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Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN97JS

Curated from 80 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: March 8, 2025

Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN97JS

Brand: Panasonic
Price: $379
Snoop Score:
5.9
Sentiment
6.9
Popularity
7.8
Technical
5.5

Snoop's Take

The Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN97JS is a high-powered stainless steel countertop/built-in microwave that utilizes innovative Cyclonic Wave technology and Inverter Technology to ensure evenly cooked meals. With a generous capacity of 2.2 cubic feet and 1250 watts of power, it caters to families, offering features such as a smart cooking setting that adjusts power based on the food type and a Turbo Defrost function designed for efficiency. Consumer feedback highlights the effectiveness of the inverter technology in delivering consistent heating and preventing cold spots, with users noting, "The nicest EE on Reddit: 'Yeah I heard of this small company called Panasonic and…'" Although some users have reported issues with reliability and the need for ample counter space, the overall sentiment leans towards recommending this microwave for its unique cooking capabilities and long-lasting performance.

Not for you? Check out our other rated

Panasonic ones with inverter is better.

Positive Feedback

It is embarrassing to heat up the big oven for a piece of toast.

Negative Feedback
Product
5.9
Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN97JS
Small-Space Living
3 / 10
Everyday Meal Prep
3 / 10
Energy-Savvy Cooking
7 / 10
Family-Friendly Kitchens
4 / 10
See how this compares to all Reviews

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.
Inverter technology improves heating efficiency
Panasonic ones with inverter is better.
Best microwave to buy? Reddit please help me on which is the best microwave to buy these days?
If you're reheating leftover food, always use 70% it'll give you an even reheating.
I loved my Panasonic inverter microwave. It will actually lower cooking power in real-time vs just toggling on full power and off again to regulate the cooking.
Panasonic's Inverter technology is recommended for better cooking
Go with a Panasonic with Inverter tech (non-inverter ones are a no-go) or LG.
Produces evenly heated food without cold spots
The other awesome benefit of an inverter microwave is better efficiency.
Panasonic microwaves are long-lasting
They're all made by Midea and rebranded (Galanz, Hamilton Beach, Sharp, etc. The exception is Panasonic which still make their own microwave and will probably last longer.
If you just need one to reheat things, getting a cheap one will suffice. Otherwise, get a Panasonic.
The Panasonic model I bought in 1999 is still going strong. Full of features and looks like new. Kinda unbelievable.
Inverter technology ensures consistent cooking
Why do I feel like it still applies em at peak rated amplitude but it switches fast enough that it is more “consistent” to real time power scaling?
The nicest EE on Reddit: “Yeah I heard of this small company called Panasonic and…”
Great performance when functioning properly
Why does this Panasonic 1.3 cuft Inverter Genius Microwave get such bad reviews? Does anyone have any experience with this microwave?
When it works, it’s great. But it will fail.
Long-lasting models exist
It’s crazy how much the price has inflated though.
Panasonic's inverter technology improves heating efficiency
and it would be silly not to get a microwave with an inverter now that they exist.
All of the sensor cooking buttons work well as well.
Inverter technology optimizes heating
Panasonic’s inverter technology actually does 50% power which means it’s much gentler on food when you’re just trying to soften butter or defrost some meat from the freezer.
I had a Frigidaire that I noticed would power on and off during thawing and melting butter, etc. It did a horrible job.
Inverter technology provides consistent heating
cycling at full power can result in seized chocolate or uneven defrosting.
Best g d microwave I have ever used. Like unbelievable
Lower startup amperage for better compatibility
The startup amperage should be lower on an inverter microwave, thus making it viable to run on a UPS / small generator.
Inverter technology provides constant power for even heating
Inverter tech is what keeps it at constant power (e.g. Power '6' is a constant 60% rather than a pulse on an off of 100% power for 60% of the time).

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.
Counter space may be limited for larger appliances
It is embarrassing to heat up the big oven for a piece of toast.
It just takes up a lot of counter space.
Microwave may trip circuit breakers at lower power settings
Apparently, Panasonic is too small and inexperienced of a company to be able to design or test their "inverters" with residential arc-fault circuit breakers (that are required by NEC building code in the USA).
Frequent failures after a short period
I’ve had a couple of those inverter microwaves crap out on me after a few years.
Frequent failures reported after a short period
Had I known that in the four years we owned the house, wall-mounted microwaves are literally not made in that height anymore (all are now taller) and that replacing it would require a small kitchen overhaul to achieve the required distance from my stovetop, I would have fixed the damned thing.
Microwave has just died. Can't imagine it's had much use at all, and it's a reputable brand (I'd thought) so I totally agree with OP.

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

Product NameImagePriceScoreCompareSee DetailsBuy Now
Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 0.9 Cu. Ft.Chefman Countertop Microwave Oven 0.9 Cu. Ft.$99
8.4
DetailsBuy
BLACK+DECKER Countertop Microwave OvenBLACK+DECKER Countertop Microwave Oven$129
8.0
DetailsBuy
Panasonic NN-SN98JS Microwave OvenPanasonic NN-SN98JS Microwave Oven$329
7.1
DetailsBuy
SHARP ZSMC0962KS Countertop Microwave OvenSHARP ZSMC0962KS Countertop Microwave Oven$99
6.6
DetailsBuy
Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN686S Stainless SteelPanasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN686S Stainless Steel$197
6.5
DetailsBuy
Galanz GLCMKZ09RDR09 Retro Countertop Microwave OvenGalanz GLCMKZ09RDR09 Retro Countertop Microwave Oven$94
5.9
DetailsBuy
Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN97JSPanasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN97JS$379
5.9
DetailsBuy
TOSHIBA Inverter Countertop Microwave Oven Air Fryer ComboTOSHIBA Inverter Countertop Microwave Oven Air Fryer Combo$269
5.7
DetailsBuy
TOSHIBA ML-EM45P(BS) Countertop Microwave OvenTOSHIBA ML-EM45P(BS) Countertop Microwave Oven$169
5.5
DetailsBuy
COMFEE EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave OvenCOMFEE EM720CPL-PMB Countertop Microwave Oven$80
4.5
DetailsBuy
Farberware Countertop Microwave OvenFarberware Countertop Microwave Oven$79
0.9
DetailsBuy

Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.
Mention of other brands and their manufacturing practices
Is there any difference or recommendations with the Panasonic with the inviters or are they all the same?
Discussion on performance of non-inverter microwaves versus inverter
Even if the inverter does help with some tasks, it doesn’t mask the fact that food has that soggy, cooked-in-a-microwave texture.
Given equivalent performance, I’d stick with the mature (PWM) technology.
Comparison of inverter microwaves to conventional ones
Set you conventional microwave oven to 50% power and you will hear it go On......Off.......On.......Off.
General chatter about microwave power levels
It actually makes a noticeable difference and really opens up what you can do with the thing without worrying about ruining the food the way microwaves usually do.
It was actually just going full-blast to zero and back again.
Discussion about microwave brands and technology
Microwaves recommendations? My cheap, 13 year old Emmerson microwave is finally unusable and I need a replacement.
what's the point not running at full power? gets done sooner.
Hi, I'm also looking to buy a new microwave oven and am still not sure whether to get the panasonic microwave oven turbo steamer or a breville microwave over air fryer because both brands have mixed reviews.
Curiosity about microwave inverter technology
Microwave "inverter" technology actually helpful, or just a meaningless marketing term?

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’
Discussion on other brands like Toshiba and Amazon Basics
and really happy with it! it's a perfect size and does just I needed it to do with a budget friendly price
Can vouch for this, had the same Toshiba microwave for a couple of years now and it's super solid machine
Thanks for a recommendation here, I went with the Amazon basic microwave, so far very happy with it, the size is perfect for my small kitchen
Discussion on finding the right microwave under $300
Countertop Microwaves under $300 My microwave just broke and I'm trying to find a new one for under $300.
Costco offers a Panasonic microwave at a competitive price
get a costco membership, get the 4 in 1 Panasonic for $250.
Discussion on how economies of scale affect pricing
How the heck companies like Panasonic is able to sell you a 1200 watt “inverter” microwave for only around $100?
Confusion about the differences between inverter and cyclonic inverter microwaves
I'm trying to pick a microwave for our new kitchen, and I'm veryconfused about Panasonic and their inverter tech.

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.
Breville microwaves have a simpler design but may underperform
I love how you just crank and press and boom. The microwave is running, compared to that to my in-laws GE microwave where you have to make like three or four button presses to make the thing work.
I love my breville microwave
Personal anecdotes on the longevity and reliability of microwaves
The only reason the first one got replaced was we were doing all the appliances in the kitchen and wanted the same look.
Discussion on the lifespan of microwaves
I've read that the average life span of a microwave is 10 years but I've never had one last more than 3-4 years.
Discussion on LG's inverter technology reliability
Lol Lg is famous for their smart inverter microwave that has been around for years.
They didn't call it inverter technology. That must be a marketing strategy.
Chatter about the physics of heating
Most commonly (basically 100% of the time) it moves from hotter objects to colder objects.
Discussion on RF leakage and microwave technology standards
Curious side-note: Do inverter microwaves throw off more errant RF due to the high frequency components?
I haven't measured it on my own microwave, but I would guess not. It still has its own built-in Faraday cage that should prevent most RF leakage.
Yes and no. There is no more interference at 2.4GHz than a standard microwave but more at the switching frequency which will interfere with fewer modern household items and is generally well filtered or shielded by the components and design.
Discussion about longevity of microwaves
Can't complain for how well it's built, but it's clearly on the way out.
Concerns about electrical issues affecting microwaves
They can also be sensitive to bad electrical.
Microwaves draw a lot of current but if it's throwing the breaker, the problem might be your wiring.
Chatter about wifi interference from microwaves
Yeah, I don’t mess around with that.
It is annoying to have it cut out your wifi.

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