ICECO's VL Pro and APL fridges and Dometic's CFX3 series are 12V compressor fridges for RVs, vans and overland rigs that overlap closely in size. Both run on 12/24V DC and AC power, but they differ in case material, weight, temperature range, zone options, app connectivity and the way each brand publishes power use. This comparison uses only ICECO's published specifications and Dometic's official product pages on dometic.com. It does not include prices or our own test results, because we have not run any.
Where the specs come from
ICECO figures come from ICECO's manuals and product pages and our ICECO listings. Dometic figures come from dometic.com. Dometic's US site currently lists the CFX3 35 (along with the CFX3 25 and 100), so the CFX3 35 numbers below are from the US page. Figures for the CFX3 45, 55IM, 75DZ and 95DZ come from Dometic's international product pages, which list 100-240V AC input. Dometic gives dimensions in millimeters for those models; we converted them to inches.
Size-for-size comparison
| Model | Capacity | Zones | Weight | Exterior (in, L x W x H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICECO APL35 | 35 L | Dual | 32.0 lb | 27.0 x 14.4 x 15.7 |
| ICECO VL35ProS | 35 L | Single | 48.7 lb | 28.1 x 15.9 x 15.7 |
| Dometic CFX3 35 | 36 L | Single | 37.26 lb | 27.32 x 15.67 x 16.02 |
| ICECO VL45ProS | 45 L | Single | 52.2 lb | 28.1 x 15.9 x 18.1 |
| ICECO VL45ProD | 42.5 L | Dual | 53.4 lb | 28.1 x 15.9 x 18.1 |
| Dometic CFX3 45 | 46 L | Single | 41.23 lb | 27.3 x 15.7 x 18.7 |
| ICECO APL55 | 55 L | Dual | 63.2 lb | 29.7 x 18.9 x 19.3 |
| ICECO VL60ProS | 60 L | Single | 59.0 lb | 30.2 x 18.5 x 18.1 |
| Dometic CFX3 55IM | 53 L | Single, with ice maker | 46.97 lb | 28.3 x 17.9 x 18.9 |
| ICECO VL75ProD | 75 L | Dual | 69.6 lb | 36.5 x 18.5 x 18.1 |
| Dometic CFX3 75DZ | 74 L | Dual | 61.30 lb | 35.1 x 19.5 x 18.6 |
| ICECO VL90ProD | 90 L | Dual | 75.1 lb | 38.3 x 20.7 x 18.1 |
| Dometic CFX3 95DZ | 93 L | Dual | 65.71 lb | 37.9 x 20.9 x 18.6 |
Dometic capacities are total volume to IEC 62552-3, as Dometic lists them.
Weight and case
ICECO's VL Pro fridges use a steel case and are heavier than the comparable CFX3 at every size: the VL45ProS is 52.2 lb against 41.23 lb for the CFX3 45, and the VL90ProD is 75.1 lb against 65.71 lb for the CFX3 95DZ. ICECO's aluminum APL35 is the lightest 35 L fridge in this comparison at 32.0 lb, against 37.26 lb for the CFX3 35, and it is dual zone where the CFX3 35 is single zone. If the fridge stays on a slide, weight matters less; if you lift it often, it matters a lot.
Zones and special features
- Dual zone at small sizes: ICECO offers dual zone at 35 L (APL35) and 42.5 L (VL45ProD). In the CFX3 sizes covered here, Dometic's dual-zone models are the 75DZ and 95DZ.
- Ice maker: the CFX3 55IM includes an ice maker. Dometic says that in most conditions (ambient up to 32°C, internal set to 2.8-5°C) you will have ice cubes in about 2.5 hours. No ICECO model in this comparison has one.
- Lids: ICECO's VL Pro lids open from either side or lift off; the APL lids hold themselves open, and the APL55 has damped hinges.
- Battery protection: ICECO's APL and VL Pro manuals describe three battery protection levels, and Dometic lists 3-stage dynamic battery protection on the CFX3.
- USB: both brands list USB charging ports; Dometic's is 5V, 2A.
Temperature range
ICECO rates its APL models from -4°F to 68°F and its VL Pro models from 0°F to 50°F. Dometic's international CFX3 pages give a range of +20°C to -22°C (about 68°F to -8°F), and the US CFX3 35 page says it deep-freezes to -7°F.
Compressor, refrigerant and app
ICECO uses SECOP compressors throughout the APL and VL Pro ranges. Dometic lists its own VMSO3 compressor technology on the CFX3. ICECO's APL55 and VL75/90 ProD manuals list R513A refrigerant; Dometic lists R134a for the CFX3 models above.
For app control, Dometic's international CFX3 pages say the CFX3 app works over WiFi or Bluetooth and shows performance history; the US CFX3 35 page lists Bluetooth. ICECO's APL models have Bluetooth app control through the ICECO app. ICECO's current VL Pro manuals include app control, but ICECO has said earlier VL45ProS units had no Bluetooth, so ask us to confirm the build if the app matters.
Power use: why the numbers are not directly comparable
The two brands measure differently, so do not compare their figures head to head.
- Dometic publishes amp-hours per hour at 12V DC with stated conditions: 90°F (32°C) ambient and 39°F (4°C) inside. Using 12 V, that converts to watt-hours as Ah/h x 12 x 24.
- ICECO publishes kWh per 24 hours from laboratory testing and notes that actual use depends on conditions. It does not state the ambient temperature or set point.
| Model | Brand figure | Daily Wh | 100Ah LiFePO4 runtime* |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICECO APL35 | 0.381 kWh/24h | 381 | about 72 h |
| ICECO VL35ProS | 0.430 kWh/24h | 430 | about 64 h |
| Dometic CFX3 35 | 0.98 Ah/h (90°F ambient, 39°F inside) | about 282 | about 98 h |
| ICECO VL45ProS | 0.510 kWh/24h | 510 | about 54 h |
| Dometic CFX3 45 | 1.03 Ah/h (32°C ambient, 4°C inside) | about 297 | about 93 h |
| ICECO VL75ProD | 0.636 kWh/24h | 636 | about 43 h |
| Dometic CFX3 75DZ | 1.43 Ah/h both zones at 4°C; 3.04 Ah/h with one zone at -15°C (32°C ambient) | about 412; about 876 | about 67 h; about 32 h |
| ICECO VL90ProD | 0.658 kWh/24h | 658 | about 42 h |
| Dometic CFX3 95DZ | 1.81 Ah/h both zones at 4°C; 3.29 Ah/h with one zone at -15°C (32°C ambient) | about 521; about 948 | about 53 h; about 29 h |
*Runtime = usable Wh / (daily Wh / 24), with usable Wh for a 100Ah LiFePO4 battery = 100 x 12.8 V x 0.9 = 1,152 Wh. For a 100Ah AGM battery, use about 600 Wh (100 x 12 V x 0.5), roughly half these times. Real use rises with ambient heat, frequent lid openings, a warm load and a low set point. Dometic's own dual-zone figures show how much a freezer zone adds: the 75DZ more than doubles its draw when one zone is set to -15°C. For ICECO, ICECO reports the VL75ProD at around 0.805 kWh/24h in Max mode at 0°F. Plan your battery and solar for the way you will actually run the fridge; our RV solar and battery calculator does the math.
How to choose
- Lightest 35 L with two zones: ICECO APL35.
- Lighter large dual zone: Dometic's 75DZ and 95DZ weigh less than ICECO's steel VL75ProD and VL90ProD at similar capacity.
- Built-in ice maker: Dometic CFX3 55IM.
- Dual zone at 42.5 L in a compact cabinet: ICECO VL45ProD.
- WiFi app control: Dometic lists WiFi plus Bluetooth on its international CFX3 pages; ICECO lists Bluetooth.
- Lid that opens from either side: ICECO VL Pro.
We sell the ICECO range, with matching covers and slides, in the ICECO collection and as kits on the ICECO bundles page. For the wider market, see our best 12V compressor fridges for RVs and overlanding roundup. Found it cheaper? We'll beat it.
FAQ
Is ICECO or Dometic more efficient?
The published figures cannot settle it. Dometic states its test conditions (90°F ambient, 39°F inside) and ICECO does not, so the numbers are measured differently.
Which is lighter, the ICECO APL35 or the Dometic CFX3 35?
The APL35 at 32.0 lb, against 37.26 lb for the CFX3 35 on Dometic's US page. The APL35 is also dual zone.
Do both run on AC power?
Yes. ICECO lists 110-120V AC for the VL Pro models and the APL55, and a 100-240V AC adapter in the box for the APL20 and APL35; Dometic's US CFX3 35 page lists 120V AC and its international pages list 100-240V AC.
Which has a dual-zone fridge under 50 liters?
ICECO, with the APL35 (35 L) and VL45ProD (42.5 L). Among the CFX3 models in this comparison, Dometic's dual-zone options are the 75DZ and 95DZ.
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