Electric Cooler Buying Guide

From the versatile CFX2 to the advanced CFX5, our electric coolers are designed to meet your needs—whether you're hosting a backyard BBQ or embarking on an overlanding adventure. To help you find the perfect cooler for your lifestyle, we’ve created this comprehensive buying guide.

Top‑down view of an open Dometic CFX5 compressor cooler filled with canned drinks, placed on a rocky beach with fishing gear nearby.

Powerfully cold. No ice required.

Choosing the right electric cooler

Thermoelectric, compressor, passive—which cooler is right for me?

  • For day trips when you want to keep food hot or cold, choose a thermoelectric cooler

  • For extended trips with a power source available, choose a CFX compressor cooler

  • For mid-length trips without power options, choose an ice pack-cooled passive cooler

See the chart below to choose the best Dometic powered cooler for your needs.

Cooler buyer’s guide comparing compressor coolers, thermoelectric coolers and passive coolers across cooling performance, power source, energy efficiency, noise level and ideal use

Meet Dometic Powered Coolers

Shop Compressor Coolers [7]

Dometic CFX5 25

Dometic CFX5 25

Performance Compressor Cooler, 25L

Dometic CFX5 35

Dometic CFX5 35

Performance Compressor Cooler, 36L

Dometic CFX5 45

Dometic CFX5 45

Performance Compressor Cooler, 46L

Dometic CFX5 55

Dometic CFX5 55

Performance Compressor Cooler, 55L

Dometic CFX5 55IM

Dometic CFX5 55IM

Performance Compressor Cooler, 55L

Dometic CFX5 75DZ

Dometic CFX5 75DZ

Performance Dual-Zone Compressor Cooler, 75L

Dometic CFX5 95DZ

Dometic CFX5 95DZ

Performance Dual-Zone Compressor Cooler, 94L

Shop thermoelectric coolers [5]

New
Dometic DTE26 Cooler

Dometic DTE26 Cooler

Thermoelectric cooler that chills and heats, 26L

Dometic TropiCool TCX 07

Dometic TropiCool TCX 07

Portable thermoelectric cooler, 7 l

Dometic TropiCool TCX 14

Dometic TropiCool TCX 14

Portable thermoelectric cooler, 15 l

Dometic TropiCool TCX 21

Dometic TropiCool TCX 21

Portable thermoelectric cooler, 21 l

Dometic TropiCool TCX 35

Dometic TropiCool TCX 35

Portable thermoelectric cooler, 33 l

FAQs

What is an electric cooler?

An electric—or powered—cooler achieves low temperatures using a compressor or thermoelectric current. No ice is required, but access to a power source is.

Why would I want one?

Cooling without ice is more convenient, reliable, and cleaner. Temperatures ranging from -22oC to +20oC can be achieved using less power than a 60W light bulb.

How do I power my cooler?

Powered coolers are high-tech coolers with a compressor and other mechanical components. These coolers hook up to an energy source, 12V DC (vehicle) or 110V AC (home), and then use that energy to power the mechanical components that chill their contents.

Will a Dometic powered cooler drain my car battery?

Dometic power coolers have battery protection software that actively monitors inbound power usage and will turn the cooler off if it senses low voltage from your car's battery. No need to worry about a dead car battery and bringing your powered cooler on your next road trip.

What size powered cooler should I buy?

Smaller than you think. Ice-free powered coolers let you use the entire capacity for food and drinks. For a multiday camping trip—where you’d normally need a 100L cooler—50-75L should do.