Air fryer Electricity Cost
Work out how much your air fryer costs to run per cook, per week and per year on your own tariff — and see how it compares with using a full-size electric oven.
Air fryer running cost calculator
Example: 1,500 W. Example for a standard single-basket air fryer (about 4–5 L). Compact models can be around 900 W; dual-zone models up to about 2,400 W. 0.42 hours ≈ 25 minutes.
e.g. 0.25 = 15 min
0 to 7
Example rate — enter your own tariff.
Estimated cost to run your air fryer
£0.16per day used
Uses 0.63 kWh on each day it's used (1,500 W × 0.42 h).
How it works: cost = power (kW) × hours used × price per kWh. Standing charges aren't included because you pay them whether or not the appliance is on.
Estimates only. Real consumption depends on the model, settings and how the appliance is used.
How air fryer electricity use is measured
An air fryer is a small, powerful fan oven. It draws close to its rated power while heating up, then the thermostat cycles the element on and off to hold the temperature, so the average over a cook is usually a little below the rating. Check the rating plate on the back or base of your model for its wattage.
Air fryer cost per hour by power rating
Example rate — change it to the unit rate on your bill.
| Power | Per hour | Per 5 hours |
|---|---|---|
| 0.9 kW (900 W) | £0.23 | £1.13 |
| 1.2 kW (1,200 W) | £0.30 | £1.50 |
| 1.4 kW (1,400 W) | £0.35 | £1.75 |
| 1.7 kW (1,700 W) | £0.43 | £2.13 |
| 2 kW (2,000 W) | £0.50 | £2.50 |
| 2.4 kW (2,400 W) | £0.60 | £3.00 |
At 25p per kWh, excluding the standing charge. Assumes full power the whole time — a thermostat usually lowers the real figure.
Air fryer vs electric oven: which costs less?
For small portions, the air fryer usually wins on cost. Example only: a 1,500 W air fryer cooking for 25 minutes uses about 0.63 kWh — roughly 16p at 25p per kWh. A full-size electric oven drawing an average of 2 kW for 45 minutes, including preheating, uses about 1.5 kWh — roughly 38p on the same rate.
The oven can work out cheaper per portion for big or batch cooks, because one oven cycle can produce several meals at once. Heating a large oven for a single small dish is where most of the waste happens.
The fairest test for your own kitchen: run both calculators with the wattages on your appliances' rating plates, your real cooking times and the unit rate from your bill.
How to calculate your air fryer running cost
Cost = power (kW) × hours used × price per kWh
Example only: at 1,500 W for 0.42 hours, a air fryer would use about 0.63 kWh, costing around £0.16 at 25p per kWh. Used 4 days a week, that's roughly 131 kWh and £32.85 a year. Your own figures may be quite different.
Why actual usage varies
- Wattage and size — compact models are often 900–1,200 W; large and dual-zone models 1,700–2,400 W.
- Cooking time and temperature — chips from frozen take longer than reheating.
- How full the basket is — overfilling slows cooking and can add minutes.
- Preheating — many foods cook well without it.
- Whether both zones of a dual-basket model are running.
Ways to reduce the cost
- Skip the preheat unless the recipe really needs it.
- Use the air fryer for small portions instead of heating a full-size oven.
- Shake or turn food so it cooks evenly and finishes sooner.
- Keep the basket and element clean so heat circulates well.
- On a dual-zone model, run only the zone you're using.
To include all your household use, try the electricity cost calculator, or price any other device with the appliance electricity cost calculator.