Energy and running costs
Air Fryer Running Cost by Wattage, From 1,000 W to 2,400 W
Published by the RecipeAirFryer editorial team · How we source times · Updated
A 1,500 W air fryer costs at most 13.2p to run for 20 minutes at the UK price cap, or 9.2¢ at the US average rate. A 1,000 W compact model costs 8.8p (6.1¢) for the same time, and a 2,400 W dual-drawer model with both drawers on costs 21.1p (14.6¢).
Key findings
- Cost rises in a straight line with wattage: every extra 100 W adds 0.9p or 0.6¢ to a 20-minute cook.
- Five 20-minute cooks a week for a year comes to at most £34.22 or $23.80 for a 1,500 W model.
- The same pattern costs £22.81 ($15.87) at 1,000 W and £54.75 ($38.08) at 2,400 W.
- A higher wattage does not always mean a higher bill, because a more powerful element reaches temperature sooner and then spends more of the cook switched off.
- 1,000 W8.8p
- 1,300 W11.4p
- 1,500 W13.2p
- 1,700 W14.9p
- 2,000 W17.5p
- 2,400 W21.1p
Cost by wattage and cooking time
Each cell shows the UK cost followed by the US cost for the element running the whole time.
| Wattage | 10 minutes | 20 minutes | 30 minutes | Per hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 W | 4.4p / 3.1¢ | 8.8p / 6.1¢ | 13.2p / 9.2¢ | 26.3p / 18.3¢ |
| 1,300 W | 5.7p / 4.0¢ | 11.4p / 7.9¢ | 17.1p / 11.9¢ | 34.2p / 23.8¢ |
| 1,500 W | 6.6p / 4.6¢ | 13.2p / 9.2¢ | 19.7p / 13.7¢ | 39.5p / 27.5¢ |
| 1,700 W | 7.5p / 5.2¢ | 14.9p / 10.4¢ | 22.4p / 15.6¢ | 44.7p / 31.1¢ |
| 2,000 W | 8.8p / 6.1¢ | 17.5p / 12.2¢ | 26.3p / 18.3¢ | 52.6p / 36.6¢ |
| 2,400 W | 10.5p / 7.3¢ | 21.1p / 14.6¢ | 31.6p / 22.0¢ | 63.2p / 43.9¢ |
A year of cooking, by wattage
| Wattage | kWh per year | UK cost per year | US cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 W | 87 | £22.81 | $15.87 |
| 1,300 W | 113 | £29.65 | $20.63 |
| 1,500 W | 130 | £34.22 | $23.80 |
| 1,700 W | 147 | £38.78 | $26.98 |
| 2,000 W | 173 | £45.62 | $31.74 |
| 2,400 W | 208 | £54.75 | $38.08 |
The wattage is printed on the rating plate under the appliance. Dual-drawer models list the total for both drawers, so a single drawer in use draws roughly half.
How these figures were worked out
Cost is wattage in kilowatts, multiplied by hours of use, multiplied by the unit rate. No preheat is added in this study, so the minutes in the table are total running minutes.
Prices are 26.32p per kWh (Ofgem price cap, October to December 2026) and 18.31¢ per kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, July 2026).
The figures assume the element is on for the whole time, which makes them an upper limit. A thermostat switches the element off and on once the basket is at temperature.
Sources
- Ofgem energy price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026 (26.32p per kWh, GB average, Direct Debit)
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly Table 5.6.A (18.31 cents per kWh, U.S. residential average, July 2026)
You may quote these figures with a link to this page. If you spot an error, tell us through the contact page and we will correct it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a 1500W air fryer cost per hour?
At most 39.5p at the UK price cap of 26.32p per kWh, or 27.5¢ at the US average of 18.31 cents per kWh. Real use is lower because the element cycles.
How many watts does an air fryer use?
Compact models are around 1,000 to 1,300 W, standard 4 to 6 litre baskets around 1,500 to 1,700 W, and large or dual-drawer models 2,000 to 2,400 W. The exact figure is on the rating plate.
Is a lower wattage air fryer cheaper to run?
Per minute, yes. Per meal, not necessarily: a lower-wattage model takes longer to heat and may need more minutes, and a small basket can mean a second batch.