APPLIANCE COMPARISON · OCT–DEC 2026

Microwave vs electric oven: which costs less to run?

At 26.32p per kWh, a microwave costs about 2.8p per use and an electric oven about 21p per use, so the electric oven costs 7.5 times as much.

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

MICROWAVE · CHEAPER

2.8pper use, 0.11 kWh

ELECTRIC OVEN

21pper use, 0.79 kWh

DIFFERENCE

18pper use at 26.32p per kWh

Side by side

**Microwave and electric oven 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	Microwave	Electric oven
Power or energy use	1,270 W	0.79 kWh per use
One typical use	1 use, 5 minutes	1 use
Cost per use	2.8p (0.11 kWh)	21p (0.79 kWh)
Assumed use a week	7 uses	5 uses
Cost a year at that use	£10	£54

Usage assumptions: Microwave: One five-minute use a day at full power.Electric oven: Five uses a week, each counted as one energy-label cycle of about an hour.These are illustrations, not measured averages.

What the difference means for cooking or reheating food

A microwave heats the food directly for a few minutes; an oven heats the whole cavity for a full cycle. For a single portion the microwave uses far less electricity. For a large roast or several trays, the oven’s cost is shared across more food.

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.

Microwave calculator Electric oven 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 a microwave cheaper to run than an electric oven?

Yes, per use as we measure it. At 26.32p per kWh, a microwave costs about 2.8p per use and an electric oven about 21p per use, so the electric oven costs 7.5 times as much. A microwave heats the food directly for a few minutes; an oven heats the whole cavity for a full cycle. For a single portion the microwave uses far less electricity. For a large roast or several trays, the oven’s cost is shared across more food.

How much do they cost a year?

At the usage each page assumes, about £10 a year for a microwave and £54 for an electric oven (October–December 2026 GB average rate). For a microwave: one five-minute use a day at full power. For an electric oven: five uses a week, each counted as one energy-label cycle of about an hour.

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

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.
EPREL product fiche: Bosch HQA534BS3B oven ↗0.94 kWh per cycle conventional, 0.69 kWh fan-forced, 71 litres, class A+.
EPREL product fiche: Indesit IO 253 X UK oven ↗0.79 kWh per cycle fan-forced, 66 litres.
EPREL product fiche: Samsung NV7B4430ZAB oven ↗1.05 kWh per cycle conventional, 0.71 kWh fan-forced, 76 litres.
Bosch HQA534BS3B specification sheet (PDF) ↗2,800 W connection rating.
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 →