Short answer: for a small meal, an air fryer usually costs less to run than an electric oven, because it heats a much smaller space and cooks faster. Twenty minutes in a 1,700W air fryer costs at most 14.8p, while one standard energy-label cycle of a typical A-rated fan oven costs 21.3p, before you add a long cook. If you are filling the oven with a family-sized batch, the gap shrinks or disappears.
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Costs on this page use 26.32p per kWh (Ofgem price cap, Direct Debit, 1 October to 31 December 2026) and update automatically when the price cap changes. Data checked 11 October 2026.
Cost per meal compared
| Appliance and use | Energy basis | Cost per use | Cost per year (4 uses a week) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small air fryer (1,400W), 20 minutes | Rated power, upper bound | 12.2p | £25.29 |
| Mid-size air fryer (1,700W), 20 minutes | Rated power, upper bound | 14.8p | £30.71 |
| Dual-zone air fryer (2,470W), both drawers, 20 minutes | Rated power, upper bound | 21.5p | £44.62 |
| A-rated fan oven, one energy-label cycle | 0.81 kWh (Bosch HBS534BS0B label) | 21.3p | £44.34 |
| Fan oven at full 2.99kW for 45 minutes (preheat plus cook) | Connected load, worst case | 59.0p | £122.77 |
Want your own numbers? Use our appliance running cost calculator.
Default rate: 26.32p per kWh (Ofgem price cap, Direct Debit, 1 October to 31 December 2026). Starting figures are typical values, not your model: check the rating plate or energy label and change them. Appliances with a thermostat (ovens, heaters) cycle on and off, so running at full rated power is an upper estimate. Standing charges are not included.
How we worked this out
Cost = power (kW) × hours of use × the current electricity unit rate. Air fryer figures use the rated wattage printed on the manufacturer or retailer spec sheet. That is the most the appliance can draw: once it reaches temperature, the thermostat switches the element on and off, so real use is usually lower. Oven figures use the energy-label cycle (a standard test that heats a load in the oven), plus a worst-case row at the full connected load. We do not measure appliances ourselves. See how we pick and calculate.
What changes the number
- Cooking time. Air fryers usually skip a long preheat and cook small portions faster. Ninja claims its AF100UK is “up to 50% faster than fan ovens” for fish fingers and sausages; that is the maker’s claim, not our measurement.
- How full it is. An oven costs roughly the same to run whether it holds one tray or three. Cooking a whole meal in one oven session can beat several air fryer batches.
- Both drawers or one. A dual-zone air fryer only approaches its full rated power with both drawers running.
- Your tariff. Fixed deals, Economy 7 and regional rates differ from the cap average.
Choosing a model? See our best air fryers in the UK and air fryer running costs by model.
FAQ
Is an air fryer always cheaper than an oven?
No. For one or two portions it usually is. For a large batch that fills the oven, or a long slow roast, an oven can work out similar or cheaper per portion.
Does a bigger air fryer cost more to run?
Bigger models usually have higher rated wattage, so they can draw more power per minute. Cost per meal depends on how long you cook and how full the basket is.
Why don’t you use one fixed figure like other sites?
Because the result depends on wattage, cooking time and the unit rate. Our figures recalculate from the current price cap, and the calculator lets you enter your own wattage and time.
Is a gas oven cheaper?
Gas is usually cheaper per kWh than electricity under the price cap, but gas ovens are less efficient at turning that energy into heat in the food. This page compares electric appliances only.
Sources
- Ofgem: changes to the energy price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026
- Bosch Series 4 HBS534BS0B oven: 2.99 kW connected load, 0.81 kWh per fan-forced cycle (energy label data)
- Belling BI703MFC product data sheet: 0.80 kWh per fan-forced cycle, main cavity (AO)
- Philips 3000 Series HD9200 Airfryer L: 1,400 W (Philips data sheet)
- Instant Vortex Plus VersaZone 8.5L: 1,700 W (John Lewis listing)
- Ninja Foodi Dual Zone AF300UK: 2,470 W (Ninja)
- Ninja AF100UK: “up to 50% faster than fan ovens” (manufacturer claim)
Data checked 11 October 2026.
