The Panasonic NN-CD66NS is a high-end inverter microwave/air fryer. This medium-sized countertop model is part of Panasonic's 'HomeMADE' lineup of multi-function microwaves and includes four functions for different cooking methods: Microwave, Air Fryer, Convection Oven, and Broiler. It comes with accessories for the different functions, including high- and low-wire racks for baking and broiling, an air fry basket, and a turntable. You can also purchase a trim kit from Panasonic if you want to install it in a space meant for an over-the-range microwave.
Our Verdict
The Panasonic NN-CD66NS is satisfactory for everyday use. This medium-sized microwave's cooking chamber can easily fit plates and mugs, as well as some larger dishes like mixing bowls. It heats food quickly, and it's very quiet when it's running. The controls include physical buttons and a dial and are decently convenient. You can start microwaving at 100% power with just a few button presses. The dial also lets you choose from various 'Auto-Cook' programs easily. However, manually setting its power level requires many presses, which is inconvenient for anyone who likes to fine-tune their microwave settings.
Heats food quickly.
Physical buttons provide good feedback.
Very quiet.
Not as fast as some other 1,250-watt microwaves.
Some programs require many button pushes.
The Panasonic NN-CD66NS heats food quickly. Its 1,250-watt advertised output makes it very powerful on paper, but it's not as efficient as some other microwaves with the same wattage. Many 1,000-watt microwaves match its actual output and heat food equally quickly. That said, it's still a fast microwave.
Heats food quickly.
Not as fast as some other 1,250-watt microwaves.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Panasonic HomeMADE NN-CD66NS microwave/air fryer comes in one 'Stainless Steel' variant. Here's our unit's label. The NN-CD65NS is a similar model in the same lineup, but it's a standard non-inverter microwave.
If you encounter another variant, let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review!
Popular Microwave Comparisons
The Panasonic HomeMADE NN-CD66NS is a medium-sized combo microwave/air fryer. Its cooking chamber offers a decent amount of space, especially for the microwave's overall size, with enough room for a casserole dish. However, it doesn't have a lot of vertical room compared to similarly sized models like the Breville the Smooth Wave or the GE JES1109RRSS. This 1,250-watt microwave is fast and very quiet when it's running, especially compared to the fairly loud Panasonic NN-CD87KS, an older model microwave/air fryer with similar features.
However, its controls aren't quite as convenient, and some tasks, like adjusting the power level, require more button pushes compared to the NN-CD87KS or the IKEA GÅTEBO, a smaller microwave/air fryer. Overall, better options exist if you just want a simple microwave, but its quiet, fast microwaving performance makes it a satisfactory option if you're looking for a multi-purpose appliance.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best microwaves, the best countertop microwaves, and the best small microwaves.
The Panasonic NN-CD66NS is better than the IKEA GÅTEBO for most purposes. Both are combo microwave/air fryers, but the Panasonic is faster, quieter, and has more capacity. Its physical buttons and dial are easier to use than the IKEA's controls, and it's equipped with a steam sensor. That said, you might prefer the IKEA if you're looking for a small multi-function microwave.
The Panasonic NN-CD87KS is better than the Panasonic NN-CD66NS for most people. Both are medium-sized, high-end multifunction microwaves that can also air fry and broil. The NN-CD87KS is a little more compact but has a bigger cooking chamber, especially in terms of vertical space. It's faster, and its controls are easier to use. That said, if noise level is a priority, you might prefer the much quieter NN-CD66NS. The NN-CD66NS also has 10 microwave power levels while the NN-CD87KS has only seven.
The Breville the Smooth Wave and Panasonic NN-CD66NS have different strengths. The Panasonic NN-CD66NS includes microwave, air fry, and broil functions, so you might prefer it if you're also in the market for an air fryer or want an alternative to your full-size oven. It's also much quieter when it's running. The Breville is just a microwave, but it heats food faster and has a bigger cooking chamber despite its more compact design. Its controls are also much easier to use.
The Panasonic NN-SN77HS and Panasonic NN-CD66NS have different strengths. The NN-SN77HS heats food significantly faster and has a much bigger capacity, despite both models being about the same size overall. Tasks like adjusting the power level require fewer steps. On the other hand, the NN-CD66NS is a multi-function microwave that can also air fry, bake, and broil. It's also much quieter. While its controls aren't more convenient overall, the dial and physical buttons provide better feedback.
Test Results
- Turntable
- Turntable roller
- High-wire rack
- Low-wire rack
- Air fry basket
- French label stickers
- User manual
When it comes to heating evenness, you won't notice a difference in performance between microwaves. Instead, it depends on what you're heating, the amount of food in each batch, and where you place it. Read more about our investigation into microwave performance.