Engel MT45F
The digital-display take on the Engel classic: precise LCD screen, the brand's long-standing mechanical robustness, in a versatile 40-litre size.
Key features
- Capacity: 40 litres
- Type: Compressor (Engel unit, digital LCD screen)
- Temperature: Adjustable from -18°C to +10°C
- Precise digital screen, only 38 dB at full load
In detail: Engel MT45F-G3-S, 40-litre compressor cooler
The Engel MT45F, manufacturer reference MT45F-G3-S, belongs to the Austrian brand's long-running line of compressor coolers, known for their exceptional longevity in motorhomes, converted vans and boats. This digital version stands out with its LCD screen showing the exact interior temperature, a genuine usability improvement over the range's purely mechanical dial versions.
Its temperature range, adjustable from -18°C to +10°C, lets the unit work as either a fridge or a freezer depending on the moment's needs, an advantage for anyone with room for only one appliance on board. Power supply is universal: 12V and 24V for a direct connection to the vehicle or boat battery, and 230V for use at a hook-up or at home.
The Engel oscillating compressor, unaffected by vibration, knocks and tilting, draws just 32W and has a maximum noise level of 38 dB, among the lowest in its class. That quietness makes it particularly well suited to extended use nearby, in a van or a liveaboard boat, without the background hum some competing units produce at full load.
Its limits are well known and accepted by its owners: at 24 kg empty, it is built to stay in place rather than move around daily, and its price sits well above mainstream electric coolers. But for anyone after an appliance built to last, the Engel MT45F remains a hard reference to beat, sold directly through the brand's official store.
Technical data
Detailed characteristics (EAN: 8301510040596)
Performance
| Type?General technical category the unit belongs to (passive, thermoelectric, compressor...). | Compressor (Engel unit, reference MT45F-G3-S) |
|---|---|
| Temperature?Temperature range the unit can be set to. | Adjustable from -18°C to +10°C, digital LCD screen |
| Power consumption?Electrical power drawn by the unit while running, expressed in watts (W). | 32W |
| Noise level?Noise emitted by the unit, in decibels (dB(A)), mainly relevant for compressor coolers. | 38 dB maximum |
Dimensions and power supply
| Capacity?Usable storage volume of the cooler, in litres. | 40 litres |
|---|---|
| Power supply?How the unit is powered (12V, 230V, or none for a passive cooler). | 12V / 24V DC and 230V AC |
| Weight?The unit's empty weight. | 24 kg |
| Outer dimensions?Width, depth and height of the unit (W x D x H), inside and/or outside depending on the line. | 647 x 364 x 508 mm (width x depth x height) |
How much does this cool box really use? (calculated with this model)
Comparison
Within the Engel range itself, the MT45F naturally compares to the MR-040F, the catalogue's flagship and longest-standing reference, in searches like "Engel MT45F vs MR-040F". Here is how the two compare, based on the manufacturer's public specifications.
| Criterion | Engel MT45F | Engel MR-040F |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 40 L | 40 L (38 L usable) |
| Temperature range | -18°C to +10°C | -18°C to +10°C |
| Display | Built-in digital LCD screen | External digital thermometer |
| Noise level | 38 dB maximum | 47 dB(A) at full load |
| Weight | 24 kg | 22 kg |
In short, the MT45F brings a more legible built-in digital display and noticeably quieter running than the MR-040F, for identical capacity and cold range. The MR-040F remains the brand's historic reference, slightly lighter, with an external thermometer that avoids opening the lid to check the temperature.
Related video
Video: Engel MT 45F - Published on 24 August 2023
Our tester's verdict: Gilles Caron
The MT45F carries forward everything that built Engel's reputation, in a digital-display format that is more precise than the brand's purely mechanical versions. The oscillating compressor proves itself once again: long-term user feedback, some spanning several years of heavy use in a motorhome or on a boat, confirms reliability that rarely falters. The digital LCD screen is a real everyday improvement over dial versions, giving an exact temperature reading without opening the lid. Its maximum noise level of 38 dB makes it one of the quietest compressor coolers on the market, a point regularly praised. The same two trade-offs apply as with the rest of the Engel range: a 24 kg weight that suits a fairly fixed installation better than daily moving around, and a price noticeably above mainstream electric coolers, justified mostly by a mechanical durability rarely matched in this market.
Frequently asked questions: Engel MT45F-G3-S, 40-litre compressor cooler
Both: its temperature is adjustable from -18°C to +10°C, so it can work as either a fridge or a freezer depending on the moment's needs, making it a versatile appliance for a van or boat with limited space.
Both share the same capacity and cold range, but the MT45F has a built-in digital LCD screen (versus an external thermometer on the MR-040F) and a slightly lower maximum noise level, at 38 dB.
No, its spec sheet lists a maximum noise level of 38 dB, among the lowest in its class, comparable to a whisper, easily tolerable for continuous use in a van or a liveaboard boat.
Its very low 32W power draw allows several days of runtime on a decent 12V auxiliary battery, though exact runtime depends on outside temperature, the chosen setting and the battery's capacity.
It is sold directly through Engel's official online store, which ships internationally and lists the full spec sheet for the MT45F-G3-S model along with compatible accessories such as baskets and dividers.
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Page published on 1 August 2026