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Head-to-head · Best Electric Coolers

Dometic CFX5 45 vs Goal Zero Alta 50

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Dometic CFX5 45 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.8 vs 4.6). Dometic CFX5 45 is best for: Campers, overlanders and van travelers who run a powered cooler regularly and want accurate temperature control and low power draw in a mid-size, single-zone unit, and who accept a four-figure price for it. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Dometic CFX5 45
Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Electric Coolers
Dometic CFX5 45
1 source$1,049.99as of Oct 10

A 45-liter single-zone compressor cooler that OutdoorGearLab ranked first of the 11 powered coolers it tested, with an overall score of 86. In that test it held 34.7°F against a 35°F setpoint, chilled warm cans to 35°F in half an hour and used 41 watt-hours over six hours. Dometic lists it at $1,049.99.

Strengths
  • — OutdoorGearLab measured 34.7°F inside with the controls set to 35°F
  • — Brought warm cans down to 35°F in half an hour in OutdoorGearLab's test
  • — Drew 41 watt-hours over six hours, per OutdoorGearLab
Watch-outs
  • — OutdoorGearLab found the lid latch finicky
  • — Not the most portable model in OutdoorGearLab's test: 36.2 lb empty on its scale, and it may take two people to carry when full
  • — Single zone only, so it cannot hold frozen and chilled food at the same time
$1,049.99 · Buy at dometic.comFull review →
Goal Zero Alta 50
Ranked #4 in Best Electric Coolers
Goal Zero Alta 50
1 sourceall derived$799.95as of Oct 11

Efficiency off-grid is where the Goal Zero Alta 50 leads this group. Its LG compressor averages 8 watts at 35F, so a 500Wh Yeti power station runs the fridge for over two days and a Yeti 1500 keeps it cold for six-plus days. The trade is single-zone operation: freezer or refrigerator per trip, not both at once. For solar-powered overlanders, dispersed campers and anyone building a tailored Goal Zero off-grid kit, the integration story is the clear differentiator.

Strengths
  • — LG variable-speed compressor averages just 8 watts at 35F setpoint, the lowest in this category
  • — App-enabled over Bluetooth with remote setpoint control and temperature alerts
  • — Eco-friendly R600a refrigerant (30g charge) and 75-can capacity in 53 liters
Watch-outs
  • — 49.4-pound empty weight is heavy for the form factor
$799.95 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Dometic CFX5 45

The Dometic CFX5 45 is a single-zone cooler like the Goal Zero Alta 50 and the Whynter FM-45G, where the Dometic CFX3 75DZ has two independent zones. At 40.26 lbs by Dometic's figure it is lighter than the Alta 50 at 49.4 lbs and the Whynter at 54.6 lbs. It costs more than the Alta 50 or the Whynter and less than the CFX3 75DZ.

Goal Zero Alta 50

The Alta wins on power efficiency by a wide margin against comparable single-zone units like the Whynter FM-45G.

Specs side-by-side

SpecDometic CFX5 45Goal Zero Alta 50
Capacity45L (67 cans, per Dometic); 39.6L measured by OutdoorGearLab53L (75 cans)
Temperature Range+68F to -7F+68F to -4F
Dual ZoneNo (single zone)No (single zone)
Power Input12V/24V DC, 100-240V AC12V/24V DC, 100/240V AC
Power Draw41 Wh over 6 hours (OutdoorGearLab)8W avg at 35F setpoint
CompressorVMSO 3.5, R1234yf refrigerantLG variable-speed
Dimensions27.32 x 15.67 x 18.74 in14.13"D x 19.5"W x 11.75"H
Empty Weight40.26 lbs (Dometic); 36.2 lbs measured by OutdoorGearLab49.4 lbs
App ControlBluetoothBluetooth (Goal Zero app)
Warranty3-year (per Dometic's product page)2-year
Refrigerant—R600a (30g)
Voltage—12 volts
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