How Many Amps Does an Air Fryer Use?
ZacharyWilliamA practical, electrician‑style walkthrough: see the simple amps formula, typical ranges at 120V/230V, breaker compatibility, and how long portable power can run an air fryer. Includes accurate UDPOWER picks.
The amps formula (with examples)
Amps are simply watts divided by volts for resistive appliances like air fryers:
Amps (A) = Power (W) ÷ Voltage (V)
120 V regions (U.S., Canada, etc.)
- 1000 W → 1000 ÷ 120 ≈ 8.3 A
- 1500 W → 1500 ÷ 120 ≈ 12.5 A
- 1700 W → 1700 ÷ 120 ≈ 14.2 A
- 1800 W → 1800 ÷ 120 = 15.0 A
230 V regions (EU, UK, AU, etc.)
- 1000 W → 1000 ÷ 230 ≈ 4.3 A
- 1500 W → 1500 ÷ 230 ≈ 6.5 A
- 1800 W → 1800 ÷ 230 ≈ 7.8 A
- 2000 W → 2000 ÷ 230 ≈ 8.7 A
Typical amp draw by size
| Basket size | Common wattage | Amps @120V | Amps @230V |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2–3 qt compact | 800–1200 W | 6.7–10 A | 3.5–5.2 A |
| 4–5 qt mid-size | 1200–1500 W | 10–12.5 A | 5.2–6.5 A |
| 6–8 qt XL / dual zone | 1500–1800 W | 12.5–15 A | 6.5–7.8 A |
| Oven‑style air fryer | 1500–2000 W | 12.5–16.7 A* | 6.5–8.7 A |
*Over 1800 W models at 120 V require a 20 A circuit; check your label and manual.
Will it trip my breaker?
U.S./Canada
- Typical kitchen circuits: 15 A or 20 A.
- A 1500–1700 W air fryer draws ~12.5–14.2 A — fine on a dedicated 15 A circuit, but avoid running toasters, kettles, or space heaters on the same circuit simultaneously.
- 1800 W units are right at 15 A; prefer a 20 A circuit or avoid other loads.
EU/UK/AU (≈230 V)
- Amps are lower for the same wattage (e.g., 1800 W ≈ 7.8 A), so nuisance trips are uncommon unless the circuit is already heavily loaded.
Safety tips: Avoid light‑duty extension cords; if you must use one, choose a heavy‑gauge cord (14 AWG or thicker at 120 V) kept as short as practical. Ensure outlets and plugs are cool to the touch during use.
Energy & cost per cook
Air fryers cycle their heating elements on and off. A 1500 W unit running 20 minutes at ~60% duty uses about 0.3 kWh (1.5 kW × 0.333 h × 0.6). If your electricity rate is $0.18/kWh, that’s roughly $0.05–$0.06 per cook.
Using a portable power station
To run an air fryer from a battery power station, match (1) the appliance wattage to the station’s continuous AC output, and (2) desired runtime to the station’s Wh capacity. Heating elements are resistive and don’t have big startup surges, but you still need a station whose continuous rating meets or exceeds the fryer’s watts.
- Runtime rule of thumb: Runtime (hours) ≈ Battery Wh × 0.85 ÷ Fryer W. Example: 1190 Wh × 0.85 ÷ 1000 W ≈ ~1.0 hour of full‑power operation.
- Because cooking cycles, real runtime is often longer than the simple Wh/W math suggests.
UDPOWER recommendations (verified specs)
UDPOWER S1200 — best for smaller air fryers
Suitable for compact and many mid‑size air fryers up to 1,200 W. 1,500–1,800 W fryers exceed its continuous rating—use a wall outlet or a higher‑wattage power station.
Specs above are taken from UDPOWER’s official product pages and site-wide feature summaries.
FAQ
Do air fryers have a big startup surge?
Not usually. Heating elements are resistive loads; inrush is modest compared to compressors or motors. Size the power source for the fryer’s continuous wattage.
Is 15 A enough for an air fryer?
Yes for most U.S. models up to ~1,700 W if the circuit isn’t shared with other heavy appliances. For 1,800 W units, a 20 A circuit is safer.
Can I plug an air fryer into a power strip?
Prefer a wall outlet. If a strip is necessary, use one with a high rating, thick cord, and built‑in overload protection; keep cords uncoiled for cooling.
