# ICECO VL45 ProS vs Dometic CFX5 55IM (2026) > ICECO VL45 ProS vs Dometic CFX5 55IM: a $749 Secop-powered steel fridge against a $1,200 Dometic with an ice maker. - Source: https://portablefridgeguide.com/posts/iceco-vl45-pros-vs-dometic-cfx5-55im/ - Markdown version: https://portablefridgeguide.com/posts/iceco-vl45-pros-vs-dometic-cfx5-55im.md - Last updated: 2026-10-30 --- - [Home](https://portablefridgeguide.com/) - [Guides](https://portablefridgeguide.com/guides/) - ICECO VL45 ProS vs Dometic CFX5 55IM: Is the Dometic Worth $450 More? Head-to-head # ICECO VL45 ProS vs Dometic CFX5 55IM: Is the Dometic Worth $450 More? Updated October 30, 2026 By [Portable Fridge Guide Editorial Team](https://portablefridgeguide.com/about/) [How we research](https://portablefridgeguide.com/how-we-research/) Prices are approximate and change often, so check the current price before you buy. ## Key takeaways - The ICECO costs about **$749**, the Dometic about **$1,200**. That $450 gap would buy a 100 Ah lithium battery with money left over. - The **VL45 ProS** wins on value, ruggedness (steel body, Secop compressor rated for a 40° tilt), owner reviews and its OEM slide mount. - The **CFX5 55IM** wins on insulation, app control, a deeper freeze (−7°F vs 0°F), an ice maker, about 10 extra quarts and 7.6 lb less weight, plus a 5-year whole-unit warranty from Dometic US. - Independent power data favors the Dometic platform: OutdoorGearLab measured a CFX5 45 at 6.8 W steady state. Gnomad Home measured ICECO's smaller VL35 ProS at 1.76 A average in real camping use. ## Our top picks - 1![ICECO VL45 ProS](https://portablefridgeguide.com/_astro/iceco-vl45-pros.U52_rgcm_Z2abVT8.webp)Our pick for most people: Secop compressor, steel body, about $749[ICECO VL45 ProS](https://portablefridgeguide.com/fridges/iceco-vl45-pros/)47.5 qt · Single zone · Down to 0°F · 52 lb8.4**$$$**$PremiumPrice tier: Premium[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZSSN6N1?tag=portablefridgeguide.com-20) - 2![Dometic CFX5 55IM](https://portablefridgeguide.com/_astro/dometic-cfx5-55im.o-0urYYK_ZxTsDj.webp)Choose for vacuum insulation, an app, a −7°F floor and an ice maker[Dometic CFX5 55IM](https://portablefridgeguide.com/fridges/dometic-cfx5-55im/)58 qt · Single zone · Down to -7°F · 44.4 lb8.4**$$$$**FlagshipPrice tier: Flagship[Check price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DVLZL61N?tag=portablefridgeguide.com-20) - 3![Dometic CFX2 28](https://portablefridgeguide.com/_astro/dometic-cfx2-28.Bz2GQsx7_Z2pSPJl.webp)Want Dometic for less? A smaller CFX2 with app and 5-year warranty[Dometic CFX2 28](https://portablefridgeguide.com/fridges/dometic-cfx2-28/)30 qt · Single zone · Down to -7°F · 29.3 lb8.0**$$**$$Mid-rangePrice tier: Mid-range[Check price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DF81CFPP?tag=portablefridgeguide.com-20) ### On this page 8 sections - [The specs, side by side](#the-specs-side-by-side) - [Where the ICECO wins](#where-the-iceco-wins) - [Where the Dometic wins](#where-the-dometic-wins) - [Power in practice](#power-in-practice) - [Accessories that change the comparison](#accessories-that-change-the-comparison) - [Which one should you buy?](#which-one-should-you-buy) - [Verdict](#verdict) - [FAQ](#faq) ## Before you choose - [The 7 Best Portable Fridges of 2026: 12V Fridges Ranked by Trip, Power and Budget](https://portablefridgeguide.com/posts/best-portable-fridges-2026/) - [The Best Portable Fridge for Overlanding in 2026: Rugged 12V Fridges, Slides and Power](https://portablefridgeguide.com/posts/best-portable-fridge-for-overlanding/) - [How to Choose a Portable Fridge: The 8 Decisions That Matter](https://portablefridgeguide.com/posts/how-to-choose-a-portable-fridge/) The [ICECO VL45 ProS](https://portablefridgeguide.com/fridges/iceco-vl45-pros/) is our best overall portable fridge: a steel-bodied 45-liter fridge with a Secop compressor for about $749. The [Dometic CFX5 55IM](https://portablefridgeguide.com/fridges/dometic-cfx5-55im/) is Dometic’s best-insulated single-zone fridge on Amazon, with a built-in ice maker, for about $1,200. Both are serious fridges for car camping, overlanding and vans. The question is whether the Dometic’s extras are worth about $450. We compare them below. One note: the CFX5 45 would be the closer size match, but Amazon only offered it used when we checked, so the 55IM is the CFX5 you can buy new there. ## The specs, side by side | | [ICECO VL45 ProS](https://portablefridgeguide.com/fridges/iceco-vl45-pros/) | [Dometic CFX5 55IM](https://portablefridgeguide.com/fridges/dometic-cfx5-55im/) | | --- | --- | --- | | Price (Amazon) | About $749 | About $1,200 | | Capacity | 47.5 qt (45 L) | 58 qt (55 L) | | Zones | 1 | 1, plus an ice maker | | Temperature range | 0°F to 50°F | −7°F to 68°F | | Compressor | Secop (Danfoss), model not published | Dometic VMSO3.5 variable-speed | | Insulation | Not specified | Vacuum insulated panels | | Rated power | 45 W (Max mode, ICECO manual) | About 102 W (8.5 A at 12 V) | | Published average draw | None | 1.55 Ah/h at 90°F, with the ice maker running | | Independent power data | VL35 ProS (sibling): 1.76 A average in real-world camping | CFX5 45 (same platform): 6.8 W steady state | | Our estimate at 90°F outside, 37°F inside (fridge only) | About 280 Wh/day | About 310 Wh/day | | Battery protection | 3-level | 3-stage dynamic | | App | None | Bluetooth | | Power inputs | 12/24 V DC (both ends) + built-in AC converter | 12/24 V DC + 100–240 V AC cables | | Dimensions | 28.1 × 15.9 × 18.1 in | 28.35 × 17.91 × 18.9 in | | Weight (empty) | 52 lb | 44.4 lb | | Warranty | 5 years compressor, 1 year other parts | 5-year limited (Dometic US; Amazon says 2) | | Amazon reviews | About 135 (4.7 stars) | About 25 (3.9 stars) | | Our score | 8.4 | 8.4 | Our daily energy estimates come from capacity, so the bigger Dometic shows a higher number. They aren’t measurements, and they ignore the Dometic’s better insulation. ## Where the ICECO wins Value. It costs about $450 less. The VL45 ProS plus its [insulated cover](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DMZHDRHR?tag=portablefridgeguide.com-20) (about $119) and [OEM slide mount](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089QBMR7L?tag=portablefridgeguide.com-20) (about $269) still comes in under the price of the Dometic alone. Or put the difference toward a [100 Ah LiFePO4 battery](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJ78JZ2B?tag=portablefridgeguide.com-20) at about $302. Built for rough roads. The body is steel with corner bumpers, and ICECO says its Secop compressor keeps working at a 40° tilt. ICECO’s manual also rates the fridge to operate in air up to [131°F](https://nomadicsupply.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/iceco-vl354560-pros-manual-book.pdf). The ICECO slide mount is made for this fridge, which is a big part of why it’s our pick for [overlanding](https://portablefridgeguide.com/posts/best-portable-fridge-for-overlanding/). Flexible to install. The lid opens from either side or lifts off, there are DC sockets on both ends, and the AC converter is built in, so there’s no power brick to lose. Owner record. About 135 Amazon reviews at 4.7 stars, against about 25 at 3.9 for the CFX5 55IM. The Dometic’s reviews mix praise with complaints about temperature control. ## Where the Dometic wins Insulation and efficiency. The CFX5 uses vacuum insulated panels. No one has published a hands-on test of the 55IM, but OutdoorGearLab’s test of the [CFX5 45](https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/camping-and-hiking/powered-cooler/dometic-cfx5-45), which shares the same panels and compressor, is among the best results we’ve seen. It held 34.7°F when set to 35°F, chilled warm cans to 35°F in half an hour, and used just 41 Wh over six hours. The ICECO’s best data comes from a sibling. Gnomad Home ran the smaller [VL35 ProS](https://gnomadhome.com/iceco-vl35-pros-review/) for 123 hours of early-fall camping, packed full and opened several times a day. It averaged 1.76 A, about 508 Wh a day. ICECO’s own lab figure for that model is 430 Wh a day. Those were real camping conditions rather than a lab, so the numbers aren’t directly comparable with OutdoorGearLab’s. Even so, Gnomad found the ProS line drew more than ICECO’s older VL fridges. If you run from a battery for days, the Dometic’s insulation is its strongest argument. Deeper freeze and an ice maker. The Dometic goes to −7°F, the ICECO to 0°F. The 55IM also has a rapid-freeze plate. Dometic says it makes ice in about 2.5 hours in air up to 90°F while the main compartment runs as a fridge. The compressor runs flat out while it does, so switch it off when you don’t need ice. App control. Bluetooth monitoring, lid-open alerts and energy tracking. The ICECO has no app. More space, less weight. About 10 more quarts in a box only 0.25 in longer, though it’s 2 in wider and 0.8 in taller. Despite that, it weighs 44.4 lb against 52 lb for the ICECO. Warranty. Dometic US lists a 5-year limited warranty on the whole fridge. The Amazon listing says 2 years, so register with Dometic. ICECO covers the compressor for 5 years and everything else for 1. ## Power in practice By our estimate at 90°F outside, a 100 Ah lithium battery with about 90 Ah usable runs the VL45 ProS for about 94 hours and the CFX5 55IM for about 83 hours in fridge-only mode. Those figures come from capacity, so they don’t reflect the Dometic’s insulation advantage or Gnomad’s higher real-world reading for the ICECO line. Making ice adds more. Dometic’s published 1.55 Ah per hour with the ice maker running would empty the same battery in about 58 hours. How long a battery runs a 45-quart fridge Estimated hours with no recharging, fridge set to 37°F, lid mostly closed. Based on Dometic's published 1.03 Ah/h for the CFX3 45 at 90°F, scaled by temperature. | Battery | 70°F outside | 85°F outside | 100°F outside | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 100 Ah AGM / lead-acid | 3.1 days | 2.1 days | 39 hr | | 50 Ah LiFePO4 | 2.8 days | 46 hr | 35 hr | | 100 Ah LiFePO4 | 5.6 days | 3.8 days | 2.9 days | | 1,000 Wh power station | 4.4 days | 3.0 days | 2.3 days | Usable capacity: lead-acid/AGM 50%, LiFePO4 90%, power station 85%. At 85°F the same fridge needs roughly 80 W of solar with 5 peak sun hours to break even. Your fridge, your settings: [run the calculator](https://portablefridgeguide.com/tools/battery-runtime-calculator/). Run your own setup in the [battery runtime calculator](https://portablefridgeguide.com/tools/battery-runtime-calculator/?model=iceco-vl45-pros). ## Accessories that change the comparison A few add-ons narrow the gaps between these two: - **Covers.** Neither listing includes one. The [Dometic CFX 55L cover](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZH5RZGM?tag=portablefridgeguide.com-20) is about $142 and the ICECO cover about $119. Either one cuts sun heating in a hot cargo area, which matters more for the ICECO since it doesn’t have vacuum panels. - **Monitoring for the ICECO.** The VL45 ProS has no app, so a [wireless fridge thermometer](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004QJVU78?tag=portablefridgeguide.com-20) with a high-temperature alarm (about $40) covers some of what Dometic’s app does. A [Victron SmartShunt](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BF636VBX?tag=portablefridgeguide.com-20) on your battery shows what the fridge actually draws, which makes it easy to check the efficiency question for yourself. - **Mounting.** ICECO’s slide is made for the VL45 ProS. For the Dometic, Dometic’s [tie-down kit](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07X6H9MNX?tag=portablefridgeguide.com-20) is about $79, but the listing names CFX3 coolers, so confirm it lines up on a CFX5. If you want a slide for the Dometic, check its footprint against the slide maker’s specs. Add a cover and a thermometer to the ICECO and you still save more than $250 over the Dometic alone. ## Which one should you buy? Buy the ICECO VL45 ProS if you want a tough fridge for a truck bed or SUV, mostly run it while driving or from a decent battery, plan to fit a slide, and would rather spend the savings on power or a cover. Buy the Dometic CFX5 55IM if you camp off-grid on a limited battery, want app monitoring, need a deeper freeze, like having fresh ice, or want 58 quarts in a lighter box with a whole-unit warranty. Want the Dometic name for less? The [Dometic CFX2 28](https://portablefridgeguide.com/fridges/dometic-cfx2-28/) costs about $598–660 with an app and a 5-year warranty from Dometic US, but it holds only 30 quarts and lacks the CFX5’s vacuum panels. ## Verdict Both score 8.4 in our ratings, for different reasons. For most people we’d buy the [ICECO VL45 ProS](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZSSN6N1?tag=portablefridgeguide.com-20). It does the core job of a 45-liter fridge with proven parts and a rugged build for much less money. The [Dometic CFX5 55IM](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DVLZL61N?tag=portablefridgeguide.com-20) is the better-engineered fridge, and it earns its premium if efficiency on battery, the app and the ice maker matter to you. Check today’s price on both before you buy. If you need a freezer and a fridge at once, look at dual zones instead. Our [CFX5 75DZ vs VL75 ProD](https://portablefridgeguide.com/posts/dometic-cfx5-75dz-vs-iceco-vl75-prod/) comparison covers the big ones, and the [best portable fridges of 2026](https://portablefridgeguide.com/posts/best-portable-fridges-2026/) ranks everything. ## Don't guess. Calculate. - [🎯 Fridge Matcher](https://portablefridgeguide.com/tools/fridge-matcher/): which fridges fit your trip - [🔋 Battery Runtime](https://portablefridgeguide.com/tools/battery-runtime-calculator/): hours per charge and solar needed - [🧊 Fridge vs Ice](https://portablefridgeguide.com/tools/fridge-vs-ice-cost/): how fast it pays back - [📊 Compare every fridge](https://portablefridgeguide.com/fridges/): sortable spec table ## Frequently asked questions ### Is the Dometic CFX5 55IM worth $450 more than the ICECO VL45 ProS? Only if you'll use what it adds. The Dometic has vacuum-insulated panels, an app, a −7°F floor, an ice maker, 10 more quarts and a 5-year whole-unit warranty from Dometic US. If you mostly need a tough fridge that keeps food cold on vehicle power, the ICECO does that for much less. ### Why compare the CFX5 55IM instead of the CFX5 45? The CFX5 45 is the size most reviewers test, but when we checked, Amazon only offered it used and Dometic US had it out of stock. The 55IM was the in-stock CFX5 on Amazon closest in size to the VL45 ProS. It shares the 45's insulation and compressor. ### Does the ice maker use a lot of power? It adds to it. Dometic's only published figure for the 55IM, 1.55 Ah per hour at 90°F, is with the ice maker running. Dometic says the compressor runs flat out while it freezes a batch, which takes about 2.5 hours, and recommends switching the ice maker off when you don't need it. ### Which is better for overlanding? The ICECO, for most rigs. It has a steel body with corner bumpers, a Secop compressor rated to keep working at a 40° tilt, DC sockets on both ends and its own locking slide mount. The Dometic is also built for rough roads, with components on dampers, but costs much more. ## Sources - [Dometic US: CFX5 55IM Electric Cooler](https://www.dometic.com/en-us/product/cfx5-55im-electric-cooler-97000050756) · checked 2026-10-30 — 55 L, 84 cans, −7°F to 68°F, vacuum insulated panels, VMSO3.5 compressor, integrated ice maker, Bluetooth app with lid alerts and energy tracking, 5-year limited warranty - [Dometic CFX3 45 product page FAQ (covers CFX3 55IM and CFX5 55IM ice maker)](https://www.dometic.com/en/product/dometic-cfx3-45-9600025318) · checked 2026-10-30 — Ice in about 2.5 hours in ambient up to 32°C with the fridge set to 2.8–5°C; compressor runs 100% in freeze mode; switch the ice maker off when not in use to save energy - [OutdoorGearLab: Dometic CFX5 45 review](https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/camping-and-hiking/powered-cooler/dometic-cfx5-45) · checked 2026-10-30 — CFX5 45 (same platform): −2.2°F minimum, 34.7°F when set to 35°F, 35°F in half an hour, 41 Wh over 6 hours, 36.2 lb measured - [Gnomad Home: ICECO VL35 ProS review](https://gnomadhome.com/iceco-vl35-pros-review/) · checked 2026-10-30 — VL35 ProS: about 55 W running in Max mode and 33 W in Eco; 2,612.9 Wh over 123.43 hours (1.76 A average, 508 Wh/day) in real-world camping; ICECO's lab figure 430 Wh/day - [ICECO VL35/45/60 ProS operating manual](https://nomadicsupply.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/iceco-vl354560-pros-manual-book.pdf) · checked 2026-10-30 — 0°F to 50°F range; VL45 ProS 45 W in Max mode; 3-level battery protection; operates in ambient up to 131°F; 5-year compressor and 1-year parts warranty ## Get new guides by e-mail One short e-mail when Portable Fridge Guide publishes a new guide. No spam, no sharing your address, and you can unsubscribe in one click. E-mail address New posts only · Unsubscribe anytime · [Privacy](https://portablefridgeguide.com/privacy/) Our #1 pick Our pick for most people: Secop compressor, steel body, about $749 ![ICECO VL45 ProS](https://portablefridgeguide.com/_astro/iceco-vl45-pros.U52_rgcm_1OwffJ.webp) ### [ICECO VL45 ProS](https://portablefridgeguide.com/fridges/iceco-vl45-pros/) 8.4 - 47.5 qt - Single zone - Down to 0°F Overlanders and truck campers who want a steel-bodied, Secop-powered fridge that tolerates rough roads and fits standard fridge slides. $$$$ Premium Price tier: Premium today's price on Amazon [Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZSSN6N1?tag=portablefridgeguide.com-20)[Read the full review](https://portablefridgeguide.com/fridges/iceco-vl45-pros/) [🔋 Will your battery last? Runtime and solar needs for your fridge, battery and weather.](https://portablefridgeguide.com/tools/battery-runtime-calculator/)[📊 Compare every fridge Sortable chart of every fridge we track.](https://portablefridgeguide.com/fridges/) ## Keep reading [Top picks ### The 7 Best Portable Fridges of 2026: 12V Fridges Ranked by Trip, Power and Budget Best portable 12V fridges of 2026, ranked: ICECO VL45 ProS, VL60 Dual Zone, Anker EverFrost 2, Euhomy 59 qt and more, with power estimates and who each fits. Updated Oct 30, 2026](https://portablefridgeguide.com/posts/best-portable-fridges-2026/)[Overlanding ### The Best Portable Fridge for Overlanding in 2026: Rugged 12V Fridges, Slides and Power Best overlanding fridges of 2026: ICECO VL45 ProS, VL60 Dual Zone, Dometic CFX5 and more, plus slides, tie-downs and the battery setup that keeps them cold. Updated Oct 30, 2026](https://portablefridgeguide.com/posts/best-portable-fridge-for-overlanding/)[Buying guide ### How to Choose a Portable Fridge: The 8 Decisions That Matter How to choose a 12V portable fridge: compressor vs thermoelectric, size, single or dual zone, power draw, battery protection, build, warranty and price bands. Updated Oct 30, 2026](https://portablefridgeguide.com/posts/how-to-choose-a-portable-fridge/) Our pick for most people: Secop compressor, steel body, about $749 VL45 ProS $$$$ Premium Price tier: Premium [Check price](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZSSN6N1?tag=portablefridgeguide.com-20)