Best Dometic Portable Fridges / Freezers
Dometic CFX Series
- Capacity28.2L, 34.5L, 41L, 50L, 53L, 65L, 75L, 95L and 100L
Our Waeco fridge from the caravan is now in the garbage tip at Grawin opal field after failing on our last trip. The Waeco fridge in our ute also … Read more
let us down a couple of years ago. Our waeco power supply also ended up at a dump after numerous issues. I have a Bushman fridge in the Ute now and am buying an Engel for the caravan and won’t be touching Waeco/ Dometic products again.
Dometic Cool-Ice
- Capacity13L, 22L, 33L, 43L, 46L, 71L, 86L, 87L and 111L
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When I travel to go camping, I cover the cooler in an old doona I purchased in an opshop, for added insulation, and when I have set up camp, again… Read more
cover with a doona. I make a point to open it a minimum number of times. As the ice melts, make sure nothing is getting drenched, and keep the chilly water for as long as possible. If you drain the cold water, there is more space than needs to be cooled by the remaining ice. With a little knowledge about the way a esky/chilly bin, cooler works, can have a wonderful camping experience. This is an excellent product. Hygienic and easy to clean. Has a handy drain.
Dometic CFF 45
- Price (RRP) $899
- Capacity43.5L
The only good thing about this fridge is the lid and the fact you can stand bottles upright in it. The quality of this fridge is non existent in… Read more
terms of actually functioning how it should. I brought mine back in Oct 2021 at BCF for $499. The thermostate went in it first, after owning it for 12months. Than in Oct 2023, there was a 12v failure. Which turned out to be a compressor fault according to the dometic technician. The fridge was replaced under warranty with a brand new one. 12months pass on and the same thing occurs with this replacement fridge, thermostat issue. The fridge would be set to 5C but the temperature would read -17C. It wasn't freezing the items inside so it was a issue with the screen but dometic techician said it was because the settings weren't set to low.... Another 12months pass and yet another 12v failure. I would pre chill the fridge on 240v. Trickle charge the 2nd battery for 24-48hrs before hitting the road to Melb (over christmas). Turn the car on and connect the fridge to the 2nd battery and it would run. Drive for 3hrs south and the fridge would randomly turn off. Even with the ute running and charging the 2nd battery, the fridge would still not kick over. The compressor would go to engage but nothing would happen. Except an orange light every 5 seconds. A whole fridge of food gone to waste. I was not happy. We continue to drive for another 4hrs and arrive at our campspot. Open up the tool box and the fridge is running. It continued to run fine for the rest of the 2wk trip. The one thing I noticed though. It was drawing from 5.2-7amps when the compressor would engage. alot more than what is rated in the specifications. The final straw. Another camping trip away, pre chilled the fridge and trickle charged the 2nd battery before we set off. Fridge connected and ran fine. But on day 2 of the trip away, the compressor refused to engage. Despite 12.8v reading. Even connected the solar up and the fridge would try to start up but it would go from 13.2v down to 10.9v and draw 6.8-7amps which would disengage to protect the battery. Now whether its a battery issue (AGM Kickass 120ah brough in 2021 Dec - 4.3yrs old) or a fridge, who knows. But I am done with dometic. For how often we use it over 12months is a joke for it qaulity.
Would I recommend Dometic - no way. There is better products out there. If you have a waeco, hand on to it.
Dometic CFX3 45
- Capacity46L
Well Made fridge - functions well – Replaced Evakool 50L fridge with the Dometic - Evakool died because of a $20 thermistor that the Manufacturer doesn't supply any more (check back up… Read more
spares for a fridge before you buy). Have only had it a few weeks but so far its brilliant - easy to use, well constructed and very functional - reasonably quiet, internal LED light and good layout internally - is electronic control with Phone app and WIFI connectible, which both work well - I use the Android Bluetooth app and it works well. Is supplied with 12v / 24v cable and 240 cable - it runs on dual power, not just 12v with adapter - I like that it current draw on 12v is just a shade over 1 amp (good) and the compressor runs fairly quietly - it seems to hold its temperature very well (though I haven't tested in extreme heat yet) - the fridge comes with a well constructed cover - its not cheap, list is about $209 but I got mine for $159 (shop around) - the cover is excellent build quality though and offers very good protection and insulation for the fridge. The fridge only needs 50mm clearance around it when operating (unlike some other fridges). The weight of the fridge because of the plastic construction is about 18kg (45L fridge) against the Engel 40L fridge at about 24Kg which was a deal breaker for me - I know the Engel comes with a good reputation but the Dometic is not far behind it in all respects (and is a fair bit less expensive as well). The handles are also very strong, very functional and well made. The only thing that made me think a little was a lot of reviewers for Dometic fridges when they had faults did not speak very well of Dometic customer service - I haven't experienced any customer service with Dometic because its a new fridge - it seems to be common theme though - my old Evakool only needed a thermistor ($20 item) but had to throw an otherwise good fridge away because the Supplier discontinued the part (designed obsolescence to make you buy a new fridge)
PROS: > Well constructed - plastic outer but well made > Handles are good - spring loaded to tuck away when not in use > Dual power - 12/24v and 240v > Simple operating controls > Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connect > Neat interior, dual baskets, LED light > Reasonably quite operation > Requires minimal clearance around cabinet to operate (50mm min) > Reasonable weight (18kg) for 45 litre fridge
CONS: Haven't found any yet - will update if I do
Dometic CFX3 95DZ
I would not touch another Dometic product of ANY sort. Bought a Dometic Fridge Freezer (Top of the Range) as reliability was key due to medical… Read more
emergencies etc. Bearing in mind this unit was only used periodically. It lasted bang on 3 yrs (warranty period 3yrs). Do you think that Dometic were interested in my situation?? NO. Not in the least!!. Was told “your Fridge Freezer has broken down and is not repairable….. Sorry about that. So $2,100 + $300 for cover + accessories. All worth nothing now!!. Two other friends have had an identical experience and would never touch another Dometic product. Poor form Dometic.
Dometic CFF70DZ
- Capacity70L
Stopped working 18 months after purchase in the middle of a holiday 100kms from nearest town – Disappointed - not a fuse problem or battery voltage problem - just stopped working and wouldn't turn on 4 days into an 8 day holiday. Tried it back… Read more
home - worked for a week then turned off - rested it for a day - turned on for a few more days - then off again - getting it fixed under warranty is at least something. Though hard to regain my confidence in the product reliability or Dometic brand at all
Dometic CFX3 75DZ
- Price (RRP) $2,099
- Capacity75L
Not as reliable as they say – Purchased 2020, Repaired under warranty two times, not sure what was done but both times would not get down to temperature. Since then temperature… Read more
accuracy has been terrible, and I have installed a seperate thermometer to see the correct temperature. Another issue is everytime I turn it off for a while and start it up, the rear lid keeps popping open on its own accord. Have to clamp it down for several days for it to stay locked. And now, the temperature reading has gone beserk. Front compartment is showing 6 degrees, Set Temperature is 4 degress and the actual is 0 degrees, Rear compartment is showing 34 degrees, set temperature is -18 degrees and the actual temperature is -9 degrees. Seems everytime we go away on extended holidays it plays up. Update And now the display has an error message "warning12". I have it in with a repairer at the moment, so far they have replaced a "demister part" and it still is not working properly, so they are changing the "compressor module" which alone is $350. I think it going to cost over $500 to repair at this stage. and that does fix the lid.