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How Many Watts Does a Mini Fridge Use? Watts, kWh, and Cost by Size
A mini fridge uses about 50 to 100 watts while the compressor runs, and about 0.6 to 0.8 kWh a day. Averaged over a full day, a typical ENERGY STAR compact fridge works out to about 28 watts, or about 247 kWh a year. It pulls a short burst of 400 to 600 watts when the compressor starts, so plan for that when you run one on a power station or generator.
Mini fridge watts: running, starting, and rated
| Source | Running watts | Starting watts |
|---|---|---|
| Champion wattage chart: mini fridge / cooler | 50 to 100 W | 400 to 600 W |
| Hisense HRC016ABE (1.6 cu ft) spec sheet | 1.0 A at 115V (115 W rated) | Not listed |
| Hisense HRT044AAE (4.4 cu ft) spec sheet | 1.0 A at 115V (115 W rated) | Not listed |
Sources: Champion Power Equipment generator wattage chart, Hisense USA technical spec sheets. Rated watts = amps x 115. A nameplate rating is a maximum, not what the fridge draws most of the time.
Find your own number: the yellow EnergyGuide label lists yearly kWh, and the rating plate inside the fridge lists amps.
Mini fridge energy use by size (ENERGY STAR data)
The compressor cycles on and off, so daily energy is what matters for batteries and your bill. Across 1,712 ENERGY STAR certified compact refrigerators (under 7.75 cu ft, US market, as of October 2026):
| Size | Models | Typical kWh per year | kWh per day | Average watts | Cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 2.5 cu ft | 284 | 208 | About 0.57 | About 24 W | About $35 |
| 2.5 to 4.4 cu ft | 875 | 230 | About 0.63 | About 26 W | About $39 |
| 4.5 to 7.5 cu ft | 553 | 278 | About 0.76 | About 32 W | About $47 |
| All compact models | 1,712 | 247 | About 0.68 | About 28 W | About $42 |
Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Residential Refrigerators data set, compact refrigerators. Typical = median. Average watts = kWh per year x 1,000 / 8,760 hours. Cost at 17 cents per kWh. Beverage and wine coolers are not included.
A hot garage, a fridge packed against a wall, or a door opened all day pushes these numbers up. Older units that are not ENERGY STAR certified also use more.
How many amps does a mini fridge use?
About 0.4 to 0.8 amps while running (50 to 100 W / 120V), and Hisense rates its compact models at 1.0 amp. A mini fridge is an easy load for any household outlet.
How long will a power station run a mini fridge?
At the all-compact median of about 28 W average, with nothing else plugged in:
| Power station | Capacity / output | Mini fridge run time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 | 1,070 Wh / 1,500 W | About 34 hours | From $499 |
| Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 | 2,042 Wh / 2,200 W | About 66 hours | From $899 |
| Jackery HomePower 3000 | 3,072 Wh / 3,600 W | About 99 hours | From $1,349 |
Hours = capacity x 0.9 / 28 W. Capacity and output are from each product page. Each station's output easily covers the 400 to 600 W startup burst. Browse all portable power stations.
Can you run a mini fridge on solar?
Yes. At about 0.68 kWh a day, roughly 200 watts of solar covers a typical mini fridge at 4.5 peak sun hours (680 Wh / (4.5 x 0.75)). The Explorer 1000 v2 is available with a SolarSaga 200W panel from $699, a good match for a mini fridge in a shed, cabin, or campsite. For a full-size fridge, see How Many Solar Panels to Run a Refrigerator? and Off-Grid Refrigerator Options.
Can a generator run a mini fridge?
Easily. Even the smallest generator covers 400 to 600 starting watts. For a full-size fridge, a freezer, and more, read What Size Generator to Run a Refrigerator.
Need help sizing? Call 1-888-855-7286. Send us the kWh from your fridge's EnergyGuide label and we will match you to a power station or solar setup.
Mini fridge wattage FAQ
How many watts does a mini fridge use? About 50 to 100 watts while the compressor runs, per Champion's wattage chart, and about 28 watts averaged over the day for a typical ENERGY STAR compact model.
How many kWh does a mini fridge use per day? About 0.57 to 0.76 kWh for ENERGY STAR compact models, depending on size.
How much does it cost to run a mini fridge? About $35 to $47 a year at 17 cents per kWh for ENERGY STAR compact models.
What are a mini fridge's starting watts? About 400 to 600 watts for a moment when the compressor starts, per Champion.
Can a 1,000 Wh power station run a mini fridge? Yes. The Explorer 1000 v2 runs a typical compact fridge for about 34 hours.