Dometic CFX3 Portable Refrigerator and Freezer with ICE Maker, Powered by AC/DC or Solar

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.

I am in the process of converting my 2014 Honda Odyssey into a camper van. This unit, based upon size, quality, and functionality fits the bill perfectly. Probably a bit pricey, but the quality construction is obvious. Easy to remove this unit from the vehicle and set it on a picnic table when/if desired. Low noise, low power consumption, excellent temperature stability, and the biggest unit that my camper conversion would accommodate. The top of the unit makes a fine workspace or seat within the van.

My boat has a refrigerator and a tiny freezer that only goes to 26 which is pretty much just ice. I purchased this cooler and run it as a freezer at 7 degrees F. Very quiet and makes less sound than my refrigerator. You would have to stand less than a foot away to hear it. I downloaded the app and use Bluetooth to monitor all functions of my freezer on my phone. So far power consumption is almost zero. I have it on 110 V but underway (offshore) I will use 12V. Very happy with my purchase. I also have several Dometic products aboard and perform flawlessly, worth the extra money for excellence.

I’m not a camper or off roader. I purchased the cooler/frig to keep my Mt dews cold all the time in my SUV. My car is black and it gets hot. The cooler/ frig does an awesome job. I also purchased the Dometic battery, which runs the cooler if I don’t drive so much. I will be purchasing a spare battery next week. I want to just have it ready to switch out. I have used yeti coolers and their ice thingys for years . This is so much nicer. I highly recommend it.

Haven’t had the CFX3 25L long, but so far I love it. Compact, quiet, and most importantly cool.Only issues I have are..1.) The WIFI option doesn’t seem to work. It’s supposed to be used in conjunction with an app but the app hasn’t been updated in 8 months. Other Dometic apps on the App Store haven’t been updated in 4-5years. According to the manual I should be able to connect to the cooler using wifi, and I should be able to connect the cooler to my local network. Neither option seems to work. If I turn the cooler’s wifi on I can see it listed in my local networks, I can sign in to it, but that’s it. The wifi light on the cooler doesn't light up and I’m not able to control the cooler using the app. And when I try to use the app to log the cooler into my local network, nothing happens. Something needs to be updated. That’s for sure. With the high cost of these coolers they need to step up their software support.Bluetooth connectivity works fine and at the end of the day I don’t really need Bluetooth or wifi. I don’t mind operating my electric cooler like the cavemen did, but it would be cool to remotely check on the temp.2.) The set temperature fluctuates. I set it at 39F. It dips a little below that on occasion. I don’t really mind that, but over night it dropped down to 34F and when I went to check the set temperature it had readjusted itself to 37F. I can understand the temp not always being 100% correct, but why would the temperature I SET readjust itself?I contacted Dometic and they said “When these cooler are made the are made in Celsius, so it is normal when being operated in Fahrenheit for the cooler to occasionally readjust itself.”The typos are theirs, not mine. So now I’ve changed my temp readout from F to C and set it and 3C. We’ll see if it stays where I set it. As of writing this it’s already dropped to 1C. Seems like the temp dipping below where it’s set is pretty common. Again, I don’t mind it being off by a few degrees on occasion, but once I set the temp, that number shouldn’t change.Other than those 2 small gripes, I think it’s awesome and a very good buy.Have fun out there!UPDATEJust wanted to give an update and provide some info that I find to be incredibly useful.Since changing my cooler display to Celsius from Fahrenheit I haven’t had any more issues regarding the roaming temps.Still no wifi support. I think it’s an app issue. Dometic hasn’t updated the app in 8 months and multiple reviews on the App Store say that since the last update wifi has stopped working.Now for some good news.I’ve been running the Dometic CFX3 25L using a Jackery Explorer 300 and a Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro.I’m no electrician so I won’t try to explain the complexities of AC/DC or what an inverter does but I’ll tell you this.The Dometic comes with both an AC plug (the kind you plug into a regular wall outlet) and a DC plug (the kind you plug into your car’s cigarette lighter thing.Using the Dometic’s AC adapter plugged into the Jackery 300 I was able to run the CFX3 25L for just under 24 hours.Using the Dometic’s AC adapter plugged into the Jackery 1000 Pro I was able to run the CFX3 25L for about 70 hours.In either case the Dometic remained cool for about 5-6 hours after losing power.Here’s where things get really interesting.Using the DC adapter plugged into the Jackery, it basically doubled the Dometic’s runtime.I got about 46 hours out of the Jackery 300 and the 1000 Pro is literally still going. It’s been 76 hours and the battery is at 33% so easily a 4 day run time off of one fully charged Jackery 1000 Pro.Run times will vary depending on your environment/conditions but wow. What a difference.Apparently it has something to do with the extra power consumed when the AC outlets on the Jackery are used. Because an invertor gets involved. E = mc2 and what not.