Once you experience the benefits of a fridge while camping, it’s hard to go back to a standard cooler. For the current 4Runner build, I’ve been focused on weight – or lack thereof. ICECO recently reached out about their new APL35 and after seeing the weight specs, I was pretty stoked to test it out. It’s been about 6 months since we mounted it and we’ve tested this unit on 5 trips over 20 nights.
If you’re unfamiliar, I’ll catch you up. The APL35 is an ultra-lightweight fridge/freezer that weighs in at just 32 lbs! This isn’t just the lightest in its class; it also features some impressive functionality that sets it apart.
Powered by a SECOP Compressor, the APL35 cools down to 35°F in just 10 minutes. That’s insane you guys! The dual-zone and dual-cooling system allows for temperature ranges from -4°F to 68°F, giving you the flexibility you need for various foods and beverages. Like many other refrigerators, it features Bluetooth App Control, so monitoring and adjusting your settings is simple. Plus, it comes with a 5-year warranty, outpacing the typical 3-year warranty offered by competitors like Dometic.
So, it’s lighter, more affordable, faster, and backed by a better warranty than one of the most popular overland refrigerators on the market? Yes!
Let’s dive in and explore what makes this the perfect addition to your setup. Since my last fridge was the Dometic CFX3 45, I’ll be making some comparisons between the two, what I don’t like about the APL35, and which one I would choose at the end of the day.
ICECO also provided us with a discount code for extra savings!
- Use code – TrailCo – for 12% off your purchase (only works on their site)
Table Of Contents
Video Overview
Weight
The weight of the APL35 is what attracted me most – weighing in at only 32 lbs. Compare that to the Dometic CFX35 sitting at 45 lbs. Dropping over 10 lbs. makes a big difference—not just for loading the fridge from the garage to the 4Runner, but also for keeping the cargo weight down when heading out for the weekend.
Ultra Fast Cooling
When I initially tested the fridge and set everything up, I was shocked at how fast the APL35 cooled down. I jumped on Instagram and posted about 20 stories showing how fast the fridge was cooling down in real-time. It was around 110 degrees in Sacramento and the it was cooling down at lightning speed. I have never seen one reach temp that fast. Not the Dometic, Smittybilt, Bodega, or any other fridge I’ve tested has reached an ice-cold temperature that quickly.
ICECO utilizes a SECOP compressor and calls it nano-fast cooling. 11 minutes to cold. Nano fast cooling refers to advanced technology that enables rapid and efficient cooling in refrigeration units, making it ideal for portable fridges that frequently get opened and exposed to extreme heat when outdoors.
I’ve tested the APL35 on numerous camping/wheeling trips, and it’s been impressive with reaching the set temperature after staying open to access food/drink.
Although it reaches temp quickly, I still recommend pre-cooling before heading out on a trip the night before.
Aluminum Shell (Design)
The aluminum design is reminiscent of a rugged Zarges box. It’s the only fridge currently on the market that offers a full aluminum exterior shell design including the polished aluminum corner caps or ICECO refers to them as “corner protection”. The aluminum design alone might just be enough to sell you. In my honest opinion, this is the best-looking portable refrigerator the off-road/overland market has ever seen.
Power Consumption
If you pre-cool the fridge the night before a trip, you will be fine. Once the unit reaches temp, there’s less amp draw on your power station. We’ve been running a PLB40 since February of 2022 and that unit is still going strong. It’s had a few errors here and there that required resetting and a new fuse but for the most part, it’s my go-to power station for a fridge because it’s 12V regulated. That means you can run the battery down to 1-2% and it will still provide a full 12V to the unit requesting draw.
I ran a test on the ICECO to see how much power consumption it would take the night before a day trip and was shocked at how much it pulled from the PLB40. Instead of pre-cooling via the 110v in my garage, I plugged the APL35 straight into the PLB40 and let it run all night. When I woke up in the morning, the APL35 had pulled around 35% of the battery – which I thought was high given the performance I’ve seen from the PLB40 in the past. This may come down to less efficient insulation.
Hinges
Another standout feature of the APL35 is the zero gravity hinge. All the other refrigerators I’ve tested in the past feature a lid that needs to be manually supported by your elbow or shoulder when reaching into the unit. Well, that’s all changed in this new unit from ICECO. The zero gravity hinge is designed to allow the lid to stay open at any angle without the need for additional support.
This mechanism helps distribute weight evenly, reducing the effort needed to open or close the lid, making it super useful when reaching into the fridge on a slope or when your hands are loaded with other items. Game changer addition to a portable fridge right here. After testing for over 6 months, this might be my favorite feature.
Locking Latches
The locking latches offer some peace of mind that the fridge will stay shut no matter how hard you push your vehicle around. I’ve never had any problems with my Dometic lid opening on accident but ICECO just takes it a step further and locks it into place. You can also add a lock to your fridge which is a nice feature. If you want to add a combination lock or keyed lock, you have that option. I don’t think I would ever be in a position to utilize this feature but some of you might.
Handles
The handles on the APL35 are impressive! I’ve broken the handles on both my Bodega and the Smittybilt in the past. They’re plastic handles held on by plastic retainers – they work but not well. About a year ago, I loaded my Smittybilt to the brim with food, pre-cooled it the night before and the morning of a trip, picked it up and the handle ripped off which forced me to drop the unit. The handle went back on just fine and I was a little more calculated with how I picked it up the second time around but the point remains, if you’re not paying attention and holding the handles perfectly parallel to your body, handles can break off on inferior refrigerators.
That won’t happen with the APL35. The spring-loaded, ABS-coated aluminum handles are incredibly strong! They’re bolted to the unit with fallen head bolts and stainless rivets. There is no way this handle is breaking off. They’re also utilized as tie-down points for slides.
Fridge Slide
After testing out the Alu-Cab tilt fridge slide, it’s hard running anything of lesser quality. The ICECO fridge slide is nice but nowhere near something like an Alu-Cab slide. The slider has about 1/4″ of play and wiggles back and forth if you push it around. There are no noticeable rattling sounds from the driver’s seat but it may start at some point if I wheel hard enough and wear out the sliders.
The handle on the front is also not very user-friendly. It sits lower than most handles which sometimes collides with the plate system. If you’re looking for the highest-end slider, look at Alu-Cab. The build quality of the slider does not match the build quality seen in the fridge. The price difference is significant though, and this one gets the job done.
Pros
There are a ton of pros in this unit:
- High-Quality Aluminum Construction
- Dual Zone Temperature Control
- Lightweight Design (32 lbs)
- Low Noise Operation (32dB)
- Efficient SECOP Nano Compressor
- Super Fast Cooling (11 min to cold)
- Warranty (5 years on compressor, 1 year on accessories)
- Strong Spring Loaded Handles
- Scissor Hinges Keep Lid Open Without Support
- Click Button LCD Control Panel
- Price Beats Dometic By Almost $300!
Cons
The main downside to this product is the location of the power input. The control panel and AC/DC power input are both located on the front of the fridge so you’re forced to run cables from the front of the unit to the side or the back of the unit. It’s not a deal breaker but when inputs are located on the backside of refrigerators, it provides a cleaner look.
Another possible downside is that it is not offered in a 45L or tall 55L option. Maybe in time, we will see more size offerings for the APL aluminum line as it really does have everything else going for it.
Just an all-around beautiful product from ICECO.
Final Thoughts
It’s not often when a company comes out with a product that’s so different than everything else.
In so many ways this product pushes the boundaries of what the industry leaders have done in the past. I love Dometic products and will continue to run them but ICECO sure is giving them a run for their money in the portable refrigerator space. I have not tested their power stations and their fridge slider could use some improvements as well. When it comes to their refrigerators though, they really have a solid product. If you’re on the fence, hopefully, this post pushed you over the edge.
The APL35 is an innovative option packed with features built to last – and if it doesn’t, you can rely on the 5-year warranty.
If I had to choose between the APL35 and the CFX35, I would go with the APL35 because it’s $300 cheaper, has a better warranty, and packs a few more features.
The forward-facing power input still bugs me though. I really wish that was located in the back like the CFX35.
