Inverter Microwave Air Fryer: What It Does and Doesn't Do

"Inverter" shows up in many listing titles, and it sounds like a general upgrade. It is a narrower feature than that. New to combos? Start with the basics.

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Panasonic

Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1

The combo with the clearest manual and a pick from Good Housekeeping.

Why it fits here: Panasonic's own specification lists an inverter, and the sister model's manual sets out six power steps plus keep warm.

Best for: kitchens with open space above the counter, or no wall cabinet over the spot

Capacity

1.2 cu ft

Microwave watts

1000 W, inverter

Outer size (W × D × H)

22.06 × 17.75 × 13.52 in

Functions

Microwave, air fry, convection bake, broil

True microwave

Yes

Price class

Premium

Size as stated by

Sister model. The listing names the NN-CV87QS. Size matches Panasonic's NN-CD87KS sheet and Abt's NN-CV87QS page; the manual we read is for the NN-CD87.

• Named best overall in Good Housekeeping's April 2026 roundup, which linked this listing
• Inverter microwave at 1000 W, with 1.2 cu ft inside
• The sister model's manual is clear about the space it needs, racks and foil

• 13.5 in tall plus the 6 in top space in the NN-CD87 manual is 19.5 in (computed), more than a common 18 in gap
• That manual asks for its own 15 A or 20 A, 120 V circuit
• Premium price class, and the widest body in this group

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Which one is right for me?

Pick your situation

• If you have open space above the counter and want the clearest manual → Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1

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• If you will use air fry, oven and microwave, and accept a premium price class → Breville Combi Wave

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• If you want toast in the same box and have a deep counter → Galanz ToastWave

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• If you mostly reheat at full power and need a low body → Toshiba ML2-EC10SA

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Comparison: Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1, Breville Combi Wave, Galanz ToastWave, Toshiba ML2-EC10SA

Comparison	Best if you have height to sparePanasonic HomeChef 4-in-1	Premium pickBreville Combi Wave	Toaster combo pickGalanz ToastWave	Best overallToshiba ML2-EC10SA
Capacity	1.2 cu ft	1.1 cu ft as listed	1.2 cu ft per Galanz	1.0 cu ft
Microwave watts	1000 W, inverter	1100 W output per an excerpt of Breville's US manual; we could not read the full manual	1000 W, inverter, per Galanz	1000 W
Air fry watts	–	–	–	–
Outer size (W × D × H)	22.06 × 17.75 × 13.52 in	20.5 × 20.1 × 12.6 in	21.25 × 22.25 × 12.57 in	20.6 × 18 × 11.8 in
Functions	Microwave, air fry, convection bake, broil	Air fryer, convection oven, inverter microwave	Microwave, air fryer, convection oven, toaster per Galanz	8-in-1 per Toshiba, including air fry and defrost
True microwave	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Price class	Premium	Premium	Mid-range	Mid-range
Best for	kitchens with open space above the counter, or no wall cabinet over the spot	cooks who will use all three modes and accept a premium price class	deep counters where one box should microwave, air-fry and toast	most family kitchens with wall cabinets over the counter
	On Amazon*(paid link to Amazon, opens in a new tab)Ad · paid link · check price & delivery on Amazon	On Amazon*(paid link to Amazon, opens in a new tab)Ad · paid link · check price & delivery on Amazon	On Amazon*(paid link to Amazon, opens in a new tab)Ad · paid link · check price & delivery on Amazon	On Amazon*(paid link to Amazon, opens in a new tab)Ad · paid link · check price & delivery on Amazon

The Toshiba ML2-EC10SA is here as a contrast. It is our overall pick, but Toshiba's page does not mention an inverter. Do not buy it for this feature.

What does an inverter change?

Midea says many regular microwaves make low power by switching full power on and off in cycles. An inverter adjusts the power more smoothly. Breville says much the same about its own version.

The gentle jobs gain the most. Midea names defrosting, reheating mixed leftovers, melting, softening and small or delicate portions. The gain is smaller if you mostly use full power for drinks and popcorn.

What doesn't it change?

Listings skip this part.

• Even heating. Midea says it does not remove hot spots or the need to stir.
• Air fry. That runs on a heater and a fan. We found no data linking an inverter to crisping.
• Watts. An inverter model can be 900 W or 1100 W. See the wattage guide.
• Fit. The space it needs around it still comes from your model's manual.

Which inverter model should I pick?

Panasonic HomeChef. The HomeChef^* listing names the NN-CV87QS, and the manual we read is for its sister model NN-CD87. Panasonic lists power levels of 1000, 800, 600, 440, 300 and 100 W, plus keep warm. The manual uses 300 W for defrost. The catch is height. 13.5 in plus 6 in on top is 19.5 in (computed), more than a common 18 in gap. The manual also asks for 4 in behind, 2 in on each side, 3 in from the counter edge, and its own 15 A or 20 A, 120 V circuit. Check your manual and do not block the vents. See the Panasonic HomeChef page.

Breville Combi Wave. Breville names a Power Smoothing Inverter on the Combi Wave^*. The instruction book gives 10 power levels and settings for melting chocolate and softening butter. Output is 1100 W. The book asks for at least 12 in above the unit and 8 in from side walls, and rules out a cabinet or a spot over the stove. It is 20.1 in deep and in the premium class. See the Combi Wave page.

Galanz ToastWave. The ToastWave^* has a 1000 W inverter microwave and a toast function, says Galanz. It is 22.25 in deep on the sheet and 21 in on the listing, so measure. We have not confirmed its clearance. See the toaster oven combo guide.

Toshiba listings. A few Toshiba listings name an inverter, but we only have listings to go on. Treat them as options to check. The Toshiba guide sorts the line.

• OptiChef Basic^*: 0.9 cu ft and 900 W as listed.
• OptiChef PRO MAX^*: 1.3 cu ft and 1100 W as listed, premium class.
• MASTER 6-in-1 (Renewed)^*: a renewed unit, not new. Check the warranty.

What should I check first?

1. Your habits. Do you defrost and melt, or mostly heat a mug?
2. The company's page. Look for the word inverter there, not just in a listing title.
3. The power steps. See what the manual uses them for.
4. The space it needs. Read the numbers for your exact model in the clearance guide.
5. Metal and foil. The rules depend on the mode. See metal and foil.

Inverter is a microwave feature. For crisp results, see why air fry is not crispy.

Still deciding?

If you defrost and soften often, an inverter is worth having. Buy the Panasonic HomeChef if you have the room. If you mostly reheat at full power, let fit decide. The best combos page starts with a low 1.0 cu ft model for that reason.