12 3.5 cu ft Compact Freezers, Ranked by Running Cost

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12 ENERGY STAR certified models, from about $32 to $69 a year to run at the US average electricity rate. See how we calculate running costs.

Top 5 cheapest to run

All 12 models

Rank	Brand	Model	Style	Capacity	Energy use	Est. cost/year
1	Danby	DCF035A5WDB	Chest	3.5 cu ft	173 kWh/yr	$32
2	Arctic King	AC35ESKCR1RCM	Chest	3.5 cu ft	174 kWh/yr	$32
3	Arctic King	ARC04B2C**	Chest	3.5 cu ft	174 kWh/yr	$32
4	Midea	MRC04M3C**	Chest	3.5 cu ft	174 kWh/yr	$32
5	Criterion	CUF36C1W	Upright	3.6 cu ft	252 kWh/yr	$46
6	Fisher & Paykel Most Efficient	RB36S	Upright	3.7 cu ft	300 kWh/yr	$55
7	Zephyr Most Efficient	PRRFD24C2AS	Upright	3.9 cu ft	330 kWh/yr	$60
8	Zephyr Most Efficient	PRRFD24C2AP	Upright	3.9 cu ft	330 kWh/yr	$60
9	Zephyr Most Efficient	PRRFD24C2AS-OD	Upright	3.9 cu ft	330 kWh/yr	$60
10	Summit	ADFD2D24	Upright	3.5 cu ft	355 kWh/yr	$65
11	Sub-Zero	ID-24F	Upright	3.8 cu ft	377 kWh/yr	$69
12	Sub-Zero	ID-24FI	Upright	3.8 cu ft	377 kWh/yr	$69

Estimated running cost = annual kWh × 18.31¢/kWh (July 2026 US average). Your own rate may be higher or lower — check your bill. ENERGY STAR figures are lab-test results; real-world use varies. This list includes discontinued and not-yet-sold certified models, and some brands are white-label relabels of the same unit.