Our take
Panasonic NN-SB438S is a compact 0.9-cu.-ft. countertop microwave with 900-W output, a 10.6-inch tray and a 120-V/60-Hz specification. Panasonic lists 1,350 W of input separately, and its controls include ten levels, three-stage cooking, seven menus and auto defrost. The finish needs care: the official model-family table does not support the source title's black-stainless claim for this suffix. The historical ASIN is unverified, so shop by the exact model code through the tagged search and confirm the surface and offer condition.
NN-SB438S suits a buyer who wants a 0.9-cu.-ft. compact microwave with a documented 10.6-inch turntable and several manual and preset controls. Panasonic separates 900-W output from 1,350-W input and specifies 120 V/60 Hz, helpful when checking a standard U.S. connection. The model-family table does not support the source title's black-stainless finish claim for this exact suffix, so appearance should be checked against the physical unit. Its old ASIN did not verify, and the tagged model search does not establish the condition or color of a seller's offer..
Choose a larger oven for big dishes, and another model if a confirmed black-stainless finish or direct exact-ASIN mapping is required before purchase.
Pros & cons
What could work for you, and what to consider before buying.
What works in its favor
- Panasonic identifies the 0.9-cu.-ft. capacity, 900-W output and 10.6-in. turntable.
- The manual-backed specification separates 1,350-W input from cooking output.
- Ten power levels, staged cooking, preset menus and delay start provide useful control choices.
What to weigh up
- The compact capacity limits larger dishes.
- The exact finish is not established as black stainless for NN-SB438S.
- The historic candidate ASIN did not verify as this exact model.
The key details
| Model covered | NN-SB438S |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Panasonic lists 0.9 cu. ft. and 900-W microwave output for exact model NN-SB438S. |
| Microwave output | The model-family specification lists 1,350-W input, 120 V / 60 Hz and a 10.6-in. turntable. |
| Cooking approach | Controls include ten power levels, three-stage cooking, seven preset menus, child lock, delay start and auto defrost. |
| Installation options | The official family table distinguishes the NN-SB438S cover group from black-stainless NN-SB448S/NN-SB458S; exact finish wording remains unresolved. |
| Finish and turntable | Historical ASIN B09PFPYMF2 did not verify; use the tagged exact-model search. |
Performance figures are manufacturer claims. Source checked October 8, 2026. Regional models and included accessories can differ.
What the features mean for you
What fits on the turntable?
Panasonic lists a 0.9-cu.-ft. cavity and a 10.6-inch turntable. The tray diameter gives a practical starting point for plates, but a dish also needs to clear the walls and rotate without handles touching. The cavity is a compact size, suited to smaller cookware more than wide casseroles. Measure the dishes that matter, especially if the microwave will replace another unit with a larger tray. The published exterior dimensions are not repeated here as a fit promise because the review's key evidence concerns capacity and the exact turntable size.
How do output and electrical demand differ?
Panasonic lists 900 W of microwave output and 1,350 W of input, plus 120 V/60 Hz. The output figure describes microwave cooking power; the input figure describes electricity drawn by the appliance. Keeping both in view avoids mistaking one for the other when checking a kitchen circuit. The supply rating is useful when matching a standard U.S. outlet, but a buyer should still verify the unit label and follow the manual's grounding and clearance instructions.
Which controls are documented?
The exact-model materials list ten power levels, three-stage cooking, seven preset menus, child lock, timer/delay start, a more/less control and auto defrost. These functions give the user several ways to adjust a cycle beyond entering a single duration. They do not establish sensor cooking for NN-SB438S. If an automatic moisture sensor is a must-have, compare the exact feature list with a model such as NN-SD762S rather than assuming that presets and sensor functions are interchangeable.
Why is the finish description cautious?
The frozen title calls the product black stainless, but Panasonic's family specification groups NN-SB438S under an STS cover designation and associates the black-stainless cover with the different NN-SB448S and NN-SB458S codes. The review therefore does not assign the exact finish material from the title. The model code itself remains clear; finish is a separate attribute. Check the surface of the actual product and avoid treating another suffix's appearance as proof for this one.
Can the historical Amazon destination be trusted?
The current candidate page for B09PFPYMF2 did not establish that it maps to NN-SB438S. The affiliate destination is a tagged exact-model search instead. A shopper should verify the full NN-SB438S code, the finish, tray and included parts in the offer description, and the seller's condition terms. A search can show possible offers, but it cannot guarantee a particular variation or renewed-item state.
Who should select this compact Panasonic?
It fits buyers who value a documented 10.6-inch tray and a broad set of manual controls in a 0.9-cu.-ft. body. GE JES1095BMTS is another 0.9-cu.-ft. model with a 10.5-inch tray and a black-stainless description, though GE says it is no longer manufactured. Panasonic NN-SD762S increases cavity size to 1.6 cu. ft. and adds sensor cooking with an optional trim path. Those comparisons show the decision: NN-SB438S is compact and well specified, but not the large-sensor choice, and its precise finish remains open.
What else to compare
GE JES1095BMTS has a similar 0.9-cu.-ft. cavity and 10.5-in. tray, with GE's black-stainless appearance description. Panasonic NN-SD762S is larger at 1.6 cu. ft. and adds sensor functions plus an optional trim path. NN-SB438S stands out for its compact size and documented controls, not a verified black-stainless finish.
Before you buy
What capacity and output does it have?
Panasonic lists 0.9 cu. ft. and 900-W microwave output.
How large is the tray?
The model-family table lists a 10.6-in. turntable for NN-SB438S.
Is the finish black stainless?
That wording is not verified for NN-SB438S; Panasonic assigns black-stainless cover details to different sibling codes.
Does it have sensor cooking?
The saved exact-model sources do not establish a sensor feature.
Can I use ASIN B09PFPYMF2?
Its current exact-model mapping was not verified; use the tagged NN-SB438S search.
Where can I check the current price?
Use the Amazon link for current offers. Check the exact model, seller, product condition, delivery, and return terms. This page does not display a live price or confirm stock.
Sources & review basis
We use the following manufacturer documentation for the product features above. Our suitability notes and buying advice are editorial judgments based on those features, not measured performance results.
- Panasonic exact-model product page, model-family specification table and owner manual ↗ — checked October 8, 2026.
- Panasonic exact NN-SB438S product page: identity, 0.9-cu.-ft. capacity, 900-W output and controls. ↗ — checked October 8, 2026.
- Panasonic model-family specification table: electrical/input facts, turntable and suffix-specific cover distinction. ↗ — checked October 8, 2026.
- Panasonic owner manual for the NN-SB438S model group and countertop operation. ↗ — checked October 8, 2026.
- Historical candidate ASIN page did not establish a current exact-model match; not used as a destination. ↗Paid link · We may earn a commission. — checked October 8, 2026.
The decision
NN-SB438S is a well-documented compact Panasonic with 900-W output, a 10.6-in. tray and 120-V/60-Hz supply. Confirm its exact surface finish and use the tagged search because its historical ASIN is not verified.
Is it the right fit?
Check the exact model and today’s offers on Amazon.