Can't speak about speed ovens because I don't have one. What I do have is a super-duper expensive KitchenAid convection microwave. This was a compromise 12 years ago when we redid our kitchen --DH put his foot down on two ovens, so I got this thing instead.

We use this thing pretty much everyday. It heats up 10x faster than my regular oven and is perfect for my teenagers to make snacks in (pizza rolls, poppers, etc...). Reheats pizza wonderfully too.

That said, in my humble opinion, it is a very expensive toaster oven that looks great in my kitchen (built-in look).

The interior is very hard to clean so I would never bake anything greasy or messy in it.

Hope this helps....

It helps a TON thanks! I am thrilled to hear it called a "toaster oven" lol as my hubby loves his toaster oven. It has actually been this exact Kitchenaid convection microwave oven that I'd had in mind and had drafted into that spot. I have been reading about speed ovens and am still confused, but I love the look of the KA convection micro and your comment is very encouraging thanks!!

There is a LOT of variation in speed ovens.

Microwave/convection combos make you choose one mode or the other.

Speed ovens use both together.

That's the minimal differentiation. Some rather expensive ones only have a few combo settings and nothing else to offer, and really don't so speed cooking well. Speed cooking is where you get a fairly conventional result by combining modes for a much faster cook time.

Some, like the Advantium, have an additional heating element/system. Some have broilers. The broilers aren't like the honking blazing infrared broilers in high end ovens, but they're adequate for top heat. :) The good ones all do speed. That's why the name and the price. It's not really worth the money if you just want a microwave that can pretend to be a toaster oven. I'm not an expert, but in my experience, the speed settings give you cooked food, but the regular oven/timing are better for the flavors to come together, etc. Speed is for slotting a freshly cooked dinner between after school and evening activities, and stuff like that. Speed has also saved me when something went awry and I still needed to get the food out on time.

If speed isn't your purpose, it sounds like you've already picked out and had endorsed something that will suit your needs.

Thanks plllog! I appreciate your comment also. Sounds like it will be the Kitchenaid convection microwave then. I like the idea of the Advantium but I guess I don't need that many whistles and bells and it also sounds like it might be a problem to use it in a base cabinet anyway. I really appreciate your reply and encouragement!

I am so happy you posted this question sparklekitchen! I have never understood the differences between those two options and my new house comes with a speed oven. Thank you pillog for the great explanations.

These can be a good replacement for the oven portion of a toaster oven but not so much the toasting portion.

I also have the KA micro/convection oven that stir-fryi refers to. Mine is part of duel ovens. I agree with essentially everything stir-fryi said, although I doubt that it really heats up 10X faster; but 3X faster sounds right. I use it as a microwave all the time. I can bake one loaf of bread or a pie in it. It does a great job of making a few slices of bacon.

So I guess I do greasy stuff in it; and yes it is hard to clean. A regular microwave has smooth plastic walls while this has metal ones. I never had a toaster oven in use, but as others said, the upper heating thing is not really that hot and I suspect it isn't a toaster oven at all. However, it certainly is a true convection oven.

I seem to use the microwave a lot, unlike some here who have recently said they don't really need one. That can be an issue when the micro/convection is baking a pie or whatever. I therefore have a microwave in the garage for those occasions when the other is in use. BTW, you can use the microwave while the oven is hot, but presumably with glass or possibly smooth sided metal pans only. I have done that to finish (or start) baked potato when short on time.

Have been using Sharp 930 micro convec ovens as micro and backup convect oven as well as combo (YES, can be used as combo micro/convec for faster cooking). agree with owner/posters above: is convenient, does preheat faster than traditional ovens, is harder to clean, stuff can get baked on SS interior that has to be watched. Sharp has fairly large interior, bakes on two tiers, in Micro is a little less powerful than smaller ovens. does not toast like a toaster oven. Broil setting is a hoax, just means higher heat. We're on our 3rd in a second kitchen. With the caveats mentioned has been a useful product.