Most efficient · Refrigerators
Most Energy-Efficient Mini Fridges in 2026
We ranked 81 ENERGY STAR certified mini fridges by percentage below the federal energy standard. The Comfee CERT31B0A** comes first: it is listed at 270 kWh a year, about $43.44 to run at the median U.S. state price, EIA July 2026.
Quick answer: the top 3
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Most efficient
Comfee CERT31B0A**
270 kWh/yr · Below std 25 · 3.8 ft³
$43.44 per year
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Rank 2
Arctic King ARM31T5A**
270 kWh/yr · Below std 25 · 3.8 ft³
$43.44 per year
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Rank 3
AVALLON AWBC15PGA2A
230 kWh/yr · Below std 20 · 3 ft³
$37.01 per year
A mini fridge looks harmless, but it runs all day and all night, and a poorly built one can cost surprisingly much for what it holds. This list contains only ENERGY STAR certified compact refrigerators, ordered by how far each sits below the federal energy standard for its class, with annual kWh and the yearly running cost at your electricity price beside it.
Compact models are measured against their own standard, so the percentage tells you which ones are efficient for their size, while annual kWh tells you what you will pay. The cheapest to run is not always the best at its size, and the best at its size is not always the cheapest to run, which is why both are in the table.
Use the calculator to put your own state or rate on every row. If an old mini fridge is already plugged in somewhere, such as a dorm, an office or the garage, add its yearly kWh to see how long a replacement would take to pay for itself.
Running cost calculator
Prices in the table use the median U.S. state price, EIA July 2026: 16.09 ¢/kWh.
Full replacement calculator with payback time · Cost to run a mini fridge in every state
How this is calculated
- Yearly cost = the model’s ENERGY STAR annual kWh × your rate. Ten-year cost keeps today’s rate; prices will change.
- Savings = (your current mini fridge’s yearly kWh − the new one’s) × your rate. Find yours on the yellow EnergyGuide label or measure it with a plug-in meter.
- Statewide averages are not your utility’s tariff. Use the rate on your bill for a closer number.
The 10 most efficient mini fridges
Showing 10 of 81 ranked models. See all mini fridges with these filters →
Cost of the top 10 per year
All 81 ranked models by annual energy use; the top 10 are highlighted
How we ranked them
Models come from the ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators list published by the U.S. EPA. We keep only the current listing for each model, and only models that state an annual energy figure. They are ordered by percentage below the federal energy standard (higher is better), a figure ENERGY STAR already adjusts for size, with annual kWh as the tie-break.
Which is calculated with U.S. Department of Energy test procedures. Your use will differ with how often the door is opened, the room temperature and how full the refrigerator is kept. Prices are U.S. EIA statewide residential averages. We do not test products and we do not show retailer prices. See the methodology and data sources.
What to look for in mini fridges
Buy the smallest one that fits your use
A mini fridge needs power whether it is full or nearly empty. A model sized for a few drinks and snacks will cost less to run than one sized for a week of food, so choose capacity honestly before you compare ratings.
Where it sits matters
A compact refrigerator in a hot garage or next to a heater has to work harder than the same model in a cool room. Leave a few inches of space around it for air to circulate, and keep it out of direct sun.
Check what you are actually buying
Many mini fridges include a small freezer compartment or a built-in cooler. The type column tells you which kind of compact refrigerator each model is. If you only need cold drinks, a model without a freezer compartment is usually the simpler and cheaper one to run.
What the Comfee CERT31B0A** costs by state
270 kWh a year at each state’s average residential price.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most energy-efficient mini fridge?
Of the 81 ENERGY STAR certified mini fridges in our data, the Comfee CERT31B0A** ranks first by percentage below the federal energy standard, with below federal standard of 25 %. It is listed at 270 kWh a year.
How much does the most efficient mini fridge cost to run?
At the median U.S. state price, EIA July 2026 (16.09 cents per kWh), the Comfee CERT31B0A** costs about $43.44 a year, or $3.62 a month. It runs from about $34.34 a year in Louisiana to $129.60 in Hawaii. Enter your own state or rate in the calculator for a closer figure.
How are these mini fridges ranked?
Models are ordered by percentage below the federal energy standard from the ENERGY STAR certified product list, using only models that list an annual energy figure. Which is calculated with u.s. department of energy test procedures. your use will differ with how often the door is opened, the room temperature and how full the refrigerator is kept. We do not test products and we do not show retail prices.
What does adjusted volume mean?
ENERGY STAR's adjusted volume counts the freezer compartment more heavily than the fresh-food compartment, because freezers need more energy per cubic foot. It is the size measure behind the federal energy standards. This model lists 3.8 ft³ adjusted volume.
How does it compare with the federal standard?
ENERGY STAR lists this model as using 25% less energy than the federal standard for its product class. That percentage is published by ENERGY STAR and is not recalculated here.
Is it worth replacing an old mini fridge?
It can be, if the old one uses a lot more electricity. Enter its yearly kWh in the calculator above to see the saving per year and over ten years, or use the mini fridge replacement calculator for the full comparison.
How much electricity does a mini fridge use?
It depends on the model. The annual kWh column above shows the ENERGY STAR figure for each one, and the calculator turns it into dollars at your rate. Older or poorly insulated units can use noticeably more than the certified models listed here.
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