Countertop ice maker vs. refrigerator: running cost
A countertop ice maker is cheaper to run: about $59 a year versus $90 for a refrigerator at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $31 difference.
| Countertop ice maker | Refrigerator | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 130 W | 150 W |
| Watt range | 90–220 W | 100–250 W |
| Typical use | 8 hours a day | 500 kWh a year |
| Energy per year | 329 kWh | 500 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 2.0¢ | 1.0¢ |
| Cost per day | 16¢ | 25¢ |
| Cost per month | $4.93 | $7.50 |
| Cost per year | $59 | $90 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $143 | $218 |
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What drives the difference
- Countertop ice maker: Portable ice makers draw 100-150 W (nugget models like the Opal up to about 200 W) and run nearly continuously while making ice. They don't freeze-hold, so ice melts and gets remade.
- Refrigerator: A modern 18-22 cu ft top- or bottom-freezer refrigerator uses about 400-550 kWh a year; larger 25+ cu ft and through-door ice models run 600-750 kWh. The compressor cycles on roughly a third of the time.
Ways to cut either cost
Freezing ice in your existing freezer adds very little energy compared with running a separate machine.
See options on AmazonTop-freezer models with no through-door ice dispenser use 10-25% less energy than side-by-side or French door units of the same size.
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Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a countertop ice maker or a refrigerator?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a refrigerator costs about $90 a year versus $59 for a countertop ice maker. That's $31 more, or 1.5× as much.
How many watts do countertop ice maker and refrigerator use?
A countertop ice maker typically draws 130 W (range 90–220 W). A refrigerator draws 150 W (range 100–250 W). Watts alone don't decide cost. Hours of use, cycling and standby matter just as much.
Rates: EIA, 12 months ending 2026-07. Methodology.