8.0Dometic CFX2 28

Dometic CFX2 28 Review

Solo travelers and couples who want a Dometic-brand car fridge sized to sit on a back seat or between SUV seats, without CFX5 money.

  • 30 qt (28 L)
  • Single zone
  • -7°F to 68°F
  • 29.3 lb
Price tier: Mid-rangeprice tier · see Amazon for today's price

Opens Amazon in a new tab. The button links this exact size.

Our score comes from manufacturer specs, professional reviews, and owner reports. It is not a hands-on lab test.

The verdict

The CFX2 28 is the sensible way into Dometic's ecosystem: a small, well-supported compressor fridge with an app and a long warranty. It lacks the CFX5's vacuum panels, so it is not the efficiency pick, and budget shoppers get similar capacity from BougeRV or Alpicool for a quarter of the price — buy it for the brand, support and warranty.

What we like

  • Compact 28 L footprint (23.6 × 13.6 in) that fits cars where 45 L fridges don't
  • Same −7°F to 68°F range, 3-stage battery protection and Bluetooth app as Dometic's pricier coolers
  • Sold and shipped by Amazon; CFX2 listings carry ~159 reviews at 4.5 stars
  • 5-year limited warranty per Dometic US

Watch out for

  • No vacuum insulation and no published Ah/h figure — expect it to use more energy than a CFX5
  • About $600 for 30 quarts; ICECO's GO20 and BougeRV's 23-quart cost less per quart
  • Only 36 cans of space; a week of food for two won't fit

Score breakdown

Cooling & capacity
8.4
Power efficiency
7.6
Build & features
8.4
Value
7.2

30 qt (28 L) · Single zone · 103 W rated

CFX2 28 specs

BrandDometic
Capacity30 qt (28 L)
LayoutSingle zone
CoolingCompressor (Not published)
Temperature range-7°F to 68°F
Rated input power103 W
Average drawNot published by the maker
Power12/24 V DC + 100–240 V AC (no internal battery)
AC adapter includedYes
Battery protection3-stage
BatteryNo battery
AppBluetooth app
Dimensions23.6 × 13.6 × 16.8 in
Weight29.3 lb
WheelsNo
Warranty5-year limited warranty per Dometic US product page
Price tier$$ Mid-range ($300–$600). See Amazon for today's price.
  • Quart figures for the CFX2 series are converted from Dometic's liter ratings (Dometic markets CFX2 in liters).
  • Rated power is computed from Dometic's 8.6 A at 12 V rating (≈103 W).
  • Dometic does not publish an average Ah/h consumption figure for the CFX2 series on its US pages.
  • We could not load an independent hands-on review of a CFX2 (GearJunkie reviewed the CFX2 45 in Nov 2024 but blocks automated access); scores lean on Dometic's specs and Amazon owner feedback.

Other sizes in this series

Each size is a separate Amazon listing. Prices are typical street prices, not live.

SizeCapacityPrice
CFX2 3739 qtCheck price
CFX2 4548 qtCheck price
CFX2 5760 qtCheck price

Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and independent reviews and may change between production runs. Confirm on the Amazon page before buying.

How long will a battery run the CFX2 28?

Estimated runtime on a 100 Ah LiFePO4 battery (about 90 Ah usable) with the fridge set to 37°F and the lid mostly closed. Dometic doesn't publish an average draw for this model, so these figures are estimated from its size, calibrated on fridges that do publish one, and are rougher than usual.

Outside tempAvg drawPer dayRuntimeSolar to break even*
70°F0.47 Ah/h~130 Wh8.0 days~40 W
85°F0.68 Ah/h~200 Wh5.5 days~50 W
100°F0.89 Ah/h~260 Wh4.2 days~70 W

* With 5 peak sun hours and 25% system losses. Freezer settings, frequent opening and warm food all add load. Try your own battery and weather in the battery runtime calculator.

The Dometic CFX2 28 is a small, single-zone compressor fridge. It holds 28 liters, about 30 quarts, and it’s sized to sit on a back seat, in a footwell or between SUV seats. It gives you Dometic’s −7°F to 68°F range, a Bluetooth app and 3-stage battery protection without CFX5 pricing. It’s aimed at solo travelers and couples who want a name-brand car fridge with a long warranty. Expect to pay about $600–660 on Amazon, and check today’s price. To see whether it fits your trip, try the fridge matcher.

Who the CFX2 28 is for (and who should skip it)

It’s for you if you do day trips, road trips and weekend camping for one or two, and you want a fridge that fits where 45-liter boxes don’t. Its footprint is about 23.6 × 13.6 inches and it weighs about 29 lb empty, so one person can carry it. It’s also a good fit if you value Dometic’s dealer network and warranty more than the lowest price.

Skip it if you’re shopping on value. The BougeRV 23 Quart costs roughly a quarter as much for a similar job, and the ICECO GO20 adds a Secop compressor and a removable dual-zone divider for less. Skip it too if you need room for a week of food, or if you run on a small battery all weekend and want the most efficient fridge possible. For that, a CFX5 is the Dometic to look at. Our best small car fridges roundup covers the whole size class.

Key capabilities

Size and shape. At 28 L it holds about 36 cans. That’s enough for drinks and a couple of days of meals, but not a family’s groceries. The small footprint is the main reason to buy it: it fits cars and crossovers where bigger fridges won’t.

Range. Like Dometic’s pricier models, it’s rated from −7°F to 68°F, so it can work as a true freezer. Because it’s one compartment, you choose between fridge and freezer for the whole box. You can’t split it the way you can with the GO20.

App and battery protection. The Bluetooth app lets you set the temperature and the 3-stage battery protection without reaching into the back seat. The protection setting is what keeps the fridge from draining your starter battery overnight. If you’re not sure which level to pick, see portable fridge battery protection settings.

What it lacks. There’s no vacuum insulation. Dometic doesn’t publish the compressor model or an average-draw figure for the CFX2. We couldn’t load an independent hands-on review of any CFX2 size either, so this review relies on Dometic’s specs and Amazon owner feedback.

Power and practical use

Without a published Ah/h figure, we estimate the CFX2 28 at about 216 Wh a day at 90°F outside and 37°F inside. That comes from our size-based formula, not a measurement. The formula doesn’t account for insulation quality, so we expect the CFX2 to land at or above that figure rather than below it. At that rate, a 100 Ah LiFePO4 battery (about 90 Ah usable) runs it for several days. A small power station with a 12 V outlet gets you through a night or two. Plug in your own battery in the battery runtime calculator to check.

Its peak input is about 103 W, based on Dometic’s 8.6 A rating at 12 V. Compressor fridges cycle on and off, though, so average draw is far lower. The AC cable is in the box. Cool it on AC the night before so the car doesn’t have to handle the first pull-down.

Reliability and warranty

Amazon sells and ships the CFX2 28 directly. The CFX2 listings together show about 159 reviews at 4.5 stars. That’s a good sign, though it’s a modest sample compared with budget fridges that have thousands of reviews. Dometic US lists a 5-year limited warranty on the product page. That’s longer than ICECO’s 1 year on non-compressor parts and much longer than most budget brands. As with any Dometic bought on Amazon, confirm the warranty terms with Dometic and register the fridge.

Bottom line

The CFX2 28 is the sensible way into Dometic’s lineup: a small, well-supported compressor fridge with an app and a long warranty, for about $600. It isn’t the efficiency pick, since it lacks the CFX5’s vacuum panels. It isn’t the value pick either, since budget shoppers get similar capacity from BougeRV or the Alpicool C20 for far less. Buy it for the brand, the support and the warranty, and pick a bigger CFX2 size if 30 quarts feels tight. Not sure about size? Read what size portable fridge do I need. Check the current price before you buy.

Ready to buy? · 8.0/10Dometic CFX2 28Price tier: Mid-range · 30 qt (28 L) · Single zone
Check price on Amazon

Accessories for the CFX2 28

Official and universal add-ons sold on Amazon — insulated covers, batteries, 12V wiring and mounting gear. Check the listing confirms your exact model and size before you buy.

  • Battery & power
    LiTime 12V 100Ah LiFePO4 Battery (Group 31)Universal fit

    About 1,280 Wh of lithium storage, enough to run an efficient 45-quart fridge for several days. This is the usual dual-battery or house-battery upgrade for overlanding rigs.

  • Battery & power
    EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus Portable Power Station (286Wh)Universal fit

    A compact power station with a 12 V car outlet, enough for a night or two on a small fridge. It recharges from the car or solar during the day.

  • Battery & power
    Anker SOLIX C300 DC Power Station (288Wh)Universal fit

    A budget DC-only power bank with a 12 V car socket. It keeps a small compressor fridge running overnight while the engine is off.

  • 12V wiring
    26 ft 14AWG Heavy-Duty 12V Extension Cord (20A)Universal fit

    Heavy 14AWG wire avoids the voltage drop that makes fridges trip their low-battery cut-off when run from the front socket to the back of an SUV or truck bed.

  • 12V wiring
    16.4 ft 12V/24V Car Fridge DC Power CordUniversal fit

    A longer replacement for the short DC cord most fridges ship with, so the fridge can sit in the cargo area while plugged into a dash socket. Fridge-end plugs differ by brand: confirm the connector matches your model before ordering.

  • 12V wiring
    Anderson Power Products SB50 Connector Kit (6 AWG)Universal fit

    The standard overlanding connector for a fused, high-current fridge circuit. It is far more secure than a cigarette-lighter plug on washboard roads.

  • 12V wiring
    Renogy 12V 20A DC-to-DC Battery ChargerUniversal fit

    Charges a second battery from the alternator while you drive and isolates it from the starter battery, so the fridge can never leave you unable to start the engine.

  • Solar
    FlexSolar 100W Portable Solar PanelUniversal fit

    A 100 W foldable panel sized for the built-in solar inputs on the Anker EverFrost 2 (100 W max), EcoFlow Glacier Classic (110 W) and BougeRV CRD2 (150 W). Check that the panel's connector or adapter matches your fridge or power station's solar input.

  • Solar
    Renogy 200W Solar Suitcase with 20A Charge ControllerUniversal fit

    It has its own charge controller, so it can top up a 12 V lithium or AGM house battery directly, with no power station needed.

  • Solar
    EcoFlow 220W Bifacial Portable Solar PanelUniversal fit

    A bifacial panel that plugs straight into EcoFlow RIVER and DELTA power stations. It is a good match if your fridge runs from an EcoFlow.

Compatibility checked October 2026. More in our portable fridge accessories guide.

CFX2 28 FAQ

How many quarts is the Dometic CFX2 28?
Dometic rates it at 28 liters, which converts to about 30 quarts. That's about 36 cans. It's enough for a weekend for one or two people, but a week of food for two won't fit.
How much power does the CFX2 28 use?
Dometic doesn't publish an average Ah/h figure for the CFX2 series on its US pages. Based on its size, we estimate about 216 Wh a day at 90°F outside and 37°F inside. That's our estimate, not a measurement. The CFX2 lacks the CFX5's vacuum insulation, so real-world use may be higher.
What's the difference between the CFX2 and the CFX5?
Both share the −7°F to 68°F range, 3-stage battery protection and a Bluetooth app. The CFX5 adds vacuum-insulated panels and a variable-speed compressor, and Dometic publishes average-draw figures for it. It also costs a lot more: the smallest CFX5, the 25, is about $900.
Can I run it on AC at home?
Yes. It runs on 12/24 V DC or 100–240 V AC. Cooling it down at home the night before a trip saves your vehicle battery a long pull-down.

Sources

Not sold yet?

Alternatives to the CFX2 28

Compare all 14 fridges →