I recently tested the Panasonic NN-SD377S 0.8 cu. ft. 800 Watt Stainless Steel Microwave over a four week period. I did this so that I can provide a detailed review to anyone considering buying this model. I usually store my regular microwave for a trial period, but this Panasonic is a compact model and not designed to replace a full-size unit. Instead, I put this microwave in an upstairs room to supplement our family’s regular microwave, not replace it. Here is my review.

This model is a cheap and compact unit that will set you back just under $100. Expectations should be formed accordingly. I took my new Panasonic NN-Sd377S microwave oven out of the box and examined it. It has a heavy, well-built overall feel. It looks very sleek and modern with a stainless steel main finish accented with black. There is a control dial instead of a number pad. I would have expected it to give a dated feel to the overall look, but it doesn’t. It’s a bit small, not nearly as big as I’m accused of having in my kitchen. There is a turntable, a very useful thing that is not always found in compact models. Overall, this microwave is very stylish and aesthetically pleasing; I think it would look great in any kitchen or office.

I plugged in my new Panasonic microwave oven and noticed something strange. The cord doesn’t come out the back, unlike most appliances I’ve used. Instead, the cable is located on the right side of the unit, about 2 inches from the front. This would mean running the cord over the counter in most situations. I had an open space in the corner of my office, with a plug on the wall to the right. This is where I decided to put the Panasonic microwave oven, since it was not awkward for me to run the cable. But this is something to keep in mind if you have a specific location in mind for your new microwave.

We make a lot of popcorn at our house; that’s probably what we use this Panasonic microwave for most often. We are very pleased with the results, for the most part. The popcorn was generally well popped, with very few unpopped kernels and none burnt. The only complaint is that sometimes the larger popcorn bags tend to get stuck and don’t spin very well. Making sure the bag is absolutely centered on the turntable seems to fix this problem, but if you don’t, you’re likely to burn some kernels.

This unit works great for small frozen meals for one person. I also loved using it to steam vegetables while the main meal was in my large microwave. I was surprised at how much my whole family, myself included, loved the control dial instead of the regular keyboard. Sometimes something old and simple is just better.

Overall this is a good compact microwave. It’s ideal for a one-person home or office, where large family meals are never prepared. I also found that it worked quite well as a secondary microwave oven and I plan to continue keeping it in my house. However, I would not recommend this as the only microwave in a home where large meals for two or more are often prepared. Visit Microwave Oven Reviews to learn more about this model and many more. You’ll find thousands of reviews, as well as a handy buying guide to help you along the way.