Mini fridge has become a standard appliance in households, cafes, and offices. Now, if someone asks you, can you answer- how many watts does a mini fridge use? If I’m not wrong, you can’t and I get it. Most of us actually don’t really care about it.
To use these fridges more efficiently and cost-effectively, you need to know how many watts a mini fridge uses. Estimating your fridge’s wattage usage and electricity bill is not rocket science, indeed. Using a few elementary steps you can estimate it by yourself.
In this article, you will not only know how many watts does a mini fridge use but also get a clear idea about mini fridges’ electricity consumption, power bill calculation, and their different power sources and whatnot.
So, don’t wait up and scroll down below to enlighten yourself about all the ins and outs of how many watts a mini fridge uses and how to estimate your fridge’s electricity consumption bills. And lastly, is it worth it, actually?
What Is A Mini-Fridge?
By definition, there is no exact amount of space covered by a refrigerator that can be considered as a mini fridge. But as per our knowledge and experience, a fridge can be called a mini fridge if its capacity is between 1.3 Cubic Feet to 4.5 Cubic Feet.
A typical full-size fridge can be 8.5 Cubic Feet to 30 Cubic Feet.
How Many Watts Does A Mini Fridge Use?
So, here we are to answer actually how many watts a mini fridge uses. But, before that – I suppose most of us don’t know much about watts. Wait… wait… Don’t need to go anywhere to search for it on the internet. I am going to explain it in easy words for you.
Basically, watts are nothing but a measuring unit of electric power or energy. When you see an electrical appliance, you will find its wattage value on the sticker attached to it. You may also find it in its user manual as well.
Kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a measurement that will appear on your monthly electricity bill. The more the wattage usage, the more electricity bill you will have to pay. In general, the wattage increases as the size of the electrical equipment increases.
On average, from my personal user experience & research, I found mini-fridges consume somewhere around 55 watts to as much as 80 – 90 watts. This value keeps changing with the change of brands, models, and energy efficiency of fridges.
Well, to your surprise, there are some mini fridges that are capable of consuming even 120 Watts of energy, and could be more as well! So, if you’re assuming the mini-fridges will always consume a small amount of wattage isn’t true all the time.
“Mini-fridge wattages vary depending on cooling capacities and manufacturer. However, most devices require anywhere between 50 and 120 watts of power. Whereas, the typical refrigerator uses around 300~500 watts of power”
Now, the first thing you need to do is to go check your mini-fridge sticker or label to find the wattage value. Or, you can check the user manual provided with the fridge box, of course, if you care to keep it until now.
See, recent fridges are very energy efficient, especially if it is energy star rated. They are able to chill your items inside the fridge with the least amount of energy being consumed.
Thanks to technological advancements, because of this, most compact refrigerators may only be left on for a total of eight hours every day.
Mini-fridge power requirements can fluctuate widely depending on a number of factors. The ambient temperature, the level of insulation, the duration of time you use it, the refrigerator’s age, the refrigerator’s kind, and so on all have a role.
“On the other hand, the average amount of power that is used up each hour by full-size typical refrigerators is somewhere between 300 and 500 Wh.”
According to the ratings provided by Energy Star, the vast majority of today’s small freezers consume less than 200–650 kWh of power annually.
If a smaller fridge meets your needs, you might save a substantial amount of cash annually by migrating from a full-sized fridge. So, in terms of saving electricity costs, it seems like the time has come to consider a newer one for your room, doesn’t it?
Costs Of Running A Mini-Fridge – Monthly And Annually
First of all, as you are expecting, it is quite impossible for anyone to give you the exact amount of expense for a mini fridge to run. But I can give you an estimate which may help you to get an idea about what could be the possible cost for a mini fridge to run.
You may spend anywhere between $20 and $70 a year on a small fridge, depending on its size and electrical requirements. Here is a chart of the most popular mini fridges currently and their approximate expense value for “how much does it cost to run a mini fridge?”
| Manufacturer & Model | Dimension in Cubic Feet | Electricity Consumption (Yearly) | Monthly Cost (1kwh = 12 Cents) | Yearly Cost (1kwh = 12 Cents) |
| Cooluli C20LDXW | 1.45 Cubic Feet | 149 – 160 Kilowatt Hours Per Year | Around $2 | $18 – $20 |
| Frigidaire EFMIS188-SS | 1.5 Cubic Feet | 146 – 156 Kilowatt Hours Per Year | Around $2 | $18 – $20 |
| Midea WHS-87LSS1 | 1.6 Cubic Feet | 219 – 240 Kilowatt Hours Per Year | Around $2 – $3 | $26 – $28 |
| Danby DAR026A1BDD-6 | 2.6 Cubic Feet | 253 – 265 Kilowatt Hours Per Year | Around $3 -$4 | $30 – $32 |
| Walsh WSR31TBK | 3.1 Cubic Feet | 357 – 370 Kilowatt Hours Per Year | Around $3.5 – $4.5 | $42 – $44 |
| FRIGIDAIRE EFR331-BLACK | 3.2 Cubic Feet | 585 – 600 Kilowatt Hours Per Year | Around $6.5 | $70 – $72 |
How Much Electricity Does A Mini Fridge Use?
A typical fridge runs according to the refrigeration cycle. Don’t get confused that these appliances keep on running and chilling your stuff throughout the day. As per my regular standard usage experience, I can tell you, a fridge runs around 7.5 to 8.5 hours a day.
It is possible for the yearly energy consumption of mini-refrigerators to range anywhere from 150 kWh to 650 kWh, depending on the brand, design, size, storage, functionality, energy star rating, and other aspects of the appliance.
Calculate The Number of Amps A Mini Fridge Use
Calculating the amount of amperage drawn by a mini fridge is not that tricky, I must say. Maybe you never cared about it that much to estimate the ampere value drawn by your fridge. But, as I said earlier, don’t worry…. I’m here.
- First, find the consumption of watts that your fridge uses.
- Secondly, find the voltage it takes to operate.
- And finally, divide the wattage value by the voltage.
- Voila, you got your ampere value drawn by your fridge.
“To calculate amperes, just divide watts by the voltage.”
Well, let’s just consider your fridge consumes 460 watts of power. And the voltage required to run the fridge is 120V. So, can you tell me how many amperes are drawn by the fridge? 3 Amps? Yeah, bingo!
The wattage of a small refrigerator may be used to estimate the current drawn by it. Look for the wattage rating on the product label or the appliance’s back. If the wattage rating is high, that means the appliance requires a lot of power to function.
Mini-fridges can use anywhere from 55 to 120 watts of electricity. Let’s say it needs 120V to run. Using the calculation, we can see that the current draw for a standard mini-fridge is 0.5 ampere to 1 ampere. It will never draw more than 3 amps for sure.
This is a standard policy at most schools (≤3 amps), so be aware of it if you’re looking to buy one for your dorm room.
Energy Consumption of A Mini Fridge
If you’re wondering how much energy a small fridge consume, that question may be answered by looking at the tiny fridge’s power consumption. As I said before, a mini-fridge requires between 55 and 120 watts of power per day to function.
Mini-fridge energy consumption may be calculated using the following formula:
“Watts (Energy) = Amperes x Voltage”
Comparison Between Typical- & Mini-fridges Power Usage
I’m sure you’re not confused about mini fridges’ power usage by now. But are you doubting if it is a lot of electricity? No. Absolutely not. Mini-fridges reduce daily power use by an average of 2.5 to 4 times compared to traditional refrigerators, needing just 600Wh.
The question that has to be answered is the following: if it is true that a miniature refrigerator uses less energy than a full-sized one, then why and when should we use the full-size fridge?
The average energy consumption of a standard refrigerator is lower than that of a mini-fridge when measured in cubic feet. The energy consumption of a normal refrigerator is around 70 to 75 Wh per cubic foot per day.
Whereas the energy consumption of a small refrigerator can reach up to 150 Wh per cubic foot per day. Therefore, you should rethink your decision to buy two mini-fridges instead of one regular-sized fridge.
Although mini-fridges are effective, provided that your refrigeration demands fall within the range of 1.5 to 4.5 cubic feet. But, they do consume more electricity than standard refrigerators per cubic feet.
Side-by-side comparison of different types of fridges and their daily watt-hour usage –
| Fridge Category | Capacity Cubic Foot | Daily Watt-hour Usage |
| Typical Full-Size Refrigerator | 8.5 – 30 | 1450 – 1800 |
| 12V Refrigerator | 1.5 – 2.0 | 390 – 440 |
| RV Refrigerator | 9 – 10 | 950 – 1050 |
| Mini-fridges | 1.5 – 4.5 | 500 – 600 |
Comparison Between Wine Cooler & Mini-fridges Power Usage
A wine cooler is a major contributor to wasted electricity, wasted food, and wasted money in the average home. Regrettably, a wine cooler’s energy consumption is comparable to that of a standard refrigerator.
Thus, without a meter, it might be difficult to ascertain just how much energy your wine cooler is consuming. By checking its user manual you can easily find out “how many watts does a wine cooler use?”
Power consumption for a wine cooler can reach up to 300 watts, making it roughly equivalent to that of a full-size refrigerator. For modern mini fridges, it’s like 33% less of their (wine cooler and full-size fridge) power consumption.
Calculate Your Refrigerator’s Power Consumption
While there is a diverse variety of mini-refrigerators available, the great majority have an hourly power usage of between 55 and 120 watts. That’s assuming all of your appliances have an energy star rating.
“Mini-fridges that are several years old may consume more power than newer versions since they were not designed to conserve electricity (energy star ratings).”
Just to keep things simple, let’s say our fridge requires 60 watts every hour. Generally, the refrigerator stays on for eight hours a day. The refrigerator typically operates on a schedule.
If it is closed, it will turn on and off at regular intervals throughout the day. If so, it will consume 60W x 8 hours = 480 watts-hours of power each day. If you leave it plugged in for an entire year at that pace, it will consume 175 kW of electricity.
The annual cost to run this little fridge at 12 cents per kilowatt is $21.00. Small bar refrigerators, as can be seen, are rather energy efficient.
How Much Voltage Does A Mini Fridge Use
Check to make sure that the voltage that is typical in the area in which you live is accurate. It is important to point out that the amp rating of the refrigerator as it is substantially affected by the location in which it is put.
“In the United States, a refrigerator’s power supply will normally operate at 120 volts, but the voltage will most likely be 220 volts in other countries.”
Because voltages fluctuate depending on location, and wattage varies depending on brand and capacity, amps can never be considered a comparable measurement between two different devices.
Mini Fridges vs Full Size Fridges -Which One Worth It?
Mini-fridges can be well worth the investment, but that depends on their intended usage. It’s ideal for those who spend most of their time living alone in a flat, such as college students who live in shared apartments or single people who rent their own homes.
There is a but, of course. If you’re living in a family with 5 members then the mini-fridge is not for you guys. That won’t be economical for you.
Tricks To Choose The Most Efficient Mini-Fridge
Mini-fridges come in a wide variety. And picking one that strikes a good mix of features and energy efficiency might be tricky if you’re shopping for one without first learning how much electricity each type typically uses.
“The most crucial fact to keep in mind while shopping for a mini-fridge is that recent models now include Energy Star certification. Because of this function, the refrigerator’s energy usage is drastically cut down.”
You may save money in the long run by upgrading to a newer model rather than using an older one, which has higher energy consumption.
As an added bonus, the less space a refrigerator takes up, the less energy it will need. You shouldn’t upgrade to a larger refrigerator if a smaller one would suffice. The good news is that a mini-fridge will only add up to $4 to $8 to your monthly power cost.
Easy Methods to Reduce Mini Fridge’s Energy Costs
The following is a list of tips that can help you reduce the amount of money you spend on your monthly power bill for your tiny refrigerator:
- You must maintain a closed and locked door
- Avoid leaving the doors open for an excessive amount of time.
- Stack items in an effective manner
- Don’t open and shut it, at a regular intervals, for no reason at all
- Defrost whenever needed
- Keep it well away from any sources of heat.
- Check that the door seals are okay
- Be sure to keep the condenser & evaporator coils clean.
Number Of Solar Panels To Run A Mini Fridge
Solar panels are another source of power. You need to have a capable solar system to run a mini fridge. If you set up your solar system like the following, then you will be able to easily access the mini fridge without any power failure.
Here is an estimation given that a solar system might provide enough energy from the sun to run a small refrigerator. A couple of 100-watt solar panels and a 100-amp-hour battery. A 300W inverter and 10A solar charge controller are also part of this setup.
Energy Required For A Solar Mini-Fridge
A tiny refrigerator might be powered by a solar panel that produces around 600 Watt-hours to 650 Watt-hours of electricity daily.
Thus, if you want to be on the safe side, around 120 – 130 watts of solar power would be enough to run almost any small refrigerator. And needless to say, getting more sun will make you less reliant on solar power.
Solar Panels For A 12V Refrigerator
A typical 1.75 to 2 cubic foot 12V refrigerator uses about 400 watt-hours per day of electricity. So you need to produce a sufficient amount of energy for that.
In order to operate a 12V refrigerator solely with solar energy, the solar panel output must be at least 150W.
Batteries For A 12 Volt Refrigerator Require
A 50Ah 12V car battery would have enough energy to run a refrigerator for one to two days. It could work for up to four days on a single charge of its 12V-200Ah battery.
An ideal solar panel for powering a 12-volt refrigerator is 150 watts, and a battery of 200 watts would be the finest option. The power from your solar panel has to be stored in a battery so that you can run your refrigerator at night. You’ll be safe with 150 watts of power.
Top 5 Energy-Efficient Mini-Fridges
Here is a list of some best energy-efficient refrigerators –
- Galanz GLR12TRDEFR Refrigerator
- BLACK+DECKER BCRK43V Compact Refrigerator Energy Star
- BLACK+DECKER BCRK17W Compact Refrigerator Energy Star
- Danby DAR044A6PDB 4.4 Cu.Ft. Mini Fridge
- Frigidaire EFR341, 3.2 cu ft
FAQ on How Many Watts Does A Mini Fridge Use
- How Many Watts Does A Mini Fridge With Freezer Use?
A mini fridge with a freezer may use 50 watts to 120 watts per day.
- Will A Power Inverter Run A Mini Fridge?
Power inverters can be used to operate compact refrigerators. If you want to use an inverter to power your mini-fridge, you’ll need to make sure it has the appropriate amperage output.
The correct batteries aren’t the only thing to think about, since the start-up surge is larger. When a fridge starts it draws much more electricity and after a while, it reduces drawing electricity and becomes stable.
- Can I Run A Mini Fridge With 12V?
Of course, you can run almost every mini fridge with 12V.
- How Many Amps Does A Mini Fridge Use?
A mini-fridge may use 0.5 Amps -2 Amps depending on its size and capacity. 3A electricity is the maximum amount of amperage drawn by a mini fridge .
The team at HomeDevotee, consisting of a husband and wife duo, is dedicated to providing valuable and informative content for homeowners and DIY enthusiasts. We are experts in home appliances and gadgets, with combined years of experience in the industry. Our website reflects our passion for home renovation and decorating, and we strive to share our knowledge and expertise with our readers. From in-depth reviews of the latest appliances to decorating tips and tricks, we aim to provide our readers with the most up-to-date information to help them make informed decisions. With our hands-on approach and commitment to research, we are confident that HomeDevotee will be your go-to source for all things home appliance and gadget related.
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