Warm beer after two hours on the road, wavy salami when camping – every camper knows the feeling. EcoFlow has revised its Glacier series and has dispensed with the ice cube function in the new generation. Instead, there’s more space inside and a lower price. Our EcoFlow Glacier Classic 35L test provides the answers: Was this the right decision?
EcoFlow Glacier Classic 35L: Technical data at a glance
| Capacity | 35 liters |
| External dimensions | 706 x 400 x 405 mm |
| Weight | 20.5 kg |
| Temperature range | -20°C to +20°C |
| Rechargeable battery | 298 Wh (sold separately) |
| Runtime | up to 43 hours |
| Noise level | under 38 dB |
| Protection class | IPX4 |
| Price | € 699.00 * |
Unpacking: Heavy lump with format
The box is large, but to be honest, the device looks even bigger when you unpack it – even if that’s not possible. When you lift it out for the first time, it becomes clear that this is no simple handy cool box, but a full-blown mobile refrigerator. The Glacier Classic weighs in at over 20 kilos – you’d better have two people to carry it.
The packaging makes a good impression. Each part is securely placed in molded foam, nothing can slip. In addition to the box, there is a power supply unit, a car charging cable and a wire basket for the interior. That’s all you need to get started.
The design is understated and functional. Anthracite gray, matt surface, clean edges. The lid opens from both sides, which is really practical. No matter where the box is placed, you can always reach the contents easily. The handles are flush with the side wall and can be folded out if required.
Volume: There’s plenty of space here
35 liters doesn’t sound like much at first, but that’s very deceptive. The box easily swallows 50 small beer cans or 10 large 1.5-liter water bottles plus barbecue food for a whole team. That’s easily enough for drinks for four people over three days, plus meat, cheese and various snacks.
The interior is cleverly divided. Bottles can easily stand upright and the wire basket keeps small items tidy. The over 5 centimetre thick insulation makes all the difference – the temperature remains constant, even in hot outside temperatures. Compared to standard cool boxes, this is in a different league.
However, there is a compromise to be made: Unlike the larger models in the series, the 35L model only works with one zone. It can either cool or freeze, but not both at the same time. For most purposes, however, this is completely sufficient. If you absolutely need both modes at the same time, you have to go for the 45L or 55L models.
Cooling performance in the test: The EcoFlow Glacier Classic 35L does its job really well
This is where the Glacier Classic shows what it’s made of. The compressor cools down the large interior surprisingly quickly – it takes less than half an hour to get from room temperature to fridge level. Even at 35 degrees in the shade, the drinks remained ice-cold all day long.
Impressively, the compressor works pleasingly quietly. At just under 40 decibels, it is significantly quieter than most household fridges. This is particularly noticeable when camping – while other coolers are annoying with their loud humming, this one is not a nuisance even in a tent.
The temperature range is also impressive. Everything is possible from minus 20 to plus 20 degrees, and the box keeps the set temperature very constant. Even frequent opening does not upset it – important for sensitive items such as dairy products or medicines.
This is also ensured by the two modes: Eco saves power and reacts somewhat slower, Max regulates faster but consumes more energy. Eco is completely sufficient for normal operation; it is only worth switching to Max when cooling down for the first time or after a long period of opening.
Battery: Sufficient for 1-2 days
The battery costs extra – just under 300 euros. That’s a lot of money, but it makes the box really mobile. The advertised 43-hour runtime is only achieved under ideal conditions. In summer temperatures and normal use, 20 to 25 hours is more realistic.
In our test, this runtime of the EcoFlow Glacier Classic 35L is sufficient for about one day of intensive use or one and a half days of economical use. If you want to be self-sufficient for an entire weekend, you will need to recharge the battery or carry a second one with you. A practical feature is that the energy storage unit can be removed and charged separately – useful if you have several units or want to charge them at home.
EcoFlow uses NCM technology, which wears off after around 800 charging cycles. With normal use, this corresponds to several years of operation. Some competitors use longer-lasting lithium iron phosphate batteries, but these are larger and heavier – EcoFlow has deliberately opted for compactness.
Loading: Many paths lead to the destination
The flexibility of charging is a real plus point. On the road, the box charges via the vehicle electrical system, at the campsite via solar power, at home via the socket. Particularly practical: the USB-C port works bidirectionally and turns the box into a large power bank for cell phones and laptops.
However, the mains adapter remains the most reliable option for fast charging. With 95 watts, the battery is fully charged in around three hours. Solar can keep up in perfect conditions, but needs sun and the right orientation. USB-C, on the other hand, is usually much slower – unless you have powerful power adapters. For longer self-sufficient stays, a good solar panel is still the best investment.
The available charging options in detail:
- Via the socket, the 95W power adapter supplied charges the fastest and most reliably.
- While driving, the box continuously draws power from the 12V or 24V vehicle electrical system.
- Solar panels up to 110 watts charge really quickly, weather permitting.
- The USB-C port also supplies laptops with up to 100 watts and works bidirectionally.
- EcoFlow’s alternator chargers turn the vehicle electrical system into a fast charging station with up to 800 watts.
Operation: Modern and well thought out
The EcoFlow app is really fun. Take out your cell phone, scan the QR code and you’re done – no annoying installation orgies or WLAN fiddling. The interface is tidy and immediately makes sense. Turning up the temperature from a deckchair? Check if there’s enough juice left in the battery? No problem at all.
The temperature curve for the last week is really clever. You can see at a glance if the cooling has failed at night or if someone has left the box open for too long. The app even sends warnings to your cell phone if the temperature goes wrong. This can really save money on expensive meat or medicines.
But everything runs smoothly even without a cell phone. The display on the side shows all the important information and can even be read in bright sunlight. The physical buttons are easy to operate even with wet hands. If you want, you can manage completely without an app.
Transportation: The weight of the EcoFlow Glacier Classic 35L becomes a problem during the test
20 kilos empty, over 30 kilos fully loaded – this is definitely not a one-person job. The fold-out handles are well dimensioned, but longer transport routes quickly become tiring. The box is not suitable for frequent changes of location or camping without a car.
The dimensions are considerable – it gets really cramped in a Mini, but it is perfect for SUVs and vans. Once stowed in the trunk, it stays there. With its weight, you don’t want to be constantly moving it around.
Small castors like some of its competitors would have helped to make it easier to move. As it is, you have to rely on muscle power or work with two people.
On the other hand, it is ideal for car-based camping or stationary use. Once set up on site, it no longer needs to be moved. This is the typical application for a device of this size.
Minor weaknesses: Not everything is perfect
Despite all the praise, there are some weaknesses in the details. The wire basket inside wobbles and slips during transportation – for a 700-euro cooler, you would have expected a more stable interior. This disturbs the otherwise tidy interior and is annoying on longer trips.
The locking handles are made of plastic – we’ll have to see how this performs over longer periods of use. The opening of the levers looks relatively thin – if used frequently or roughly, there is a risk of breakage.
Overall, however, the box makes a high-quality impression – the minor weaknesses do not significantly affect the overall picture.
Competition: How does the EcoFlow Glacier Classic 35L fare in the test?
The EcoFlow Glacier Classic is cleverly positioned between the extremes. Anker’s EverFrost 2 series costs less and comes with a battery, but is significantly larger and heavier. The EcoFlow scores points here with its more compact design and significantly better app. While Anker relies on longer-lasting batteries, EcoFlow is easier to transport.
Compared to the tried-and-tested Dometic CFX3 boxes, the Glacier Classic has the decisive advantage of the integrated battery. Although Dometic boxes are reliable, they are noisier and always require an external power supply. This gives the EcoFlow a clear advantage for flexible camping trips.
Cheaper Chinese manufacturers such as Alpicool undercut the EcoFlow in terms of price, but cannot keep up in terms of comfort and quality. The Glacier Classic shows its strengths particularly in terms of volume, app integration and temperature stability. This is where the higher price pays off in the form of better suitability for everyday use.
The EcoFlow strikes a happy medium: more compact than Anker, more flexible than Dometic, higher quality than the cheap competition.
Conclusion: Mobile fridge with ambition
The EcoFlow Glacier Classic 35L is not a small cooler, but a fully-fledged mobile refrigerator. Its huge volume makes it the ideal solution for larger groups or longer camping trips. 50 cans of beer or drinks for eight people – few mobile refrigerators can manage that.
It’s not just the volume that’s impressive, but also the technology. The cooling capacity works reliably even at extreme temperatures and the quiet operation is exemplary. The app integration offers practical extras such as temperature monitoring and makes operation convenient. The decision to dispense with the ice cube machine was the right one – instead, there is a huge amount of usable storage space.
However, the high weight and considerable dimensions make it a pure car solution. If you are looking for a mobile fridge for a van, SUV or base camp, this is an excellent option. It is definitely too big and heavy for backpacking trips or frequent changes of location.
The price is high, but reasonable for the volume and performance on offer. The many charging options and the solid workmanship, despite minor criticisms, justify the higher price compared to cheaper alternatives. For frequent campers with a suitable vehicle, it is a clear recommendation – those who only want to cool occasionally will find more economical solutions.
VORTEILE
- Lid opens on both sides for flexible access no matter how it is positioned
- Removable battery solution can be charged or replaced separately
- Sophisticated app with temperature curves and warnings beyond the standard
NACHTEILE
- NCM battery with only 800 instead of 3000 cycles as with LiFePO4 competitors
- Price without battery not very meaningful, as this is practically mandatory for mobile operation
- Plastic fasteners do not seem very robust
Fazit
The EcoFlow Glacier Classic 35L is a mobile refrigerator with an impressive volume and very good cooling performance. The double-sided access and the sophisticated app are impressive, as is the extremely quiet operation. The high price and minor processing weaknesses tarnish the otherwise good impression. Ideal for car camping with larger groups.
