Air Fryer vs Oven: Running Costs in Ireland 2026 (and When an Air Fryer Saves Money)

Air fryers are one of the most popular kitchen buys in Ireland, and lower running costs are a big part of the appeal. But how much do they actually save compared with an electric oven? And is it worth buying one just to cut your electricity bill? Here are the real numbers at Irish electricity prices, plus a simple way to work out your own.

We haven’t tested these products ourselves. Our picks are based on independent expert reviews (linked below) and the manufacturers’ specifications. Prices change often, so each product links to today’s price.

The short answer

An air fryer uses roughly a third to half of the energy of an electric oven for the same food, mainly because it’s much smaller, heats up in a couple of minutes and usually cooks faster. On a typical Irish electricity rate, that works out at around 15–20 cent per air fryer session versus 50–60 cent or more for a 45-minute oven bake. It adds up if you cook most days, but an air fryer won’t pay for itself overnight.

How much electricity costs in Ireland right now

Your running costs depend on your unit rate, the price you pay for each kilowatt hour (kWh). Selectra’s November 2026 comparison puts the average standard 24-hour urban rate at about 37.5 cent per kWh including VAT, ranging from about 32 cent to almost 46 cent depending on the supplier and plan. Electric Ireland’s own kitchen guide uses its standard rate of about 38 cent per kWh. Your bill also includes a standing charge, which you pay whatever you cook with.

Your exact rate is on your electricity bill or in your supplier’s app. If you’re on a smart meter plan with cheaper night or weekend rates, your costs could be lower at those times.

Running costs compared

Electric Ireland publishes typical energy use per hour for common kitchen appliances. Here’s what those figures cost per hour at roughly 38 cent per kWh:

Cost per hour is only half the story: what matters is how long each appliance runs. Air fryers rarely run for a full hour, while an oven also needs 10–15 minutes to preheat before the food goes in.

A typical dinner, worked out

These are estimates. Appliances rarely draw full power the whole time, because they switch the heating on and off to hold the temperature, so real costs are often a bit lower than the maximum.

Work out your own cost in 30 seconds

Use this simple formula: power (kW) × hours used × your unit rate = cost.

• Find the wattage on the appliance label or in the manual (for example 1,700W = 1.7 kW).
• Multiply by the cooking time in hours (20 minutes = 0.33 hours).
• Multiply by your unit rate in euro (38 cent = €0.38).
• Example: 1.7 × 0.33 × 0.38 = about €0.21 for a 20-minute session at full power.

Over a year: how much could you save?

Say you swap five oven meals a week for the air fryer. Using the example above, each swap saves roughly 40 cent, so that’s about €2 a week, or around €100 a year. Cook in the air fryer more often, or for a bigger household, and the saving grows. Cook only occasionally and it’s much smaller.

That means a mid-priced air fryer can pay for itself over a year or two of regular use, but the bigger benefits for most people are speed, convenience and crispier food without a lot of oil.

When the oven still makes sense

• Big batches: a Sunday roast for six, several trays of food or baking for the freezer. An oven cooks a lot at once; an air fryer might need several rounds.
• Large or tall items: a big turkey or a large casserole dish won’t fit in most air fryers.
• Baking: cakes and bread can bake in an air fryer, but results are less predictable.
• Cooking several things at once: if the oven is already on, adding another tray costs very little extra.

Other cheap ways to cook

A microwave is usually the cheapest way to reheat food and cook vegetables, because it runs for a few minutes. A slow cooker uses very little power per hour, so stews and casseroles cost cents even over eight hours. A pressure cooker or multi-cooker also cuts cooking time a lot. For boiling, only fill the kettle with the water you need.

Tips to cut air fryer running costs

• Don’t preheat for longer than you need: most air fryers heat up in 2–3 minutes, and many foods don’t need preheating at all.
• Cook in batches back to back while the air fryer is hot.
• Don’t overfill the basket. Air needs to flow, and overcrowding means longer cooking.
• Use the right size: a small basket heats faster for one or two portions; dual-drawer models let you cook a whole meal at once.
• Keep it clean: built-up grease makes it work harder and can smoke.
• Check whether your supplier has cheaper night, weekend or EV-style rates if you have a smart meter.

Choosing an air fryer

Dual-drawer models are popular because you can cook two foods at different settings and have them finish together, like chips in one drawer and chicken in the other. They’re wide, though, so measure your counter. Compare the two most popular Ninja models in Ninja Dual Zone vs Air Fryer PRO, or see all picks in our best air fryers guide.

1. 1

   Ninja Dual Zone Digital Air Fryer 7.6L (DZ300UK)

   Best for: Families

   9
   

   One of the most popular air fryers in Ireland and the UK for good reason: two independent drawers make full dinners easy. If you cook for 3–6 people and have the counter space, this is the one to get on offer.

   What we like

   • Two drawers, each with its own time and temperature
   • Sync and match buttons so both finish together
   • Very fast with frozen food on Max Crisp
   • Dishwasher-safe drawers and crisper plates

   Watch out for

   • Big and wide, needs a lot of counter space
   • You need to shake food halfway (no stirring paddle)
   • Some plastic parts feel less premium

   See today’s price

   See today’s price→at Amazon.ieFull details
2. 2

   Ninja MAX Dual Zone Air Fryer 9.5L (DZ400UK)

   Best for: Big families

   8.6
   

   The air fryer for big households: two large drawers that finish at the same time, with excellent results. It’s very bulky, so measure your counter first.

   What we like

   • Huge 9.5L capacity across two drawers
   • Two foods, two ways, ready together
   • Fits a 2kg chicken in one drawer
   • Dishwasher-safe drawers

   Watch out for

   • Very bulky
   • No grill function

   See today’s price

   See today’s price→at Amazon.ieFull details
3. 3

   Ninja Air Fryer PRO 4.7L (AF140UK)

   Best for: 1–2 people

   8.4
   

   A small, simple and reliable air fryer for one or two people. It won’t feed a family, but if counter space is tight it’s one of the easiest air fryers to live with.

   What we like

   • Small footprint, fits under wall units
   • Simple, clearly labelled controls
   • Crisp, evenly cooked chips and frozen food
   • Dishwasher-safe drawer and plate

   Watch out for

   • Too small for families
   • Only 4 functions
   • Max 210°C, so frozen food can take a little longer

   See today’s price

   See today’s price→at Amazon.ieFull details
4. 4

   Tower Vortx Vizion 7.5L Air Fryer with Viewing Window (T17123)

   Best for: Budget family air fryer

   7.9
   

   A lot of air fryer for the money: a big 7.5L drawer, an easy colour display and a window so you can check food without opening it. It doesn’t have two drawers like the Ninja, but it costs far less.

   What we like

   • Big 7.5L drawer
   • Viewing window with internal light
   • Clear colour display and 7 presets
   • Up to 3-year guarantee when registered

   Watch out for

   • Single drawer only
   • Fewer expert reviews than Ninja models

   See today’s price

   See today’s price→at Amazon.ieFull details

Frequently asked questions

Does an air fryer use a lot of electricity?

An air fryer typically draws 1,200–2,000 watts while heating, but it runs for much less time than an oven. A typical 20-minute session uses around 0.4–0.6 kWh, which is roughly 15–25 cent at Irish rates.

Is it cheaper to use an air fryer or a microwave?

For reheating and cooking vegetables, the microwave is usually cheaper because it runs for only a few minutes. For crispy food like chips, the air fryer is the cheapest good option.

Is an air fryer cheaper than a gas oven?

It depends on your gas and electricity prices. Gas is usually cheaper per kWh than electricity, so the saving is smaller than against an electric oven, but the air fryer still avoids long preheating.

Should I unplug my air fryer when not in use?

Most air fryers use little or no power on standby, but switching off at the wall is a safe habit and saves a tiny amount.

Sources: Electric Ireland: kitchen energy savings advice, Selectra: electricity prices in Ireland, Euronics Ireland: air fryer vs oven.