Panasonic
Panasonic NN-SN686S Inverter Countertop Microwave
$294.95Cheaper
Released 2016
Best Microwaves · head-to-head
Panasonic NN-SN686S Inverter Countertop Microwave vs Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 (BMO870BSS)
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Panasonic NN-SN686S Inverter Countertop Microwave is cheaper at $294.95. Every spec and price links to its source.
Breville
Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 (BMO870BSS)
$499.95
Released 2020
Which is better: the Panasonic NN-SN686S Inverter Countertop Microwave or Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 (BMO870BSS)?
On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Panasonic NN-SN686S Inverter Countertop Microwave is the cheaper at $294.95.
Check Panasonic NN-SN686S Inverter Countertop Microwave price See Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 (BMO870BSS) on Amazon
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Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Panasonic NN-SN686S Inverter Countertop Microwave | Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 (BMO870BSS) |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $294.95 | $499.95 Breville US MSRP |
| Brand | Panasonic | Breville |
| Released | 2016 | 2020 |
| Capacity cu (ft) | 1.2 | 1.1 |
| Wattage (W) | 1200 | 1200 |
| Type | countertop | countertop |
| Width (in) | 20.69 | 20.4 |
| Inverter | Yes | Yes |
| Sensor cooking | Yes | Yes |
| Preset count | 14 | 19 |
| Turntable | Yes | Yes |
| Release | 2016 | 2020 |
Sources — Panasonic NN-SN686S Inverter Countertop Microwave: shop.panasonic.com (verified 2026-06-19). Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 (BMO870BSS): breville.com (verified 2026-06-19).
What's the difference between the Panasonic NN-SN686S Inverter Countertop Microwave and Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 (BMO870BSS)?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (3 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.
- Capacity cu (ft): Panasonic NN-SN686S Inverter Countertop Microwave 1.2 vs Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 (BMO870BSS) 1.1
- Width (in): Panasonic NN-SN686S Inverter Countertop Microwave 20.69 vs Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 (BMO870BSS) 20.4
- Preset count: Panasonic NN-SN686S Inverter Countertop Microwave 14 vs Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 (BMO870BSS) 19
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Panasonic NN-SN686S Inverter Countertop Microwave
One whitelisted tester covers this exact model with hands-on measurements: Wirecutter names the Panasonic NN-SN686S its top-pick microwave, measuring the fewest hot and cold spots and the most accurate sensors of any model tested. Consumer Reports (non-whitelisted) and Reviewed's brief, undated product capsule were the only other coverage found. (1 sourced review, 1 lab-tested.)
Praised: Most even, precise heating — fewest hot and cold spots of any model tested; Large, responsive door-open button rated easiest and most pleasant to use; Accurate sensor-reheat plus 12 sensor-cook modes that worked well.
Flagged: No instant-start express settings (must enter time/power then press start); Repair requires shipping to a service center or finding a certified shop; Frequently out of stock.
Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 (BMO870BSS)
Only one whitelisted tester, Digital Trends, published hands-on prose on this exact model, and it is a pre-launch first-look, not a lab test, so no measured benchmarks exist. It praises the quiet soft-close door, easy LCD controls, and reliable results across a dozen recipes. Reviewed and TechGearLab tested different Breville microwaves, not the Combi Wave. (1 sourced review.)
Praised: Quiet operation, with a soft-close door that pulls itself shut almost silently; Easy to operate via the LCD menu, six function buttons and two main dials; Reliable, successful cooking across varied recipes (air fries, panko shrimp, banana bread, brownies) with no failures.
Flagged: Some foods (air fries, banana bread) needed the 'A Bit More' button for extra time; Coverage is a qualitative pre-launch first-look with no lab measurements (noise, wattage, defrost, etc.).