Dometic CFX Portable Electric Cooler and Freezer, Powered by AC/DC or Solar

The Dometic CFX3 100 is an exceptional cooler and freezer that blends durability with superior functionality. Its generous 100-liter capacity is ideal for long journeys, while the VMSO3 variable motor speed optimization technology ensures effective cooling and freezing, even in harsh environments. I have adjusted the temperature from about -5F for freezing to the suggested 39F for standard food cooling. A standout feature is the Bluetooth app control which enables remote temperature monitoring and adjustment to about a distance of 30ft. That can come in handy while driving in the backcountry with the cooler in the back of a vehicle.The unit's sturdy construction makes it well-suited for outdoor activities. However, the cover, which must be purchased separately, is challenging to install on this cooler/freezer. The CFX3-100 is expensive, but its quality and warranty set it apart. The CFX3-100 remains a dependable and adaptable mobile refrigerator for any travel arrangement or emergency scenario. It works well on 120-volt home current or 12-24 volts with the cigarette lighter vehicle socket. It also functions well on various retail available lithium battery power stations.

I've owned six Dometic electric coolers and the keyword would have to be "reliable".They seem like the "Toyota" of electric coolers. Whether or not they have all of the features desired by any particular user, THEY WORK.I'm currently using three of these coolers (I've given three others away). One is a small CDF-11 model (now discontinued) offering just 11 liters of space, that I use in my car for transporting small grocery purchases.The other two are a CFX3 55IM and a CFX3 25 that I use in my house for supplementary refrigeration.The CFX3 55IM has been running continuously as a "deep freeze" unit for three years uninterrupted. No issues. (I don't use the ice-maker.)The CFX3 25 has been running for just over a month. I was previously using a CFX3 35 but downsized to save space.As at least one other reviewer has noted, the digital temperature controls on these units can be a bit finicky. On the Fahrenheit scale, you might plug in a certain setting and the unit might change it. I'm still trying to figure out the pattern.Also, I don't rely on the "current" temperature readings as displayed on the control panels. Inside each of my CFX3 units, I have two ACU-RITE temperature sensors placed near the center of the interior, to allow me to monitor current temperatures as well as histories (watching for any significant "excursions").The CFX3 55IM unit is set to 5 degrees Fahrenheit, and I get very consistent -2 to +2 degree readings from the two interior sensors. The CFX3 25 unit is set to 34 degrees Fahrenheit, and I get very consistent 39-43 degree readings from the two interior sensors.There does seem to be some temperature variation within the interior of the CFX3 units. Temperatures on/near the upper shelves seem a bit higher than in the centers of the units, which perhaps is not surprising since the shelves are higher (warmer air rises) and are above the compressors.I do use ballast to help moderate the temperature variations but more importantly to provide added protection during power outages. Specifically, I use various combinations of YETI ice and the newer YETI thin ice, which fit neatly along the walls of the coolers. It's true, some space is thereby sacrificed, but the tradoff seems worth it.Of note, these electric coolers don't seem particularly effective at actually cooling (or freezing) items, and it doesn't appear that they're intended to do that (maybe with the exception of the small ice-maker in the CFX3 55IM model). However, they do seem quite effective at keeping items cool (or frozen) that are already cool (or frozen).Lastly, these units will accumulate frost/ice with prolonged use, but it doesn't seem to be a major issue.

We used this cooler on a 4000 mile trip over 2 weeks and it worked great. I put it in the back of the van where we could easily access it through the back doors and it kept Our Favorite Drinks cold the entire time. We left it in the van plugged in the entire trip, even overnight, and it never drained the battery. It was set to medium batter saver so the cooler shuts itself of when battery voltage goes below a certain threshold. The drinks were around 54 F in the morning but once the van was fired up it cooled right back down to 34 F in an hour or so. It was so nice having what we wanted to drink, not what some gas station, truck stop or rest area was selling, available to us. And the drinks were much colder than you can get from a convenience store cooler or rest area soda machine. The ice maker works great too, it makes enough ice for 2 - 14 oz glasses, we didn't use it on the trip but I tired it at home on 120 vac before the trip to test it out, it made ice in about 2-1/2 hours. It's pricey but I got it on sale at $800 and used a $200 gift card to get it down to $663. Not having to deal with ice, drying off wet drinks and dumping the water every day is, IMHO, well worth the cost. In hindsight we probably could have gotten by with a smaller one but hey, we put homemade dip, candy, drinks and all kinds of other stuff in there :-)>

An amazing fridge and freezer combo, and the power consumption is crazy low in the high power save mode. It does what it's supposed to do and it does it really well...

Bulky and a bit heavier than a as a similar cooler full of ice. Dependable, basically a nice small refrigerator wherever you go. I plug it in at home and drop it to Freezing, than raise it to 40* and pack my food, this helps it hold the temp much longer and not drain my EV battery for that initial pull. Recommend using the DC adapter if you have an EV vehicle. If you have any AC plug in your car the DC-to-AC converter draws extra energy. I have a setting to turn off the AC plugs in my EV, and recommend this.You do have to make sure the lid latches. The motor and fan takes up a third of the interior, but it is easier to Tetris and pack than a traditional ice cooler. Big wheels and a handle would be a welcome upgrade.