Which is better for a family?

The Panasonic. Its 1.3 cu ft cavity and 1100 W fit larger dishes and cook faster than the Breville's 0.9 cu ft and 900 W.

Is the Breville worth the extra $71?

Only if space and the soft-close door matter most. At $249.95 versus $179.00 as of November 5, 2026, the Breville gives up capacity, power and sensor cooking.

Which has better automatic cooking?

The Panasonic. Genius Sensor and the inverter adjust time and power automatically. The Breville relies on fixed preset buttons.

Which is easier to clean?

The Breville, thanks to its removable crumb tray. The Panasonic is manual-clean with a glass tray.

Both carry a 1-year warranty, so there is no clear winner. The Panasonic's higher wattage means it runs shorter cycles for the same job.

Will the Panasonic fit under my cabinets?

It is about 12.4 in tall and 16.1 in deep, so measure clearance first. The Breville is about 11.5 in tall and slightly deeper.

Panasonic NN-SN686S Stainless Steel Microwave with Inverter Technology and Genius Sensor vs Breville The Compact Wave Soft Close Microwave

Buy the Panasonic NN-SN686S if you want more power, more room and sensor cooking for less money. It is $179.00 at BuyDig.com as of November 5, 2026, against $249.95 for the Breville at Abt Electronics & Appliances the same day. Buy the Breville Compact Wave only if counter space is tight and you want a soft-close door and a quieter, smaller box. The Panasonic wins on capacity, wattage and price; the Breville wins on footprint and door feel.

Today the Panasonic NN-SN686S Stainless Steel Microwave with Inverter Technology and Genius Sensor costs $70.95 less at its best price.

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