A current-controlled switched reluctance motor drive for a variable speed applications with efficiency optimization is presented. Firing angles are computed online, the turn-on is calculated by means of the rule of Bose, and the tur-off is calculated using the general theory of the optimal turn-off angle proposed by Gribble. In steady state operation, the initial selection of firing angles is fine-tuned by means of an algorithm that minimizes the input power of the drive. An efficiency and electrical energy consumption comparison with a commercial vector-controlled induction motor drive of the same size is also included. Experimental results show that the proposed switched reluctance motor drive is a good choice for applications that require slow varying loads and energy savings.