My household takes beverages very seriously. My fiancée and I subscribe to multiple wine clubs, keep a ton of amaro and whisky around, and love testing new cocktails. As frequent entertainers, we try to keep a bevy of drink options on hand, including nonalcoholic beers, sparkling waters, and local IPAs. For a long time, we’ve fantasized about getting a dedicated drink fridge to keep everything in one place. Sure, historically we’ve had solid success keeping our favorite sips in, you know, our regular fridge. But that thing is nearly always packed to the gills with produce, leftover takeout, and condiments, and it’s always hard to find space for one—let alone a dozen—bottles of wine or a bunch of ice-cold beers.
Getting a fridge devoted to drinks has always been my dream. So, when Rocco’s devastatingly handsome Super Smart Fridge dropped recently to deafening hype, I knew it was time to take the plunge.
The Tests
- Performance Test: I used the Rocco for months, storing wine, sparkling water, soda, and beer (both regular and NA). I also used the top—which doubles as a sort of bar cart—to store spirits and other items.
- App Evaluation: I used the app to control the top and bottom zone temperatures, turn the lights on for ambiance during a party, and ensure the fridge inventory stayed up to date.
What We Learned
This Isn't Your Average Wine Fridge
The Rocco is an alluring appliance that belongs next to your bar, in your kitchen, or, really, wherever the highest number of people will see it. It’s got reeded glass that keeps harmful UV light out, and its six extendable, reversible racks claim to hold nearly 30 bottles of wine, just over seven dozen cans, or a modest assortment of whatever else you like to drink. The interior is lit by LEDs and includes two separate, temperature-controlled zones; both are linked to an app on your phone, so you can monitor them from across the room.
Finally, the fridge uses internal cameras to record your bottles and cans, cataloging them in a handy inventory. When you add up all the accouterments, the $1,500 price tag—though it’s often on sale for $1,295—starts to feel reasonable. (Wine fridges, on the whole, aren't all that cheap.)
It’s Incredibly Easy to Set Up
I’m almost hesitant to use the phrase “set up,” because the most effort you have to expend after unboxing it and letting the compressor settle for 24 hours is to install the app on your phone. The fridge is by no means dainty—it’s a hefty 128 pounds, so it takes some real muscle to get it to its final resting spot in your home. (On that note, I do recommend white glove delivery—in my case, a couple of ultra-strong folks got it up the one flight of stairs to our second-floor apartment, unpacked it, and had it situated in about 10 minutes.) Beyond that, you’ll go through a pretty typical app setup, figure out what temps you want, and, most importantly, come up with a cute name for your fridge in the app.
The Fridge Looks Even Cooler in Person
I have the fridge in white, but it also comes in yellow and graphite, and the wavy, triple-layer glass door gives it a decidedly mid-century modern look. To put it simply, after I had it installed, virtually every friend who entered my apartment in the following weeks immediately remarked on how awesome the fridge looked. It feels like a veritable power move when I open it up during a dinner party to grab another bottle.
It’s an Excellent Wine Fridge, but It’s Not Just for Wine People
As those who enjoy having good wine at home know, there are a few factors that go into successfully storing bottles—namely, temperature and light control. The Rocco fridge smartly takes this into account. As previously mentioned, two of its major features are precise temperature control and a tinted door that prevents harmful UV rays from affecting the wine. The bottles are stored on their sides, which is important for keeping natural corks from drying out and preventing oxidation.
Plus, according to Rocco, its “powder-coated steel [is] 3x thicker than anything on the market,” which keeps your bottles from rattling around when your dinner turns into a dance party. (Vibration isn’t great for wine, as it can actually mute its flavors.) Finally, the fridge is humidity-controlled and has a charcoal filter, which helps keep the air clean. All of these factors are important for collecting and storing wine, and if you can trust this fridge with your favorite bottles of Beaujolais, you can be certain that your LaCroix and your precious, favorite double dry hopped IPA are in good hands.
The Bar Cart-Style Top Is Actually One of the Best Parts
The Rocco also sports a slightly recessed top that’s perfect for bottles, books, games, photos, or any other knickknacks. I turned the top of the fridge into a little whisky station, complete with some of my favorite bottles (it comes with a tray that I used to hold them), a decanter, and a collection of matchbooks. Ultimately, I’m very proud of how I’ve incorporated the fridge into my bar area—every time I walk by it, I really, truly love taking a long look.
The Dual-Zone Setup Works Beautifully
The fridge’s range is 37 to 64°F, and ideal wine storage temperatures are between 55 to 57ºF, meaning you’ve got lots of wiggle room. Right now, I have the top set at 40ºF for sparkling wine, and the bottom is set to 55ºF for my chilly reds and my fiancée’s beloved Spindrifts. I’ve measured some of the wines at the punt (the concave part at the bottom of the bottle) using an infrared thermometer and most of them are within a couple of degrees of the zone setting they’re in.
My only issue with the app is that the inventory feature isn’t especially functional yet. Cameras inside the fridge are supposed to scan your drinks and record them so that you know what you have at all times. I’ve found this rarely works—and not only because I drink a lot of low-intervention wine that comes from specialty wine shops. It also doesn’t seem to recognize standard sodas or most wines. In fact, the only drink that has been successfully scanned at this point is a St. Reginald Parish “Sparkle Motion” Blanc de Noir Brut Nature, which is certainly one of the more off-the-beaten-path bottles. I believe Rocco is building its database, so I’m optimistic this will work better soon.
The Verdict
If you’re looking for an attractive, multifaceted smart fridge that will boost your home’s vibe and let you store an impressive amount of beverages at proper temperatures, the Rocco delivers. It’s an incredible conversation piece and, more importantly, it allows you to keep an eye on your wine, beer, NA drinks, and whatever else you’ll want to put in there. It might not wind up as the go-to for actual wine connoisseurs who need a ton of space, but for the normal cold-beverage-loving person (me and probably you), it’s a fantastic addition to your home.
Pros
The dual-zone cooling system really works well, and it’s clear that Rocco has gone to great lengths to make sure that the fridge is a friendly environment for wines and other kinds of beverages. I love the top of the fridge—the fact that I could turn it into a bar cart elevated the whole aesthetic. It’s spacious enough that when I entertain, we can pull out bottle after bottle of wine, while also providing other guests with NA choices and cold beer.
Cons
It’s heavy, so if you have stairs, you might want to opt for white glove installation, or at least enlist some of your friends to help (with the promise that they can return for cold drinks later in the week, of course). And I’d be remiss not to mention the price here: It’s expensive. If the inventory management worked better, I’d be more accepting of the cost.
Key Specs
- Width: 24 inches
- Height: 34.5 inches
- Depth: 16 inches
- Weight: 128 pounds
- Capacity: 27 wine bottles
- Materials: Steel, glass
FAQs
Can you put anything in the Rocco Super Smart Fridge?
If it’s a beverage and it’s in a can or bottle—and the bottle isn’t, like, a magnum—you definitely can. At any given time, I have wine, soda, sparkling water, and beer in mine.
Can you use the fridge even if you don’t have Wi-Fi?
Absolutely. There are temperature control buttons within, as well as one to turn the lights on and off.
How quickly does it cool?
I used an infrared thermometer to check a can of beer over time. It began at room temperature, which was 70ºF. After an hour in the 37° F zone, it was about 63°F, and after two hours it was 60ºF. Most beers are enjoyable under 60ºF (though optimal temps vary by style), meaning you’ll be good to go for that beverage in about two hours, with white wine taking a bit longer.
Why We’re the Experts
- Adam Rothbarth is a Serious Eats contributor and a news and deals writer for Food & Wine.
- He previously served as the Food & Kitchen Writer for VICE’s shopping page, Rec Room.
- Adam has tested and written extensively about wine, wine fridges, ice cubes, and kitchen and bar appliances.
