A no-frills budget thermoelectric cooler that fits anywhere and runs silently. At 4.4 pounds and just over 10 inches tall, it is ideal for a desk or nightstand, though thermoelectric cooling means it can only drop roughly 20 to 25 degrees below ambient temperature rather than hitting compressor-level cold.
Office workers, gamers, or dorm students who want a quiet personal cooler for a few cans and snacks on a tight budget of around $42.
Skip if
You need drinks truly cold in a warm room, plan to store perishable food, or want any frozen storage.
Configuration Mini
Installation Countertop
Doors 1
Defrost Manual Defrost
Cooling Thermoelectric
Shelves 1
Priced 86% below the category median ($289.69 across 86 tracked models)
Shelves of 1 - lower than 75% of the 86 models we track
Weight of 4.4 lb - lighter than 86% of the 86 models we track
Pros
Near-silent thermoelectric operation, no compressor hum
Tiny footprint under 10 inches tall fits any desk or countertop
Lightweight at 4.4 pounds, easy to move or travel with
Affordable entry point at $41.99 with 738 confirmed buyers
Cons
Thermoelectric cooling weakens significantly in warm rooms above 80 degrees F
Only one interior shelf with no freezer compartment
Manual defrost requires occasional upkeep
Door is right-hinge only, not reversible
Our scorecard
4.1/5overall
Owner rating4.1/5
4.1 average across 738 owner ratings
Popularity4.4/5
738 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 LY1904 is a palm-sized thermoelectric cooler measuring 9.65 by 7.09 by 10.24 inches and weighing just 4.4 pounds. It plugs into 120 volts, sits flat on any surface, and needs no installation. The matte black exterior looks sharp on a desk, and the single right-hinge door opens wide enough to grab what you need without jostling the whole unit.
Inside there is one shelf, a manual temperature dial, and that is about it. The thermoelectric mechanism is the defining characteristic here. Without a compressor it operates nearly silently, which is a genuine advantage in shared bedrooms or open-plan offices where a buzzing mini fridge would be a nuisance. The cost of that silence is that cooling depth is tied to ambient temperature.
At $41.99 and 4.1 stars from 738 buyers, the LY1904 has earned a reliable reputation within its narrow use case. It will not replace a real fridge, but for a personal drink stash it is hard to beat at this price and size.
Specifications
Configuration
Mini
Installation
Countertop
Doors
1
Defrost
Manual Defrost
Cooling
Thermoelectric
Shelves
1
Temp control
Yes
Door
Right
Color
Matte Black
Finish
Matte
Dimensions
9.65 X 7.09 X 10.24 In
Weight
4.4 lb
Voltage
120 Volts
Performance notes
Thermoelectric coolers move heat through a Peltier element rather than cycling refrigerant. In a climate-controlled 70-degree room this type of unit typically holds 45 to 50 degrees F, acceptable for drinks but not ideal for meat or dairy. In summer rooms without air conditioning, effective cooling drops noticeably. The countertop form factor and single right-hinge door mean zero setup friction.
What buyers say
Reviewers consistently praise the quiet operation compared to compressor-based mini fridges at similar prices. The most common complaint is limited cooling depth in warmer climates or during summer. Buyers who treat it as a personal desk cooler rather than a food-storage solution rate it highly.
How cold does the Antarctic Star LY1904 actually get?
In a 70-degree room, thermoelectric coolers like this one typically reach 45 to 50 degrees F. In hotter environments that gap shrinks, so performance weakens noticeably in summer without air conditioning.
Can this unit warm food as well as cool it?
The LY1904 is marketed as a cooler only. Some thermoelectric designs can reverse polarity to warm, but verify in the manual before relying on it for any warming function.
Is the door hinge reversible on the LY1904?
No. The door opens to the right only, so plan your placement accordingly before setting it up on a desk or countertop.
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