Dometic CFX5 75DZ vs ICECO VL60 Dual Zone Fridge

The short answer

For most van builders who want a fridge and a freezer at once, the ICECO VL60 Dual Zone is the better buy. It costs considerably less, takes up less floor space, runs a Secop compressor that ICECO covers for five years, and ships with an insulated cover. Its 60 liters across two lidded zones is enough for a couple who shop weekly.

The Dometic CFX5 75DZ is the right pick if you need the extra 15 liters, want app control, and value a published energy figure measured at stated hot conditions. It adds vacuum insulated panels, a colder minimum temperature, a color display and a slide and cover made for this exact box. It also needs a bigger battery bank, so budget for that alongside the fridge.

Full detail is in our Dometic CFX5 75DZ review and our ICECO VL60 Dual Zone review. VanLifeKitchens researches fridges rather than testing them. Figures below come from each maker's published specs and manuals, cited in those reviews.

Key specs side by side

Capacity and zones

Both have two compartments under two separate lids, so opening the fridge side doesn't vent the freezer, and both let you switch one zone off. Dometic's manual gives the CFX5 75DZ's split as 45 liters and 30 liters. ICECO doesn't publish a per-zone volume for the VL60. One side is full depth and the other sits over the compressor step.

The extra 15 liters matters for families, or for anyone who shops every 10 to 14 days and wants a freezer zone big enough for a week of meat. For two people shopping weekly, 60 liters is usually enough. Our what size 12V fridge guide works through the numbers by people and days.

Freezer depth differs. Dometic lists a range down to -8°F, with the caveat that the minimum may not be reached above 90°F ambient. ICECO lists 0°F to 50°F. Meat and ice packs freeze solid at 0°F, so this only matters for ice cream and long freezer storage.

Edge: CFX5 75DZ, for capacity and a colder freezer floor.

Power draw and battery sizing

This is the hardest part to compare, because the two published figures come from very different tests.

• Dometic rates the CFX5 75DZ at 2.76 Ah per hour at 12 V, with the large zone at 39°F, the small zone at 5°F and a 90°F ambient. That's about 795 Wh, or about 62 Ah a day at 12.8 V.
• ICECO lists the VL60 at 0.545 kWh per 24 hours in its manual's catalog page, about 43 Ah at 12.8 V. ICECO calls it a laboratory figure and doesn't state the ambient or setpoints.

On paper the VL60 uses about 19 Ah a day less. But Dometic's test is a warm day with a working freezer, and ICECO's conditions are unknown, so the real gap is probably smaller than that. Our VL60 review estimates 64 Ah or more for it in hot weather, and our CFX5 75DZ review estimates 74 to 82 Ah for a hot van. Either way, these are big-battery fridges:

• 100 Ah lithium: tight for the VL60 and not enough for the CFX5 75DZ with both zones running.
• 200 Ah lithium with 300 to 400 W of solar: workable for both, with more margin on the VL60.
• Hot climates, full-time freezer: plan nearer 300 Ah for the Dometic.

Battery protection differs. ICECO's 12 V cut-off and restart levels are 9.6/10.9, 10.4/11.7 and 11.1/12.4 V. Dometic's are 10.1/11.4, 11.2/12.2 and 11.8/12.6 V. Both offer a high setting for a starting battery and a low one for a house bank. Run your own case in the fridge battery calculator.

Edge: ICECO VL60 on published figures, with the caveat that the tests aren't comparable.

Footprint and fit

The CFX5 75DZ is about 4 inches longer at a near-identical width and height. Clearance rules differ:

• Dometic asks for at least 50 mm (2 inches) on all sides, about 39.1 x 23.4 inches of floor space.
• ICECO asks for more than 5 cm at the sides and 10 cm (4 inches) at the front air outlet, about 35 x 23.5 inches.

That's roughly 4 inches more length for the Dometic. In a van with a fixed slide bay, measure both with the gaps added. Dometic sells a matching slide (CFX5 SLD75); with either fridge at this weight, a slide is close to essential under a counter.

Weight is close. ICECO lists 64 pounds. Dometic's US page says 59.6 pounds, but its manual says 67.3, so assume the heavier figure. Both are two-person lifts when loaded.

Dometic's manual shows a lid-reversal procedure for the 75DZ, so you can choose the hinge side. ICECO's VL60 manual doesn't describe reversing the lids. Our chest vs upright fridge guide covers the lid clearance a chest fridge needs.

Edge: ICECO VL60, for the smaller footprint.

Compressor, warranty and build

The VL60 runs a Secop compressor, and ICECO covers it for five years, with one year on other parts. Secop compressors are used across many established 12V fridge brands. The CFX5 75DZ uses Dometic's own VMSO3.5 variable-speed compressor. The Amazon listing shows a 2-year manufacturer warranty, and Dometic's manual points to its US limited warranty online, so confirm the term.

Build priorities differ. The VL60 has a steel cabinet, spring-steel handles and an included insulated cover, controlled from a front panel with no app. The CFX5 adds vacuum insulated panels, Bluetooth app control, a weatherproof color display, an 18 W Quick Charge 3.0 USB port and self-folding aluminum handles. Dometic's manual says the CFX5 must not be exposed to rain.

Edge: ICECO VL60 for the compressor warranty; CFX5 75DZ for features.

Value

The CFX5 75DZ is a premium fridge and costs considerably more than the mid-range VL60. The extra money buys 15 liters, vacuum panels, an app and a colder freezer floor. It doesn't buy a smaller battery requirement: on published figures the Dometic needs more. For most builds, the price difference does more as battery capacity and solar than as fridge features. Check current prices on Amazon, since they move often.

Which one should you buy?

Buy the ICECO VL60 Dual Zone if:

• 60 liters across two zones is enough for your household.
• You want the five-year compressor warranty and the money left for batteries.
• Your fridge bay is closer to 35 inches than 39.
• You're happy with buttons rather than an app.

Buy the Dometic CFX5 75DZ if:

• You need 75 liters, with a 30-liter freezer zone.
• You want app control, a color display and vacuum insulation.
• You have 200 to 300 Ah of lithium and the solar to refill it.
• You want a matching slide and cover from the same maker.

FAQ

Which is bigger, the CFX5 75DZ or the VL60?

The Dometic: 75 liters split 45 and 30, against the VL60's 60 liters. It's also about 4 inches longer.

Which uses less power?

On published figures, the ICECO VL60, at 0.545 kWh a day against the Dometic's 2.76 Ah per hour, or about 795 Wh a day at 12 V. Dometic tests at a stated 90°F ambient with a 5°F freezer, while ICECO gives no conditions, so the real gap is probably smaller.

Do both have separate lids for each zone?

Yes. Both have two lids and separate setpoints, and both let you switch one zone off to save power.

Which has the better warranty?

The VL60's Secop compressor has a five-year ICECO warranty, with one year on other parts. The CFX5 75DZ listing shows two years; confirm the US term with Dometic.

Can either run on a 100 Ah battery?

Only just, for the VL60 with daily charging. The CFX5 75DZ needs more than 100 Ah with both zones running. Plan on 200 Ah or more for either.

Sources and verification

• Dometic CFX5 75DZ review: specs and sources, including Dometic's US product page and CFX5 operating manual (checked 2026-10-13).
• ICECO VL60 Dual Zone review: specs and sources, including ICECO's VL60/65 manual and product page (checked 2026-10-13).