Customer Ratings & Reviews

I just have to say that this microwave isn't for me. I like full control. I find the exact number for my popcorn to where I can get maximum poppage with minimal to no burn. This microwave just doesn't allow that (without workarounds). For me, a microwave is just a tool to quickly heat up pre-made meals, leftovers, popcorn, boil a cup of water, etc. Some try to overshoot their usefulness and add way too much automation and take the user away from having to figure out anything. The Panasonic is no exception. The Panasonic tries to take away the responsibility of know how to reheat by making sensor settings. The sensor, while good on paper, isn't very useful. It senses via steam, so whatever you're heating up has to be a very wet meal in order for it to be helpful. I tried going against what the manual says and tried heating up a small chicken sandwich (cheap $1 sandwich). Normally it's a 45s zap. After 1:15 I had to give up on the sensor for sandwiches. Next was a cup of water. Usually I do 1:45 for a good boil and about 1:10 for water hot enough when I'm lazy and want to do instant coffee. I put on sensor cook +2 and let it go. Once I got to the 1:10 mark I stopped the cooking ( thought it would have stopped on its own since it should have been pretty dang hot) and checked the water by dipping my finger in it. It was just "really warm." - yeah, too lazy to use a thermometer too. Well dang. So I grab a new cup (wanted to start cold) and did the test buy manually input 1:10. Water was hot, just as I expected it to be. So after two tests, forget using sensor cooking. Now who wouldn't do a test with popcorn in a microwave? I don't use bags, I have a carafe for popping corn and know my time is 1:52 on my old mw (yes, I got it that exact). I wanted to test with the popping sensor...no go. To be fair the instructions are for bags. I redid the test with my setting...but wait you can't change the time in single seconds. Up to one minute you can adjust by 5s units. Once you hit one min then it's 10s units....WHAT????? I prefer pastries at bread and pastries at about 8s, can't set it pour milk if you want 8s. 10s is just too hot and I'm using the mw because I don't want to wait for a toaster or toaster oven. Those 2s change some custards and fillings to liquid lava. So playing around I found a workaround to get my 1:52s. Set it for 25s, let it count down to 22s, open the door, put in the popcorn, hit quick 30s button 3 times and there goes 1:52! And it's perfect for this microwave too, but dang what a work around. And no, I will not go down to 1:50 and lose 8 to 10 extra popped kernels! The dial is a bit of a chore too. Turn, turn, turn, turn... used to be beep, beep, beep , start to get it going. Some might prefer dials, but I'm kinda tired of them. If you grew up when I did then you know about having your dad calling you to change the channel on the TV and he's wants a UHF channel! It's not a bad microwave if you don't feel like doing any thinking and don't mind some overcooked foods. But I'm particular about my cooking and this microwave just takes some of that control away from me. So I'm basing the review on how I expect to use a microwave and this unit just doesn't fit my style. I'm pretty sure for others it'll be the best thing since remote controls and cable tv (no more coat hanger and aluminum antennae!), but I just like to take control myself. I don't need it to "think" for me. I just need power control and timers with a touchpad. If you'd rather just push one button and walk away, go for it.

We're all familiar with the workings of microwaves. There's nothing really that has been done that is innovative in the technology since they all started getting the rotating base a number of years ago. This microwave really is no different. At first glance it is a good looking microwave, it has a number of options for automatic cooking and has a dial for controlling the time and start/stop functions. The 'stainless steel' aesthetic helps it to fit in the vast majority of kitchens this day and age, and it wont take up a lot of space on your countertop because it is not really very big inside. As with most microwaves it has a number of functions that seem nice t have but that no one ever actually uses, and for each of them that we tried, it performed the function well. Really the dial is what makes this easy to use, but this is a personal preference thing, although it does lend itself to a cleaner look on the front. For its size, I will say, that it is more powerful than many comparable microwaves. At 1.3 cuft being that it is 1100 watts is actually hugely beneficial. Usually microwaves of this size tend to be under 1000 watts. It is even more powerful than my larger, over-the-range microwave that I am replacing with this so we can get a true hood for the stove. All in all, it's a microwave. It does its functions well without any real features to write home about. You'll be happy with the purchase based on looks and the fact that it is higher power for its size.

After 11 years I figured it was time for a new microwave. I was intrigued by the current crop of microwaves that have gotten rid of the 9-button keypad in favor of knobs. My girlfriend appreciates the stainless appearance which is a major upgrade from the grey plastic I’m used to seeing each morning as I warm up my casseroles. This microwave does all the things I am accustomed to a microwave doing: it dings when things are done, it spins the food on a removable glass plate, and most of all, it heats up my food. I thought I would miss the numeric keypad of my older model but spinning the knob to set the cook time brings me back to the days of the rotary phone, which I enjoyed. I use this thing mostly in a state of grogginess while my morning coffee is brewing so I appreciate the LED lights which are very bright. These days, any electronic device I can plug in and use without needing to read a manual is already getting a gold star but after 11 years I figured I would read the manual just to see if there were any new gizmos to play with. It turns out not much has changed in terms of the device’s functionality: a microwave is still a microwave. I did learn I have been microwaving food wrong for a decade: did you know you are supposed to add liquid to almost anything you try to microwave? Sometimes it helps to read a manual.

I needed a new microwave but wanted a 1100 watt and a smaller size as I have limited countertop space. Most of the microwaves with 1100 watts were too big, so I was thrilled to find this Panasonic model with a height of 11.8”, Width 21.2” and depth 17.4. Also has a 12.4” diameter glass turntable which will accommodate many different cooking pan sizes. It has all the features I wanted. Again, 1100 watts, small foot print, and a stainless-steel finish which looks very modern. The clock is large and easy to read from across the room. Unfortunately, the different cooking buttons are difficult to read. But with time will get used to them. The instruction manual is well written and If you have been using an older microwave thoroughly read the instruction manual as there are a lot of helpful tips and instructions. This model is chock full of features: has 10 power levels, plus delayed start, kiddie lock.3-stage cooking and keep warm function, 3 popcorn bag size settings, sensor reheat, You simply select the cooking feature you want and then set your time by turning the large knob. There are 10 auto cook settings including rice and pasta, etc. Only feature missing is a timer. But in all this is a classy looking microwave with a lot of helpful features and I will enjoy using it.

Horrible. Didn’t work. Wouldn’t come out of the child lock.

Very easy to use. Large, usable interior. I would definitely buy this again. As usual, great service from Best Buy.

Great microwave and easy to use! Looks nice and doesn’t take up much space on the counter.

The Panasonic 1.3 CU.FT. microwave is advertised as a mid size microwave. This unit is extremely nice inside and out. The outside features a stainless steel exterior with all of the controls positioned on the right side of the door. The controls are very intuitive. This unit features 10 auto cook presets to make your cooking tasks easier. There is also a turbo defrost mode that thaws frozen food fast. This microwave is rated at 1100 watts of cooking power. The inside is designed to be easy to clean and is plenty large enough to accommodate most cooking tasks. If you are looking for a good quality, easy to use microwave this one is worth taking a look at. I received this microwave as part of the Best Buy tech insider network in exchange for my honest review.

I am very pleased with my Panasonic microwave. The 1100 watts of power heat things up quickly and the rotating carousel helps to prevent your food from having cold spots. The 1.3 cubic feet of space is attained by wider and deeper allowing the unit to be slightly shorter. This makes it easier to find a home for it on the counter underneath the cupboard. However, it is still tall enough to accept a 24 oz coffee cup which I appreciate. I also like that Panasonic chose to use real buttons instead of some sort of touch screen. Speaking of controls, I was a bit concerned about the dial at first. It is your main point of contact since you use it to set your cook time and it also doubles as the Start button. Now that I’ve spent some time with it, it didn’t take long to get used to and is much more natural to use than I would’ve guessed. Also, Panasonic actually put some research into the preprogrammed settings. Once you select the correct size, the popcorn function results in an entirely full bag of unburnt popcorn every time. It may not seem like much, but other microwaves I have used couldn’t manage this same feat. Another pleasant feature I discovered is that the microwave stops beeping as soon as you open the door. This goes for cooking and even when just using the timer. It is a nice thing to have when indulging some late-night cravings without wanting to wake the whole house up. There is only a few things I do not like about this microwave. Only the front of the door, the open button, and the area around the controls is actually stainless-steel. The rest of the housing is just a stamped steel with a gray paint or powdercoating and the rest of the door is a black plastic. When you first plug-in the microwave, you have to choose whether you want to use imperial (oz/lbs) or metric (g/kg) units. For whatever reason, this is the only time you can change this setting. If you want to switch between them, you have to unplug it and then plug it back in order to reach this setting selection. Finally, I found the timer function a bit clunky to use. There’s nothing apparent on the display indicating that you are trying to set a timer and not a cook time. You even have to press the Start button to begin the countdown. It is not very user-friendly and even the owner’s manual makes note that it’s possible to confuse the 2 settings. With all that being said, the benefits greatly outweigh the downsides and you shouldn’t be disappointed if you decide to get your own.

The Panasonic NN-SD69LS is a good microwave that performs its functions quite well. It is designed for someone not too picky about their cooking choices. My main problem with this microwave is that they have replaced the numeric keypad with a rotary dial. In and of itself this is not a problem. However, if you are particular about cooking an item for 23 seconds, for example, you are out of luck. This microwave settings using the rotary dial can only set in 5-second increments. This dial is like taking your touchtone phone back to the rotary days. The sensory settings work quite well. However, it does take some effort to get used to using the rotary dial instead of direct touch button. This Panasonic microwave works as advertised and is somewhat larger than most countertop units. If you want a general microwave to cook or heat your food, this microwave could be one to consider.

First thing’s first…this is a somewhat-small microwave, packing in an anything-but-small box. While the microwave, itself, is only 21”W x 11”H x 17.5”D, the box it comes in is 23.5”W x 14”H x 20”D…oh, yea, and it’s H-E-A-V-Y, as it weights 42lbs. Why is it so heavy? Well, let’s just say, if you’re used to those lightweight countertop microwaves made of mostly plastic, this is NOT one of them. This is made with good ‘ol-fashioned steel…inside, and out. If any of those reading this can remember the original Amana Radarange, then you already understand what I’m talking about. That behemoth took two people to lift/carry it. While this doesn’t need two people, I might recommend it, nonetheless. First ‘fault’ is in the packing material. Panasonic, like many others, can’t seem to move away from environmentally-disastrous Styrofoam. However, considering what’s inside the box, I won’t ‘fault’ them too much…something this heavy NEEDS the protection provided by Styrofoam. So, why would you want this microwave, when there are dozens upon dozens on the market…many priced less than the Panasonic NN-DS69LS? Simply put, it’s magic. First, it has a 1100W cooking ability. Most “countertop” microwaves of this size (1.0-1.4 cu. ft.) tend to max out at 1000W. second…and, more importantly…it utilizes Panasonic’s patented “Genius Sensor’, which can automatically adjust the power output (aka “cooking temp”), and cooking time, based ‘whatever’ it determines you’re cooking, or reheating. I won’t claim to know what’s behind this technology…I don’t know…but, what I DO know is that it works. Simply press the “Sensor Cook” button, rotate the dial until the most appropriate food-type is listed (by numerical category – there are 10 food-types), then press the dial (yes, the dial is also a button). I’ve had several microwaves over the years, including the original Amana Radarange, and I’ll be completely honest – the Panasonic NN-DS69LS Genius Sensor Microwave isn’t the ‘largest’ or the ‘smallest’, it’s not the ‘most powerful’ or the ‘least powerful’, it’s not the ‘most expensive’ or the ‘least expensive’, it’s not the ‘best’ or the ‘worst’. What it IS is ‘just right’…or, in my terminology, “baby bear”. Finally, for those who worry that the microwave will stop working shortly (as I’ve had happen with other brands of microwaves) after that 1-year warranty expires, know, in advance, that only ‘most’ of this unit is covered by a 1-year warranty. The most important part…the magnetron tube (the high-powered vacuum tub that generates the microwaves used for hating)…has a 5-year warranty. If you’re in need of a new microwave…or, if you just want a new one with “special” features…I’m not going to say this is the one-and-only model you should consider (especially considering Panasonic has other models to choose from). But, if you’re like me, and you research, research, research, and narrow down your choices to your “short list”, the Panasonic NN-DS69LS should probably be on that list. Now, if you’ll excuse mee, I have some leftover wings that need reheating. Disclaimer: This product was provided free, or at reduced cost, for the purpose of reviewing the product. Nevertheless, the above review, be it positive, negative, or somewhere in-between, is a 100% honest review, and the price paid played absolutely no part in my review.

This microwave was a tad larger than I pictured it would be. All and all its a huge upgrade from the cheep dorm sized microwave I had previously. This microwave is packed with tons of features such as sensor reheat. It cooks evenly and quickly as it should. The microwave does not have any number buttons; you set the tome using the dial. This is actually a nice touch! My daughter finds it easier ton set. The biggest downside is that the front is true stainless, which means fingerprints galore! Otherwise it is a great looking machine and matches great with the rest of my kitchen appliances.

Very good product. Easy to use and easy to keep clean. As per product instructions I wipe \the inside after use to dry. Takes less than a minute Best Microwave I ever had.

Easy controls. Nice cabinet space for food. Easy to clean. The only reason I took off a star was that it is really heavy, so make sure what you set it on has good support.

It’s a 1100w, stainless steel microwave, matches well with kitchen decor, that incorporates a novel sensor cook technology. I was curious to see what differentiates this microwave from others and the answer was clear, the sensor cook technology - this technology takes the guess work out of your cooking. I did test it with potatoes and set it to 10 mins and I saw it automatically dialed back to 6 minutes as it cooked the potatoes. There is one caveat to using this technology, don't open the microwave door during the cooking process as this technology relies on the steam generated during the cooking process to figure out how far along are you, on the cooking process. Rest of the features are common to most of the microwaves you find in the market. It has 10 automatic cooking mode for common recipes with turbo defrost feature that you commonly find in most of the microwaves in this price range. This one is priced a little more for the same spec, but with the sensor cook technology and a well known brand that backs you with a five year warranty on parts and one year warranty on labor. I would definitely recommend going with this technology for few extra bucks- takes the guess work out of your cooking. BTW- this is not a convection (circulates air for even cooking) microwave that most of us are used to. I like the buttons and the dial for a change though! Disclaimer: This product was provided free/at a reduced cost to offer unbiased opinion on the product/technology

The Panasonic - 1.3 Cu. Ft. Microwave works just like a microwave should--you put stuff in it and it heats it up. But it's the features Panasonic includes that sets this microwave apart. For example, sometimes recipes require standing time after cooking. Panasonic has you covered with a timer that activates after the cook time. Delayed start lets you set a time to start cooking in the future so your dish will be ready when you get home. The Keep Warm feature will keep food warm for up to 30 minutes after cooking. And with the Sensor Reheat function you don't need to worry about setting a cook time. The microwave senses when your food it hot. Worked great for me. I haven't used the Sensor Cook feature, but it works much like the Sensor Reheat function, you just input the type of food you're cooking and let the microwave do the rest. If you want to set the cook time manually, you have to turn a dial until you reach the desired time. That can be a little frustrating, but with Sensor Reheat and Sensor Cook, setting a cook time isn't really necessary, so it's a non-issue. The Panasonic - 1.3 Cu. Ft. Microwave with Sensor Cooking is a great microwave. It's powerful and has lots of unique features.

Simple buttons and dial create a sleek, elegant design, with a large, easy-to-read display. The dark interior (as opposed to the usual white) was a pleasant surprise. Dial button is easy to use - simply turn dial to select time, and press again to start cooking. Microwave offers a child-lock feature that could be helpful in homes with small children. Sensor reheat button works great and even includes the ability to add/subtract time if necessary. OMG - a popcorn button that actually works and is accurate! Push the button twice for a 2.9 oz bag and voila - the time was perfect. The only issue I found is that the microwave has a weight system selector option that allows you to switch from English to Metric. Since it's preset for English, it wasn't really an issue at all! Overall a great-looking, quality product!

We replaced our old microwavw. This is superb prodict and ease to use. My wife loves it.

Intuitive and easy to operate. Replaced our 10 year old Panasonic earlier version of this microwave.

Works great for my needs. Glad I bought this microwave