Electric Oven vs Air Fryer: Which Costs Less to Run?
The full-size oven versus the countertop convection basket — a question practically invented by the last five years of kitchens.
Electric Oven · per month
$13.42
1 hour/day · 2,000–5,000 W
Air Fryer · per month
$4.20
0.5 hours/day · 800–1,800 W
Verdict
For anything that fits in the basket, the air fryer wins: less mass to heat, no preheat, shorter cook times — typically half the energy or better. The oven wins for volume cooking, where one big batch beats three air-fryer rounds. In summer, the air fryer wins twice by not heating the kitchen your AC is cooling.
Side by side
| Electric Oven | Air Fryer | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical power | 2,000–5,000 W | 800–1,800 W |
| Typical usage | 1 hour/day | 0.5 hours/day |
| Energy per month | 73 kWh | 23 kWh |
| Cost per month (US avg) | $13.42 | $4.20 |
| Cost per year (US avg) | $161 | $50.37 |
| Cost per month in Hawaii | $37.94 | $11.86 |
Rates as of May 2026. Adjust the assumptions on each appliance's page: Electric Oven · Air Fryer.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to run: a electric oven or a air fryer?
At typical usage and the current U.S. average rate (18.4¢/kWh), the air fryer is cheaper: about $4.20/month versus $13.42/month for the electric oven — a difference of $9.23 per month.
How much could I save per year by choosing the air fryer?
About $111 per year at typical usage and average rates. In Hawaii (52¢/kWh) the annual gap grows to roughly $313.
Do these numbers apply to my state?
The ratio between the two stays the same everywhere, but the dollar gap scales with your rate — from Idaho at 12.4¢/kWh to Hawaii at 52¢/kWh. Open each appliance's page for the exact cost in your state.