APPLIANCE COMPARISON · OCT–DEC 2026

Slow cooker vs air fryer: which costs less to run?

At 26.32p per kWh, an air fryer costs about 15p per meal and a slow cooker about 34p per meal, so the slow cooker costs 2.2 times as much.

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

SLOW COOKER

34pper meal, 1.28 kWh

AIR FRYER · CHEAPER

15pper meal, 0.58 kWh

DIFFERENCE

18pper use at 26.32p per kWh

Side by side

**Slow cooker and air fryer 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	Slow cooker	Air fryer
Rated power	160 W	1,750 W
Cost per hour at full power	4.2p	46p
One typical use	1 meal, 8 hours	1 meal, 20 minutes
Cost per use	34p (1.28 kWh)	15p (0.58 kWh)
Assumed use a week	1 meal	4 meals
Cost a year at that use	£18	£32

Usage assumptions: Slow cooker: One eight-hour cook a week at the maximum rated power.Air fryer: Four 20-minute meals a week at full rated power.These are illustrations, not measured averages.

What the difference means for cooking a meal

These cook different kinds of food: slow-cooked stews over hours, or quick, crisp food in 20 minutes. Our slow-cooker figure assumes eight hours at its maximum rating and our air-fryer figure 20 minutes at full power, so both are upper estimates.

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.

Slow cooker calculator Air fryer 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 slow cooker cheaper to run than an air fryer?

No, per use as we measure it. At 26.32p per kWh, an air fryer costs about 15p per meal and a slow cooker about 34p per meal, so the slow cooker costs 2.2 times as much. These cook different kinds of food: slow-cooked stews over hours, or quick, crisp food in 20 minutes. Our slow-cooker figure assumes eight hours at its maximum rating and our air-fryer figure 20 minutes at full power, so both are upper estimates.

How much do they cost a year?

At the usage each page assumes, about £18 a year for a slow cooker and £32 for an air fryer (October–December 2026 GB average rate). For a slow cooker: one eight-hour cook a week at the maximum rated power. For an air fryer: four 20-minute meals a week at full rated 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

Morphy Richards ceramic 1.5L slow cooker 460300 ↗0.11 kW, 1.5 litres.
Morphy Richards ceramic 3.5L slow cooker 460017 ↗0.16 kW, 3.5 litres, low/medium/high settings.
Morphy Richards ceramic 6.5L slow cooker 461013 ↗0.29 kW, 6.5 litres.
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.
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 →