Quick answer
Yes — for many everyday cooking tasks, microwaves are typically the cheapest appliance to run in the UK.
Because they heat food quickly and directly, microwaves tend to use less electricity overall than ovens, hobs or other larger appliances. Below, we show clear calculations using the latest official energy unit rates so you can see exactly how much each appliance costs to run.
Last updated: February 2026
How we calculate running costs
To work out how much appliances cost to run, we use this simple formula:
Cost = Power (kW) × Time (hours) × Unit rate (pence per kWh)
For example, an 800W (0.8 kW) microwave used for 10 minutes (0.1667 hours) at 27.69 p/kWh costs:
0.8 × 0.1667 × 27.69 ≈ 3.7 pence per use
Current UK energy unit rates (Ofgem)
Between 1 January and 31 March 2026, the energy price cap — which limits the unit rates energy suppliers can charge on default tariffs — sets these average unit rates for households paying by Direct Debit:
- Electricity unit rate: 27.69 pence per kWh
- Gas unit rate: 5.93 pence per kWh
(These rates apply under the price cap — your actual tariff may vary.)
📌 Link to official source: Ofgem energy price cap unit rates — https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/energy-price-cap-explained
Example running costs per use (common appliances)
These figures are illustrative based on typical power ratings and cooking times. They use the official unit rates above. Actual appliances may vary in wattage and cooking duration.
| Appliance | Assumed power & time | Estimated cost per use |
|---|---|---|
| Microwave (800W, 10 min) | 0.8 kW × 0.1667h | ~3.7p |
| Air fryer (1700W, 20 min) | 1.7 kW × 0.333h | ~15.7p |
| Electric oven (2500W, 40 min) | 2.5 kW × 0.667h | ~46.2p |
| Electric hob (1500W, 20 min) | 1.5 kW × 0.333h | ~13.8p |
| Slow cooker (200W, 6 hrs) | 0.2 kW × 6h | ~33.2p |
| Gas hob (2 kW, 20 min) | 2 kW × 0.333h | ~4.0p |
Why microwaves are often cheapest
Microwaves tend to win on energy efficiency and running cost for everyday cooking and reheating because:
- They heat food directly rather than heating the air or interior of an oven first
- They run for short cooking times
- They consume less total energy per use
For many typical kitchen tasks — reheating food, steaming veg, defrosting or cooking ready meals — that efficiency translates to much lower running costs than an oven or air fryer.
How this compares with other research
Previous research from energy supplier Utilita and supermarket Iceland (2022) ranked microwaves as the cheapest major cooking appliance to run on average, followed by air fryers and slow cookers, with electric cookers most expensive overall.
That independent analysis aligns with the same trend shown here: low-power, short-run appliances like microwaves are typically most cost-efficient. (You can link the Utilita/Iceland source on your site where you mention it.)
How much you could save
The real savings come when you switch from high-energy appliances (like ovens) to low-energy ones (like microwaves) for suitable tasks:
- Cooking small portions
- Reheating leftovers
- Defrosting instead of long oven preheat
- Steam-style cooking for veg
For example, regularly using a microwave (~3.7p per use) instead of an oven (~46p per use) can save tens of pounds over a year on your energy bill.
Practical tips to cut cooking costs
- Microwave food when appropriate instead of the oven
- Use lids on pans to reduce boil-times
- Cook multiple dishes at once if the oven is on
- Use the right sized hob ring and pan
- Batch cook and reheat smaller portions
Small changes like these add up.
Frequently asked questions
Are microwaves always cheapest to run?
For short cooking and reheating tasks, yes — microwaves generally use the least electricity of common kitchen appliances.
Is an air fryer cheaper than a microwave?
Air fryers are typically more efficient than ovens, but microwaves still tend to be cheaper per use due to shorter cooking times and lower power use.
Does this apply to gas and electric?
Microwave costs here are UK electricity-based. Gas cookers can be cheap for certain tasks, but overall efficiency and application (e.g., boiling vs roasting) vary.
Final verdict
For everyday cooking and reheating tasks in the UK, microwaves are generally one of the cheapest appliances to run based on current unit rates under the Ofgem energy price cap. They are especially cost-effective compared with ovens and many hobs.
