Every kitchen upgrade feels like a big decision, especially when you’re investing in an all-in-one appliance that takes over the roles of a microwave, air fryer, and oven. Over the past few months, I’ve had the chance to cook with both the Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 and the Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1. These are two of the most popular combination ovens on the market, each promising convenience, versatility, and healthier meals.
At first glance, they look pretty similar—they both combine air frying, convection baking, and microwave functions into a single machine. But after using them side by side, I found some notable differences that might make one better suited for you than the other.
Key Difference Between Breville Combi Wave vs Panasonic HomeChef Countertop Oven
The Breville Combi Wave shines with its smart cooking presets, quieter operation, and smooth power delivery that prevents overcooked edges. It feels refined and polished in everyday use.
The Panasonic HomeChef, on the other hand, stands out for its extra cooking mode (FlashXpress broiler), slightly larger capacity, and a better air fry performance without preheating.
In short:
- Breville = Smart, quiet, and precise
- Panasonic = Larger, stronger air fry + broiler features
- 3-IN-1 APPLIANCE: Combines Air Fryer, Convection Oven and Microwave into one versatile kitchen appliance; Create French...
- The Ultimate All-In-One Multi Oven: It’s a countertop microwave, broiler, airfryer, and convection oven all in one....
Side-by-Side Comparison Table: Breville Combi Wave vs Panasonic HomeChef Countertop Oven
| Feature | Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 | Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 |
| Capacity | 1.1 cu. ft. | 1.2 cu. ft. |
| Power | 1200W Microwave, 1400W Convection, 1100W Grill | 1000W Microwave, Convection up to 425°F |
| Functions | Microwave, Air Fry, Convection Oven, Grill, Smart Cook/Reheat/Defrost, Fast Combi | Microwave, Air Fry, Convection Bake, FlashXpress Broiler, Genius Sensor Cooking |
| Cooking Presets | 19 smart presets with shortcuts panel | Sensor cooking, Turbo Defrost, preset menu |
| Air Fry | Requires preheating, crisp results | No preheat needed, very crispy |
| Noise Level | Very quiet, soft-close door | Louder fan during air fry |
| Design | Sleek stainless steel with LED and dial | Stainless steel with touch panel |
| Accessories | Crisp pan, trivet | Air fry basket, enamel tray, wire rack |
| Size | 20.08″ x 20.47″ x 12.6″ | 17.7″ x 22″ x 13.5″ |
| Price Range | Higher mid-range | Slightly more affordable |
| Check Latest Price & Deals | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
My Experience with the Breville Combi Wave
Design & Build
The Breville Combi Wave feels premium from the moment you open the box. The brushed stainless steel exterior looks polished, and the soft-close door is a detail I didn’t know I needed until I used it daily—it’s 80% quieter than most microwaves. The overall design fits seamlessly into a modern kitchen.
Ease of Use
Breville has packed in 19 smart presets with a clever shortcuts panel inside the door. Melting chocolate, reheating pizza, or softening butter is literally one touch away. The digital LED display and dial are intuitive, and even when I was juggling multiple dishes, it never felt complicated.
- 3-IN-1 APPLIANCE: Combines Air Fryer, Convection Oven and Microwave into one versatile kitchen appliance; Create French...
Cooking Performance
The Element IQ System is the highlight here. It distributes power more intelligently, so when I reheated soup or defrosted chicken, I didn’t get those annoying hot spots or half-frozen edges. The “Cook from Frozen” setting is genuinely helpful—it managed to cook frozen salmon to perfection without drying it out.
Air frying works well, but it does need a short preheat. Once ready, chicken wings and fries came out evenly crisped, though I’d say Panasonic’s air fry mode edged it out in speed.
Cleaning
The nonstick crisp pan and turntable are easy to wash, and the interior wipes down quickly. Breville made this microwave very user-friendly in maintenance too.
My Experience with the Panasonic HomeChef
Design & Build
The Panasonic HomeChef has a slightly larger capacity (1.2 cu. ft.) and a sleeker footprint. The stainless steel finish looks nice, though not quite as refined as the Breville. It also has a big, bright touch display that’s straightforward to navigate.
Ease of Use
What I loved about the Panasonic was its Genius Sensor Cooking. I could throw in leftovers or vegetables, press a button, and it adjusted automatically. It doesn’t have quite as many shortcuts as Breville, but the controls feel familiar if you’ve used other Panasonic microwaves.
- The Ultimate All-In-One Multi Oven: It’s a countertop microwave, broiler, airfryer, and convection oven all in one....
Cooking Performance
This is where Panasonic really shines. Its Air Fry mode doesn’t require preheating, and it still delivers golden, crispy fries and nuggets. For busy evenings, that time saved adds up.
The FlashXpress Broiler is another advantage. It browned garlic bread and baked chicken thighs with that golden finish you usually only get in an oven. Breville doesn’t have a true broiler, so this was a plus.
That said, when it came to defrosting meats, I felt Breville’s inverter tech did a smoother job—Panasonic sometimes left slightly cold spots.
Cleaning
The enamel tray and air fry basket do take a little scrubbing after greasy foods, but nothing too frustrating. Overall, cleaning is about the same as Breville.
Breville Combi Wave Microwave, Air Fryer and Convection Oven
- 3-IN-1 APPLIANCE: Combines Air Fryer, Convection Oven and Microwave into one versatile kitchen appliance; Create French...
Pros:
- Very quiet, soft-close door
- 19 smart presets with shortcut panel
- Element IQ tech cooks evenly
- Excellent at reheating and defrosting
- Premium design and accessories
Cons:
- Air fry needs preheating
- Slightly smaller capacity than Panasonic
- Higher price point
Panasonic HomeChef Microwave, Convection Air Fryer Oven
- The Ultimate All-In-One Multi Oven: It’s a countertop microwave, broiler, airfryer, and convection oven all in one....
Pros:
- Air fry works without preheating
- Includes FlashXpress Broiler for browning
- Slightly larger 1.2 cu. ft. capacity
- Genius Sensor makes cooking simple
- More affordable than Breville
Cons
- Louder during operation
- Defrost not as precise as Breville
- Design feels less premium
Conclusion: Which One Should You Buy?
After living with both, I’d say the choice really depends on what you value most in a multi-function microwave:
- If you want a quiet, refined, and intelligent appliance that handles reheating and defrosting like a pro while still offering air fry and convection, the Breville Combi Wave is worth the extra investment.
- If you want a bigger capacity, stronger air fry performance, and the ability to broil, the Panasonic HomeChef offers incredible versatility at a slightly lower price.
For me, I leaned towards the Breville Combi Wave for its smart cooking consistency and quieter design—it just felt smoother in everyday use. But if I was more focused on crispy air-fried meals and oven-style browning, I’d pick the Panasonic HomeChef.
Either way, both are excellent multi-ovens that save space and time, and they’ll easily become the centerpiece of your kitchen routine.
