ICECO PB1000 Power Station Review: Is it Perfect for Powering 12V Fridges?
When most people think of portable power stations, they think of the big brands, like EcoFlow, Anker, and Jackery, but there is actually an ever-growing number of new manufacturers entering this space.
While some of these lesser-known brands aren’t exactly known for building high-quality products, there are some newer brands that are already making a pretty big splash in the power station market. In some cases, these brands have already established themselves in similar industries, and have simply added a few power stations to their existing offerings.
This brings us to ICECO, a brand that is really well-known for their portable 12V fridges and coolers, but has recently decided to launch a power station of their own, the ICECO PB1000 Portable Power Station.
Today, we’ll be reviewing the PB1000 and we’ll cover everything you need to know about this surprisingly well-built and versatile unit. Not only will we put it through some tests and determine if it is a worthwhile purchase, we’ll see how it stacks up against similar units from more established power station brands.
So, is the PB1000 the ideal match for your off-grid outdoor adventures, or is it just a misstep from a 12V fridge brand that should just stay in their lane? Let’s find out.
Breakdown of the ICECO PB1000
ICECO has been in the portable fridge game for nearly 20 years, but this is their first attempt at a portable power station. We’ve seen quite a few companies in the tech space branch out into portable power stations, and we think this trend will continue, so ICECO’s move into this field feels like a pretty natural move.
As for the PB1000, as soon as we unboxed it, it became really clear that they designed the unit with the outdoors in mind, and, even at first glance, it seems like they did a great job. The unit looks and feels really solid, and we already know from reviewing and using their fridges that their products are built to last.
With that said, ICECO’s reputation for building quality fridges certainly helps set the expectations, but that means very little for their power stations until we actually do some hands-on testing of our own. But before we dive into all of that, let’s review the specs.
Overview of the PB1000’s Specs and Features
Weight: 33 lbs. At this weight, it easily passes the “Tiny Baby Lift Test”, meaning it is highly portable and something a single person can easily lift and carry. The flip-up handle on the top of the unit also helps with portability.
Battery Capacity: It comes equipped with a 1,057Wh LiFePO4 battery, which is rated for 3,000 cycles until it’s at 80%. For a unit this size and weight, this is a solid amount of storage capacity, and the cycle rating means it could last up to 10 years with daily use.
Inverter Output: A 1,200W pure sine wave inverter means this little unit has a nice output to storage capacity ratio.
Charge Times and Inputs: A 800W AC input enables 0% to 100% charging through AC power in 1.6 hours. The 430W solar input means it will take about 2.5 hours to fully charge it with solar. When we tested these charge times out, everything was pretty much on the nose.
Output Ports:
1 Anderson solar input
2 AC 120V outlets
2 USB-A and 2 USB-C ports
1 12V car socket and 1 two barrel connector
Wireless charging pad
Extra Features and Price:
The PB1000 features a built-in flashlight on the back of the unit, which offers a staggering 350-hour runtime. This is a really useful feature, both for camping situations and at-home power outages. It also helps stress ICECO’s focus on the outdoors and their decision to design the PB1000 for more adventurous users.
To really drive that focus home, the entire unit is encased in a metal, fire-resistant and shock-resistant protective shell. It just feels like a really simple and rugged power station that was meant for the outdoors and other environments where durability is a must.
When you consider the specs and the overall build quality, the fact it’s priced at $999 makes sense. It’s a reasonable price point for a capable power station from a brand we have come to trust, even if they are fairly new to power stations.
However, it gets better—it’s currently listed on sale for just $699. At this price point, it’s a really solid deal. If you can pick one up anywhere near that price, we think it’s money well spent.
But what makes this unit special? Let’s break it down.
What We Like and Dislike About the ICECO PB1000
After considering the specs and putting this unit through a few days of regular use and testing, we feel we have a firm grasp of where ICECO hit the nail on the head, and where they had a few minor missteps.
What We Liked
Let’s start with what we really liked, then we’ll cover a few of our gripes.
The Rugged Outdoor-Ready Design:
Unlike many brands that simply advertise their products as being outdoor-friendly, the ICECO PB1000 is genuinely built for outdoor use. It has weather-resistant features like auto-retracting covers on the AC ports, which help protect them from the elements. Even the AC input on the back is shielded, and the entire shell has a fire-resistant V-Rating, though we’re not entirely sure of the exact scale.
Beyond that, it just looks and feels really solid. It has the same exterior build as their 12V fridges, which we have plenty of experience using in real-world settings. And, like their fridges, this thing looks and feels like it could take a beating. None of the cheap plastic exteriors and loose-fitting components you get with some of the entry-level brands, it’s just a solid, low-frills power station that does what it was intended to do really well.
The Durability and Simplicity:
Again, we just appreciate the simplicity of the PB1000’s design. It’s not trying to be more than it needs to be, which is refreshing in a market full of over-complicated units. Its shock and drop-resistant design paired with its high-quality battery that has a 3,000-cycle rating means that it’s the type of product you can buy now and realistically plan on using for many years to come.
For those looking for something that can withstand rough outdoor conditions, it’s a really solid option.
Ideal Compatibility with ICECO’s 12V Fridges:
It seems pretty obvious that ICECO designed this power station with their own portable fridges in mind. We paired the PB1000 with one of our own ICECO VL45 Pro fridges and it powered it effortlessly, lasting for a full 3-day weekend without breaking a sweat. It’s more than enough for most needs and keeps the fridge running efficiently, drawing only about 30-45 watts.
Not only does it handle the fridge well, giving you the ability to keep food and drinks cold for days at a time, it just stacks really neatly. Both units have the same aesthetic design and color scheme, so they’d look great in the back of your vehicle, or even inside your home. Plus, you don’t have to worry about your fridge or power station getting damaged if they get bumped around a bit in transit.
Versatile Power Options:
While they certainly had their own fridges in mind when they were in the design phase with the PB1000, its 1,200W inverter means it can also handle a wide variety of other electronic devices and appliances. From laptops, phones, and cameras to coffee makers, fans and lights, it’s a capable power station that can handle a lot of the power needs most people are going to have around the campsite, inside their RV, or at their home during a blackout.
To drive that last point home, it even features UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) functionality, meaning it automatically takes over if your power goes out, ensuring your devices stay powered without interruption. This is the type of feature that we rarely see in power stations at this price point and size. It’s usually reserved for much larger and more expensive units, like the Anker F3800, so seeing it on the PB1000 is really impressive.
The Long-lasting Flashlight:
As you probably know by now, we’re huge fans of power stations that include built-in or removable lights. It just makes sense, especially when you consider that most people are going to use their power station during blackouts or while they’re completely off-grid and can’t just flick on a light switch.
ICECO nailed it in this regard. The unique decision to build the flashlight into the back of the unit is actually really practical. Let’s say the unit is in the back of your car facing outwards, or even just on a shelf in your home, when you go to pick it up, the front panel will be against your body. The flashlight being on the back of the unit means the light can be used to guide your path. You also don’t have to worry about any cables blocking the light once you put it down and decide to use it as a spotlight for your workspace or campsite.
It works well, it’s really bright, and the fact it lasts an impressive 350 hours is just crazy!
A Few Things We Don’t Like
As you know, we never want to just blow smoke up a power stations input ports, so here’s a few minor issues we found when we tested the PB1000 out:
Failure to Include App Control:
The one major downside we found was the lack of app functionality and support. ICECO’s fridges have an app that allows you to monitor and control them, so it would have been nice to see this feature integrated into their power station as well. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it would have added convenience.
We’re sure they’ll do so if they continue to release power stations in the future, but for now, it seems like an unnecessary oversight.
Using the Anderson Port as the Solar Input:
ICECO used the Anderson port as the connection point for solar panels, which feels a little off to us. Most standard solar panels use different connections, so you’ll need an adapter to use this port.
Of course, if you’re buying an ICECO fridge and some of ICECO’s own brand of solar panels, you’re not going to run into any sort of compatibility issues, but a lot of people have their own solar panels from different brands. The issue can be overcome with a simple adapter, but it’s worth mentioning.
The Lack of Expandability:
While the PB1000 is undoubtedly a really solid standalone unit, it’s not expandable, meaning you can’t purchase expansion batteries to enhance your storage capacity.
We’re big fans of expandable systems, so the inability to increase your power storage and let the unit grow with your increasing power needs is a bit disappointing. Again, we’d imagine this is an issue ICECO will address in future releases, but it’s a shame they didn’t have this option ready to go right when they launched the PB1000.
Comparing the ICECO PB1000 to the Competition
Now let’s see how the ICECO PB1000 stacks up against other power stations in the same class by first comparing it to the Jackery 1000 PLUS Portable Power Station.
We chose to compare the PB1000 to the Jackery 1000 not just because they’re similar power stations with comparable specs, but because we actually bought and regularly use a Jackery 1000 PLUS to power our ICECO fridge when we’re outside of The Lab.
At full price, the ICECO PB1000 is $999, while the Jackery 1000 PLUS is $1,200. The Jackery unit does have a slightly larger 1,264Wh battery, as well as a more powerful 2,000W inverter, but we feel the ICECO’s outdoor-friendly design makes it a better fit for more rugged use.
Both have similar features, but the Jackery is marketed more towards general use, while the ICECO feels purpose-built for the outdoors and powering appliances like portable fridges and coolers.
Both are great units, but if the PB1000 was available when we picked up the Jackery 1000 PLUS, especially at that introductory price of $699, we would have gone that route.
Another popular contender, the Anker C800 Plus, has a smaller 768Wh battery but features the same 1,200W inverter output, making it a compact option for campers. It has more AC outlets, coming with five 120V outlets compared to ICECO’s two, but lacks the rugged outdoor protection you get with the PB1000.
Price-wise, the Anker unit is just $499, making it a budget-friendly alternative, but it sacrifices some durability. If you’re on a tight budget, it might be worth sacrificing some of the extras you get with the PB1000 to save some cash, but you’re not really going to go wrong with either option.
The Final Verdict - Should You Buy the ICECO PB1000?
If you already own one of ICECO’s portable fridges, the ICECO PB1000 is a bit of a no-brainer. It’s designed to pair perfectly with their 12V fridges, offering reliable power in a rugged, outdoor-friendly package.
While it lacks some premium features, like app control and expandability, the simple and weather resistant design make it ideal for campers, van-lifers, or anyone spending time off the grid. Plus, the light is unreal and at the current sale price of $699, it’s really compelling option.
Basically, if you’re in the market for a durable, user-friendly power station, it’s hard to go wrong with the PB1000, especially if you already have an ICECO fridge.
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