Antarctic Star 1.7 Cu Ft Beverage Fridge Review

Intro

This review covers the Antarctic Star Beverage Refrigerator (model W5848H), the 1.7 cubic foot glass-door mini fridge aimed at drink storage and small-space use. The listing highlights a tinted double-pane glass door, digital thermostatic control with a 40–61°F range, and capacity for up to 68 cans. Owner feedback fills in real-world behavior: many buyers praise the look, quiet compressor, and capacity for cans and small bottles, while recurring complaints center on temperature consistency, frost in the back, and a few odd fit-and-finish issues.

What it is / first look

The Antarctic Star beverage refrigerator is a freestanding, freezerless compact cooler offered in a 1.7 cu. ft. size (item dimensions 16.34"D x 16.93"W x 22.24"H, weight 35.5 pounds). The unit is built around a tinted double-pane tempered glass door (listed as double-glazed) with an air-tight seal, a matte finish, two adjustable glass shelves, a built-in blue LED interior light, and a digital display that sets temperatures between 40°F and 61°F. The listing calls out a quiet compressor and describes the cooler as suitable for counter or freestanding placement.

Key specs straight from the listing:

• Capacity: 1.7 cubic feet (listed to hold up to 68 beverage cans)
• Temperature range: 40°F–61°F (digital thermostatic control)
• Cooling method: compressor (described as quiet)
• Door: tinted double-pane tempered glass, reversible
• Shelves: 2 adjustable glass shelves
• Defrost system: manual
• Power: 115 volts
• Annual Energy Consumption: listed as 549 watts
• Lock: key

Available colors are listed as Black and Silver. The product listing describes the unit as intended for beverages only and explicitly states: "Do not use this cooler to store fresh foods, it can only be used to chill beverages."

First impressions and styling

The 1.7 cu. ft. size and glass-front styling position this as a beverage- or display-friendly cooler. Owners consistently describe the aesthetic as modern and classy — many like the blue LED interior light and glass shelving. The reversible glass door and the key-lock option lean toward bar or guest-facing setups where visibility and simple security matter.

In daily use

Owners use this fridge for a variety of everyday tasks, and the pattern in feedback highlights strengths and caveats for daily operation.

Best for small kitchens, counters, and dorms

Multiple owners say the unit is perfect for a beverage station on a counter, in a bedroom, office, salon, or dorm. The 1.7 cu. ft. footprint is compact enough for small spaces while still holding a surprising number of cans — the listing states up to 68 cans. Adjustable shelving makes it possible to lay bottles flat or stand shorter bottles upright, although several owners note that taller bottles sometimes require lying flat to fit.

Noise and day-to-day temperature

The listing and many owners describe the compressor as "quiet." Owners who are noise-sensitive report that the unit sounds like a quiet dishwasher at times and is suitable for bedrooms and offices. A handful of owners mention intermittent popping or clicking noises — one calls it an unnerving popping that led them to seek troubleshooting.

Thermostatic control is digital and listed with a 40°F–61°F range. Owner accounts vary on how cold the unit runs and how quickly drinks chill: some say it cools quickly and holds a stable temp, while others report it can run warmer than expected or take a long time to lower temperature. One owner reports consistent operation at 40°F and another reports the unit stayed between 66°F–70°F for months and did not cool to setpoint despite troubleshooting requests to the manufacturer.

Storage flexibility

The two adjustable glass shelves are listed as allowing a variety of bottle designs; owners confirm that cans and short bottles are easy to store, and there is room for laying wine bottles on a top shelf. Several buyers point out the door bins are narrow and better suited to slim cans or small containers; some say condiments slide out if used for dressings, which makes the door area less useful for taller items.

Uses owners report beyond drinks

Owner notes show people use this fridge for more than beverages: skincare items, breastmilk, and small snacks are mentioned. Multiple owners say it kept breastmilk and skincare items at stable, cool temperatures, providing peace of mind for those uses. The listing explicitly cautions against storing fresh foods and stresses beverage use only.

Materials & build quality

From the listing: the door is described as a tinted double-pane tempered glass door with an air-tight seal; the shelves are glass; the finish is matte; and the cooling method is a compressor. Beyond those details, the listing does not specify interior liner materials, refrigerant type, or detailed component construction.

Owner feedback on build quality trends positive overall — many buyers say the unit "looks and feels quality" and find the glass shelving and interior LED attractive. There are, however, recurring notes worth flagging: a few owners received units without the small back feet they expected and found only rubber stoppers at the rear; one buyer described receiving a unit missing parts and ultimately being sent a replacement. Fit-and-finish reports are generally good, but packaging and shipping errors have occurred for some buyers.

Safety considerations

Safety and practical cautions come from a mix of listing claims and owner experiences.

• Not for fresh foods: The listing explicitly says this cooler "can only be used to chill beverages" and warns against storing fresh foods. Follow the manufacturer guidance on allowable contents.
• Manual defrost: The defrost system type is listed as manual. Multiple owners report frost forming in the rear interior and one owner described the back becoming covered in frost after the door was accidentally left open overnight. Manual defrost plus occasional door issues can mean you’ll need to scrape or defrost the back periodically.
• No door-ajar alarm (owner reports): Some owners point out there’s no beep to warn when the door is left open; one owner explicitly reported the door stood open overnight and froze the back. The listing does not specify an alarm feature.
• Popping/clicking sounds: A number of owners mention intermittent popping noises. The listing describes the compressor as quiet, but the popping signal has been reported enough times to call it out as a potential nuisance — owners described it as a popping similar to thermal expansion or the compressor cycling.
• Stability & placement: The unit is freestanding and listed with reversible door orientation and a matte finish. A few owners noted rear feet/stoppers inconsistently — check the unit’s stability on your surface. The listing gives item weight (35.5 pounds) and dimensions to plan placement.
• Electrical: Voltage is listed as 115 volts. The listing does not specify certifications or refrigerant details; the manufacturer information included in the listing does not list third-party safety certifications in the product facts.

What the listing doesn’t say

The listing does not specify interior liner materials, refrigerant type, third-party certifications, or whether there is a built-in alarm or automatic defrost. If those details matter to you, the listing recommends verifying current manufacturer documentation.

Who this is for / who should skip

Fit the product to your needs — here’s a practical breakdown so you know whether to consider it.

Good fit if you want:

• A compact beverage- or display-oriented fridge with a glass front and LED lighting for a bar, office, bedroom, or salon.
• Adjustable glass shelves for cans and short bottles and the ability to lay wine flat on a shelf.
• A relatively quiet compressor that’s suitable for noise-sensitive rooms (many owners report acceptable noise levels).
• Simple digital temperature control with a roughly 40°F–61°F range for chilled beverages.

Skip this if you need:

• Reliable, cold storage for fresh foods — the listing explicitly warns against storing fresh foods in this unit.
• A fridge that must maintain exact cold temperatures without occasional variance — owner reports on temperature inconsistency and a few units that failed to reach setpoints suggest some variability between units.
• An alarm/beep for door-ajar situations — owners report the absence of a door-ajar alarm.
• Automatic defrost — this model uses manual defrost and some owners report frost accumulation.

Verdict

The Antarctic Star 1.7 cu. ft. beverage fridge is a stylish, compact cooler that delivers on appearance and basic beverage chilling for many owners. Its double-pane glass door, blue LED interior light, adjustable glass shelves, and digital thermostat make it a solid option for a dorm room, office, salon, or home beverage station. The compressor is listed as quiet and multiple owners corroborate low noise levels.

That said, buyer experiences show variance in cooling performance and a handful of durability/service issues. Owner reports include units that never reached lower setpoints, frost accumulation at the back after doors were left ajar, intermittent popping noises, and isolated shipping/parts glitches like missing feet. The listing also explicitly states this unit is for beverages only, and the defrost type is manual — both important operational constraints.

Check before you buy

1. Confirm the color/size you want (listed colors: Black, Silver; this review covers the 1.7 cu. ft. model that holds up to 68 cans).
2. Verify the listing’s current specs if you need automatic defrost, specific certifications, or refrigerant details — the product facts do not list those items.
3. Plan for manual defrost and occasional frost in the back; check that you’re comfortable with a manual-defrost regimen.
4. Decide if you need a door-ajar alarm or near-freezing setpoints; owners report no built-in beep and mixed experiences reaching colder setpoints.
5. Check placement: dimensions are 16.34"D x 16.93"W x 22.24"H and the unit weighs 35.5 pounds; voltage is 115V.
6. Inspect the unit on arrival for missing bits (some owners reported missing rear feet or packaging damage) and test cooling performance early so you can pursue warranty/service if needed.

Colors available:

• Black
• Silver

Ultimately, this is a budget-to-mid-range mini beverage fridge that scores well for style and quiet operation but shows some variability in temperature performance and occasional durability/service hiccups in owner reports. If you want a visually appealing, compact drink cooler for occasional to regular beverage use and you're prepared for manual defrost and basic maintenance, it's worth considering. If you need precise, long-term cold storage for fresh foods or a model with alarm/auto-defrost features, look elsewhere or verify newer models/variants from the manufacturer.