for small meals, an air fryer typically uses about half the electricity of an electric oven, because it needs little or no preheating and heats a much smaller space. At 18 cents per kWh that is roughly 10–20 cents saved per meal, or $25–50 a year if you use it most days. For a whole turkey or big batches, the oven is still the right tool.
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Why the oven costs more
An electric oven element is typically rated around 2,000 to 5,000 watts. It runs flat out while preheating, then cycles on and off to hold the temperature. A basket air fryer like the Ninja AF101 is rated 1,550 watts, needs a few minutes of preheat or none, and finishes small portions faster because the hot air is moving right over the food.
The savings per meal are small, but they add up when you cook most days, and electricity is getting more expensive: the EIA expects residential prices around 18 cents per kWh this winter. Our family uses a fryer and a multicooker more than the oven, and the oven mainly comes out for baking and big holiday dinners.
Cost-per-meal calculator
Cost per meal: oven vs air fryer vs slow cooker
Assumes a 3,000W oven element cycling about half the time after a 12-minute preheat, a 1,550W air fryer cycling about 85% of the time, and a slow cooker averaging about 200W for 6 hours. Your appliances may differ; a plug-in meter shows the real number.
When the oven still wins
- Big batches: a sheet pan of vegetables for eight people is one oven load or three air fryer loads.
- The turkey: it goes in the oven. Use the air fryer for sides while the oven is busy, which is where it earns its counter space at Thanksgiving.
- Baking: cakes and pies bake more evenly in an oven.
- Long, slow dishes: a slow cooker beats both on energy for stews and pulled meat.
Air fryers worth buying before Black Friday
| Pick | Why | What owners complain about |
|---|---|---|
| Best value Ninja AF101 Air Fryer, 4 qt | 1,550 watts, a 4-quart ceramic-coated basket and dishwasher-safe parts. One of the two best-selling air fryers on Amazon for years. | 4 quarts is small for a family of four, and some owners notice the coating wearing after heavy use. The fan is not quiet. |
| Bigger family COSORI TurboBlaze Air Fryer, 6 qt | A 6-quart basket that fits a family meal and a fan designed for fast, even cooking. A top-three air fryer by Amazon sales this fall. | It takes more counter space than a 4-quart model; measure under your cabinets first. |
| No nonstick basket Ninja Crispi Portable Glass Air Fryer | Cooks in glass containers with lids, so leftovers go straight into the fridge in the same dish. A good pick if you prefer to avoid nonstick coatings. | Smaller capacity and heavier glass. It costs more than a basic basket fryer. |
| Slow and cheap to run Crock-Pot 7-Quart Manual Slow Cooker | The lowest-energy way to cook stews, chili and pulled meat for a crowd, with a Warm setting for holiday buffets. | Some owners report crocks cracking early. Do not put a cold crock into a hot base. |
Prices change daily and air fryers are one of the most common Black Friday deals. I haven’t owned every model here; picks are based on specs, warranty terms and owner reviews.
Measure your own numbers
Plug the air fryer into an energy-monitoring smart plug or a Kill A Watt meter for a week and you will know exactly what it uses. Our Kill A Watt vs smart plug comparison explains which one to get.
FAQ
Does an air fryer use less electricity than an oven?
For small meals, yes. It needs little or no preheating and heats a much smaller space, so it typically uses about half the energy of an electric oven for the same food.
How much does it cost to run an air fryer?
A 1,550W air fryer running 20–25 minutes uses about 0.5 kWh, roughly 9–10 cents at 18 cents per kWh.
How much does it cost to run an electric oven for an hour?
With preheating and cycling, a typical electric oven uses about 1.5–2.5 kWh in an hour, roughly 27–45 cents at 18 cents per kWh.
Is a slow cooker cheaper than an air fryer?
Per hour, yes. A slow cooker uses roughly 150–250 watts, so even 6 hours costs only about 20 cents.
Will air fryers be cheaper on Black Friday?
Usually. Ninja and Cosori air fryers are regular Black Friday deals; Black Friday is November 27, 2026.
Sources
Email me at hello@thelowbillhome.com. I read every message, and when a rate, a rule or a product changes, I update the guide.
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