APPLIANCE COMPARISON · OCT–DEC 2026

Air fryer vs microwave: which costs less to run?

At 26.32p per kWh, a microwave costs about 2.8p per use and an air fryer about 15p per meal, so the air fryer costs 5.5 times as much.

Last updated 11 October 2026GB average price-cap rate, October–December 2026, Direct Debit, 0% VAT

AIR FRYER

15pper meal, 0.58 kWh

MICROWAVE · CHEAPER

2.8pper use, 0.11 kWh

DIFFERENCE

13pper use at 26.32p per kWh

Side by side

**Air fryer and microwave running costs**Typical figures at 26.32p per kWh (GB average price-cap rate, October–December 2026, Direct Debit, 0% VAT). Running costs exclude the standing charge.
Measure	Air fryer	Microwave
Rated power	1,750 W	1,270 W
Cost per hour at full power	46p	33p
One typical use	1 meal, 20 minutes	1 use, 5 minutes
Cost per use	15p (0.58 kWh)	2.8p (0.11 kWh)
Assumed use a week	4 meals	7 uses
Cost a year at that use	£32	£10

Usage assumptions: Air fryer: Four 20-minute meals a week at full rated power.Microwave: One five-minute use a day at full power.These are illustrations, not measured averages.

What the difference means for cooking or reheating food

A microwave draws less power and usually runs for only a few minutes, so reheating is cheapest there. An air fryer browns and crisps food, which a microwave cannot, so the cheaper choice depends on what you are cooking.

Work out your own costs

Each appliance page has a calculator: enter your own wattage or energy label figure, how long you use it, and your region or unit rate.

Air fryer calculator Microwave calculator

Unit rates vary by region: this period they run from 25.36p per kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and Northern Wales. Electricity prices per kWh →

Questions

Is an air fryer cheaper to run than a microwave?

No, per use as we measure it. At 26.32p per kWh, a microwave costs about 2.8p per use and an air fryer about 15p per meal, so the air fryer costs 5.5 times as much. A microwave draws less power and usually runs for only a few minutes, so reheating is cheapest there. An air fryer browns and crisps food, which a microwave cannot, so the cheaper choice depends on what you are cooking.

How much do they cost a year?

At the usage each page assumes, about £32 a year for an air fryer and £10 for a microwave (October–December 2026 GB average rate). For an air fryer: four 20-minute meals a week at full rated power. For a microwave: one five-minute use a day at full power.

Does where I live change which is cheaper?

No. Both run on electricity, so a higher or lower unit rate changes both costs in the same proportion. The cheaper appliance stays cheaper; only the pence change. Your region, tariff and how long you run each appliance change the actual amounts.

About these figures

Running cost is energy used × unit rate. Costs at full power assume the appliance draws its full rating the whole time; thermostats and programmes often switch elements on and off, so real use can be lower. Power ratings and energy label figures are examples from the sources below, not a measured UK average.

More comparisons

Sources

Tower Vortx 6 litre digital air fryer T17169GRY ↗1,700 W, 6 litre air fryer.
Ninja air fryer 4.7L AF110UK ↗1,750 W, 4.7 litre air fryer.
Ninja Foodi Dual Zone air fryer AF300UK ↗2,400 W, 7.6 litre dual-drawer air fryer.
Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer air fryer AF500UK ↗2,470 W, 10.4 litre air fryer.
Sharp MS01EC 20 litre microwave ↗800 W microwave output; 1,270 W power consumption.
Household Electricity Survey final report (DEFRA, DECC and Energy Saving Trust, 2012, PDF) ↗Measured appliance use in 250 English homes, 2010–11: annual kWh by appliance, cycles per year and energy per cycle.
Ofgem: energy price cap unit rates and standing charges ↗GB average electricity unit rate and VAT basis, October–December 2026.

Last updated 11 October 2026. Figures are dated benchmarks taken from the sources above. How we use sources →