APPLIANCE RUNNING COSTS · OCT–DEC 2026
How much does a toaster cost to run?
Toasters are rated at up to about 1.7 kW but only run for a few minutes, so a round of toast costs a penny or two. At the GB average price-cap electricity rate of 26.32p per kWh for October–December 2026, a toaster costs about 42p an hour at full power, or 2.1p for a typical 3-minute use.
PER HOUR
42pat 1,600 W, full powerPER USE
2.1p0.08 kWh over 3 minutesPER WEEK
15p7 uses a week (assumed)PER YEAR
£829 kWh at the assumed useWork out your own cost
Choose your region or type in your own unit rate, then change the wattage and hours to match your appliance and how you use it. It starts with a week at our assumed use, averaged to hours a day.
0.6 kWh over 7 days · about £0.02 a day
How much electricity it uses
- Russell Hobbs 2-slice toasters are rated at 850 W (Groove 26390) and 1,600 W (Distinctions 26430); the 4-slice Stylevia 26292 is 1,670 W.
- The Household Electricity Survey (2010–11) measured toasters at an average of 21.9 kWh a year in the homes that had one.
| Example | Rated power | Per hour | Per use | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower | 850 W | 22p | 1.1p | £4 |
| Typical | 1,600 W | 42p | 2.1p | £8 |
| Higher | 1,670 W | 44p | 2.2p | £8 |
Usage assumption: One three-minute round of toast a day. This is our illustration, not a measured average; change it in the calculator.
What drives the cost
- Browning setting and how many slots you use.
- Toasting two slices in one go rather than one at a time.
How it compares
| Appliance | Typical use | Energy | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toaster | 1 use, 3 minutes | 0.08 kWh | 2.1p |
| Kettle | 1 boil, 2 minutes | 0.10 kWh | 2.6p |
| Microwave | 1 use, 5 minutes | 0.11 kWh | 2.8p |
| Air fryer | 1 meal, 20 minutes | 0.58 kWh | 15p |
Ways to spend less
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. See every region’s rate →
Questions
How much does a toaster cost to run per hour?
At 26.32p per kWh (the GB average price-cap rate, October–December 2026, Direct Debit, 0% VAT), a toaster rated at 1,600 W costs about 42p an hour at full power. Models from 850 W to 1,670 W cost 22p to 44p an hour.
How much does a toaster cost to run a year?
It depends on how much you use it. Our assumption is one three-minute round of toast a day. At 26.32p per kWh that comes to about £8 a year (29 kWh). Change the hours or uses in the calculator to match your own.
Does the cost depend on where I live?
Yes, a little. Price-cap electricity unit rates for October–December 2026 range from 25.36p per kWh in East Midlands to 27.86p in Merseyside and Northern Wales. Pick your region in the calculator, or enter the unit rate from your bill if you are on a fixed or time-of-use tariff.
About these figures
Running costs are energy used × unit rate. They exclude the daily standing charge, which you pay whether or not the appliance runs. Costs per hour assume the appliance draws its full rated power the whole time; many appliances cycle on and off, so real use is often lower. Power ratings and energy figures are examples from the sources below, not a measured UK average.
Other appliances
Sources
- Russell Hobbs Groove 2-slice toaster 26390 ↗850 W.
- Russell Hobbs Distinctions 2-slice toaster 26430 ↗1,600 W.
- Russell Hobbs Stylevia 4-slice toaster 26292 ↗1,670 W.
- 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 →