Best Compact Energy Star Appliances for Small Kitchens (5 Certified Picks)

A small kitchen still needs a fridge, and often a dishwasher. The good news is that several compact models are ENERGY STAR certified.

Below are five compact appliances on the official certified list, with their published yearly energy use. All the energy figures come from the EPA’s ENERGY STAR data.

The short version: For a mini fridge, the Danby 4.4 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator is rated at just 228 kWh a year. For a full apartment fridge in a 24-inch gap, choose the Galanz 12.0 Cu Ft Top-Freezer. With no room for a full dishwasher, the Midea 6-Place-Setting Countertop Dishwasher uses about 155 kWh a year.

What Energy Star Covers in the Kitchen

ENERGY STAR is run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A certified product meets EPA efficiency criteria for its category and size.

In the kitchen, the program covers:

• Refrigerators, including compact fridges
• Freezers, including compact uprights and chests
• Dishwashers, including 18-inch and countertop models

It does not cover air fryers, toaster ovens, kettles, coffee makers or microwaves. For those, see our guide to the most energy-efficient small kitchen appliances.

Always check the exact model on the ENERGY STAR product finder. Some retailer listings say Energy Star when only a similar model is certified.

Our Picks at a Glance

• Best mini fridge: Danby 4.4 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator DCR044B1BMJump to review ↓
• Best two-door mini fridge: Midea 3.1 Cu Ft Double-Door Compact RefrigeratorJump to review ↓
• Best 24-inch apartment fridge: Galanz 12.0 Cu Ft Top-Freezer Refrigerator GLR12TS5FJump to review ↓
• Best 18-inch dishwasher: Midea MDF18A1AST 18-Inch Built-In DishwasherJump to review ↓
• Best countertop dishwasher: Midea MDC22P1AWW Countertop DishwasherJump to review ↓

Midea appears three times for a simple reason: it makes more certified compact appliances than any other brand, and its compact dishwashers are among the most efficient you can buy.

Appliance	Type	Capacity	Size (W x D x H)	Energy Use
Danby DCR044B1BM	Compact fridge	4.4 cu ft	19.3 x 21.9 x 33.1 in	228 kWh/yr
Midea WHD-113FSS1	2-door compact fridge	3.1 cu ft	18.5 x 19.9 x 33 in	270 kWh/yr
Galanz GLR12TS5F	24-in top-freezer	12.0 cu ft	23.6 W x 64.8 H in	312 kWh/yr
Midea MDF18A1AST	18-in dishwasher	8 place settings	17.75 x 22.5 x 32.5 in	234 kWh/yr
Midea MDC22P1AWW	Countertop dishwasher	6 place settings	21.7 x 19.7 x 17.2 in	155 kWh/yr

1. Danby 4.4 Cu Ft Compact Refrigerator DCR044B1BM: Best Mini Fridge

A 4.4 cubic foot fridge is the most common mini fridge size. It fits under most counters and holds a week of groceries for one person.

It is rated at just 228 kWh a year, one of the lowest figures for a fridge this size. At typical electricity prices, that is under $40 a year to run.

It has a full-width chiller rather than a true freezer. That keeps ice packs and ice cubes cold, but it is not for long-term frozen storage.

Manual defrost means you will melt the ice a few times a year. See how to defrost a mini fridge.

Who should buy it: Dorms, studios and anyone who needs a second fridge.

2. Midea 3.1 Cu Ft Double-Door Compact Refrigerator: Best Two-Door Mini Fridge

A single-door mini fridge has a small chiller. If you want frozen food too, a two-door model gives the freezer its own door and its own cold zone.

The Midea WHD-113FSS1 splits its 3.1 cubic feet into 2.2 for the fridge and 0.9 for the freezer. It is rated at 270 kWh a year, which is modest for a fridge with a real freezer.

The separate freezer door means opening the fridge does not warm the frozen food. At 42 dBA, it is quiet enough for a studio apartment.

It holds less fresh food than the Danby. The trade-off is a real freezer for ice cream, frozen vegetables and single-portion meals.

Who should buy it: Studios and dorms where the mini fridge is the only fridge.

3. Galanz 12.0 Cu Ft Top-Freezer Refrigerator GLR12TS5F: Best 24-Inch Apartment Fridge

Many apartment kitchens have a 24-inch gap for the fridge. A standard 30 to 36-inch fridge will not fit, and a mini fridge is too small to live with.

A 24-inch top-freezer fridge is the answer. The Galanz GLR12TS5F is 23.6 inches wide and holds 12 cubic feet.

It is rated at 312 kWh a year. That is more than a mini fridge in total, but it holds nearly three times as much food.

Do not swap in the 10 cubic foot GLR10TS5F. The current ENERGY STAR list does not include that model, even though some retailers label it Energy Star.

Who should buy it: Apartments with a narrow fridge space.

4. Midea MDF18A1AST 18-Inch Built-In Dishwasher: Best 18-Inch Dishwasher

An 18-inch dishwasher fits where a standard 24-inch one will not. It holds 8 place settings, which is plenty for one or two people.

It is rated at 234 kWh a year and 3.1 gallons per cycle, a fraction of the water you would use washing the same load by hand.

It is also one of the few 18-inch models Consumer Reports rates very good for cleaning heavily soiled dishes. At 52 dBA, it is quiet enough to run while you sleep in a studio.

On Amazon, it is sold as a bundle with an installation kit. That saves a trip to the hardware store, but installation still needs a water line, a drain and power. Most renters will need the landlord’s permission.

Who should buy it: Homeowners or renters with a landlord’s approval and an 18-inch gap.

5. Midea MDC22P1AWW Countertop Dishwasher: Best Countertop Dishwasher

A countertop dishwasher needs no installation. It sits next to the sink and connects to the faucet with a quick adapter.

It is the best option for renters who cannot install a built-in dishwasher. The Midea MDC22P1AWW holds 6 place settings, enough for a day or two of dishes for one person.

It is rated at 155 kWh a year and about 2 gallons per cycle. That is less water than washing the same dishes under a running tap.

It does take counter space, about 22 by 20 inches. Make sure you have room beside the sink and an outlet nearby.

Who should buy it: Renters and small kitchens with no dishwasher space.

A Compact Freezer Option

If your fridge has only a small chiller, a compact upright freezer adds real frozen storage. The Midea 3.0 Cu Ft Upright Freezer MRU03M2ABB is on the ENERGY STAR list at 240 kWh a year.

At 19.7 inches wide and 33.9 inches tall, it fits beside a mini fridge or in a closet. It is manual defrost and built to run in a garage.

A freezer makes cooking for one much easier. You can freeze single portions instead of eating the same meal four days in a row.

How to Read the Yellow EnergyGuide Label

Every new fridge, freezer and dishwasher sold in the U.S. has a yellow EnergyGuide label. It shows the estimated yearly energy use in kWh and an estimated yearly cost.

The kWh figure is the useful number. The cost estimate uses a national average electricity price, which may be higher or lower than yours.

To estimate your own cost, multiply the kWh figure by your electricity rate. A fridge using 228 kWh a year at 17 cents per kWh costs about $39 a year to run.

The ENERGY STAR logo on the label means the model meets the EPA criteria. Compare kWh figures between models of the same size and type.

Compact Does Not Always Mean Efficient Per Cubic Foot

Small fridges use less energy in total, but not always less per cubic foot. A 4.4 cubic foot fridge at 228 kWh uses about 52 kWh per cubic foot each year. A 12 cubic foot fridge at 312 kWh uses about 26 kWh per cubic foot.

That does not mean you should buy a bigger fridge. An empty fridge still uses energy. Choose the size you will actually fill.

If you live alone and cook often, a 10 to 12 cubic foot apartment fridge may serve you better than two mini fridges.

Placement Matters as Much as the Model

Even a certified appliance wastes energy if it is placed badly.

• Leave space around fridges and freezers. Coils need air to release heat. Check the manual for clearances.
• Keep fridges away from heat. Do not put them next to an oven, radiator or sunny window.
• Level the fridge. A level door seals properly.
• Check the door seal. Close a sheet of paper in the door. If it slides out easily, the seal needs cleaning or replacing.
• Run full dishwasher loads. A half-empty dishwasher uses nearly the same energy and water.

For more ways to save, see how to reduce kitchen energy use in a small apartment.

Is a Countertop Dishwasher Worth It in a Small Kitchen?

A countertop dishwasher takes counter space, which is scarce. It is worth it if you cook most days and hate washing up.

It is less worth it if you eat out often or own few dishes. In that case, a dish rack over the sink may be enough.

Compare it to your sink habits. Washing under a running tap can use several gallons a minute, while the Midea countertop model uses about 2 gallons per cycle

Renters: What You Can and Cannot Install

Appliance	Renter Friendly?	Notes
Mini fridge	Yes	Just plug in
Compact freezer	Yes	Just plug in
Countertop dishwasher	Yes	Connects to the faucet
24-inch fridge	Usually	Replaces the existing fridge; ask first
18-inch built-in dishwasher	Rarely	Needs plumbing and cabinet changes

Always ask your landlord before replacing or installing major appliances.

Beyond Certified Appliances

Most countertop appliances are not part of ENERGY STAR. You can still choose efficient ones by size and type. Induction burners, electric kettles and small air fryers often use less energy than a full stove or oven for small portions.

See most energy-efficient small kitchen appliances, how to choose energy-efficient cookware and eco-friendly alternatives to common kitchen appliances.

Beverage Coolers and Wine Fridges

Beverage coolers are a separate category from refrigerators, and many are not ENERGY STAR certified. They often run warmer than a food fridge and use glass doors that let heat in.

If you only need cold drinks, a beverage cooler works. If you need to store food safely, choose a certified compact fridge instead. See best mini fridge for beer for drink-focused options.

What Size Fridge Do You Need?

Fridge size depends on how you shop and cook more than on household size alone.

Household and Habits	Suggested Size	Pick
One person, eats out often	3 to 4.5 cu ft	Danby or Midea mini fridge
One person, cooks most meals	10 to 12 cu ft	Galanz 24-inch
Two people, cook at home	12 cu ft or more	Galanz 24-inch or larger
Second fridge for drinks	3 to 4.5 cu ft	Danby mini fridge

If you cook most meals and batch cook on weekends, a mini fridge will feel cramped. Our guides to easy meal prep ideas for one person and how to stock a small kitchen for solo cooking show how much space a week of cooking takes.

For larger households with room for a full-width fridge, see the best side-by-side refrigerator.

Keeping a Compact Dishwasher Efficient

A dishwasher only saves water and energy if you use it well.

• Scrape, do not rinse. Modern dishwashers are designed for unrinsed dishes. Pre-rinsing wastes water.
• Run full loads. A 6-place countertop model fills up in a day or two for one person.
• Use the eco cycle. It runs longer but uses less energy.
• Clean the filter monthly. A clogged filter leaves food on dishes and makes you re-wash. See how to clean a dishwasher.
• Air dry. Open the door at the end of the cycle instead of using heated dry.

Pair Efficient Appliances With Efficient Cooking

The fridge and dishwasher run all the time or every day, so their ratings matter most. Your cooking habits matter too.

A full oven is the least efficient way to cook one portion. A toaster oven, air fryer or induction burner uses less energy for small meals.

See the best air fryers under $100, the best induction cooktop for the money and how electric kettles work. For the full picture, read the best small kitchen appliances for cooking for one.

Making Space for Compact Appliances

A countertop dishwasher or extra freezer needs a home. Clearing counters and cabinets first makes room.

Move rarely used items up high, use the walls and keep only daily tools on the counter. See countertop organization ideas for a small kitchen, vertical storage ideas for small kitchens and small kitchen cabinet organization ideas.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Trusting a retailer’s Energy Star claim. Check the exact model number on the ENERGY STAR product finder.
• Buying too big. An oversized fridge wastes energy keeping empty space cold.
• Buying too small. Two mini fridges usually use more energy than one apartment fridge.
• Ignoring defrosting. Thick ice on a manual-defrost fridge makes it work harder.
• Blocking the coils. Pushing a fridge flush against the wall traps heat.

Storing Food Well in a Small Fridge

A compact fridge works best when it is organized. Use clear, stackable containers so cold air can move and you can see what you have.

See best airtight food storage containers and how to organize a small kitchen with no pantry. For food safety, our guide on how long chicken lasts in the fridge applies to any fridge size.

Related Guides

• Best Ice Maker for Home Use
• How to Organize Kitchen Drawers in a Small Kitchen
• Coolest Kitchen Appliances to Buy
• Best Cookware Sizes for Cooking for One
• How to Keep Pests Out of a Small Kitchen
• Best Small Ovens and Toaster Ovens for Baking in Small Kitchens

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Energy Star label mean?

ENERGY STAR is a program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A certified appliance meets EPA efficiency criteria for its category and size, so it uses less energy than the federal minimum standard for that type of product.

Which kitchen appliances can be Energy Star certified?

Refrigerators, freezers and dishwashers, including compact and countertop dishwashers, are the main certified kitchen categories. Air fryers, toaster ovens, kettles and microwaves are not certified, so judge those by wattage and how you use them.

How do I check if an appliance is Energy Star certified?

Search the model number on the ENERGY STAR product finder at energystar.gov. Retailer listings sometimes say Energy Star when only a related model is certified, so the official list is the safest check.

Is a compact fridge always more efficient than a full-size one?

It uses less energy in total, but not always per cubic foot. A certified 4.4 cu ft mini fridge can use around 230 kWh a year, while some certified 10 to 12 cu ft apartment fridges use around 300. Choose the size you will fill.

How much does a compact Energy Star dishwasher save?

The certified countertop dishwasher in this guide is rated at about 155 kWh a year and 2 gallons per cycle. Washing a full load in one is usually more efficient than washing the same dishes under a running tap.