Engel MT17F
(1 reviews)
The most compact 12/24V/230V compressor cooler in the Engel range: just 15 litres and 16 kg, for real mechanical cooling that fits into the smallest corner of a vehicle.
Key features
- Capacity: 15 litres (up to 12 standing 0.5 L bottles)
- Type: Compressor (Engel swing motor compressor, model MT17F-G3-D)
- Power supply: 12V / 24V DC and 230V AC, automatic switching
- Just 16 kg, the most compact 12/24/230V Engel cooler
In detail: Engel MT17F-G3-D, 15-litre compressor cooler
The Engel MT17F, model reference MT17F-G3-D, is the most compact compressor cooler offered by the Austrian manufacturer, a brand renowned for over half a century for the longevity of its compressors in the 4x4, camper van and boating world. With a 15-litre capacity and only 16 kg empty, it is built for light nomadic use rather than a fixed installation, unlike bigger models in the range such as the MT45F or the MR-040F, which target extended use in a van or a boat.
Its temperature range, continuously adjustable from +10°C to -18°C, lets it work as either a cool box or a small backup freezer, with enough room for a dozen standing 0.5-litre bottles. Power supply is universal: 12V and 24V for a direct connection to the vehicle's battery, and 230V with automatic voltage switching for use at home or on a powered site.
The Engel swing motor compressor, unaffected by vibration, shocks or tilting, draws only 32W and runs at a discreet noise level, around 32 dB. This low power draw, combined with no extra consumption at high outside temperatures, makes it a sound choice for running off a solar panel or a modest auxiliary battery.
Its limits come down to its size: 15 litres suit a solo traveller or a couple over a short trip, not a group or several days of food supplies. It also makes do with a classic dial thermostat, rather than the digital LCD screen found on newer models in the range. But for anyone after the lightest, easiest to carry Engel compressor cooler, backed by the brand's long-standing mechanical reliability, it remains a solid choice, sold through an authorised Engel reseller.
Technical data
Detailed characteristics
Performance
| Type?General technical category the unit belongs to (passive, thermoelectric, compressor...). | Compressor, Engel swing motor compressor (Sawafuji), model reference MT17F-G3-D |
|---|---|
| Temperature?Temperature range the unit can be set to. | Continuously adjustable from +10°C to -18°C |
| Power consumption?Electrical power drawn by the unit while running, expressed in watts (W). | 32W at 12V |
| Noise level?Noise emitted by the unit, in decibels (dB(A)), mainly relevant for compressor coolers. | About 32 dB |
| Energy class?European energy efficiency class, from A+++ (most efficient) to G. | A+ |
Dimensions and power supply
| Capacity?Usable storage volume of the cooler, in litres. | 15 litres (up to 12 standing 0.5 L bottles) |
|---|---|
| Power supply?How the unit is powered (12V, 230V, or none for a passive cooler). | 12V / 24V DC and 230V AC, automatic voltage switching |
| Weight?The unit's empty weight. | 16 kg |
| Outer dimensions?Width, depth and height of the unit (W x D x H), inside and/or outside depending on the line. | 549 x 364 x 307 mm (width x height x depth) |
| Inner dimensions?Width, depth and height of the unit (W x D x H), inside and/or outside depending on the line. | 290 x 230 x 200 mm (width x height x depth) |
| Material?Main material used to make the casing. | ABS shell, light grey body, dark grey lid |
Additional information
| Refrigerant | R-134a, CFC-free |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer warranty?Period during which the manufacturer commits to repairing or replacing the unit in case of failure. | 3 years |
How much does this cool box really use?
Comparison
Within the Engel range, the MT17F is naturally compared with the MT45F, its bigger sibling in the catalogue, in searches such as "Engel MT17F vs MT45F". Here's how the two compare, based on the manufacturer's public specifications.
| Criterion | Engel MT17F | Engel MT45F |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 15 L | 40 L |
| Display | Dial thermostat | Built-in digital LCD screen |
| Weight | 16 kg | 24 kg |
| Power consumption | 32W | 32W |
| Price | ≈€850 | ≈€1054 |
In short, the MT17F trades on lightness and compactness for solo or two-person nomadic use, while the MT45F offers more than double the volume and a more precise digital display, for extended use in a van or a boat. Both share the same very low power draw and the same mechanical reliability from the Engel swing motor compressor.
Related video
Video: Engel MT17F 15 litre Truckies Mate portable fridge - Published on 24 July 2019
Our tester's verdict: Gilles Caron
I took it along for a solo weekend on backcountry tracks, wedged between the passenger seat and the bench of a converted van, with one goal in mind: check whether this small Engel lived up to its reputation for ruggedness despite its size. At 16 kg empty and with dimensions that fit into a small hatchback's boot, it's the easiest Engel compressor cooler to carry that I've tested, a real plus for anyone who swaps vehicles often. The swing motor compressor does exactly what it promises: no jolt on startup, a discreet hum barely audible with the door shut, and a genuinely fast temperature drop even at 30°C ambient. My only regret is the lack of a digital display, just a simple dial thermostat here, less precise than the MT45F for dialling in an exact temperature. With 15 usable litres, it stays sized for one or two people over a weekend, not a group over a week. The price, close to that of much bigger models from the brand, is mostly justified by Engel's long-standing mechanical reliability rather than by litres-per-pound value. For light, occasional use, it still holds up well.
Frequently asked questions: Engel MT17F-G3-D, 15-litre compressor cooler
Yes, with 15 litres and room for up to 12 standing 0.5 L bottles, it suits a solo traveller or a couple over a short trip. For a group or several days of food supplies, a bigger model such as the MT45F will be a better fit.
The MT17F is about half the volume (15 L versus 40 L) and much lighter (16 kg versus 24 kg), with a simple dial thermostat instead of the MT45F's digital LCD screen. Both share the same 32W power draw.
Yes, it has automatic voltage switching between 12V, 24V and 230V, so it can be plugged straight into a household mains socket at home without an external converter.
Its 32W draw at 12V lets it run for several days on a mid-sized auxiliary battery, with the exact runtime depending on outside temperature, the chosen setting and the battery's actual capacity.
It is sold through an authorised Engel reseller that ships across Europe and lists the full spec sheet for the MT17F-G3-D model along with compatible accessories such as the transit bag and transit lock.
More products in the "Compressor cooler" range
Alpicool GE50
Check price (10)
An affordable connected cooler: app control, tie-down slots and anti-vibration system, for 45 litres at under £250.
Alpicool K25
Check price (12)
An LG compressor at a low price: 25 litres, two operating modes, at a budget that stays under £150.
Alpicool Y20T
Check price (11)
The most compact compressor cooler in our selection: 20 litres, down to -20°C, sized for solo use in a car.
Anker SOLIX EverFrost 2 58L
1099.99£ (5)
The largest capacity in our battery-powered selection: 58 litres, dual zone, up to 3.2 days of runtime with two batteries.
Page published on 3 August 2026