Cycles, Mitsuba, Lux - Speed by Necessity - The Correct (non-subjective) Answer I know stackexchange frowns on "suggest this software" questions that can be subjective, but I do believe there is a correct answer (non-subjective) to this question.

I have to render for speed and quality and can (for these particular projects) do without the excessive control that cycles offers. 

I've seen Luxrender and this if I am not mistaken is much slower than cycles. Mitsuba might be faster, but I read it has some limitations. 

Which of these renderers can give speed and quality even if some sacrifices must be made?
There is an old adage from the industry:

“Time, Money, Quality; Pick Two”

The gist being that you can only have two points of that triangle, at a cost of the one you do not select.

It has held true long enough to become a trope.