Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more
It’s a common assumption that air fryers are cheaper to use than standard convection ovens because of their size and efficiency. They heat up faster and cook food more quickly, meaning they should use less energy overall.
But is it really that simple?
It entirely depends on what your cooking. For households with one or two people, you might find that your air fryer is the better choice. But an air fryer isn’t always the most economical choice for families or social gatherings.
There’s never been a better time than now to think about your appliances energy usage. As of October 1st 2025, a new energy price cap has been announced, a move that will affect 35million households. This means the average dual-fuel family home will be paying a extra 2 per cent over the year on their current energy tariff.
I’ve been testing air fryers for over seven years and have tried cooking just about everything in them while measuring the energy cost. Below, I break down what you need to know about the running costs of an air fryer vs an oven and which is the best choice for you.
What actually is an air fryer?
An air fryer is a compact, countertop appliance that cooks food by circulating hot air at high speed with a large internal fan. This process is similar to a convection oven but the condensed heat creates a crisp outer layer more quickly, without the need for large amounts of oil.
An airfryer is a (usually) compact countertop appliance
For smaller meals, such as chips, chicken or reheated leftovers, the reduced cooking time can make a modest difference to your electricity bill compared with running an oven full time. You can take a look at our best air fryer guide to find a compact model that works for you.
What is the average cost of an air fryer?
Air fryers vary in price depending on their size and features. A smaller model suitable for one or two people, such as the Tower Xpress Pro 5in1 air fryer, can often be found for around £50 to £70.
Larger family sized models or those with extra drawers, such as the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone MAX, usually range between £100 and £250. Models with additional features and a more premium design can go beyond £250, but most households find a mid-range option more than adequate.
A typical air fryer uses around 1 to 1.8 kilowatts of power per hour but it cooks faster than an electric oven and might only be on for 30 minutes. The resulting energy use is around 0.35 and 0.9 kWh, which will cost you around 8p to 22p per use.
With energy prices on the rise, it’s worth knowing how much your oven and air fryer is costing
The average cost of an oven
Ovens are a bigger investment and also vary widely in price. A basic built in electric oven usually starts from around £200 to £300.
More advanced models with fan assisted cooking, steam functions or self cleaning can fall within the £400 to £700 range. High-end ovens with smart connectivity or professional grade features will set you back well over £1000.
Alongside the upfront cost, ovens also use more energy overall, especially when cooking for just one or two people, which is why they are often compared less favourably with air fryers.
Cooking for one? An air fryer might be the cheaper option
As an example, a typical electric oven draws approximately 2 to 2.5 kilowatts and runs for around an hour per meal, often longer. That adds up to 2 to 2.5 kWh, which will cost you around 48p to 60p every time you use it.
Ovens also need time to preheat, which can add 10 minutes or more to your energy use time before you even start cooking. This means a meal that might cost 15p in an air fryer could cost two or three times as much in the oven. While ovens are an essential appliance for most homes, they are not always the most efficient choice for smaller meals and reheating.
Why you might want to consider an air fryer
An air fryer can be particularly useful for households looking to save on energy costs or for those who prepare smaller meals more often. They are convenient for quick meals, snacks and reheating leftovers without needing to preheat a large oven but choosing the right air fryer is key to keeping costs down.
Cleaning an air fryer also takes less time than an oven and they are, of course, a lot smaller. For anyone living alone, in a couple, or simply wanting a faster way to cook without the extra energy consumption, an air fryer can be a worthwhile addition.
When not to use an air fryer
Despite an air fryers lower energy cost, an oven still has its place. If you need to cook multiple batches of food in your air fryer and have it running for a couple of hours, it’s simply more economical to turn on your oven once and keep it running. This is a common air fryer mistake people make without realising.
For huge roast dinners, batch cooking and baking, your oven is the smarter choice. This is why so many people choose to have both. Just ensure you keep energy loss to a minimum by only opening it when you need to.