Mobicool FR40
(33 reviews)
The Dometic group's compressor cooler in its accessible guise: same technical foundations, without the connectivity, for a more contained price.
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Key features
- Capacity: 38 litres (up to 61 cans)
- Type: Compressor (compact hermetic unit)
- Temperature: Adjustable from +10°C to -10°C
- Strong value for money, over 4,000 Amazon reviews at 4.5/5
In detail: Mobicool FR40, 38-litre compressor cooler
The Mobicool FR40 marks the entry point into compressor-based mobile cooling from the Dometic group, via its consumer-facing brand Mobicool. This 38-litre cooler shares the same compact, fully hermetic compressor principle found in the higher-end CoolFreeze models, but in a simplified version aimed above all at price accessibility.
Adjustable from +10°C to -10°C via a precise digital display, it covers everyday needs for keeping things cool and light freezing, an accepted trade-off against more premium coolers that reach -18°C or -22°C. The interior LED lighting makes it easier to see the contents at night or in a dimly lit space, and the removable lid simplifies cleaning and loading food.
Powered by 12V, 24V and 100-240V, it draws about 48W at 12V, a reasonable figure for this size that preserves the vehicle battery's charge over several days. At 11.5 kg, it stays lighter than most compressor coolers of similar capacity, an advantage for frequent trips between the vehicle and the campsite.
With no WiFi or Bluetooth connectivity, unlike Dometic's CFX3 and CFX5 ranges, the FR40 bets on ease of use rather than remote control. A choice consistent with its noticeably more accessible pricing, which largely explains the very large volume of positive reviews this reference has accumulated.
Technical data
Detailed characteristics
Performance
| Type?General technical category the unit belongs to (passive, thermoelectric, compressor...). | Compressor (compact hermetic unit) |
|---|---|
| Temperature?Temperature range the unit can be set to. | Adjustable from +10°C to -10°C (at ambient temperature +16°C to +32°C) |
Dimensions and power supply
| Capacity?Usable storage volume of the cooler, in litres. | 38 litres (up to 61 cans or 9 x 1.5L bottles) |
|---|---|
| Power supply?How the unit is powered (12V, 230V, or none for a passive cooler). | 12V / 24V and 100-240V |
| Weight?The unit's empty weight. | 11.5 kg |
| Dimensions?Width, depth and height of the unit (W x D x H), inside and/or outside depending on the line. | 44.6 x 36.5 x 58.4 cm (height x width x depth) |
Additional information
| Power draw | About 48W at 12V (4.0A), 2.0A at 24V |
|---|---|
| Lighting | Interior LED |
How much does this cool box really use? (calculated with this model)
Comparison
Around £350 to £650, the Mobicool FR40 regularly compares to the Dometic CoolFreeze CFX3 35, a reference of similar capacity within the same industrial group, in searches like "Mobicool vs Dometic cooler". Here is how the two compare, based on the public specifications of both manufacturers.
| Criterion | Mobicool FR40 | Dometic CoolFreeze CFX3 35 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 38 L | 36 L |
| Minimum temperature | -10°C | Down to around -22°C |
| Connectivity | None (simple digital display) | WiFi, CFX3 app |
| Weight | 11.5 kg | 16.9 kg |
| Price observed | ≈£371 | ≈£649 |
In short, both brands belong to the same Dometic group but target different audiences: the Mobicool FR40 bets on simplicity, lower weight and a noticeably lower price, while the Dometic CFX3 35 adds connectivity and a wider cooling range, for a bigger budget.
Our tester's verdict: Gilles Caron
With over 4,000 reviews on Amazon and a 4.5/5 rating, the Mobicool FR40 is one of the most widely proven compressor coolers on the market, a volume of feedback that inspires confidence in its overall reliability. The compressor, identical in principle to the ones in Dometic's higher-end coolers since Mobicool belongs to the same group, is unanimously praised for its cooling performance, with several users noting it cools down faster than expected for this price bracket. The interior LED lighting and removable lid are cited as appreciated everyday details. The main accepted trade-off with this range concerns temperature range, limited to -10°C (against -18°C to -22°C on Dometic or Engel models), enough for keeping things cool but not for sustained deep freezing, a point worth knowing before buying if long-term freezing is planned. The lack of connectivity (no app, no WiFi) is treated as a deliberate simplicity choice rather than a shortfall, consistent with this range's pricing position.
Frequently asked questions: Mobicool FR40, 38-litre compressor cooler
Both brands belong to the Dometic group and share the same compressor principle, but the FR40 targets a more accessible price, with a narrower temperature range (-10°C against -22°C) and no WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity.
It reaches down to -10°C, enough for light, short-term freezing, but less suited to long-term deep-freeze storage than models reaching -18°C or -22°C such as the Dometic CoolFreeze or Engel ranges.
Its power draw of around 48W at 12V (4.0A) stays moderate for this size, generally allowing several days of runtime on a good auxiliary battery, depending on outside temperature and the setting chosen.
With over 4,000 reviews, it benefits from a very large sales history tied to its accessible positioning within a well-regarded technical range (Dometic group), making it one of the best-documented references in its category.
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Page published on 31 July 2026