Electric Oven vs Toaster Oven: Which Costs Less to Run?
Same job, different cavity size — and cavity size is most of what an oven's energy bill is.
Electric Oven · per month
$13.35
1 hour/day · 2,000–5,000 W
Toaster Oven · per month
$3.34
0.5 hours/day · 1,000–1,800 W
Verdict
The toaster oven wins for small dishes, using one-third to one-half the energy. The crossover comes with quantity: once you're cooking for a family or using multiple racks, the big oven's single session beats repeated small ones. Rule of thumb: if it fits comfortably in the toaster oven, that's the cheaper appliance.
Side by side
| Electric Oven | Toaster Oven | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical power | 2,000–5,000 W | 1,000–1,800 W |
| Typical usage | 1 hour/day | 0.5 hours/day |
| Energy per month | 73 kWh | 18 kWh |
| Cost per month (US avg) | $13.35 | $3.34 |
| Cost per year (US avg) | $160 | $40.08 |
| Cost per month in Hawaii | $35.02 | $8.76 |
Rates as of July 2026. Adjust the assumptions on each appliance's page: Electric Oven · Toaster Oven.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to run: a electric oven or a toaster oven?
At typical usage and the current U.S. average rate (18.3¢/kWh), the toaster oven is cheaper: about $3.34/month versus $13.35/month for the electric oven — a difference of $10.01 per month.
How much could I save per year by choosing the toaster oven?
About $120 per year at typical usage and average rates. In Hawaii (48¢/kWh) the annual gap grows to roughly $315.
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 Louisiana at 12.7¢/kWh to Hawaii at 48¢/kWh. Open each appliance's page for the exact cost in your state.