Danby 1.7 cu. ft. Compact Refrigerator Review

Intro

Small refrigerators are one of those kitchen purchases where size, layout and practical details matter more than flash. The Danby Designer 1.7 cu. ft. Compact Refrigerator (DAR017A2BDD) is a countertop, freezerless unit aimed at dorms, offices, apartments and other tight spaces. It pairs a modest 1.7 cubic-foot interior with Energy Star compliance, a mechanical thermostat and a few design touches meant to keep drinks and lunch chilled without taking over a room.

This review pulls together the listing facts (capacity, features and specs) and recurring owner feedback so you can decide whether this little Danby is the right fit for your space and routines.

What it is / first look

The Danby DAR017A2BDD is a freestanding, compact countertop refrigerator with a 1.7 cu. ft. net capacity. The listing describes it as a slim, single-door fridge designed for small areas — dorms, wet bars, apartments and offices. Key listing facts at a glance:

• Capacity: 1.7 cubic feet (listed)
• Form factor: Freestanding / counter-top unit (listed)
• Cooling method: Compressor; compressor type listed as rotary scroll; listing also notes the unit has an inverter
• Defrost: Automatic (listed)
• Thermostat: Mechanical (listed)
• Shelves: 1 full-width and 1 half-width removable wire shelves (listed)
• Door: Single reversible door with integrated handle (listed)
• Extras called out by the listing: third-generation CanStor beverage dispenser, scratch-resistant work top and tall-bottle storage
• Energy: Listing states Energy Star compliant and that the refrigerant used is R600a
• Warranty: The listing describes an 18-month warranty on all parts and labor
• Dimensions and weight as listed: Item dimensions 30"D x 8"W x 6"H and item weight 42 pounds

Note: the listed item dimensions read 30"D x 8"W x 6"H. That's what appears on the product page; verify the current listing if exact fit in a niche is critical.

Colors

The product listing specifies Color: Black. Based on the image filenames and the listing, available color(s) include:

• Black

In daily use

Owners consistently report that the Danby 1.7 cu. ft. unit handles the job it was designed for: keeping a small selection of drinks, lunch items and condiments cold without being noisy or power-hungry. The listing calls out the CanStor beverage dispenser, which owners say helps stop cans from rolling and keeps the small interior organized.

Small apartments & dorm rooms

For one-person living spaces the size and layout make sense. Multiple owners note it fits a six-pack of 12 oz cans, a couple of larger bottles, and a few lunches or yogurt tubs comfortably. The listing’s tall-bottle storage and door storage are repeatedly mentioned by owners as functional: people report the door area will hold cans, bottles and even a half-gallon container in some setups.

Home office & shared workspaces

Buyers using the unit in offices praise its quiet operation. The listing’s compressor/inverter combination appears designed to be efficient; owner feedback mentions low electricity draw and minimal heat generation. That makes it a solid choice for a private office, studio or a shared break area where space is tight but cold storage is needed.

Countertop, RV and small kitchen use

The scratch-resistant work top that the listing highlights is useful if you plan to put a coffee maker or small appliance on top. A few owners specifically put a Keurig or similar device on the top with no scratch issues reported. There are also owner notes of successful use in RVs and tight kitchen counters — provided you confirm the listed dimensions really fit your space.

Temperature control and cooling behavior

The listing says the unit has a mechanical thermostat. Owners report that at higher settings the fridge can get very cold — some users say it can approach freezing and even form ice if the thermostat is set to maximum. Others have praised the unit’s ability to hit typical food-safe temperatures (owners report seeing temperatures in the 32–45°F range when dialed in). One practical takeaway from buyer feedback: start at a middle setting and fine-tune; set to full only if you want things very cold.

Noise and power

Multiple owners describe the unit as quiet. It cycles on and off like any compressor fridge; most find the cycling barely noticeable. One owner did report an electrical spike when the compressor shut off that caused an adjacent monitor to flash — that’s a specific setup interaction and not a universal finding, but it's worth noting if you’re placing sensitive electronics close by.

Materials & build quality

The listing makes several explicit material and build claims. Callouts from the manufacturer copy include a scratch-resistant work top, removable wire shelving described as "strong," an integrated door handle and a smooth back design. The listing also specifies the refrigerant (R600a) and that the unit is Energy Star compliant.

Owner feedback largely aligns with the listing’s quality claims: many buyers describe sturdy interior door slots and solid-feeling shelves. Packaging on arrival is also commonly praised — owners report the unit arriving undamaged and well boxed.

There are a few build caveats reported repeatedly enough to matter. One owner reports that the lower half of the back of their unit was open, exposing wires and the refrigerant tank — that contrasts with the listing’s "smooth back design" language. Another buyer found the center shelf could be deeper, meaning some configurations of taller containers don't fit as well as expected. These are layout and fit issues rather than wholesale construction failures, but they matter for user experience.

Safety considerations

Kitchen safety is the first priority. From the listing and owner notes, here are the safety-relevant items to check and understand before you buy or install one of these units.

• Electrical and placement: The listing specifies a standard Type A 2-pin plug (North American). Owners report the fridge draws little electricity and is Energy Star compliant, but one owner saw a power-line spike that made a nearby monitor flash when the compressor cycled off. If you plan to place sensitive electronics near the unit, consider separate circuits, surge protection or a small buffer (UPS) for the electronics.
• Back and service access: The listing describes a smooth back design, but an owner reported the bottom half of the back was open with wires and the refrigerant tank exposed. If the back of your delivery looks different from the listing images, inspect for loose wiring or exposed components and contact the seller or manufacturer before use.
• Temperature extremes: The listing states the refrigerator is meant for indoor, temperature-controlled environments. Owners say the 18-month warranty is voided if used outdoors or in unconditioned spaces such as garages, porches or carports — verify the warranty terms if you plan to install outside conditioned indoor areas.
• Freezer-free design: This model is listed as a compact freezerless refrigerator. Several owners reported it will get very cold at high settings and can freeze bottles if you set the thermostat too low, so monitor the setting to avoid frozen cans or split bottles.
• Defrost system: The listing states the unit has automatic defrost. A few owners still reported some ice accumulation in normal use — watch the thermostat setting and the loading pattern to reduce icing.
• Warranty: The listing includes an 18-month parts and labour warranty. If you see damage on arrival, follow the seller/manufacturer process immediately so your claim falls within that warranty window.

Who this is for / who should skip

Match the unit to the user and the space — that’s where the Danby 1.7 cu. ft. fridge works best and where it’s likely to disappoint.

Good fit

• Single-person dorm rooms, office workplaces, or studio apartments where you need basic refrigerated storage without a freezer.
• Countertop locations where the added scratch-resistant top and integrated handle are useful; people who want a device that’s generally quiet and energy efficient.
• Users who need tall-bottle storage and a compact footprint — owners report it fits a six-pack of cans plus a 2 L bottle or several water bottles in some layouts.
• Anyone who values an Energy Star–rated compressor unit and a unit with a mechanical thermostat and inverter functionality per the listing.

Skip this if

• You need a freezer. This model is freezerless per the listing.
• You plan to run it outdoors, in an unconditioned garage, or somewhere the listing/warranty says shouldn’t be used; owner notes explicitly warn the warranty may be voided for outside or garage installation.
• You need large interior capacity or deep shelves — the center shelf depth and overall internal volume are restricted by the 1.7 cu. ft. form factor.
• Exposed electronics or a clearly open back would be an unacceptable safety concern in your setting — if your unit arrives with those conditions, contact seller/manufacturer.

Verdict

The Danby Designer 1.7 cu. ft. Compact Refrigerator is a straightforward, well-specified countertop fridge that delivers the basics: a cold interior, Energy Star–rated operation, a mechanical thermostat and a few convenience touches like the CanStor beverage dispenser and a scratch-resistant top. Owner feedback largely backs up the listing’s claims: the unit is quiet, efficient and effective at keeping drinks and lunches cold for one person or a small group.

The real decisions here are about fit and placement. The interior is small by design, and a few owners report icing at very cold settings and annoyances around shelf depth. There’s a small but notable safety/finish signal in owner reports that the back can be exposed and that compressor cycling produced an electrical spike in at least one set-up — these aren’t universal, but they’re worth checking on delivery.

Check before you buy (quick checklist)

• Confirm the listed dimensions (30"D x 8"W x 6"H are shown on the product page) match your available counter or niche space.
• Decide whether you need a freezer — this model is freezerless.
• Plan placement away from sensitive electronics or add surge protection if you suspect circuit interactions; one owner reported a monitor flash on compressor shut-off.
• Inspect the back on arrival. The listing says "smooth back design," but an owner reported an exposed lower back with visible wires and refrigerant tank.
• Keep the unit indoors in a temperature-controlled space to preserve the 18-month parts and labour warranty as owners report warranty exclusions for outside/garage installation.
• Start the thermostat at a middle setting and adjust; the fridge can get very cold at high settings and freeze contents if set too low.

FAQ

• Q: Does this model include a freezer compartment?

  A: No — the product is listed as a compact freezerless refrigerator. The listing and owner notes both describe it as a single-compartment fridge designed for refrigeration only.

• Q: What is the interior capacity and how much will it hold?

  A: The listing gives the net capacity as 1.7 cubic feet (49 L). Owners report that in practice it can hold a six-pack of 12-oz cans plus a large 2 L bottle or several water bottles, along with a few lunch items; tall-bottle storage and door storage are listed features.

• Q: Is it energy efficient?

  A: The listing states the unit is Energy Star compliant and uses R600a refrigerant. Owners commonly report a low electricity draw and quiet running.

• Q: How noisy is it?

  A: The listing doesn’t publish a decibel number, but owner feedback repeatedly describes the fridge as quiet with a noticeable but short compressor cycle when it runs. One owner did report a power-line spike at compressor shut-off that caused a monitor to flash in their setup; that appears to be a situational issue.

• Q: Is the thermostat inside the fridge or on the back?

  A: The listing specifies a mechanical thermostat but does not detail its exact location. Several owners note the temperature control is on the back of the unit, which can be awkward if the fridge is tucked under a counter or in a tight shelf. Verify placement if access to the control is important to you.

• Q: What kind of warranty is included and are there installation restrictions?

  A: The listing states an 18-month warranty on all parts and labour. Owners report the warranty can be voided if the unit is used outside or in unconditioned spaces like garages, porches or carports; check the manufacturer documentation and placement guidance to keep the warranty valid.

Overall, if you need a small, efficient, quiet refrigerator for a single-user space and you value the convenience features called out in the listing, the Danby 1.7 cu. ft. compact refrigerator is a reasonable, well-liked option. Just confirm the sizing and back-access details on delivery, watch your thermostat settings to avoid unintended freezing, and keep the unit indoors to maintain the warranty.