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I’ve tested dozens and dozens of coolers over the years, from hard-sided to soft-sided, big, small, and everything in between. But those tests all have one thing in common—ice. Ice retention is the primary metric for the mark of a good cooler: how long does the ice stick around in scorching summer temperatures? Dometic changed all that with the electric cooler.
This new high-tech cooler is more of a fridge than a traditional icebox. The Dometic CFX5 series of portable fridges uses electricity to chill the cooler box, and while you can still add ice if you want, as long as you have power, there’s no need. The ease of eliminating ice makes this cooler my go-to for camping trips this summer. I’ve been testing the Dometic CFX5 all summer in the hottest temperatures, and it has lived up to the hype of being one of the best electric coolers.
The new CFX5 series has enhanced energy-saving and weight-reducing insulated panels. It is lighter, more streamlined, and can get down to -7 degrees. The electric cooler works for everything from overlanding and rugged off-grid trips to weekend getaways or simply keeping wine and beer chilled during a backyard summer party.
What It Is
The Dometic CFX5 is an electric cooler, and while it’s in the cooler category, the high-tech cooler shares more in common with a mini-fridge or freezer. It is a small, highly efficient cooler that runs on electricity—AC or DC with an external battery, vehicle battery, or a wall socket. Ironically, I’ve tested non-electric Dometic Coolers before and really liked them, but this was my first foray into electric coolers.
Dometic dubs the CFX5 series the “VIP of electric coolers,” and I’d have to agree based on my experience. This cooler is not necessarily for weekend warriors, as it is for serious off-grid adventures. It is primarily designed for overlanders and vanlifers who are living long-term on the road and need reliable cooling for groceries beyond just beer and hot dogs.
The CFX5 comes in 25L, 35L, 45L, 55L, 75L, and a 95L size. I tested the 35L, which holds up to 50 cans and is easier to carry than some of the larger, heavier sizes. The technology in these coolers does make them heavier than your standard cooler; however, with the weight of ice in other coolers, it may basically be a wash.
Overall Impressions
As far as electric coolers go, this is the best-in-class insulation for all your portable refrigeration needs. When I first plugged the Dometic CFX5 into an outlet in my house after unboxing it, I thought it would take at least an hour to cool down. To my surprise, the cooler reached 38 degrees in about 15 to 20 minutes, highlighting the effectiveness of this cooler.
For my first real test, I took the Dometic on a road trip to Southern Colorado in the summer, where temperatures can reach well over 100, especially inside a truck cab without the AC cranked up. The CFX5 can reach temperatures as low as -7 degrees, and at times, I was struggling to keep my beverages and food from actually freezing despite high temperatures outside.
The cooler works great when plugged into an outlet, but once leaving the confines of a house or hotel room, there are the logistics of how to keep it running off-grid. The easiest way is to hook it up to a vehicle battery. My Toyota truck had no problem powering the cooler while we were on the road, which was most of the day. However, when we arrived at camp and pitched our tent, the truck turned off, and I switched the cooler over to a portable battery pack to keep it chill. The cooler retains its temperature so well that you can leave it unplugged in the heat for a short period of time, and it will remain cold. Overnight, when the temperature drops, that cold retention lasts even longer.
Yet, off the grid with dairy or eggs in the cooler, it needs to stay connected to a power station. I used the PowerCache 1000 Lithium portable power station, which worked ok with the Dometic. At times, it would shut off, so I had to keep an eye on it. I imagine the Dometic PLB 40 lithium battery, designed specifically for this cooler, would work even better.
Key Features and Tech
The Dometic CFX5 Series cools down fast thanks to the energy-saving and weight-reducing Vacuum Insulated Panels or VIP. As a result, the CFX5 is lighter and more streamlined than its predecessors. The VMSO 3.5 compressor is the heart of the CFX5 series, which stands for Variable Motor Speed Optimization. The compressor can automatically adjust its speed in order to provide the ideal cooling temperature. The CFX5 is powered by AC (110-240V), DC (12/24V), or external batteries, which could draw from solar panels. The hi-tech cooler is a 3-stage dynamic battery protection system. This means that the battery can track inbound power and prevent draining a vehicle battery.
The temperature control range for this cooler is impressive, ranging from -7°F (-22 °C) to 68°F (20°C). The battery is so efficient that it requires less power than a 60W light bulb. Speaking of, there is a light in the cooler that comes on when you open it so you can see its contents in the dark. This smaller version is a single zone, compared to a dual zone, in some larger versions, which allows you to have a fridge and freezer in one cooler. The technology in this model is optimized between the interior and exterior walls, maximizing the efficiency of the compressor. The cold air is evenly distributed throughout the cooler with the extended evaporator on the inner walls.
One of the nice features of the Dometic CFX5 is the smartphone app that pairs with it. By downloading the app, you can track energy consumption and monitor temperature with the cooler via Bluetooth from your phone. Like any tech, it can be a little finicky. At times, I had trouble connecting the phone to the cooler, but when it hooked up, it was nice to be able to set the temperature or check the battery of the cooler all from my iPhone. There’s also a USB charger in the cooler to charge a phone as well.
Pros
- Keeps food/drinks cold
- Well built
- Energy efficient
- Free app pairs with cooler
Cons
- Expensive
- Requires a power station to run
Final Verdict
Once you figure out a reliable power source for the Dometic CFX5 series electric cooler, the sky is the limit. You can take this anywhere and not have to stress about keeping ice in the cooler. The new vacuum-insulated panels and VMSO 3.5 compressor make this a very efficient and effective electric cooler. The integrated app and display panel enable you to dial the temperature down to the exact degree you want.
Despite the cost and having to buy a battery in addition, there’s no downside to the CFX5, which is a best-in-class electric cooler for the longest of road trips. The cooler comes with two power cords, one for 12/24V and a 100-240V connection, as well as a built-in bottle opener, USB charging port, and a removable wire basket.
If you are tired of dealing with ice in coolers or are doing extended road or camping trips that require a cooler, then the Dometic CFX5 is a great investment that will pay off in the long run. At the same time, this works equally well for backyard barbecues and picnics at the park.
Why You Should Trust Me
I’ve been testing and reviewing gear as an outdoor writer for more than 20 years. I’ve tested and reviewed everything from coolers and tents to fishing rods and hiking boots. As an outdoor adventure freelance writer, I’ve been published in Men’s Journal, Forbes, SKI Magazine, GearJunkie, 5280 Magazine, American Whiskey Magazine, and Colorado Avid Golfer. I am based in Colorado and cover everything from fly fishing and backcountry skiing to mountain biking, backpacking, and golfing.
