# Connected Off-Road Freezers The ICECO VL45 PLUS Has Three-Way Access and Works with CarPlay By Michael Hemsworth | Published 2026-07-03 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iceco-vl45-plus References: [homecrux](https://www.homecrux.com/iceco-vl45-plus-3-way-access-portable-freezer-launched/397077/) & [kickstarter](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/iceco/iceco-vl45-plus-the-first-3-way-access-portable-freezer?ref=du91zt)  The ICECO VL45 PLUS portable freezer is a powered, connected take on the humble cooler that's engineered to blast past its capabilities by opting for advanced technologies. The unit features a relatively compact design that can be positioned into a trunk or [overlanding setup](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rugged-road-45-v2-cooler) and will plug in to start cooling immediately. The unit can be controlled remotely via CarPlay to make it ideal for use in vehicles, while the [triple-access design](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/midea-5050-flex) means it can be opened either way from the top or from the side. The ICECO VL45 PLUS portable freezer offers settings from zero to 50-degrees Fahrenheit to allow for use with a range of foods and drinks. The unit speaks to the popularity of off-road adventuring as a wider segment of consumers ascribe to the weekend warrior lifestyle to get out of the city between office days. Image Credit: ICECO ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.4/10 - Popularity: 38% | Activity: 41% | Freshness: 84% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **App-connected Cooling:** Smart controls embedded in portable freezers create room for vehicle-integrated food storage that syncs with dashboards, phones, and trip-planning ecosystems. - **Weekend Overlanding Gear:** Rising demand for short off-road escapes is expanding the market for compact, durable appliances designed around urban professionals and recreational adventurers. - **Multi-access Storage:** Flexible lid and side-opening designs point to new product formats that improve usability in packed trunks, campers, boats, and modular outdoor setups. ### Who This Affects Most - **Outdoor Recreation:** Connected refrigeration adds a premium technology layer to camping and overlanding equipment, reshaping expectations for convenience beyond traditional coolers. - **Automotive Accessories:** CarPlay-compatible appliances signal a shift toward in-vehicle ecosystems where climate control, navigation, entertainment, and gear management converge. - **Portable Appliances:** Battery-ready, compact cooling units are broadening appliance innovation into mobile lifestyles, emergency preparedness, remote work, and leisure travel. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Heavy-Duty Personal Coolers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/personal-cooler.md) - [Compressor-Equipped Cooler Backpacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chillbee-sofichill.md) - [AC-Equipped Camping Coolers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solo-stove-windchill-47.md) - [Nanogel Insulation Camping Coolers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/freezill-soft-cooler.md) - [Multi-Functional Outdoor Appliance Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/warmweather-entertaining.md) - [Real-Time Monitoring Coolers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oyster-tempo-pro-cooler.md) - [Collapsible Cold Retention Coolers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coleman-snap-n-go.md) - [Portable Refrigerator Lines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portable-cooling-line.md) - [Smart Label Wine Coolers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-porta.md)