The steam ovens don't cook faster like the Advantium or other speed ovens. Maybe somewhat, since steam transfers heat better than air, but not as much faster as microwave+convection dry heat.

I would almost certainly choose the combi over a speed if I couldn't have both. If you don't also have room for a built-in microwave, and are not a big user of such, consider a very small counter top one, either on a counter, in a upper cabinet, on a pantry shelf, etc. I stacked a combi over a drawer microwave, with a cabinet drawer in between. They don't match at all (Gaggenau aluminum finish behind glass for combi, stainless for drawer), but looks okay to me. I have a range, so combi is the only wall oven other than microwave.

This post was edited by attofarad on Sun, Aug 25, 13 at 21:04

I have a Wolf combi and an Advantium. The Advantium is on top, the combi is underneath, and there's a GE warming drawer under the combi, and a regular drawer on the bottom. The Wolf doesn't match the two GE's, but it doesn't bother me at all. Everything is stainless, and that's close enough.

I wouldn't want the combi as my only oven because it's small and doesn't have a broiler, but I like that it heats up quickly and doesn't heat up the kitchen like the oven in my range. If I had to choose between the combi and the Advantium, I'd choose the Advantium because I use it frequently and there's no other place in my kitchen to put a microwave.

We use our micro for primarily for popcorn, reheating coffee, frozen veggies, etc. which is why we are seriously considering steam combi as we cook frequently bake/broil seafood. Have considered placing a counter top micro in utility room to preserve counter space. Now to choose between Thermador or Wolf. Any opinions between the 2? I like the tank placement on the Wolf but can save a few $$ on the Thermador. With the Thermador's inside,does that create an issue with heat/steam loss if refill necessary during cooking? Thanks for the earlier responses and Ina stance of additional.