United Kingdom Kitchen
How much does it cost to run an air fryer?
An air fryer is a small fan oven. It draws 1,200 to 1,800 watts, reaches temperature in a couple of minutes and then cycles its element about 60% of the time, so a 20 minute cook uses roughly 0.3 kWh.
A 1.5 kW air fryer costs about 24p an hour to run in Great Britain at 26.32 pence per kWh. Running it 20 minutes a day cycling 60% of the time comes to about 7.8p a day, £2.38 a month and £28.55 a year.
- Price: Ofgem cap, Oct to Dec 2026
- Wattage range with its source
- Checked 26 October 2026
Uses 0.30 kWh a day, 9.0 kWh a month, at 26.32 pence per kWh (Great Britain (price cap average)).
The dial places the daily cost between a 50 watt fan and a 4.5 kW water heater on 2.5 hours a day.
A 1.5 kW air fryer costs about 24p an hour to run in Great Britain at 26.32 pence per kWh. Running it 20 minutes a day cycling 60% of the time comes to about 7.8p a day, £2.38 a month and £28.55 a year.
What this assumes
The default is a 1.5 kW air fryer running 20 minutes a day, drawing full power 60% of the time it is switched on (the rest of the time a thermostat or sensor has it idle). Published typical ratings run from 1,200 to 1,800 watts. Your label or manual gives the exact figure, and the calculator takes it.
The price is the Ofgem price cap unit rate for 1 October to 31 December 2026, average for England, Scotland and Wales, paying by Direct Debit. The cap for 1 January to 31 March 2027 is announced in late November 2026. A fixed tariff, a time-of-use plan or a different payment method changes the rate, which is why the rate field is editable.
Cost by wattage and hours at the price cap rate
At 26.32p per kWh, running flat out. Multiply by the share of the time your thermostat keeps the element on.
| Power | 1 hour | 8 hours | 24 hours | A week at 20 minutes a day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 kW | 32p | £2.53 | £7.58 | 73p |
| 1.5 kW | 39p | £3.16 | £9.48 | 91p |
| 1.8 kW | 47p | £3.79 | £11.37 | £1.09 |
How an air fryer uses electricity
Because the cooking chamber is small, there is far less air to heat and the food is done faster. That is where the saving over a full size oven comes from, not from a more efficient element.
For a large roast or several trays, the full oven wins. The air fryer advantage is strongest for one or two portions.
Ways to cut the cost
- Do not pre-heat unless the recipe needs a crisp start.
- Cook in a single layer so you do not have to run a second batch.
Questions people ask
How much does an air fryer cost to run?
About 0.3 kWh for 20 minutes at 1,500 watts and 60% duty. At 18 cents that is about 5 cents, at 26p about 8p.
Is an air fryer cheaper to run than an oven?
For small portions, yes, typically by half or more, because it heats a small chamber and cooks faster.
Other kitchen costs
More in the UK
Sources
The electricity price on this page is read from the data file that also lists the release it came from. The wattage range is a published typical range, not a measurement of your appliance.