Going the other way the induction range has a plumbing hookup for steam to consider.

M-touch oven in the range is just moisture plus, steam assist oven, similar to H6880BP. It is a different beast to a combi steam oven.

I had the exact same dilemma as the OP. We opted to go with the speed oven over a regular microwave which is located under my combi steam. We also have the M touch wall oven with moisture plus. With the two of us - we use the speed oven quite frequently in conjunction with the combi steam as it heats quickly and has full oven capability. This allows us to avoid heating the large oven for just one dish. We have used the speed function a handful of times and it works well but speed cooking is not something we have a need for at this point in our lives. I can also use it as a "warming" drawer if needed. It depends on your budget and if you want to spend the extra $$, but we are happy we went with the speed instead of a microwave.

I'm on the other side of the fence :) I have the induction cooktop, a combi-steam, the H6860BP and a microwave. Never have I felt the need for a speed oven and we only use the microwave for popcorn, reheating dog/cat food or melting some butter.

The combi-steam is the most used of the three. It reheats food reasonably fast (8-10 min) but it just doesn't compare to anything else. Because of the steam, most reheated food tastes freshly cooked.

If the speed oven is something you would use, by all means, get it! My train of thought was exactly like yours: what would I do in the speed oven that can't do in the combi-steam. And the answer for me was the deciding factor: nothing :)

To be honest, I didn't even consider the speed oven for our 2 person household as I couldn't imagine needing 3 ovens at once. I have the "big oven" and the combi steam. The steam oven is my go to oven and it is rare that I use the other. I do have a microwave (in the basement) which gets used on occasion for popcorn, but that's about it. For those other things that I used the microwave for, (warming milk and melting chocolate or butter, for example), I use my Miele induction cooktop, and find that I prefer that to the microwave. I have mini saucepans which hold 1 and 1 1/2 cups each and take almost no room in the dishwasher!

sherri1058, your post taught me something else interesting on top of my original question. I would not have thought the Miele cooktop would have worked with such a small pan. I thought the technology required that the cooktop detect the presence of the pan and that there were certain pan size minimums -- maybe that requirement is only on cooktops like the Thermador Freedom and equivalent Gag. Good to know I can use very small pans. It's a good idea!

Simple microwave wins! I just can't see spending $3300 for a Miele speed oven when a $400 microwave will due just fine. Heck, a $90 microwave would probably be fine but I want it to at least look nice in the kitchen. Thanks everyone.

I am getting the speed oven but only because I'm not getting a range or any other full size oven. Instead, I've decided to take a risk and get the 36" induction cook top, steam oven and speed oven. I can't imagine ever using the speed oven as a microwave + oven at the same time (though I am open to trying) but I do need two ovens (just not a big 30" oven) and also a microwave. I could put a cheap microwave in a cupboard somewhere but the steam oven and speed oven will look so good side by side. They are both beautiful machines and I think I'll get lots of use out of both.

The smallest induction compatible pan that I have is All-clad 1qt saucier. The pan only takes about half the area of single zone bridge unit that I have.

Not all induction hob is equal, so best bet is to bring a pan to try.

Just an fyi, my mini sauce pans are 3 3/4" across the bottom and my mini skillet is 3 1/4" across the bottom. They both work even on the large hob of my Miele cooktop. Very convenient!