United Kingdom Kitchen
How much does it cost to run a mini fridge?
A mini fridge draws about 20 to 50 watts averaged over the day, or 200 to 400 kWh a year. Per cubic foot it is less efficient than a full size fridge, but in total it costs less because it is small.
A 30 watt mini fridge costs about 0.8p an hour to run in Great Britain at 26.32 pence per kWh. Running it 24 hours a day comes to about 19p a day, £5.77 a month and £69.22 a year.
- Price: Ofgem cap, Oct to Dec 2026
- Wattage range with its source
- Checked 26 October 2026
Uses 0.72 kWh a day, 22 kWh a month, at 26.32 pence per kWh (Great Britain (price cap average)).
The dial places the daily cost between a 50 watt fan and a 4.5 kW water heater on 2.5 hours a day.
A 30 watt mini fridge costs about 0.8p an hour to run in Great Britain at 26.32 pence per kWh. Running it 24 hours a day comes to about 19p a day, £5.77 a month and £69.22 a year.
What this assumes
The default is a 30 watt mini fridge running 24 hours a day. Published typical ratings run from 20 to 50 watts (average draw over the day, not the nameplate). Your label or manual gives the exact figure, and the calculator takes it.
The price is the Ofgem price cap unit rate for 1 October to 31 December 2026, average for England, Scotland and Wales, paying by Direct Debit. The cap for 1 January to 31 March 2027 is announced in late November 2026. A fixed tariff, a time-of-use plan or a different payment method changes the rate, which is why the rate field is editable.
Cost by wattage and hours at the price cap rate
At 26.32p per kWh, running flat out. Multiply by the share of the time your thermostat keeps the element on.
| Power | 1 hour | 8 hours | 24 hours | A week at 24 hours a day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 watt | 0.5p | 4.2p | 13p | 88p |
| 30 watt | 0.8p | 6.3p | 19p | £1.33 |
| 50 watt | 1.3p | 11p | 32p | £2.21 |
How a mini fridge uses electricity
Compressor mini fridges cycle like a big fridge. Thermoelectric (Peltier) coolers run continuously at 40 to 70 watts and cannot get as cold, so they can cost more to run than a compressor model twice their size.
A dorm fridge in a warm room with a freezer compartment that is never defrosted will sit at the top of the range.
Ways to cut the cost
- Keep it out of direct sun and away from the radiator.
- Defrost the ice box when the ice is a quarter inch thick.
Questions people ask
How much does a mini fridge cost per month?
At 30 watts average, about 22 kWh a month. At 18 cents that is about 4 dollars, at 26p about 5.70 pounds.
Does a mini fridge use a lot of electricity?
No. A typical compressor mini fridge uses about half the electricity of a full size fridge.
Other kitchen costs
More in the UK
Sources
The electricity price on this page is read from the data file that also lists the release it came from. The wattage range is a published typical range, not a measurement of your appliance.