ICECO VL45 Plus Review: The First 3-Way Access Portable Freezer, Tested

 8 min read

ICECO VL45 Plus Review: Built for Real Rigs

This ICECO VL45 Plus review comes after two weeks of hands-on testing in real overland conditions. On first look, the unit reads like a classic ICECO 12v portable freezer. It keeps food cold, it feels rock solid, and the app integration works well. However, one feature sets it apart from the pack. ICECO calls the VL45 Plus the first 3-way access design in a portable freezer, so you reach your food from the side without opening the top.

Overlanders, truck and SUV owners, and off-grid campers will find the most value here. Because the side opens like a drawer, you slide the basket out in tight cargo areas instead of unloading gear first. Meanwhile, the top still opens from either side and lifts off completely when you want full access.

ICECO is launching the VL45 Plus through a crowdfunding campaign, and the project goes live on Kickstarter with early-bird pledge pricing. If you already trust ICECO as an overland fridge brand, the Plus brings smarter access to the same proven cooling platform. For background, our team also covered the original ICECO VL45 review, and the Plus builds directly on it.

ICECO VL45 Plus Specs at a Glance

Before the deep dive, here are the headline numbers. These specs come from ICECO and from our two weeks of testing.

Specification	Details
Capacity	44.4 QT (42L)
Access design	3-way: left lid, right lid, side slide-out
Insulation	2.8″ Vacuum Insulated Panels
Temperature range	0°F to 50°F
Control options	Onboard panel, Bluetooth app, Apple CarPlay
Power	AC/DC, ICECO magnetic battery ready
Construction	All-metal, reinforced corners, tie-downs
Bottle fit	Upright 2.11 QT (2L) bottles

The 3-Way Access Design, Tested

The 3-way access system is the headline feature, and it earns the attention. You open the lid from the left, open it from the right, or pull the side basket out like a drawer. During testing, the side slide proved most useful in a packed SUV cargo area. Instead of climbing over gear to lift the top, I slid the tray out and grabbed a drink in seconds.

The top lid also impressed me. It opens both ways, and it lifts off entirely with almost no effort. As a result, meal prep at camp felt far easier than with a single-hinge fridge. For installs in a truck bed, a camper, or a tight overland setup, this flexibility removes the usual awkward reach.

One honest note belongs here. Because one side houses the slide mechanism, the handles do not sit at the same height on each side. This mismatch is expected with a side-drawer design, and it never affected daily use. Still, buyers who like perfect symmetry should know about it before backing.

Cooling Performance and VIP Insulation

Cooling is where any 12v fridge proves itself, and the VL45 Plus delivers true freezer performance. The compressor pulls the cabinet down to 0°F, so frozen meat stays frozen on multi-day trips. Compared to a cooler, it holds a steady temperature without melted ice or water pooling at the bottom, the same gap we cover in our portable fridge vs cooler guide.

ICECO built the Plus around 2.8″ Vacuum Insulated Panels, a clear step up from cooler foam. In my two weeks of testing, the box held cold longer between compressor cycles. The unit also ran off an external EcoFlow power station through long days without trouble, though I did not meter exact amp draw. Across hot afternoons and cold desert nights, the temperature stayed steady.

This 12v portable freezer also runs quietly. The low-noise compressor stayed in the background while I slept in the vehicle, so rest never suffered. For anyone who has lived with a loud fridge cycling all night, the difference is welcome.

Power, App, and CarPlay Control

The VL45 Plus gives you three ways to manage cooling. First, you set temperature on the side-mounted control panel. Next, you monitor and adjust through the Bluetooth app. Finally, you control the unit through Apple CarPlay while driving, which keeps your eyes on the road.

The control panel sits near the lid opening instead of low on the front. Because of this placement, you read the display without bending down or reaching awkwardly inside a vehicle. During testing, the app paired quickly and the temperature reading matched a separate thermometer closely.

For off-grid trips, the Plus is compatible with the ICECO magnetic battery, which attaches directly to the freezer and removes loose cables. The magnetic battery is a separate purchase, so factor it into your budget if you want a cable-free setup. I did not test the magnetic pack myself. Instead, I powered the unit from an external EcoFlow power station, and it ran without issue. As a portable car fridge with AC/DC input, it also works at home or off a portable power station.

Build Quality and Mounting

Build quality matches the ICECO reputation. The cabinet uses all-metal construction with reinforced corners, so it shrugs off the knocks of off-road travel. Tie-down points and a metal mounting system keep the unit planted during rough terrain, steep climbs, and washboard roads.

This rugged platform makes the Plus a serious overland fridge rather than a soft cooler upgrade. While testing on uneven trails, the freezer never shifted or rattled loose. For drivers who treat their gear hard, this kind of secure mounting earns trust. Our overlanding fridge buying guide covers mounting in more depth.

VL45 Plus vs. the Standard VL45: Which Should You Pick?

The standard ICECO VL45 already ranks among the best 12v fridge options for the money. So why move up to the Plus? The biggest reason is access. Where the standard model opens only from the top, the Plus adds side-drawer and dual-hinge access, which changes how you live with the fridge in a packed rig.

The second difference is insulation. With its 2.8″ Vacuum Insulated Panels, the Plus holds cold longer and sips less power than a foam-insulated box. For shoppers comparing options, our best overland fridge and freezers roundup puts both in context against rival brands.

Price decides the rest. The standard VL45 sells today at a known price, while the Plus reveals early-bird pricing only at the Kickstarter launch. If you want the smarter access and newer insulation, the Plus is the pick. For a tight budget where top access works fine, the standard model still performs.

Feature	VL45 Plus	Standard VL45
Access	3-way (dual lid + side slide)	Top opening only
Insulation	2.8″ Vacuum Insulated Panels	Conventional foam
Capacity	44.4 QT (42L)	47 QT (45L)
Control	Panel, app, Apple CarPlay	Panel, app
Price	Kickstarter early-bird (TBA)	Available now

One point on size: the standard VL45 holds slightly more at 47 QT, so the Plus trades a little volume for smarter access and better panels. For most solo and pair trips, both hold plenty.

Pros and Cons

Final Verdict

The ICECO VL45 Plus is built for overlanders, truck and SUV owners, and off-grid campers who want easier access in tight spaces. Its biggest strength is obvious within a day: the 3-way access design removes the usual struggle of reaching food in a packed rig. Add true freezer cooling and a rugged metal body, and the platform feels dialed for serious travel.

The trade-offs stay minor. Buyers who want a known price today, or who need more than 42L for a big family, should weigh those points first. For shoppers who dislike waiting on crowdfunding fulfillment, the timing matters too.

On value, the early-bird Kickstarter pricing decides a lot, since the public price arrives only at launch. For two weeks the freezer performed like a dependable ICECO unit while adding side access few rivals match today. It stands out in a crowded 12v fridge market.

For overlanders who load and unload daily, the VL45 Plus earns a strong recommendation. If you would rather buy today than wait on fulfillment, the larger standard ICECO VL45 remains a smart buy. Not ready to pledge yet? Follow the campaign and decide once ICECO posts pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the ICECO VL45 Plus run while driving?

Yes. The VL45 Plus runs on 12v DC power, so it cools while your vehicle drives. You also control it through Apple CarPlay on the road, which keeps adjustments simple and safe.

How cold does the VL45 Plus get?

The freezer reaches 0°F at the low end and 50°F at the high end. Because it uses a real compressor, it holds frozen temperatures on multi-day trips instead of slowly warming like a cooler.

Does the VL45 Plus work off a portable battery?

Yes. The unit accepts AC and DC power, and it pairs with the ICECO magnetic battery for off-grid use. As a result, you run it from a power station, a vehicle battery, or the magnetic pack away from the rig.

What makes the 3-way access design different?

Most fridges open only from the top. The VL45 Plus adds dual-hinge lid access plus a side slide-out basket, so you reach food from the left, the right, or the side without unloading nearby gear.

How big is the ICECO VL45 Plus?

Its cabinet holds 44.4 QT (42L), enough for food, drinks, and meal prep on a multi-day trip. As a compact portable car fridge, it still fits upright 2L bottles, which many small fridges fail to hold.

When does the ICECO VL45 Plus launch on Kickstarter?

ICECO is launching the VL45 Plus through Kickstarter with early-bird pledge pricing. Visit the campaign page for the live launch date, pledge tiers, and shipping timeline.