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Advice Air fryers Calculator

Air fryer vs oven running cost calculator

Estimate what a meal might cost in an air fryer compared with an oven. Add your electricity price, check the cooking times and compare the result in pounds and pence.

Running cost estimate

Compare an air fryer with an oven

Updating
1

Choose a cooking example

Pick the option closest to the meal you are comparing. It sets the starting wattage and cooking time for both sides.

These examples are starting points, not average household use. Change the electricity price, frequency, power or cooking time if your routine is different.

A small meal or side dish for one or two people, where a basket air fryer avoids heating the full oven.
A fuller air-fryer meal where the wattage is closer to an oven, but the cooking time may still be shorter.
A bigger tray-style meal where extra air-fryer batches can narrow or remove the running-cost advantage.
2

Set your electricity price and usage

Use your bill’s unit rate if you know it. If not, try 24p, 26.11p and 30p to see the spread.

Default: Ofgem's 26.11p/kWh average Direct Debit electricity unit rate for England, Scotland and Wales, 1 July to 30 September 2026. Use your bill's unit rate if you know it.

3

Fine-tune the figures

Use the wattage shown on the appliance or manual, and the cooking time you usually use.
Basket air fryer
Fan oven

The result updates automatically.

Calculator result

Your estimate: Basket air fryer is cheaper

Based on Basket air fryer versus Fan oven at 26.11p/kWh and 4 uses per week.

This is an estimate, not a guaranteed saving. It compares electricity used while cooking, not your daily standing charge. Appliance power, preheating, batch size and your tariff can all change the answer.

Basket air fryer

Per use
£0.13
Per week
£0.52
Per year
£27.15
Electricity used
0.5 kWh

Fan oven

Per use
£0.38
Per week
£1.52
Per year
£79.20
Electricity used
1.458 kWh

Saving

Per use
25.0p
Per week
£1.00
Per year
£52.05

When an air fryer is likely to cost less

An air fryer usually looks better on electricity cost when the portion is small, the cooking time is short and the alternative is heating a full oven. The saving can shrink if you need several batches, use a high-power model for a long cooking time, or make enough food that the oven space is genuinely useful.

When the oven may still make sense

A full oven can be the better choice for large trays, batch cooking, baking and meals where preheating is part of the result you want. Running cost is only one part of the decision; capacity, texture, cleaning, noise and worktop space can matter just as much.

Sources and checks

  • The electricity price starts from Ofgem's average Direct Debit electricity unit rate for England, Scotland and Wales from 1 July to 30 September 2026. Your own tariff can be higher or lower.
  • Check Ofgem unit rates and standing charges.