Dometic CFX3 55IM from Dometic Group AB - portable compressor cooler with built-in ice maker

By Elena Vance, ad hoc news Accessories & Components Desk. Reviewed July 01, 2026, 8:46 AM ET. Details in the imprint.

Dometic CFX3 55IM hums quietly in the back of a dusty crossover, lid snapping shut with a firm click as ice cubes tumble into the removable tray. Out in a Nevada gravel lot, the digital display glows a crisp blue, holding 36°F while the afternoon heat shimmers off the asphalt.

What the CFX3 55IM actually is

The Dometic CFX3 55IM is a 53-liter, 12/24 V DC and 120 V AC portable compressor cooler with an integrated ice maker compartment, positioned for overlanding, RV, and marine use in North America. The unit uses a variable-speed compressor and thick polyurethane insulation to maintain set temperatures from -7°F to +50°F.

According to Dometic’s US product page, the 55IM splits its internal space between the main refrigerated compartment and a dedicated ice maker section with two included silicone ice trays, fed by a rapid-freeze plate when the compressor cycles. The housing uses impact-resistant polymer with reinforced corners, and the lid is top-opening with a rubber gasket for a tight seal.

Power, controls, and build quality

The cooler runs on 12/24 V DC from a vehicle socket or 120 V AC via an included adapter, drawing up to around 60 W at peak and significantly less once the temperature stabilizes, according to Dometic’s published specs. A three-stage battery protection mode lets the user set cut-off thresholds to avoid draining a starter battery below safe levels.

On the front, a high-brightness color display and physical buttons allow temperature setting in 1°F increments, switching between fridge and deep-freeze ranges. Product manager Johan Lundqvist has described the CFX3 series as designed “for real-world off-grid use rather than a picnic,” emphasizing reinforced handles, heavy-duty latches, and corner protection to cope with vibration and rough terrain.

US availability and pricing

In the US, the CFX3 55IM is listed on Dometic’s American webshop and major outdoor retailers, including REI and Camping World. At the time of writing, Dometic’s own site shows a suggested price around $1,100 for the 55IM, with occasional promotional discounts and bundle offers.

Retailers highlight the 55IM’s ice-making feature as the differentiator versus the standard CFX3 55, which offers comparable cooling capacity but lacks the dedicated ice compartment. On REI’s product page, buyer reviews focus on the convenience of cold drinks and ice on multi-day boondocking trips, with several users noting that the unit maintained target temperature reliably in triple-digit desert heat.

How the ice maker works in practice

The integrated ice maker uses a small rapid-freeze plate positioned under the ice tray compartment, cooled by the main compressor when the unit is powered. Once water-filled silicone trays are placed in the compartment, the plate drops their temperature quickly below freezing, typically delivering solid cubes within a few hours depending on ambient heat.

During a recent field demo in Arizona recorded by overlanding YouTuber Matt Scott, the CFX3 55IM produced usable ice roughly overnight while sitting in the back of a pickup, powered by a 12 V outlet. Scott pointed out the audible compressor cycling, but noted that noise levels were low enough not to disturb sleep inside a rooftop tent above the truck bed.

Capacity, layout, and daily use

Internally, the CFX3 55IM offers about 53 liters of gross volume, split by a removable wire basket and the ice compartment. Dometic illustrates in its diagrams that the main section fits roughly 75 cans or a mix of food containers and bottles, depending on layout. The interior walls are smooth plastic, making spills easy to wipe out.

Users can set the unit to fridge-only temperatures for groceries or dial it down into negative Fahrenheit for freezing meat or ice cream. In practice, most overlanders treat it like a fridge and let the ice maker handle cubes in its own compartment, rather than using the entire box as a deep-freeze.

Energy management and off-grid setups

Dometic quotes average power consumption of around 1.0 Ah per hour at 12 V when operating as a fridge at typical temperatures, though actual draw varies widely with ambient heat and how often the lid is opened. For US consumers building off-grid rigs, that translates to compatibility with common 100 Ah AGM or lithium batteries and small solar arrays.

In a technical note, Dometic engineers explain that the CFX3 electronics monitor input voltage and cut power at user-selectable levels, with three battery-protection stages designed to support starter batteries, dual-battery setups, and dedicated house banks. Product specialist Emily Carter from a Utah RV dealer told customers that most complaints about drained batteries stem from incorrect protection settings rather than the cooler’s inherent draw.

CFX3 app and connectivity

The CFX3 55IM includes built-in Bluetooth and, on recent US models, optional Wi-Fi connectivity that links to the Dometic CFX3 app for iOS and Android. Through the app, users can adjust temperature, view remaining battery voltage at the cooler, and receive alerts if the lid is left open or temperature rises unexpectedly.

Dometic’s documentation suggests situating the cooler where the wireless antenna is not blocked by thick metal walls to maintain a stable connection. In a hands-on article, Overland Journal staff noted that the app was most useful on multi-day trips where the cooler sat in the truck bed under a topper, allowing quick status checks from the cab without climbing out.

Position in Dometic’s portfolio

Dometic Group AB frames the CFX3 cooler line as part of its "Mobile Living" accessories segment, alongside awnings, RV climate systems, and sanitation products. The 55IM sits in the mid-size bracket of CFX3 coolers, above the smaller 35 and 45-liter units and below the larger dual-zone 75DZ and 100.

In recent investor presentations, CEO Juan Vargues has pointed to outdoor recreation and overlanding growth in North America as a key demand driver for cooling and power-management products. The CFX3 series, with its mix of AC/DC compatibility and digital controls, fits into Dometic’s push to build recurring accessory revenue beyond OEM RV installations.

Competition and trade-offs

On the US market, the CFX3 55IM competes with portable compressor fridges from brands such as ARB, Engel, and Iceco. Reviewers typically compare noise levels, compressor reliability, insulation, and energy draw rather than pure capacity numbers. The 55IM’s extra ice maker feature often comes with a premium versus standard single-zone units.

Overland Journal’s tests noted that Dometic’s CFX3 coolers were among the more refined in interface and build, but that the ice maker in the 55IM slightly reduces usable fridge volume compared with non-IM variants. For buyers who rarely need ice, the simpler CFX3 55 can be more cost-efficient, while the 55IM appeals to those prioritizing cold drinks and food presentation at camp.

Real-world user experience

From a practical standpoint, the sensory experience matters as much as numbers. On a hot Arizona trailhead, lifting the lid and feeling the burst of chilled air from the CFX3 55IM is a reminder that compressor systems deliver a different quality of cold than traditional ice chests. Cans feel consistently cold, not floating in slushy meltwater.

Among US owners posting on forums, common praise centers on not having to deal with soggy food or buying bags of ice every few days. Critiques include the initial purchase cost and the need to think about power management, especially for drivers with older alternators or minimal battery capacity. Dealer technician Robert Hayes in Colorado told customers that a compact inverter generator or a well-sized solar setup is often the missing piece for comfortable multi-day use.

What this means for investors

For retail investors, the CFX3 55IM itself is a single product, but it showcases Dometic’s strategy: higher-value accessories with electronics and software, aimed at outdoor and RV customers who spend meaningfully per rig. The cooler integrates with Dometic’s broader ecosystem of awnings, cooktops, power systems, and storage, helping the brand stay on the radar even when RV OEM cycles fluctuate.

Shares of Dometic Group AB trade on Nasdaq Stockholm (STO: DOM) in Swedish kronor and there is no US-listed ADR; US investors typically access the stock via foreign brokerage channels.

This article was AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Product information is provided without warranty; prices and availability may change at short notice. Not investment advice and not a buy or sell recommendation. Securities trading carries risks up to total loss.

en | SE0007691613 | DOMETIC GROUP AB | boerse | 69667400 | bgmi