ICECO builds two main families of 12V compressor fridge: the APL range in aluminum cases and the VL Pro range in steel cases. Both use SECOP compressors, run on 12/24V DC or household AC (the APL20 and APL35 through an included AC adapter), and come with a 5-year compressor warranty. Where they differ is weight, temperature range, lid design, zone options and the sizes on offer. This guide sets the two side by side using ICECO's own published specifications.
The short answer
- Choose an APL if you lift the fridge in and out of a vehicle often, want every model to have Bluetooth app control, or want a dual-zone fridge in a 35 L size. The APL20, APL35 and APL55 cover 20 to 55 liters.
- Choose a VL Pro if the fridge stays mounted on a slide or in a truck bed, you need more than 60 liters, or you want a lid that opens from either side. The VL Pro range runs from 35 to 90 liters.
Every APL and VL Pro model we sell, side by side
Dimensions are exterior, length x width x height, as ICECO publishes them. Energy use is ICECO's laboratory figure in kWh per 24 hours; ICECO notes that real consumption depends on conditions.
| Model | Case | Capacity | Zones | Weight | Exterior (in) | Temp range | ICECO kWh/24h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| APL20 | Aluminum | 21 qt / 20 L | Single | 22.9 lb | 25.0 x 14.9 x 11.6 | -4°F to 68°F | 0.293 |
| APL35 | Aluminum | 37 qt / 35 L | Dual (27 L + 8 L) | 32.0 lb | 27.0 x 14.4 x 15.7 | -4°F to 68°F | 0.381 |
| Jeep APL35 | Aluminum | 37 qt / 35 L | Dual (27 L + 8 L) | 32 lb | 27.0 x 14.4 x 15.7 | -4°F to 68°F | Same as APL35* |
| APL55 | Aluminum | 58 qt / 55 L | Dual, or single with divider out | 63.2 lb | 29.7 x 18.9 x 19.3 | -4°F to 68°F | 0.326 |
| VL35ProS | Steel | 37 qt / 35 L | Single | 48.7 lb | 28.1 x 15.9 x 15.7 | 0°F to 50°F | 0.430 |
| VL45ProS | Steel | 47.5 qt / 45 L | Single | 52.2 lb | 28.1 x 15.9 x 18.1 | 0°F to 50°F | 0.510 |
| VL45ProD | Steel | 45 qt / 42.5 L | Dual, removable partition | 53.4 lb | 28.1 x 15.9 x 18.1 | 0°F to 50°F | Not published |
| VL60ProS | Steel | 63 qt / 60 L | Single | 59.0 lb | 30.2 x 18.5 x 18.1 | 0°F to 50°F | 0.548 |
| VL75ProD | Steel | 79 qt / 75 L | Dual, two lids | 69.6 lb | 36.5 x 18.5 x 18.1 | 0°F to 50°F | 0.636 |
| VL90ProD | Steel | 95 qt / 90 L | Dual, two lids | 75.1 lb | 38.3 x 20.7 x 18.1 | 0°F to 50°F | 0.658 |
*ICECO describes the Jeep edition as the same APL35 fridge in a Jeep "41 Green" finish with leather handles and latches; it does not list a separate energy figure. The VL45ProD does not appear in ICECO's published consumption table, so we have left that cell blank rather than estimate it.
Weight: where aluminum really pays off
The clearest gap is at 35 liters. The APL35 weighs 32.0 lb and the VL35ProS weighs 48.7 lb, so the aluminum fridge is 16.7 lb lighter for the same 35 L capacity, and it is dual zone where the VL35ProS is single zone. If one person loads the fridge into a cargo area at the start of every trip, that difference is noticeable.
At the larger end the picture changes. The APL55 (55 L) weighs 63.2 lb and the VL60ProS (60 L) weighs 59.0 lb. The APL55 adds a second zone, damped hinges and 2.4 in. of insulation, and ICECO's figure for it (0.326 kWh/24h) is lower than the VL60ProS (0.548 kWh/24h). So at this size the APL is not the lighter choice; its advantages are zones, the wider temperature range and a lower published energy figure.
Case and durability
ICECO describes the VL Pro cases as hardened steel and the APL cases as aluminum built for overland and RV travel. Steel is the heavier material and the one most people pick for a fridge that rides in a truck bed or on a slide and takes knocks from gear. Aluminum saves weight and suits a fridge that is carried. The VL Pro models add a weatherproof control panel and a drain hole for cleaning, and ICECO's manuals state its fridges are engineered to run in ambient temperatures up to 131°F.
The lids work differently. Every VL Pro lid opens from the left or the right, or lifts off completely, which helps when the fridge sits against a wall or on a slide rail. APL lids hold themselves open where you leave them, and the APL55 has damped hinges.
Temperature range
The APL models are rated from -4°F to 68°F. The VL Pro models are rated from 0°F to 50°F. If you want a deeper freeze, or want to hold a zone above normal fridge temperature, the APL range covers more ground.
Zones
All three dual-zone APL models (APL35, Jeep APL35 and APL55) let you run both compartments at different temperatures, and ICECO's APL35 manual shows how to switch one compartment off to run as a single zone. In the VL Pro range, the ProS models are single zone and the ProD models are dual zone: the VL45ProD uses a removable partition in one cabinet, while the VL75ProD and VL90ProD have two separate compartments under two lids, cooled by one compressor, and either zone can be shut off. Our ICECO buying guide covers how to pick a zone layout in more detail.
App control
ICECO lists Bluetooth app control (iOS and Android) on the APL20, APL35, Jeep APL35 and APL55. For the VL Pro range, ICECO's current manuals for the VL35/45/60 ProS and the VL75/90 ProD include an app control section. However, ICECO has said on its own VL45ProS page that earlier VL45ProS units did not have Bluetooth, and some owners of earlier VL Pro units report the same. If app control is a must for a VL Pro, ask us to confirm the current build before you order. We have not confirmed app control for the VL45ProD.
Power use, worked out simply
ICECO publishes laboratory figures and notes that real use depends on conditions; ICECO does not state the ambient temperature or set point behind them. Treat the numbers below as a starting point. Ambient heat, how often you open the lid, how full the fridge is and how cold you set it all change the result.
- APL35: 0.381 kWh/24h = 381 Wh a day, about 15.9 W on average. A 100Ah LiFePO4 battery gives about 1,152 usable Wh (100 x 12.8 V x 0.9), so roughly 72 hours.
- VL35ProS: 0.430 kWh/24h = 430 Wh a day, about 17.9 W. The same battery gives roughly 64 hours.
- VL90ProD: 0.658 kWh/24h = 658 Wh a day, about 27.4 W. The same battery gives roughly 42 hours; a 100Ah AGM battery (about 600 usable Wh at 50% depth of discharge) gives roughly 22 hours.
To replace that energy with solar, divide daily Wh by peak sun hours times about 0.75 system efficiency. For the VL90ProD at 4 to 5 sun hours that is 658 / (4 x 0.75) = about 219 W down to 658 / (5 x 0.75) = about 175 W of panel. Our RV solar and battery calculator runs the same math for your whole system.
Who each range suits
APL suits
- Car campers and weekenders who carry the fridge, where the 22.9 lb APL20 or 32 lb APL35 is easy to lift.
- Anyone who wants a freezer and a fridge in a compact 35 L box.
- Owners who want app control on every model and the wider -4°F to 68°F range.
VL Pro suits
- Fridges that live on a slide in a truck bed, van or trailer and never come out.
- Families and long trips that need 60 to 90 liters; ICECO's APL range tops out at 55 L.
- Tight installs where a lid that opens from either side, or lifts off, makes access easier.
Both families have matching slides and insulated covers. The VL35ProS, VL45ProS and APL35 share one slide mount, the APL55 and VL60ProS share another, and the VL75ProD and VL90ProD use the side-pull slide. Ready-made fridge, cover and slide kits are on our ICECO bundles page, and the full range is in the ICECO collection. Found it cheaper? We'll beat it.
ICECO's wheeled JP40 Pro and JP50 Pro sit between the two ranges: the APL's -4°F to 68°F range with app control, 39.1 lb and 40.7 lb, on wheels, and they fit the same slide as the VL35ProS and VL45ProS. See ICECO JP40 Pro vs JP50 Pro.
FAQ
Is the APL35 lighter than the VL35ProS?
Yes. ICECO lists the APL35 at 32.0 lb and the VL35ProS at 48.7 lb, both 35 L. The APL35 is also dual zone.
Which ICECO range goes biggest?
The VL Pro range. The VL90ProD holds 95 qt (90 L); the largest APL is the 58 qt (55 L) APL55.
Do APL and VL Pro fridges run on AC power?
Yes. Both run on 12/24V DC. The VL Pro models and the APL55 take 110-120V AC through an AC cable; the APL20 and APL35 run on AC through the AC adapter in the box.
More ICECO guides: ICECO vs Engel, ICECO vs Setpower, app setup and warranty and claims.