Best energy efficient fridges for 2025: expert picks, with cheap running costs

Our expert buying advice will help you select a fridge that performs exceptionally well and minimises your energy bills.

​It's one of the few appliances that operates 24 hours a day, so choosing one of the best energy efficient fridges is a smart way to keep running costs low. 

While energy labels can guide you towards more efficient options, our findings reveal that even fridges with the same energy label can vary in their annual running costs.

Read on for our favourite models that will keep your food fresh without draining your wallet.

To see all the very best fridges we've tested, see our guide to the best fridges.

Best energy efficient fridges for 2025

The energy efficient fridges we've shortlisted here are cheap to run, but also performed well in our tough lab tests – which could mean you waste less food.

Which? members can log in to reveal our recommendations below. Not yet a member? Join Which? to unlock these results and get instant access to all our reviews.

Looking for more efficient cold appliances? See our guide to the best energy efficient fridge freezers.

Why you can trust our fridge reviews

We test fridges in a controlled laboratory environment to ensure consistency across all models, regardless of brand or price.

We remain completely impartial by purchasing every fridge we test – we don't take free samples.

Our tests evaluate key performance factors, including cooling speed, energy efficiency, the effectiveness of the recommended thermostat settings and the ability of the crisper drawer to keep fruits and vegetables fresh.

Find out more about the lengths we go to in how we test fridges.

Where to buy an energy efficient fridge

• Amazon sells fridges rated 'A' for energy efficiency from brands including Haier, Fridgemaster and Hisense, but check our fridge reviews to see which models are truly cost-effective. It also sells obscure brands that we've never tested, so take extra care when shopping – and always read our reviews. 
• AO sells fridges at discounted prices to AO members, but non-members still have a wide range of prices to choose from. Monthly instalment plans are available. Unpacking, door reversal and recycling is an extra cost.
• Currys sells a huge range of fridges, with the option to filter by energy efficiency rating if you want to. It often has bundle deals for fridges and freezers. You can add on installation, door reversal and recycling of your old appliance for an additional fee. 
• John Lewis stocks fridges from many brands, including a small number of own-brand options. It often has deals on installation, offering it for free or half price. You can also filter by D, E, or F energy ratings.

Looking for a freezer instead? See our guide to the best energy efficient freezers.

Eco Buy fridges

If you want to make the most sustainable choice when you're buying your next fridge, a Which? Eco Buy is a good option, as it will have a lower impact on the environment over its lifetime than other fridges.

We calculate this in two ways: how reliable, and therefore long-lasting, it's likely to be, so you don't have to repair or replace it as often, and how energy efficient it is.

To become an Eco Buy, a fridge must have:

• a total test score of at least 70%
• four stars for energy efficiency
• four stars and above for cooling power
• come from a brand that gets a good longevity rating in our annual consumer surveys

Only 5-10% of fridges are sustainable enough to be Eco Buys.

 To find out which fridges qualify, head to our fridge reviews and use the Eco Buy filter.

How much do fridges cost to run? 

Some energy-hungry models we’ve tested can cost £80 or more a year to run, while some of the most economical fridges will set you back around only £25 a year. 

The average tall fridge will cost around £54 a year to run, while smaller under-counter fridges cost around £48 a year on average. 

Visit our reviews to see the annual running costs of every fridge we've tested.

Find out more about how much your appliances cost to run.

Fridge energy label changes

While you may have previously seen fridges with energy ratings of A+ or A++, the energy efficiency ratings were rescaled in 2021. 

The colour scale still remains, but in an effort to push manufacturers to create more efficient appliances and make the system less confusing, appliances are now rated from A to G, rather than A+++ to D.

The new label for refrigeration (pictured above) states the capacity of chilled and/or frozen compartments in litres. There's also a new measure for noise emissions, as well as a QR code for more product information, which links to the product on the manufacturer’s website.

Head to our best energy efficient fridge freezers guide to read more about energy labels. 

Fridge energy efficiency tips

Running your fridge freezer as efficiently as possible will save you money and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time.

• Don’t leave the door open for any longer than necessary, or the fridge will be filled with warm air and have to work to cool down again.
• Defrost frozen food in your fridge – it acts like an ice pack to help cool the fridge, so your fridge uses less electricity.
• Avoid putting warm food in your fridge – let it cool down first.
• Clean the condenser coils at the back or underneath your fridge – thick dust can reduce their efficiency by up to 25%. Read our guide on how to deep-clean your fridge. 
• Check the seal around your fridge door as they help to prevent warm air getting inside the fridge which can waste energy. 

Try these food storage tips to help your food last longer.