The Dometic CFX2 45 Portable Fridge/Freezer is our best powered cooler for car camping pick, and it scored 82 out of 100 in our testing.
A real compressor fridge freezer that never needs ice, ideal for car camping with power, though it is expensive and needs a battery or shore power.
A powered 45 liter fridge freezer that chills to minus 7 degrees and runs off AC or DC, removing the ice question entirely for car campers.
Now:
We tested it head to head against the other top coolers, and below we break down how it did on Value for Money, Ease of Use, Durability/Workmanship, Portability, Insulation, where it falls short, and whether it is worth your money.
Table of Contents
Best Powered Cooler For Car Camping
Dometic CFX2 45 Portable Fridge/Freezer
- Capacity: 45 L, about 60 cans
- Weight: about 45 lb
- Temp range: minus 7 to 68 F
- Power: 12 or 24V DC, 100 to 240V AC
- Compressor: VMSO3
- Control: LED panel, Bluetooth app
- Extras: USB port, interior LED
- Cords: AC and DC included
Bottom Line : A real compressor fridge freezer that never needs ice, ideal for car camping with power, though it is expensive and needs a battery or shore power.
Pros
- Never needs ice
- Freezes to minus 7 degrees
- Battery protection built in
- App and LED control
Cons
- Very expensive
- Needs a power source
- Heavy at about 45 lb
Our Verdict: Dometic CFX2 45 Portable Fridge/Freezer
A real compressor fridge freezer that never needs ice, ideal for car camping with power, though it is expensive and needs a battery or shore power.
A powered 45 liter fridge freezer that chills to minus 7 degrees and runs off AC or DC, removing the ice question entirely for car campers.
What's the bottom line?
It does not rely on insulation for cold, an active compressor holds any set temperature indefinitely with power.
Adjustable range runs from minus 7 to 68 degrees, so it can freeze as well as chill.
Cold drinks all week with zero ice runs was a revelation on an overland trip. It is heavy, it is pricey, and you live and die by your battery, so it only makes sense if you camp off the truck.
James, Top-Notch field tester
Reasons to buy:
- Never needs ice
- Freezes to minus 7 degrees
- Battery protection built in
- App and LED control
Reasons to avoid:
- Very expensive
- Needs a power source
- Heavy at about 45 lb
Our Analysis, Comparisons, and Test Results
The Dometic CFX2 45 Portable Fridge/Freezer scored 82 out of 100 overall.
It is strongest on insulation and weakest on value for money.
Here is how it did on every metric we tested, with exactly how each score compares to the rest of the field.
Value for Money
The most expensive unit here by a wide margin, priced as a fridge not a cooler.
You need a power source too, a car socket, battery pack or shore power.
Worth it only if you camp with power and want fridge or freezer temperatures, not for casual use.
| Value for Money | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| Dometic CFX2 45 Portable Fridge/Freezer | 5/10 |
| Category average | 7.8/10 |
| Worst in test | 5/10 |
Ease of Use
LED control panel shows set and actual temperature plus battery stats, with a USB charge port.
A Bluetooth app monitors and controls the unit, and an interior LED lights the contents.
But here is the catch:
Latched lid opens from either short side and comes with both AC and DC cords in the box.
| Ease of Use | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| Dometic CFX2 45 Portable Fridge/Freezer | 8/10 |
| Category average | 8.6/10 |
| Worst in test | 8/10 |
Durability/Workmanship
Polypropylene body has reinforced corners and stout foldable ABS handles at each end.
The VMSO3 compressor is proven and quiet, close to the pricier CFX3 in ruggedness.
Built for van life and long road trips rather than being thrown around like a hard cooler.
| Durability/Workmanship | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| Dometic CFX2 45 Portable Fridge/Freezer | 8/10 |
| Category average | 8.5/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Portability
It weighs about 45 lb and needs a two hand carry by the end handles.
Portability is limited by both weight and the need for a nearby power source.
This is a car camping and overlanding unit, not something you carry far from the vehicle.
| Portability | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| Dometic CFX2 45 Portable Fridge/Freezer | 6/10 |
| Category average | 7.4/10 |
| Worst in test | 5/10 |
Insulation
It does not rely on insulation for cold, an active compressor holds any set temperature indefinitely with power.
Adjustable range runs from minus 7 to 68 degrees, so it can freeze as well as chill.
A three stage battery protection system stops it draining the car or house battery.
The compressor uses about 85 percent less power than a 60 watt bulb, sipping battery for fridge duty.
| Insulation | Rating |
|---|---|
| Best in test | 10/10 |
| Dometic CFX2 45 Portable Fridge/Freezer | 10/10 |
| Category average | 8.7/10 |
| Worst in test | 6/10 |
Should You Buy the Dometic CFX2 45 Portable Fridge/Freezer?
A real compressor fridge freezer that never needs ice, ideal for car camping with power, though it is expensive and needs a battery or shore power.
It is best suited to car campers and overlanders with power who want a real fridge freezer.
Want to know the best part?
The big win: Never needs ice.
The main compromise: Very expensive.
We scored it 82 out of 100.
What Other Coolers Should You Consider?
Not sold on this one? A few others from our testing are worth a look.
The YETI Tundra 65 Hard Cooler is our best cooler for camping overall. The bench mark rotomolded camp cooler with real multi day cold, but you pay a premium and it is heavy to carry.
The Pelican 70 Quart Elite Cooler is our best rugged rotomolded cooler. One of the toughest and coldest coolers here with a lifetime guarantee, but it is heavy and the drain plug leash is a weak spot.
The ENGEL 60 QT Ultra-Light Cooler is our best lightweight cooler for long trips. Injection molded so it is far lighter than rotomolded rivals while still holding ice most of a week, a smart pick for longer carries.
Specifications
| Capacity | 45 L, about 60 cans |
| Weight | about 45 lb |
| Temp range | minus 7 to 68 F |
| Power | 12 or 24V DC, 100 to 240V AC |
| Compressor | VMSO3 |
| Control | LED panel, Bluetooth app |
| Extras | USB port, interior LED |
| Cords | AC and DC included |
Conclusion: Dometic CFX2 45 Portable Fridge/Freezer
After testing it against the other top coolers, the Dometic CFX2 45 Portable Fridge/Freezer earns its place as our best powered cooler for car camping pick.
Its standout strength: Never needs ice.
So:
The main thing to weigh before you buy: Very expensive.
If you want car campers and overlanders with power who want a real fridge freezer, it belongs at the top of your shortlist.
Still comparing? See exactly where the Dometic CFX2 45 Portable Fridge/Freezer ranks against the full field in our 10 Best Coolers For Camping guide.
