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, widely reviewed
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 |
Estimate for typical conditions: 28°C outside, average ventilation, partial sun exposure, 6 openings a day, €0.20/kWh.
Refine this estimate with your own settings →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
I took it on a classic camping weekend, with no bigger ambition than keeping drinks and food cool from Friday evening to Sunday. No app, no Bluetooth to set up: I just placed the cooler, turned the dial and did not think about it again, a genuine comfort when you want simplicity after a busy week. The interior LED light turned out far more useful than expected for finding a yoghurt at the bottom of the box in the middle of the night without switching on a head torch. At 11.5 kg empty, I carried it alone without any trouble from the boot to the picnic table. The one real downside is the cooling range, limited to -10°C: fine for keeping things cool, but I had to give up on storing properly hard ice cubes for Saturday evening drinks, the ice softened during the day. For everyday use in a van or car, with no need for freezing, the FR40 remains a simple, effective choice.
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.
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