Combi microwaves, which combine microwave and convection oven functions, usually cost between $150 and $700." Ovens on the other hand are a lot more expensive and prices depend on the type.

These built-in combo ovens earned high marks in Consumer Reports’ tests for heating evenness and broiling—and are ideal if you're short on counter spaceWall oven-microwave combos, like this ...

But microwave ovens aren’t to blame, experts we spoke with said. “There is no evidence that microwave ovens cause colon cancer or any other type of cancer via any mechanism,” said Kunz.

In the first place, conventional ovens operate at a higher wattage—about 3,000, compared with something between 600 and 1,650 for a microwave. They also cost us energy by cooking food more slowly.