customer Service. Panasonic does not stand behind their products. I wonder why.

Comment: this is a very good microwave for the price, I am having no trouble in
using it. I would definitely recommend it.
We are using it in microwave cabinet as a built in.

Comment: Our trusty Sharp Carousel microwave finally bite the dust. We purchased the Panasonic Inverter at Target on a Monday, returned it on Tuesday. The primary reason for the return was that the oven did not have a light when the door was open. The light came on only after START was engaged. I need a light when the door is open! The second problem: The audible signal could not be disabled. I guess we were spoiled by the Sharp and accustomed to its features. We bought another Sharp Carousel and are very pleased with it.

Comment: Overall, this Panasonic microwave is at best mediocre. While it has done the job thus far, the confounding # of buttons with unnecessary functions, difficult to operate Power adjustment, and unreadable display are inexcusable from a company that has been making microwaves (and electronics) for a long time.

On the positive side,
1) Looks good - stainless steel front and "metallic" look sides match do not look out of place in a stainless appliance kitchen..
2) With 1300W, it finishes cooking on the early side of given time ranges.

On the negative side,
1) Ridiculous buttons - This thing has buttons for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and beverage. I have tried all these out, and they don't seem to provide much more functionality than entering the time. I'm missing the benefits. Also, the turbo defroster... isn't. My old Sharp and Emerson did a better job defrosting.
2) Unreadable display - you cannot read the readout unless you are looking straight-on at it. Not a show stopper, but a dumb flaw.
3) Power setting - It is very difficult to adjust the power. You have to press the power button multiple times and enter the time, but it is hard to tell if the power is lower than full. After reading the manual, I finally understood. However, even if you can figure it out by the manual, it shouldn't be this hard, and isn't on other microwaves).
4) Fake stainless sides - After a year, the sides are showing some wear and tear. They are painted to look like stainless. At this price point I can somewhat understand, but I wish the fake stainless was more durable.
5) Mediocre cooking - I might be imagining this (because I hate some of the other features), but things come out harder and drier in this microwave than our previous Sharp and even the piece of junk Emerson we had for a few months.

All in all, I won't be sorry to see it go when we remodel our kitchen and get a built-in.

Comment: I have owned this microwave since January 2006 and it is the best I have owned in over 30 years. Maybe I just got a good one. I do agree it has too many buttons on the control panel, but is very easy to use and has been consistant. This unit has been reliable, never burned anything and I would highly recommend it.