Toaster oven vs. air fryer: running cost
A toaster oven is cheaper to run: about $19 a year versus $24 for an air fryer at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $4 difference.
| Toaster oven | Air fryer | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 1,300 W | 1,500 W |
| Watt range | 1,000–1,800 W | 800–1,800 W |
| Typical use | 18 minutes a day | 24 minutes a day |
| Energy per year | 108 kWh | 131 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 16¢ | 16¢ |
| Cost per day | 5.3¢ | 6.5¢ |
| Cost per month | $1.62 | $1.97 |
| Cost per year | $19 | $24 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $47 | $57 |
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What drives the difference
- Toaster oven: Toaster ovens draw 1,200-1,800 W but heat a small space with little or no preheat, so a 20-minute bake uses about 0.3-0.4 kWh.
- Air fryer: Air fryers draw 1,200-1,800 W but cycle once at temperature; a 20-minute cook uses about 0.25-0.4 kWh.
Ways to cut either cost
Convection airflow cooks faster at lower temperatures, trimming run time.
See options on AmazonKeep the basket clean so airflow and cook times stay efficient.
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Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a toaster oven or an air fryer?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), an air fryer costs about $24 a year versus $19 for a toaster oven. That's $4 more, or 1.2× as much.
How many watts do toaster oven and air fryer use?
A toaster oven typically draws 1,300 W (range 1,000–1,800 W). An air fryer draws 1,500 W (range 800–1,800 W). Watts alone don't decide cost. Hours of use, cycling and standby matter just as much.
Rates: EIA, 12 months ending 2026-07. Methodology.