How Much Does It Cost to Run a Toaster Oven?
A typical Toaster Oven uses 1400W and runs about 0.5 hours/day. At the national average rate of 16.72¢/kWh, that costs approximately $3.51/month.
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What Affects the Cost of Running a Toaster Oven
A Toaster Oven Uses About Half the Energy of a Full Oven
A full-size oven must heat a 4-5 cubic foot cavity to temperature. A toaster oven heats a 0.5-1 cubic foot space. The smaller volume means less energy to preheat and less energy to maintain temperature. For any meal that fits in a toaster oven (up to about 9x13 inches), you save roughly 50% on electricity compared to the full oven. A family that shifts half their oven use to a toaster oven saves $3-5/month.
Convection Toaster Ovens Add Another Layer of Savings
Convection models circulate hot air, cooking food 25% faster than static toaster ovens. Faster cooking means less total electricity consumed per meal. A convection toaster oven cooking a chicken breast takes 15 minutes versus 20 minutes for a standard model, saving about 0.1 kWh per cook.
Toaster Oven vs. Alternatives
How the monthly cost of a Toaster Oven compares to other options:
| Alternative | Est. Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Toaster Oven (this page) | $3.51 | At national average rate, 0.5hrs/day |
| Full-size electric oven | ~$6-12 | Uses twice the energy per cook. Only necessary for large items. |
| Air fryer | ~$3-5 | Even smaller cooking space. Slightly faster for small portions. |
| Microwave | ~$1-2 | More efficient for reheating but cannot brown or crisp food. |
| Toaster (toast only) | < $1 | More efficient for just making toast. A toaster oven is the all-rounder. |
Toaster Oven Cost by State
What a Toaster Oven costs to run at 1400W for 0.5 hours/day in every state:
| State | Rate | Monthly Cost | Yearly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 14.82¢ | $3.11 | $37.35 |
| Alaska | 25.34¢ | $5.32 | $63.86 |
| Arizona | 13.81¢ | $2.9 | $34.8 |
| Arkansas | 12.63¢ | $2.65 | $31.83 |
| California | 31.41¢ | $6.6 | $79.15 |
| Colorado | 15.24¢ | $3.2 | $38.4 |
| Connecticut | 29.35¢ | $6.16 | $73.96 |
| Delaware | 15.24¢ | $3.2 | $38.4 |
| District of Columbia | 15.87¢ | $3.33 | $39.99 |
| Florida | 15.63¢ | $3.28 | $39.39 |
| Georgia | 14.12¢ | $2.97 | $35.58 |
| Hawaii | 43.21¢ | $9.07 | $108.89 |
| Idaho | 10.87¢ | $2.28 | $27.39 |
| Illinois | 16.37¢ | $3.44 | $41.25 |
| Indiana | 15.12¢ | $3.18 | $38.1 |
| Iowa | 14.23¢ | $2.99 | $35.86 |
| Kansas | 14.98¢ | $3.15 | $37.75 |
| Kentucky | 12.87¢ | $2.7 | $32.43 |
| Louisiana | 11.98¢ | $2.52 | $30.19 |
| Maine | 22.87¢ | $4.8 | $57.63 |
| Maryland | 16.12¢ | $3.39 | $40.62 |
| Massachusetts | 28.76¢ | $6.04 | $72.48 |
| Michigan | 18.76¢ | $3.94 | $47.28 |
| Minnesota | 15.34¢ | $3.22 | $38.66 |
| Mississippi | 13.76¢ | $2.89 | $34.68 |
| Missouri | 13.12¢ | $2.76 | $33.06 |
| Montana | 12.45¢ | $2.61 | $31.37 |
| Nebraska | 11.98¢ | $2.52 | $30.19 |
| Nevada | 15.03¢ | $3.16 | $37.88 |
| New Hampshire | 25.34¢ | $5.32 | $63.86 |
| New Jersey | 18.76¢ | $3.94 | $47.28 |
| New Mexico | 14.87¢ | $3.12 | $37.47 |
| New York | 22.87¢ | $4.8 | $57.63 |
| North Carolina | 13.98¢ | $2.94 | $35.23 |
| North Dakota | 11.87¢ | $2.49 | $29.91 |
| Ohio | 15.34¢ | $3.22 | $38.66 |
| Oklahoma | 11.98¢ | $2.52 | $30.19 |
| Oregon | 13.12¢ | $2.76 | $33.06 |
| Pennsylvania | 16.87¢ | $3.54 | $42.51 |
| Rhode Island | 27.12¢ | $5.7 | $68.34 |
| South Carolina | 14.98¢ | $3.15 | $37.75 |
| South Dakota | 13.76¢ | $2.89 | $34.68 |
| Tennessee | 12.87¢ | $2.7 | $32.43 |
| Texas | 14.98¢ | $3.15 | $37.75 |
| Utah | 10.87¢ | $2.28 | $27.39 |
| Vermont | 21.34¢ | $4.48 | $53.78 |
| Virginia | 15.34¢ | $3.22 | $38.66 |
| Washington | 10.76¢ | $2.26 | $27.12 |
| West Virginia | 13.12¢ | $2.76 | $33.06 |
| Wisconsin | 16.98¢ | $3.57 | $42.79 |
| Wyoming | 11.23¢ | $2.36 | $28.3 |
Energy-Saving Tips for Your Toaster Oven
- Use instead of a full oven for small meals; it uses about half the energy
- Preheat only when the recipe calls for it
- Keep the door seal clean for best heat retention
- Convection toaster ovens cook faster and more evenly
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, significantly. A toaster oven uses about 50% less electricity than a full-size oven for meals that fit in it. The savings come from the smaller cavity volume (faster preheating, less energy to maintain temperature). For a family that uses the oven daily, shifting half those meals to a toaster oven saves $3-5/month in electricity.
Running a 1,400W toaster oven for 20 minutes costs about $0.08 at the national average rate. Running a full oven for the same task costs about $0.15-$0.20. Over 30 meals/month, the toaster oven saves roughly $2-$4 compared to the full oven.
If you cook a wide variety of foods, the toaster oven is more versatile (toast, bake, broil, reheat). If you primarily cook small portions of items that benefit from convection (fries, wings, vegetables), an air fryer is faster and slightly more efficient for those specific tasks. Many modern toaster ovens now include an air fryer function, making them the most flexible option.
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Electricity cost estimates are based on typical wattage and average residential rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Your actual costs may vary based on your appliance's specific wattage, usage patterns, and your utility's rate structure. See our full disclaimer.