When it comes to keeping food and drinks cold during outdoor adventures, insulation performance is key. In this test, we compared two similarly built products: the ICECO APL55, a 12V compressor fridge, and a well-known stainless steel cooler renowned for its insulation capability. Both units feature stainless steel exteriors and comparable internal capacities, making this a fair, apples-to-apples test of active cooling vs passive insulation.
Despite their different cooling mechanisms, both coolers share similar hardware-level configurations—an ideal setup to isolate the effect of insulation and design:
ICECO APL55: Stainless steel outer shell
Stainless Steel Cooler: Stainless steel outer shell
Both units offer rugged construction and corrosion resistance, suitable for demanding environments. However, the high thermal conductivity of metal means insulation performance heavily depends on the internal wall design and sealing.
APL55: High-density PU foam with 61mm wall thickness, paired with a food-safe aluminum liner that reflects internal cold to reduce thermal gain.
Stainless Steel Cooler: Combines Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIP) with PU foam inside a thinner wall (approx. 35–40mm), featuring a metal-coated liner and food-grade plastic interior.
While VIP offers high efficiency in thin profiles, the APL55’s significantly thicker insulation and reflective aluminum lining create a greater thermal buffer. This becomes crucial in long-term use, where even slight differences in material behavior compound over time.
APL55: Multi-layer gasket and compression-sealed lid minimize air exchange, enhancing both powered and passive insulation performance.
Stainless Steel Cooler: Traditional rubber gasket with mechanical latch seal—standard for passive ice boxes but less adaptive under thermal expansion.
To evaluate pure insulation performance, both units were filled to capacity with ice. Internal temperatures were tracked continuously until both reached ambient (~25°C), simulating a real-world no-power scenario.
The APL55 and the stainless cooler started at the same temperature but showed markedly different performance curves.
By Day 3, the cooler had already climbed near freezing, while the APL55 held sub-zero. On Day 5, the cooler had exceeded 0°C—above the food-safe threshold—while the APL55 still held below -2°C. The APL55 stayed under 4°C for over 6 days longer, giving it a clear edge in real-world usability without power.
The APL55's thicker PU foam provides more insulation mass, and the coated aluminum inner liner helps reflect and retain internal cold. Combined with its air-tight gasket system, it loses cold at a significantly slower rate—even in passive mode. The traditional cooler, despite using VIP, warms faster due to thinner walls and less optimized sealing.
CECO APL55: Best for Long-Term Trips, Powered or Not
Pros: Stable, reliable cooling, no need for ice, dual-zone design, and effective insulation even without power. Recommended For: Multi-day camping, vanlife, family trips, and storing perishable goods like meat or dairy—especially when food safety matters.
Stainless Steel Cooler: Reliable for Short, Rugged Use
Pros: No electricity needed, simple to use, highly durable. Recommended For: Day trips, kayaking, or expeditions where power is unavailable and weight/complexity must be minimized.
If your adventures often span several days, involve food storage, or include kids, the APL55 offers peace of mind and convenience. You won’t be chasing ice or stressing about spoilage
But if you’re going ultralight, off-grid, or just want to chill drinks for a day in the wild, the traditional cooler still earns its place as a tough, dependable option—just know its limits.
