How much does it cost to run a frozen drink maker?
A frozen drink maker costs about 5.0¢ per hour, 1.1¢ a day, $0.33 a month and $4 a year at typical use (1.5 hours a day, 1 days a week) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Refrigerated slush makers like the Ninja Slushi run a compressor at roughly 300-500 W for 15-60 minutes to freeze a batch; blender-style margarita machines draw 400-700 W for seconds at a time.
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Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.04 | 0.7¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| 2 hours | 0.08 | 1.4¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| 4 hours | 0.16 | 2.9¢ | $0.88 | $11 |
| 8 hours | 0.32 | 5.8¢ | $1.75 | $21 |
| 12 hours | 0.48 | 8.6¢ | $2.63 | $32 |
| 24 hours | 0.96 | 17¢ | $5.26 | $63 |
Cost to run a frozen drink maker in every state
The same frozen drink maker costs $3 a year in North Dakota and $10 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 3.4¢ | $0.22 | $3 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 3.5¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 3.6¢ | $0.23 | $3 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 3.6¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 3.7¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 3.7¢ | $0.24 | $3 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 3.8¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 3.8¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 3.8¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 3.9¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 3.9¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 3.9¢ | $0.25 | $3 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 3.9¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 4.0¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 4.0¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 4.0¢ | $0.26 | $3 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 4.1¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 4.1¢ | $0.27 | $3 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 4.2¢ | $0.28 | $3 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 4.2¢ | $0.28 | $3 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 4.3¢ | $0.28 | $3 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 4.3¢ | $0.28 | $3 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 4.3¢ | $0.28 | $3 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 4.3¢ | $0.28 | $3 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 4.3¢ | $0.28 | $3 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 4.4¢ | $0.29 | $3 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 4.5¢ | $0.29 | $3 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 4.5¢ | $0.30 | $4 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 4.6¢ | $0.30 | $4 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 4.6¢ | $0.30 | $4 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 4.6¢ | $0.30 | $4 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 4.7¢ | $0.31 | $4 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 5.0¢ | $0.32 | $4 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 5.1¢ | $0.33 | $4 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 5.2¢ | $0.34 | $4 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 5.3¢ | $0.34 | $4 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 5.8¢ | $0.38 | $5 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 5.9¢ | $0.38 | $5 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 5.9¢ | $0.38 | $5 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 6.7¢ | $0.43 | $5 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 6.7¢ | $0.43 | $5 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 6.8¢ | $0.44 | $5 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 7.5¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 7.5¢ | $0.49 | $6 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 7.8¢ | $0.51 | $6 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 7.9¢ | $0.52 | $6 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 8.2¢ | $0.53 | $6 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 8.2¢ | $0.54 | $6 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 8.5¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 9.2¢ | $0.60 | $7 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 12¢ | $0.79 | $10 |
How to cut the cost
- Pre-chill the mix in the fridge overnight; it can cut freeze time by a third.
- Run it on a counter away from the oven or sunny windows.
- Switch off as soon as the batch is served rather than holding it frozen for hours.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Makes frozen drinks from freezer ice in seconds without a running compressor.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frozen drink maker | 400 | 1.5 hours a day, 1 days a week | $0.33 | $4 |
| Blender | 800 | 3 minutes a day, 4 days a week | $0.13 | $2 |
| Countertop ice maker | 130 | 8 hours a day | $4.93 | $59 |
| Mini fridge | 80 | 270 kWh a year | $4.05 | $49 |
| Trash compactor | 400 | 1 minutes a day | $0.04 | $1 |
| Warming drawer | 450 | 1 hour a day, 2 days a week | $0.28 | $3 |
| Stand mixer | 325 | 15 minutes a day, 1 days a week | $0.06 | $1 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a frozen drink maker per hour?
A frozen drink maker drawing 400 watts uses 0.28 kWh per hour while running (70% duty cycle). At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 5.0¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 3.4¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 12¢.
How much does it cost to run a frozen drink maker per month?
At typical use (1.5 hours a day, 1 days a week), a frozen drink maker costs about $0.33 a month and $4 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a frozen drink maker use?
Most frozen drink makers use 200 to 800 watts. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a frozen drink maker use?
About 0.06 kWh a day and 22 kWh a year at typical use (1.5 hours a day, 1 days a week).
Does a frozen drink maker use a lot of electricity?
No. At about 22 kWh a year it's a small share (0.2%) of the average U.S. home's 10,492 kWh.
Is it cheaper to run a frozen drink maker or a blender?
At typical use, a frozen drink maker costs about $4 a year versus $2 for a blender. So the blender is cheaper by about $2 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a frozen drink maker?
- Pre-chill the mix in the fridge overnight; it can cut freeze time by a third.
- Run it on a counter away from the oven or sunny windows.
- Switch off as soon as the batch is served rather than holding it frozen for hours.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.