How Much Electricity Does an Air Fryer Use? 2026 Guide

How much electricity does an air fryer really use?

With electricity bills on many people's minds, the running cost of every kitchen appliance is worth checking. The good news: despite a high rated wattage, an air fryer uses very little in practice — roughly 0.3 to 0.5 kWh per session, or about 3 to 5 cents of electricity per cook at an example rate of 10¢/kWh.

How we calculate: every cost example in this guide uses an example rate of 10¢ per kWh. Your rate depends on your province and utility, so check your electricity bill: it may be higher or lower. To get your real cost, simply multiply the kWh figures by your rate per kWh.

Rated wattage is not actual consumption

The most common mistake is reading the wattage (for example, 1,700 W) and assuming the appliance uses 1.7 kWh per hour. The wattage only describes the maximum draw of the heating element at full load.

The element heats in cycles: it switches off once the target temperature is reached and comes back on when the temperature drops. Over a typical cook, it is only active 50% to 70% of the time. Most dishes are also ready in 12 to 25 minutes, not a full hour.

• kWh = (watts ÷ 1,000) × hours × duty factor
• Example: 1,700 W ÷ 1,000 = 1.7 kW × 0.25 h × 0.7 = ≈ 0.30 kWh

It also helps to separate the heat-up phase from the cooking phase. In the first few minutes, the appliance draws its full wattage to reach temperature quickly. After that, consumption drops sharply because the element only tops up the heat. Over a 20-minute cook, only three to five minutes fall in the energy-hungry heat-up phase. If you want your exact figure, a simple plug-in power meter between the outlet and the appliance shows the kWh used in real time.

Estimated consumption per session (duty factor 0.7)

Yearly cost: 3 times a week vs every day

Based on an average of 0.4 kWh per session and the example rate of 10¢/kWh (0.4 kWh × sessions × $0.10).

Even daily use stays modest, at around $15 a year. Three times a week costs barely $6 of electricity a year.

Compared with a conventional oven

This is where the savings come from. An oven has to heat a 60 to 70 L cavity and needs preheating; an air fryer heats only 3 to 8 L.

The air fryer saves 50% to 70% of the electricity an oven would use for the same amount of food. More in our guide to air fryer energy savings.

Compared with a deep fryer

A deep fryer has to heat 2 to 4 L of oil and keep it at 170 to 180°C (340 to 350°F).

• Deep fryer: ≈ 0.6 to 0.8 kWh per session.
• Air fryer: ≈ 0.3 to 0.5 kWh per session.

Add to that the recurring cost of replacing the oil. See our air fryer vs deep fryer comparison.

Tips to cut consumption further

• Skip needless preheating: it is often unnecessary, especially for frozen foods.
• Cook in full batches: a well-filled basket is more efficient than two small batches.
• Use dual-basket models: cook the main and the side at the same time.
• Clean regularly: a dirty unit can use 10% to 15% more.
• Use residual heat: cook one dish after another while the unit is still warm.

Consumption for everyday dishes

Here are realistic estimates for common dishes at the example rate of 10¢/kWh:

For reheating or cooking small amounts, the air fryer is hard to beat: firing up the oven would be pure waste. These small, frequent cooks are what create the biggest yearly savings compared with the oven.

Smart models: keep an eye on standby power

Many air fryers now connect to Wi-Fi and can be controlled from an app. That can help: precise temperature and time programs avoid overcooking and wasted energy. On the other hand, a smart model with a display and a Wi-Fi module draws 1 to 3 watts on standby around the clock, roughly 9 to 26 kWh a year (about $1 to $3 at the example rate), whether you cook or not. A power bar with an on/off switch or a smart plug solves this by cutting power completely after use.

Most efficient models and energy labels

Models from Xiaomi and Cosori offer a great balance of power, cooking time and consumption (for example, the Cosori Lite 3.8L at 1,500 W or the Xiaomi Smart Air Fryer Pro 4L at 1,600 W, at around 0.32 to 0.34 kWh for 18 minutes). Note that air fryers have no dedicated mandatory energy efficiency class in the EU yet, unlike fridges or washing machines, and Canada's EnerGuide label is for major appliances, so rely on wattage, capacity and independent real-world measurements. As a rule, a lower wattage for an adequate capacity is a good sign of efficiency. See our pick of the best budget air fryers.

Conclusion

Whatever your electricity rate, the air fryer remains one of the cheapest ways to cook small to medium portions: around 0.3 to 0.5 kWh per session and a modest yearly cost (about $6 a year at three uses a week, at 10¢/kWh).

Don't be put off by the high wattage printed on the label. What matters is the real consumption in kWh, and it stays low thanks to short cooking times, a small cavity and little to no preheating. By choosing an efficient model and following a few simple tips, you'll keep electricity costs to a minimum over the long run, even if your rate is high.