How many watts does a mini fridge use?
A mini fridge uses 110 watts while running, which is 0.92 amps at 120 V.
Mini fridge watts, amps and circuit
| Running watts | 110 W |
|---|---|
| Voltage | 120 V |
| Running amps | 0.92 A |
| Circuit | standard 120 V outlet |
| Energy per year | 106–329 kWh |
| Energy per day, average | 0.3–0.9 kWh |
| Cost per year at $0.18/kWh | $19–$59 |
Also called: compact refrigerator, dorm fridge.
What size generator runs a mini fridge?
A mini fridge needs a generator that supplies at least 110 running watts. Starting a mini fridge takes a short surge of several times its running watts, and the surge is not listed here: size the generator from the locked-rotor amps (LRA) on the nameplate or the maker's generator guidance, not from the running watts.
How long a portable power station runs a mini fridge
| Battery capacity, Wh | At 110 W, h | At 110 W, h |
|---|---|---|
| 500 | 3.9 | 3.9 |
| 1,000 | 7.7 | 7.7 |
| 2,000 | 15.5 | 15.5 |
| 3,600 | 27.8 | 27.8 |
A 500 Wh portable power station runs a mini fridge drawing 110 W for about 3.9 hours at 85% inverter efficiency. Runtime = capacity × 85% ÷ watts; the 85% efficiency is an assumption. The power station's AC output must be at least 110 W.
What it costs to run a mini fridge
A mini fridge uses 106–329 kWh a year, which costs $19–$59 a year at $0.18 per kWh, the US average residential price for August 2026, or about $1.59–$4.93 a month.
Your bill's total ÷ kWh used. 0.18 is the US residential average.
- Per day
- $0.11
- Per year
- $39
- Energy per day
- 0.59 kWh
- Energy per month
- 18.1 kWh
How it is calculated
- kWh per day = 110 W × 5.4 h ÷ 1,000 = 0.594
- Per month = 0.594 kWh × 30.4 days × $0.18 = $3.25
What affects mini fridge power use
A mini fridge has a small compressor that cycles on and off, so it runs only part of each hour. The 110 W figure is the rated wattage Danby prints for its 3.2 cu. ft. DCR033B2WM; check the rating plate of your model. Yearly energy comes from ENERGY STAR certified compact models up to 4.5 cu. ft. Place it away from heat sources and with space around the coils to keep the run time down.
How the amps are calculated
Amps = watts ÷ volts. For 110 W at 120 V that is 0.92 A. The 110 W range covers typical models; the nameplate on a mini fridge gives the exact figure.