ICECO VL45 PLUS Preview: The World’s First 3-Way Access 12V Fridge/Freezer

 7 min read

ICECO VL45 PLUS Overview: Built for Tight Rigs

The ICECO VL45 PLUS is a new 44.4QT (42L) 12V portable fridge/freezer heading to Kickstarter, and it targets a problem every overlander knows. Most fridges open one way, from the top. When your rig packs gear around the unit, the lone lid becomes a wall. ICECO answers with a 3-way access design, the first of its kind in a portable freezer.

We have run ICECO fridges across thousands of trail miles, so the brand is familiar territory here. Every ICECO fridge we have tested has held temperature through hard use. The VL45 PLUS aims at overlanders, truck campers, and off-grid travelers who fight for space behind the seats or in a cramped cargo area. Because you reach food from the left, the right, or a slide-out side basket, you skip the usual unloading ritual.

Pricing has not been announced yet, since the campaign sits in pre-launch. Kickstarter projects typically open with early-bird discounts, so backers often pay less than retail. If you are still weighing a 12V unit against an ice chest, our breakdown of a portable fridge vs a cooler covers the math first.

Key Specs at a Glance

Specification	Details
Capacity	44.4QT / 42L
Access design	3-way: left, right, slide-out basket
Temperature range	0°F to 50°F (-18°C to 10°C)
Insulation	Vacuum Insulated Panels, 2.8-inch walls
Control options	Onboard panel, Bluetooth app, Apple CarPlay
Power input	AC/DC, ICECO magnetic battery ready
Construction	All-metal body, reinforced corners, tie-down points
Launch	Kickstarter (pre-launch as of May 2026)

The 3-Way Access Design Changes How You Pack

The 3-way access system is the reason this fridge exists. You open the lid from the left side, swing it from the right side, or pull a slide-out basket from the side of the cabinet. Therefore your fridge stays reachable whether it sits in a truck bed, an SUV cargo zone, a camper galley, or a tight drawer system.

Here is why this matters for the wallet. Many overlanders mount a fridge on a pull-out slide so the lid clears the headliner and surrounding gear. Quality fridge slides run a few hundred dollars and add weight and height. With side access built in, the VL45 PLUS reduces the need for a pricey slide, because you reach the contents without dragging the whole unit out first.

Our testing on the original ICECO VL45 showed it cooled well but benefited from slide-out mounting for real access. The PLUS attacks exactly this limitation. If the side basket works as shown, it removes a recurring build cost for a lot of rigs.

Cooling and Insulation Built for Multi-Day Trips

As a 12V fridge freezer, the VL45 PLUS holds anywhere from 0°F to 50°F, so it runs as a fridge or a freezer on demand. Specifically, a compressor drives the cooling, which means consistent temperatures without melted ice or water pooling in the bottom. For overland fridge duty, steady cooling matters more than raw size. For multi-day trips off the grid, steady temps protect food and reduce waste.

ICECO wraps the cabinet in Vacuum Insulated Panels with 2.8-inch walls. Thicker, more efficient insulation keeps cold air inside longer, so the compressor cycles less often. Consequently the unit pulls less power across a long weekend, which eases the load on your house battery or solar setup.

Power draw is the question every buyer asks, and the official numbers are not published yet. As an industry estimate, comparable 40L-class units pull roughly 45 to 60 watts while the compressor runs. Until ICECO releases verified runtime data, treat efficiency claims as promising rather than proven.

Smart Control and Magnetic Power

The VL45 PLUS gives you three ways to manage temperature. You adjust settings on the side-mounted control panel, monitor the unit through a Bluetooth app, or run it through Apple CarPlay while driving. Notably, the panel sits near the lid opening, so you avoid bending down to a low front display.

For off-grid use, the fridge accepts an ICECO magnetic battery, which clips directly onto the cabinet. This keeps power portable without a tangle of cables, which helps when you carry the fridge away from the vehicle to a campsite or a tailgate. We saw the same magnetic-battery approach when we tested the ICECO VL75 ProD, and it worked cleanly there.

In addition, mounting hardware rounds out the package. ICECO includes a metal mount with integrated tie-down points, so the unit should stay put on steep climbs and washboard roads. All-metal construction and reinforced corners support the off-road claims on paper. As an overland fridge, the cabinet looks built for abuse, though we have not stress-tested this model yet.

VL45 PLUS vs. the Original VL45: Which Fits You?

The original VL45 is a 45L single-zone fridge with a SECOP compressor and a 40-degree tilt rating. It earned its budget-favorite status because it cooled like premium units at a lower price. However, it opens only from the top, so most owners add a slide for usable access.

The VL45 PLUS keeps the rugged single-zone formula and similar capacity, then layers on side access, Vacuum Insulated Panels, CarPlay, and magnetic-battery support. If you already run the original and love it, the upgrade case rests on access and smart features rather than raw cooling. For a new buyer building a tight rig, the side access alone might tip the decision.

Shoppers who want more room or dual-zone flexibility have options too. The ICECO VL60 dual-zone fridge splits 63.4 quarts into two controllable zones. To see where the PLUS lands against the broader field, browse our best overland fridge/freezers of 2026.

Early Promise and Open Questions

Should You Back the ICECO VL45 PLUS?

The ICECO VL45 PLUS solves a real overlanding headache, and it does so from a brand with a strong track record on the trail. If your build fights for space and a fridge slide feels like an expensive workaround, the side access design is the standout reason to watch this campaign.

The trade-offs are normal for a launch. Pricing is unconfirmed, runtime data is unpublished, and crowdfunding always carries a delivery-timeline risk. Buyers who need dual-zone cooling or a proven shipping history should look at an in-stock model instead. Single-zone owners give up the option to refrigerate and freeze at the same time.

On value, the early-bird math depends on the launch price against the original VL45 and rivals like Dometic. Side access and Vacuum Insulated Panels add genuine utility, so a modest premium over the standard VL45 would still read as fair.

Our take is simple. Follow the campaign, compare the early-bird price to the original VL45, and back it if the access design fits your rig. For a safer in-stock pick today, the ICECO VL75 ProD remains our favorite dual-zone option. For everyone fighting cargo space, though, the VL45 PLUS is the launch worth watching.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 3-way access on the ICECO VL45 PLUS?

The ICECO VL45 PLUS opens from the left, opens from the right, and offers a slide-out side basket. As a result you reach food in tight vehicle setups without unloading the gear stacked around the fridge.

Does the ICECO VL45 PLUS work with Apple CarPlay?

Yes. You control the fridge through Apple CarPlay while driving, through a Bluetooth app on your phone, or through the side-mounted onboard panel. The three options cover most use cases on and off the road.

How much does the ICECO VL45 PLUS cost?

ICECO has not announced pricing, because the project sits in Kickstarter pre-launch. Expect an early-bird backer price below eventual retail, which is standard for crowdfunding launches.

How many watts does a 12V fridge like this use?

A 40L-class 12V fridge freezer typically draws 45 to 60 watts while the compressor runs. Between cycles, it pulls far less. Vacuum Insulated Panels should lower the VL45 PLUS average, though ICECO has not released verified figures yet.

Is the ICECO VL45 PLUS a fridge or a freezer?

It works as both. The single-zone cabinet holds any setting from 0°F to 50°F, so you run it as a freezer or a fridge. However, it will not do both at once like a dual-zone unit.

How does the VL45 PLUS compare to the original VL45?

Both share rugged single-zone cooling and similar capacity. The PLUS adds 3-way access, Vacuum Insulated Panels, CarPlay, and magnetic-battery support, while the original VL45 stays the budget pick for top-lid-only access.