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Thermoelectric vs Compressor 12V Coolers: Which to Buy

Thermoelectric vs compressor 12V coolers for vans and cars: cooling limits, freezing, power draw, noise, price and which suits road trips or van life.

By Van Build Gear ReviewPublished 1 min readHow we research
A plug-in cooler beside a compressor fridge in a van

Affiliate disclosure: product links on this page go to Amazon or to the maker's own store. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you; links to makers' own stores earn us nothing. No retailer or brand sees our picks before they are published or has any say in them. How we choose.

Buy a compressor fridge for van life or anything that must stay cold or frozen; buy a thermoelectric cooler for day trips. A thermoelectric cooler like the Igloo IE24 cools up to 36 F below the air around it (per the Amazon listing); a compressor fridge like the Dometic CFX2 28L holds a set temperature down to -7 F (per the Amazon listing).

Side by side

Igloo listing; Dometic CFX3 45 page
Thermoelectric (Igloo IE24)Compressor (Dometic)
CoolingUp to 36 F below ambientSet temperature, to -22 C (CFX3 45)
FreezingNoYes
PowerNot stated per hour1.03 Ah per hour, CFX3 45 at 32 C
Battery protectionVaries3-stage (Dometic CFX)
HeatingTo 136 FNo

Cooling

On a 90 F day, 36 F below ambient is 54 F: not cold enough for meat or dairy over several days. Dometic says its CFX3 45 cools between +20 C and -22 C.

Igloo IE24 Thermoelectric CoolerCheck price on Amazon

Power

Dometic publishes its compressor draw: 1.03 Ah per hour at 32 C ambient for the CFX3 45, and 1.56 Ah per hour at 90 F ambient for the CFX3 100. Plan in 12V fridge power consumption.

Dometic CFX2 28LCheck price on Amazon

Who should buy which

  • Thermoelectric: day trips, keeping drinks cool, keeping food warm.
  • Compressor: van life, camping, freezing, hot climates.

Picks: 12V car coolers and 12V fridges.

Frequently asked questions

Is a thermoelectric cooler as good as a fridge?

No. Igloo's thermoelectric coolers cool up to 36 F below ambient; a compressor fridge holds a set temperature and can freeze.

Which uses less power, thermoelectric or compressor?

Compressor fridges cycle off once cold. Dometic lists 1.03 Ah per hour for the CFX3 45 at 32 C; thermoelectric coolers run continuously when on.

Can a thermoelectric cooler freeze?

No. It can only cool relative to the air around it, up to 36 F below ambient on the Igloo.

Are compressor fridges noisy?

They hum when the compressor runs. Some list a noise level, such as under 45 dB on the Feelfunn dual-zone.

Why are compressor fridges expensive?

They contain a refrigeration compressor, refrigerant and controls; thermoelectric coolers use a simpler solid-state module.

Sources

  1. Dometic CFX3 45, Dometic
  2. Dometic CFX3 100, Dometic

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