How much does it cost to run a air fryer? (2026 price cap)

Typical rating and how we worked this out

This page uses a typical rating of 1.7kW for a air fryer; published figures for this appliance range from 1.2kW to 2kW. Air fryers circulate hot air in a small chamber, so most models cook a similar meal in less time and at a lower running cost than a full-size electric oven. The running cost follows the same formula used across this site: watts ÷ 1,000 × hours × unit rate. Typical use is modelled as 1 cook a day, about 25 minutes, which is how the per-day, per-week and per-year figures above were calculated — see the cost-to-run calculator to change the wattage, hours or region yourself.

Rate used: Ofgem price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026, GB average electricity — 26.32p/kWh (excl. VAT, removed 1 Oct 2026–31 Mar 2027).

Cost by region

Same appliance, same use — ranked most to least expensive by region under the price cap:

East Midlands is cheapest at £65.57 a year; Merseyside and Northern Wales is most expensive at £72.03 a year — a gap of £6.46 for identical use.

How a air fryer compares with similar appliances

Ranked by typical annual cost in kitchen, GB average:

• air fryer — £68.05 a year (this page)
• chest freezer — £64.56 a year
• dishwasher — £64.05 a year
• kettle — £72.05 a year
• bread maker — £54.75 a year
• slow cooker — £49.27 a year

Three practical ways to cut the cost

1. Don't preheat for longer than a minute or two — the small chamber reaches temperature almost instantly
2. Cook in batches rather than switching to the oven for a bigger portion
3. Shake or turn food halfway rather than running a longer single cook

FAQs

How much does it cost to run a air fryer for an hour?

45p at the GB-average rate (26.32p/kWh, 1.7kW). One typical use — 1 cook a day, about 25 minutes — costs closer to 19p.

How much does a air fryer cost to run per year?

Around £68.05 a year at the GB-average rate, assuming 1 cook a day, about 25 minutes — about £1.31 a week.

Which UK region is cheapest to run a air fryer in?

East Midlands, at £65.57 a year, against £72.03 in Merseyside and Northern Wales — £6.46 apart for identical use, purely from the regional rate.

Does the exact wattage of my air fryer change the cost much?

Yes — ratings range 1.2kW–2kW, so the top of that range costs about 1.7x the bottom. This page uses 1.7kW; check your own rating plate.

Does the October 2026 price cap affect this figure?

Yes — figures use the Ofgem cap for 1 October to 31 December 2026. Electricity excludes VAT (removed 1 Oct 2026–31 Mar 2027); gas includes 5%. See the price cap page for the full breakdown.

Sources

• Energy Saving Genie — cost to run an air fryer — wattage and usage figures for this appliance.
• Ofgem — Energy price cap unit rates and standing charges (regional tables, read 12 September 2026).

Related

• Cost-to-run calculator and full A–Z — check any appliance or enter a custom wattage.
• Energy price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026 — every region, every payment method.
• Back-billing calculator — if a bill for this or any appliance looks like it covers too many months.
• Free bill audit — if your overall energy costs look high regardless of any one appliance.