Is inverter technology in a microwave actually worth paying extra for?

Across the reviewers we read, the consensus is yes for anyone who reheats leftovers or defrosts often. Inverter models deliver continuous low-power output instead of pulsing on and off, which mainstream reviewers and specialist subreddits consistently say produces more even heating and less popping/splattering. Consumer Reports specifically rated the Panasonic NN-SN686S as excellent for heat evenness on the mashed-potato reheat test. For a microwave used mostly to boil water or run popcorn presets, the upgrade matters less.