A bare-bones personal cooler that wins on price and portability. At under $40 with 2,000 reviews and a 4.2-star rating, it handles desk snacks and skincare products just fine. Don't expect it to rival a compressor fridge on cooling depth.
Anyone who needs a lightweight countertop cooler for a desk, dorm nightstand, or skincare shelf without spending much money.
Skip if
You need consistent cold temperatures, have more than a few cans to store, or plan to use it in a warm room where thermoelectric units struggle.
Configuration Compact
Installation Countertop
Doors 1
Defrost Manual Defrost
Cooling Thermoelectric
Shelves 1
Priced 87% below the category median ($289.69 across 86 tracked models)
Shelves of 1 - lower than 75% of the 86 models we track
Weight of 3.9 lb - lighter than 90% of the 86 models we track
Pros
Very low price at $38.99 makes it an easy impulse buy
Ultralight at 3.9 pounds, easy to move between rooms or pack for travel
Near-silent operation thanks to thermoelectric cooling with no compressor
Compact footprint fits on any desk, nightstand, or countertop
Broad buyer feedback from 2,000 reviews gives reasonable confidence in durability
Cons
Thermoelectric cooling loses effectiveness in warm rooms, limiting how cold it gets
No listed capacity in cubic feet makes it hard to know exactly how much it holds
Single shelf with a small interior is not suitable for more than a few items
Manual defrost requires occasional attention
Our scorecard
4.2/5overall
Owner rating4.2/5
4.2 average across 2,000 owner ratings
Popularity4.6/5
2,000 owner reviews, more than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other refrigerators and freezers we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
The Antarctic Star LY2504A is a palm-sized thermoelectric cooler measuring just 9.65 by 7.09 by 10.24 inches and weighing under 4 pounds. It draws standard 115-volt AC power and fits comfortably on any desk or countertop. One adjustable shelf gives you modest flexibility inside the single-door cabinet, and a manual defrost system keeps things simple.
Thermoelectric cooling works by transferring heat across a semiconductor rather than compressing refrigerant, which makes the unit near-silent and vibration-free. The tradeoff is that these coolers typically reach temperatures roughly 20 to 40 degrees below ambient, meaning cooling performance drops off when room temperatures climb. That reality shapes who this fridge suits best.
With 2,000 reviews and a 4.2-star average, shoppers broadly accept it for what it is: a personal cooler, not a true refrigerator. The black matte finish looks clean, and the right-hinged door opens without fuss. At $38.99 the price is hard to argue with for occasional use.
Specifications
Configuration
Compact
Installation
Countertop
Doors
1
Defrost
Manual Defrost
Cooling
Thermoelectric
Shelves
1
Temp control
Yes
Door
Right
Color
Black
Finish
Matte
Dimensions
9.65 X 7.09 X 10.24 In
Weight
3.9 lb
Voltage
115.0
Performance notes
Thermoelectric units like the LY2504A cool to a fixed differential below room temperature rather than hitting a set target. In a 70-degree room you might see interior temps in the low-to-mid 40s Fahrenheit. In a warmer room expect warmer results. The unit runs quietly with no compressor hum, which suits bedrooms and offices well.
What buyers say
Most buyers at this price point are satisfied when expectations match the product. Common positive notes include how quiet it runs and how well it works for beverages and skincare products. Critical reviews typically come from buyers expecting full-size refrigerator performance from a thermoelectric mini cooler.
Can the Antarctic Star LY2504A keep drinks cold enough to drink?
In a typical room-temperature setting it can chill drinks adequately for most people. Performance drops noticeably in hot rooms since thermoelectric coolers track ambient temperature rather than hitting a fixed setpoint.
Does it work as a warmer too?
Many thermoelectric coolers can warm as well as cool by reversing polarity, but the LY2504A listing does not explicitly confirm a heat mode. Check product details or contact the seller before purchasing if warming is a requirement.
How much can it actually hold?
The capacity in cubic feet is not specified. Given the 9.65 by 7.09 by 10.24-inch exterior, the interior is small, realistically holding a few cans or small bottles and a snack or two.
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