ICECO JP40 Pro 37L (40 qt) Wheeled 12V Fridge Freezer vs Dometic CFX2 45 Electric Cooler

The short answer

For most van builders, the ICECO JP40 Pro is the better buy, and by a wide margin on value. It sits in the mid-range and costs far less than the Dometic. For that you get a Secop (Danfoss) compressor, ICECO's 5-year compressor warranty, built-in wheels, a lid that opens from either side or lifts off, and Bluetooth app control. Its 13.8-inch width also fits narrow galley bays.

Buy the Dometic CFX2 45 if you specifically want the Dometic brand and its dealer network, need the extra 8 liters, or want a produce crisper. Neither brand gives you a clean US efficiency rating to compare: Dometic's 0.86 Ah per hour at 90°F comes from its Australian page (the US page publishes none), and ICECO's 0.323 kWh per 24 hours for the JP40 Pro is a lab figure from its manual. It's premium-priced, though, and its 19.4-inch height rules out some under-bench installs.

The real question is whether the Dometic name is worth the considerable extra cost to you. For most buyers it isn't, and that money goes further spent on battery capacity. See the full ICECO JP40 Pro review and Dometic CFX2 45 review, and the 12V fridge complete guide for sizing basics. VanLifeKitchens does not test fridges hands-on. These figures come from manufacturer spec pages, retailer listings and owner reports.

Capacity and footprint

Watch the units here. Despite the name, ICECO's manual lists the JP40 Pro at 37 liters (40 quarts), or 52 cans. Dometic lists the CFX2 45 at 45 liters (60 cans). The Dometic's extra 8 liters is a real step up, enough for a couple's longer stretches between shops.

The shapes are quite different. The JP40 Pro measures 28.5 x 13.8 x 18.0 inches: long and narrow, with the extra length coming from the wheel and handle hardware. The CFX2 45 measures 26.7 x 15.8 x 19.4 inches: shorter, 2 inches wider and 1.4 inches taller. In a van, the JP40 Pro's narrow body slides between wheel wells and into tight aisles. The CFX2 needs more height above it, which is where installs under a bench or bed platform usually run into trouble.

Inside, the JP40 Pro has a stepped well, with a tall main section for upright two-liter bottles and a shelf over the compressor for small items. The CFX2 45 has a wire basket, a produce crisper and an LED light.

Add ventilation space before you measure. ICECO's manual asks for more than 5 cm (about 2 inches) at the left and right sides and 10 cm (about 4 inches) at the front air outlet. Dometic's US manual asks for "sufficient ventilation on all four sides" without giving a distance; we suggest at least 2 inches. With those added, the JP40 Pro needs roughly 32.5 x 17.8 inches of floor space and the CFX2 45 about 30.6 x 19.7.

Edge: CFX2 45 on raw capacity. JP40 Pro if your bay is narrow or low. For most vans, the JP40 Pro's shape is easier to fit.

Power draw and battery sizing

Neither brand gives you a US-standard number here. The CFX2 45 is rated at 0.86 Ah/h at 12V with 90°F ambient and a 39°F setpoint, according to Dometic Australia. That is about 21 Ah (250 Wh) a day, and our review uses 25 to 28 Ah a day as the summer planning figure. One caveat is that Dometic's US listing gives no figure and uses a different refrigerant, so even this number is a guide rather than a guarantee.

ICECO's JP Pro manual lists the single-zone JP40 Pro at 0.323 kWh (323 Wh) per 24 hours, about 27 Ah a day at 12V. It calls this a laboratory figure and doesn't state the test ambient. ICECO doesn't publish a rated wattage; the roughly 50 W you'll see is a dealer figure. Our review estimates roughly 25 to 35 Ah a day in mild to moderate weather and 50 to 60 Ah in serious heat with poor ventilation.

Keep those separate from the nameplate figures. The CFX2 45's 8.8 A at 12V is a maximum for fuse and wire sizing, not an all-day draw. In practice, both fridges land in a similar band. Either runs comfortably on 200 Ah of lithium with solar. On a single 100 Ah lithium battery, either is workable for a few days in moderate weather. Running either as a freezer uses considerably more. Try your own setup in the fridge battery calculator.

Edge: tie. Both have a published figure, about 21 Ah a day for the CFX2 45 and about 27 for the JP40 Pro, but they come from different tests (an Australian 90°F rating and an unstated lab condition), so they don't settle which one draws less.

Build, handling and lid

The JP40 Pro's molded shell has reinforced corners and wheels at one end with a fold-out pull handle at the other. That turns a loaded fridge, which can weigh 60 pounds or more, into something one person can roll. Its "multi-directional" lid hinges on either long side or lifts off completely, so you can have it open toward the sliding door or the galley, or lift it off under a low counter. DC ports on both ends make cable routing easier. ICECO rates it to run at up to 40° of tilt.

The CFX2 45 has a polypropylene body with stainless steel hinges, a click-shut latch and folding ABS plastic handles. Its lid is removable, but Dometic's manual covers reversing the lid opening only on the CFX2 57, not the 45. It has no wheels, so you carry it with two hands. The latch and hinges are well made. The handles are the budget part.

The usual caveat for any wheeled design applies to the ICECO. Wheels and axles are one more part that can wear, and the plastic shell will scuff if you drag it over gravel.

Edge: JP40 Pro, for the wheels, reversible lid and ports on both ends.

Controls, app and compressor

Both have Bluetooth app control. The JP40 Pro's app sets the temperature, the MAX or ECO mode and the battery cutoff, and its panel has physical buttons that work without a phone. The CFX2 45 has a 4-digit LED display with soft-touch buttons and Dometic's Mobile Cooling app. Retailer comparisons note that the app lacks temperature history. Neither is listed with Wi-Fi.

On compressors, the JP40 Pro uses a Secop (Danfoss) unit, the same compressor maker most premium 12V fridges use. The CFX2 45 uses a Dometic variable-speed compressor. Both have three-level battery protection. The 12V cut-outs are 9.6V, 10.4V and 11.1V on the ICECO (per its manual) and 10.1V, 11.2V and 11.8V on the Dometic (per its US manual). The JP40 Pro goes down to -4°F and the CFX2 45 to -7°F, both single-zone.

On support, ICECO lists a 5-year compressor and 1-year parts warranty for the JP40 Pro. Dometic's US manual points to an online limited-warranty page rather than printing a term, and terms vary by region, so check the current US terms. Dometic's advantage is its dealer and service network, which is one reason some buyers pay more.

Edge: JP40 Pro, for the Secop compressor, physical buttons and the longer compressor warranty. Choose Dometic if a service network near you matters.

Noise and ventilation

Neither manufacturer publishes a noise rating for these models, so we won't print one. Owners describe both as quiet, with a low hum during run cycles, which is typical of compressor fridges in this class.

Both have the compressor behind a vented end panel, and both run longer and louder in a hot, enclosed bay. Dometic lists the CFX2 for 61°F to 109°F ambient. Leave ICECO's 5 cm side and 10 cm front gaps around the JP40 Pro and at least 2 inches around the CFX2, and keep either one out of direct sun. Where you put it in the van affects daily amp-hours about as much as which model you buy.

Edge: tie. Neither has published noise data, and owners describe both as quiet.

Value

The JP40 Pro is a mid-range fridge and the CFX2 45 is premium-priced, so the Dometic costs considerably more, and per liter of storage the ICECO is clearly the better deal. Check current prices on Amazon, since they move often.

For the extra money, the Dometic gives you 8 more liters, a produce crisper, slightly less weight (36.6 lbs against the JP40 Pro's 39.1) and the Dometic name. To put the gap in perspective, it can go a long way toward a second 100 Ah lithium battery, which would do more for a fridge's real-world reliability in a van than any feature difference between these two. Unless brand support is a priority, the JP40 Pro is the better value.

Which one should you buy?

Buy the ICECO JP40 Pro if:

• You want the best fridge for the money in this size class.
• Your fridge bay is narrow or under about 19 inches tall.
• You move the fridge in and out of the vehicle on your own.
• You would rather put the savings into battery or solar.

Buy the Dometic CFX2 45 if:

• You want Dometic's brand and dealer support specifically.
• You want the extra 8 liters and a produce crisper.
• You don't need wheels and want the slightly lighter box.
• Your install has more than 20 inches of clear height.

FAQ

Is the Dometic CFX2 45 worth the extra cost over the ICECO JP40 Pro?

For most buyers, no. The JP40 Pro gives you a Secop compressor, wheels, a reversible lid and an app at a mid-range price. The CFX2 45 adds about 8 liters, a produce crisper and the Dometic name at a premium price. The difference is better spent on battery capacity, unless Dometic's support network matters to you.

Which uses less power, the JP40 Pro or the CFX2 45?

It is hard to say, because the two figures come from different tests. Dometic's Australian listing rates the CFX2 45 at about 21 Ah a day at 90°F ambient; its US page publishes no figure. ICECO's manual lists the JP40 Pro at 0.323 kWh (323 Wh) per 24 hours, about 27 Ah a day, as a lab figure. In practice, both need similar battery capacity.

Which is easier to fit in a van?

Usually the JP40 Pro. It is 13.8 inches wide and 18.0 inches tall, against 15.8 and 19.4 inches for the CFX2 45. The ICECO is longer, though, at 28.5 inches against 26.7, and ICECO asks for 10 cm at the front air outlet, so measure the length of your bay too.

Do both have an app?

Yes. Both have Bluetooth app control, and neither is listed with Wi-Fi. The JP40 Pro also has physical buttons on its panel. The CFX2 45 uses soft-touch buttons with a basic LED display.

Can either one be a fridge and a freezer at once?

No. Both are single-zone. The JP40 Pro goes down to -4°F and the CFX2 45 to -7°F, but the whole compartment holds one temperature. For both at once, look at a dual-zone model like the ICECO VL60.