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How Much Does It Cost to Run a Mini Fridge in the US? (2026)
Mini fridges are surprisingly inefficient for their size. Many use half as much electricity as a full-size fridge while holding a tenth of the food, because small compressors and thin insulation work hard in warm rooms.
A typical mini fridge (80 W) costs $0.014 per hour, or about $3.46 per month at 8 hours a day in United States (average). Average running cost
| Wattage | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low (50 W) | $0.009 | $0.072 | $2.16 | $26.28 |
| Typical (80 W) | $0.014 | $0.12 | $3.46 | $42.05 |
| High (120 W) | $0.022 | $0.17 | $5.18 | $63.07 |
Formula: watts ÷ 1000 × hours × price per kWh. Typical use is 8 h/day ≈ 234 kWh per year.
In the US, with electricity at $0.18 per kWh (source: EIA Electric Power Monthly, 2026-06), a typical mini fridge costs $0.014 per hour and about $42.05 per year at 8 hours a day. Each $1.00 of electricity buys roughly 69.4 hours of use.
How to lower the cost of running a mini fridge
- Keep it out of direct sun and away from heaters or computers.
- Set it to the warmest setting that keeps drinks cold enough.
- Consider whether the main fridge could do the job. Two fridges cost more than one bigger one.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mini fridge cost to run per month?
Typically 15 to 25 kWh a month. Select your region above for the figure.
Do mini fridges use a lot of electricity?
Relative to their size, yes. A dorm fridge can use 200 to 300 kWh a year.
Are thermoelectric mini fridges cheaper to run?
No. They run constantly and are usually less efficient than compressor models despite their small size.
Compare with
Cost by region
- United States (average)
- California
- Texas
- New York
- Florida
- Canada (average)
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- France
- Australia
- India