Breville Combi Wave vs Panasonic HomeChef: Which Microwave Air Fryer Oven Is Better?

In today’s fast-paced world, multifunctional kitchen appliances are becoming more of a necessity than a luxury. Among the most sought-after countertop solutions are microwave ovens that can also air fry, bake, and roast, offering both convenience and versatility.

Two standout contenders in this space are the Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 and the Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1. Both models aim to combine the power of a traditional microwave with the crispy results of an air fryer and the precision of a convection oven, all while saving space and simplifying meal prep.

If you’re in the market for an all-in-one solution that can handle everything from reheating leftovers to roasting a chicken, comparing these two powerful units is essential.

This in-depth guide will walk you through the key features, technologies, usability, performance, and value offered by the Breville Combi Wave and Panasonic HomeChef, helping you determine which one is best suited to your kitchen needs and lifestyle.

Whether you’re upgrading your appliance collection or investing in your first multifunction oven, this comparison is designed to simplify your decision-making process.

Main Difference Between Breville Combi Wave vs Panasonic HomeChef:

The key distinction between these two units lies in how they integrate cooking modes and smart functions:

• The Breville Combi Wave offers a true 3‑in‑1 cooking experience: microwave, air fry, convection, and grill, all interwoven via proprietary Element IQ and Fast Combi technology. This means you can achieve crispy grill results even from frozen meals, and reheat without drying out edges using smoother inverter power.
• The Panasonic HomeChef delivers 4 discrete modes, microwave, convection bake, air fry, and a FlashXpress broiler, plus Panasonic’s Inverter Technology and Genius Sensor Cooking, ideal for no-guess heating or defrosting. However, it doesn’t combine grill + convection with microwave as seamlessly as Breville’s Combi system.

Breville BMO870BSS Combi Wave 3-in-1 Microwave, Air Fryer and Convection Oven, Brushed Stainless Steel

• 3-IN-1 APPLIANCE: Combines Air Fryer, Convection Oven and Microwave into one versatile kitchen appliance; Create French fries with Air Fry function; Enjoy chocolate brownies with Convection Oven function; Defrost delicious soup with Inverter Microwave
• ELEMENT IQ SYSTEM: Smart algorithms steer power where and when it's needed to create a specifically tailored cooking environment; Enjoy crispy golden results and delicious meals with Air Fry and Bake functions; Power: 1200 W - Convection Input Power

$499.95

Buy on Amazon

Side‑by‑Side Comparison Table: Breville Combi Wave vs Panasonic HomeChef:

Other Differences At a Glance

• Preset & Automation: Breville includes 19 auto modes, including shortcuts for melting, softening, and more. Panasonic focuses on sensor-based cooking without grill-microwave combos.
• Quiet Operation: Breville’s soft-close door and sound suite deliver a quieter and more refined user experience.
• Broil Style: Breville grills from the top via convection + grill in Fast Combi; Panasonic’s FlashXpress broiler uses high-power flash broil tech for intense browning.
• Cleaning & Finish: Breville’s stainless body and crisp pan require hand washing; Panasonic offers an enamel interior that resists grease buildup.

Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 Microwave Oven with Air Fryer, Convection Bake, FlashXpress Broiler, Inverter Microwave Technology, 1000W, 1.2 cu ft with Easy Clean Interior - NN-CD87KS (Stainless Steel)

• The Ultimate All-In-One Multi Oven: It’s a countertop microwave, broiler, airfryer, and convection oven all in one. Use each function alone or combined for delicious meals every time.Operating Frequency : 2450 MHz
• Healthy Air Fryer Mode: Quickly circulates hot air around food, producing crispy, brown results, no pre-heat required. Make french fries, nuggets, and more healthier and delicious

$601.58

Buy on Amazon

Performance Review (Based on My Hands-On Use)

Having used both units extensively for family meal prep, here’s what stood out:

• With the Breville Combi Wave, I effortlessly cooked frozen fish sticks using the Fast Combi setting: the interior was flaky and moist, while the top crisped beautifully, all in under 15 minutes. Reheating lasagna was also spot on, thanks to Element IQ’s smoother microwave modulation.
• The Panasonic HomeChef shined when broiling chops or toasting vegetables with FlashXpress. Genius Sensor Cook took the guesswork out of reheating meals or steaming leftovers. Though it lacked grill + convection synergy like Breville, it felt more intuitive for everyday reheats and simple baking jobs.
• In both ovens, air-fried fries turned out crispy with minimal oil. The Panasonic interior cleaned up easily after fish and oil splatters, whereas Breville’s crisp pan required more elbow grease.

Breville Combi Wave 3‑in‑1 Microwave, Air Fryer and Convection Oven

Breville BMO870BSS Combi Wave 3-in-1 Microwave, Air Fryer and Convection Oven, Brushed Stainless Steel

• 3-IN-1 APPLIANCE: Combines Air Fryer, Convection Oven and Microwave into one versatile kitchen appliance; Create French fries with Air Fry function; Enjoy chocolate brownies with Convection Oven function; Defrost delicious soup with Inverter Microwave
• ELEMENT IQ SYSTEM: Smart algorithms steer power where and when it's needed to create a specifically tailored cooking environment; Enjoy crispy golden results and delicious meals with Air Fry and Bake functions; Power: 1200 W - Convection Input Power

$499.95

Buy on Amazon

Pros ✅

• Seamlessly integrates microwave, grill, convection, and air fry
• Element IQ enables even reheating without overcooking edges
• Fast Combi function delivers precise crisping, even from frozen
• Quiet operation and premium design

Cons ⚠️

• Higher price point
• Slightly smaller capacity than Panasonic
• Crisp pan and accessories require handwashing

Buy on Amazon

Quick Rundown of Panasonic HomeChef Microwave Oven with Air Fryer

Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 Microwave Oven with Air Fryer, Convection Bake, FlashXpress Broiler, Inverter Microwave Technology, 1000W, 1.2 cu ft with Easy Clean Interior - NN-CD87KS (Stainless Steel)

• The Ultimate All-In-One Multi Oven: It’s a countertop microwave, broiler, airfryer, and convection oven all in one. Use each function alone or combined for delicious meals every time.Operating Frequency : 2450 MHz
• Healthy Air Fryer Mode: Quickly circulates hot air around food, producing crispy, brown results, no pre-heat required. Make french fries, nuggets, and more healthier and delicious

$601.58

Buy on Amazon

Pros ✅

• Larger 1.2 cu ft capacity
• Genius Sensor ensures precise, automatic reheating
• FlashXpress broiler ideal for fast browning
• Easy‑to-clean enamel interior and accessories are dishwasher safe

Cons ⚠️

• No grill plus microwave combination mode
• Slightly noisier broiler
• Learning curve when switching modes manually

Buy on Amazon

Verdict: Breville Combi Wave vs Panasonic HomeChef – Winner?

Both the Breville Combi Wave and Panasonic HomeChef are outstanding countertop all‑in‑one ovens that deliver impressive cooking results. Your decision ultimately comes down to which smart system and integration style better suits your cooking habits.

• If you want the ultimate combination of air fry, microwave, convection, and grill, all working together seamlessly, especially for crispy finishes on frozen foods or meats, the Breville Combi Wave is the standout choice with its Fast Combi and Element IQ system.
• If your focus is on stress‑free reheating, sensor guided cooking, and convenient broiling/baking in a slightly larger capacity, the Panasonic HomeChef delivers excellent value and intuitive operation.

Both models elevate everyday cooking, but the Combi Wave leans innovative and integrated, while the HomeChef keeps it simple, smart, and spacious.