Best energy efficient fridges for 2022

Your fridge is using electricity 24 hours a day, so it's a good idea to buy an energy efficient model if you want to keep running costs as low as possible. Use our recommendations below to pick out a fridge that won't drive up your energy bills.

Refrigeration appliances notch up a staggering £2bn in electricity bills each year in the UK because they're switched on around the clock.

We've found that models with the same energy label can cost different amounts to run each year. The fridges we've selected below are cheap to run, but also performed well in our tough performance tests, which could mean you waste less food and save money at the supermarket, too.

To see all the very best fridges we've tested, see Best fridges for 2022. 

Best Buy energy efficient fridges for 2022

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To see all the models we recommend, visit our fridge reviews.

Fridge energy label changes

From 1 March 2021 a new energy label came into force, which replaced the confusing A+, A++ and A+++ rating system and reset the scale back to A to G. This change was intended to reinvigorate the sustainability race for manufacturers by completely emptying the top A-rating to leave room for improvement. The new labelling system applies to washing machines, washer-dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, lighting and TVs, with other appliances including tumble dryers and ovens remaining on the old system for now.

The new label for refrigeration (pictured above) states the capacity of chilled and/or frozen compartments in litres and there is also a new measure for noise emissions.

The new system offers a clearer reflection of how efficient your appliance is by modern standards. Each label features a QR-code for more product information which links to the product on the manufacturer’s website. Energy consumption is presented either as kWh per year, kWh per 1,000 hours or kWh per 100 cycles, depending on the product group. This is a change from the old label, which was often based on an estimated usage over a year.

Looking for energy-saving tips? See 10 ways to save on energy bills. 

Fridge energy-efficiency tips

• Don’t leave the door open for 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, meaning that 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%.

Is your fridge dirty or smelly? Read our guide on How to deep-clean your fridge. 

Eco Buy fridges

If you want to make the most sustainable choice when next buying a fridge, a Which? Eco Buy fridge is for you. Eco Buy fridges will have a lower impact on the environment over their lifetimes 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%
• five 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 between 5% and 10% of fridges are sustainable enough to be Eco Buys. To find out which qualify, head to our fridge reviews and use the Eco Buy filter