Dometic’s new CFX5 portable fridges have us rethinking our beloved Yeti coolers

Lighter, more compact, and more efficient — it's Dometic's best-ever series of portable fridges

By Mike Richard Published December 26, 2024

Young woman removing fresh herbs from a Dometic CFX5 series electric cooler. — Dometic

Dometic already set us down the boujee path of ditching our precious Pelican and Yeti coolers in favor of portable fridges (or “electric coolers,” if you like) for overlanding and car camping. Now, the company is upping the ante yet again with its premium CFX5 lineup.

The CFX5 series is the big brother to Dometic’s existing CFX2 line of budget-friendly portable fridges. That means it is more expensive, but it’s also better in every way. According to the brand, the biggest upgrade is in the use of Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIP), a technology that reduces weight and saves energy. Translation: Lighter, more efficient fridges. VIPs allow Dometic to use thinner insulated panels, which cut the bulk and to make its latest and greatest fridges even more compact.

Dometic CFX5 55IM portable fridge/electric cooler isolated on a plain studio background — Dometic

Dometic is also touting a much-improved compressor. The new VMSO 3.5 (that’s “variable motor speed optimization”) auto adjusts its output to maintain the desired temperature. That means it only works as hard as it has to conserve energy and provide a more consistent interior temp.

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Other features exclusive to the CFX5 series include a high-res color display, an alert when the lid isn’t closed properly, and an 18-watt QC 3.0 USB port for fast charging your smaller tech gadgets without wasting the otherwise used port on your portable power station.

The Dometic CFX5 series portable fridge is available right now via REI and directly from Dometic . It’s available in five sizes, including the entry-level, 25-liter option ($800 MSRP) and the flagship 95DZ — a 95-liter monster with dual-zone fridge/freezer capabilities for $1,400.

From REI From Dometic

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Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…

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A sweeping view of Grand Canyon on a winter morning

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A Torsus Praetorian Liberra off-road RV parked in a desolate landscape.

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Everything we know about the Torsus Praetorian Liberra off-road RV

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Score your own Torsus Praetorian Liberra off-road RV

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