Outdoor Beverage Coolers with an App: The Dometic CFX3 35 Electric Cooler

Note: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

I never thought I’d be able to say about outdoor beverage coolers, “There’s an app for that.” But there is. The Dometic CFX3 (and other electric coolers, I’m sure) has an app that connects via Bluetooth or wifi.

Why would you want an app for your cooler? Well, that’s one of the features I’ll review for you in the article that follows.

If you’re in a hurry and just want to check the pricing, availability, and any discounts for the Dometic cooler, you can click (or tap) the link just below.

Dometic CFX3 35 Electric Cooler

A Note about the Model Name and Number

If you do any amount of shopping for the Dometic electric cooler, you’ll see several variations on the model name and number.

On their website, Dometic calls the unit we’re looking at here the CFX3 35 as well as the CFX335 (without the space).

At Amazon and elsewhere, you may see CFX3 35US, CFX 35W, and just plain CFX35.

Here’s the important point. If you want a cooler with the remote (wifi) capability, be sure to read the fine print or ask questions before you buy. Dometic says that a model labeled 35US does not have wifi but one called 35W does have it.

If it doesn’t say either (US or W) in the model name, be sure to check whether you’re going to be getting the features you want ahead of time.

Main Features of the Dometic CFX3 35 Cooler

Let’s first cover the standard features like capacity. The CFX3 35 is rated at 35 (or 36, depending on who you believe) liters. This translates to 50 standard sized cans – beer, pop, wine, or whatever. Of course, if you load it with larger containers, you’ll need to reduce that number accordingly. Note that it’s a little too small to stand up a 2 liter bottle inside.

You should be able to vary the temperature range from -7°F to +50°F, though as with most coolers (of any style) the actual temperatures you can achieve will probably be inside that range. The ambient temperature of your surroundings and whether your cooler is in direct sunlight or near a heat source will affect your results.

That said, this unit is really a combination refrigerator / freezer, so you should be able to make it quite cold inside. Obviously, you wouldn’t want to do this with cans of liquid, but it’s great if you need to store frozen burgers or steaks in there for a time.

One owner tested the temperature settings and found the following results.

“I set it at 39 degrees for cooling. I noticed that it went to about 34 degrees before going idle. It then warmed up into the low 40s before the compressor kicked in again. It’s close, but technically not completely accurate.”

As long as you know this going in, you should be able to set the temperature according to your needs; that is, according to the type of food or drink you’re storing inside. The app (see below) may help with this too.

Note that this is a single zone cooler. You can’t set or expect to freeze food in one section and only cool it in another. It’s all or nothing in this regard.

What helps a lot in maintaining the temperature of this “smokey gray” cooler is the polyurethane insulation which is 55 millimeters thick. In addition, the scratch-resistance cover protects your food and drinks from dust, unwanted water, and other nasties.

Additionally, the “heavy-duty yet lightweight ExoFrame” gives your cooler strong, protected edges and removable, aluminum alloy handles. Though the structure is solid, it’s not meant for sitting on. Neither should you lay it on its side; the virtually silent compressor inside will not appreciate it. You might get away with setting it an an angle for a time, but I wouldn’t do more than that.

Getting Power into and out of the Dometic CFX3 Electric Cooler

The CFX3 comes with 2 power supply cables – one for AC, one for DC – each of which are 6.6 feet long. There is no battery involved, so there’s no charging or recharging period needed.

It is possible (with extra purchases) to power it from a solar panel that outputs at least 60 watts continuously. You’d want to set it in a location with constant direct sunlight for this method.

Details are a little sketchy but apparently you can use a car battery to charge the cooler too. It has a “3-stage dynamic battery protection system” that will prevent draining all the power from your car’s (or truck’s) battery.

You can also get a little power out of your cooler via its USB port. Use this for charging your smaller portable devices like a tablet or phone.

What You Can Do with the CFX3 App

You can download the free iOS or Android app from the appropriate store to connect your cooler to your device.

Why would you want to do that?

Mainly to make sure it’s still cooling properly when you’re not in the immediate vicinity.

Perhaps someone accidentally left the top open (notification will be sent automatically), or maybe a curious raccoon decided to take a peek inside. It’s also possible, though unlikely, that the power cord became disconnected or something else inside is failing, preventing the temperature from staying where you set it.

If you’re really, really curious about the performance of your CFX335 cooler, you can even track its historical data via the app.

Specifications and Additional Features of the CFX3

There are wire baskets inside, much like drawers in your fridge, that you can use for specific items you want to keep separate from the rest of the cooler.

The cooling grates inside (only) are removable, in case you ever need to clean them. There is a drain plug for removing any liquids that spill or accumulate inside.

There is an LED light inside that makes it easy to use the cooler even at night. The display panel on the outside has a high-resolution color display that’s easy to read night or day.

There are “threaded inserts” in the base of the cooler that you can use to mount it, if you get the appropriate brackets for doing so.

The Dometic CFX3 35 measures just over 16 inches high by 15 ⅔ inches wide by 27 ⅓ inches deep. If you remove the handles, it’s just under 25 inches deep. Empty, it weighs 37 ¼ pounds.

AC input voltage is 120V, and DC is 12/24V.

Dometic gives you a 5-year limited warranty on this cooler that is UL listed.

The video give an Australian viewpoint on this cooler.

Conclusion about the Dometic CFX3 35 Cooler

Current owners are overwhelmingly pleased with their purchase of the CFX3 35. Other sizes are available (as you’ll see if you click through to the Amazon page using the button below). They should all perform just as well as the 35 model. Models/capacities include the following.

25 liter
35 liter (the one described here)
45 liter
55 liter
75 liter (dual zone)
95 liter (dual zone)
100 liter

If you have a reliable power supply, you should be able to make good use of this electric cooler while camping or on any other trips where you want to take your own food along instead of eating at a restaurant.