Hello from my coffee bench, I'm Mark. GE Appliances sells two countertop espresso makers under the Cafe name: the Affetto automatic and the Bellissimo semi-automatic. Both grind beans inside the machine. The Affetto lists at $629 and the Bellissimo at $579.
Coffee trips to Rome's Piazza Navona gave me strong views on automatic espresso machines. The Affetto brews espresso in under 90 seconds with a 20 bar pump and 5 grind settings. The Bellissimo adds 15 grind settings. Owners praise push-button ease. Complaints cover Bellissimo grinder failures and a weak Affetto steam wand.
Covering grinder reliability, app control and price and warranty, this review is my own independent take after using it myself. Ratings sit near 3.4 and 3.5 out of 5, and the warranty lasts one year. The Affetto is worth it for a beginner near $450 to $570.
What Is the GE Cafe Espresso Machine?
The GE Cafe espresso machine is two GE Appliances models, the automatic Affetto and the semi-automatic Bellissimo. Each model has a built-in burr grinder, a steam wand and Wi-Fi.
Haier, a Chinese appliance maker, owns GE Appliances, which is based in Louisville, Kentucky. The two models are separate machines. The Affetto in matte white carries model number C7CEBBS4RW3, and the Bellissimo in matte white carries C7CESAS4RW3.
Automatic means the machine grinds, doses and brews from one command. Semi-automatic means the user handles the portafilter and steams milk by hand. Both models use a manual steam wand, so neither makes milk drinks on its own. Neither model uses pods.
The 20 bar and 15 bar figures are pump ratings. Many coffee professionals prefer 9 bar, so the 20 bar rating is more than espresso needs.
GE Appliances launched both models as the first espresso products in its Cafe brand. The brand had earlier released the Cafe Specialty Drip Coffee Maker. Three finishes exist: matte white, matte black and steel silver, all with copper accents.
The Cafe line differs from the cheaper GE Profile line mostly in styling. Cafe appliances cost more. The Profile automatic espresso machine shares the Affetto's look and 20 bar pump.
What Is the GE Cafe Affetto?
The GE Cafe Affetto is a fully automatic espresso machine that grinds and brews with one key. The name means affection in Italian.
The machine makes espresso, Americano or lungo in under 90 seconds.
A 20 bar Italian-made pump drives each shot. Bar is a unit of pressure, and the pump uses it to push hot water through the ground coffee. A thermoblock heats that water. This is a small heating part that warms water as it flows through.
A stainless steel conical burr grinder prepares the beans just before brewing. It offers 5 settings, so the grind can be made finer or coarser. The hopper, which is the bin that holds the beans, fits 6.7 oz (190 g). The tank holds 40.6 fl oz (1.2 L) of water.
The body is only 7 in (18 cm) wide and weighs 18.8 lb (8.5 kg). It stands 12.5 in (32 cm) tall and 16 in (41 cm) deep, so shelf clearance needs a check.
What Is the GE Cafe Bellissimo?
The GE Cafe Bellissimo is a semi-automatic espresso machine that grinds into a portafilter and has a manual steam wand. The name means beautiful in Italian.
The Bellissimo uses a 58 mm portafilter that holds 19 to 21 g of coffee. A single shot takes 13 to 15 g, and a double shot takes 18 to 20 g.
A 15 bar Italian-made pump pushes the water. The grinder has 15 settings from coarse to fine. A hands-free cradle grinds a set dose, and the SmartHQ app can change that dose.
The Bellissimo is a large machine. The body measures 12.7 in (32 cm) deep, 13.7 in (35 cm) wide and 16.1 in (41 cm) high. The tank holds 95 oz (2.8 L).
An aluminum block boiler with a copper coil heats the water. A cup-warming tray sits on top. The steam wand rotates 180 degrees.
What Features Does the GE Cafe Espresso Machine Have?
The GE Cafe espresso machine has a conical burr grinder, a steam wand, a removable tank and Wi-Fi app control. Both models share that core set.
The Hot Water key fills a cup for tea. The Affetto spout fits cups up to 3.8 in (9.7 cm) tall. A full-size travel mug does not fit. The Bellissimo draws 1450 W at 120 V.
Affetto and Bellissimo Compared:
| Spec | Affetto | Bellissimo |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Fully automatic | Semi-automatic |
| Pump | 20 bar | 15 bar |
| Grinder settings | 5 | 15 |
| Tank | 40.6 fl oz (1.2 L) | 95 oz (2.8 L) |
| Steam wand | Manual, limited movement | Manual, rotates 180 degrees |
The Affetto heats water with a single thermoblock rated at 1,470 W. Pre-infusion runs by default on that model. The Bellissimo uses an aluminum block boiler with a copper coil instead.
The Bellissimo adds a cup-warming tray on top. The Affetto puts a touch panel on top, with keys for espresso, Americano, MyCup, steam and hot water.
Does the GE Cafe Grinder Work Well?
Yes. The GE Cafe grinder works well on the Affetto, but Bellissimo owners report failures.
The Affetto grinder has 5 conical burr settings. A dial under the hopper lid turns the grind finer or coarser. Many automatic machines offer fewer steps.
The Affetto hopper holds 6.7 oz (190 g), which is less than one bag of beans. A door on top hides the hopper, so the bean level stays out of sight.
The Bellissimo hopper holds 10 oz (275 g) of beans, which is more than the Affetto hopper holds.
The Bellissimo grinder offers 15 settings. Some owners report that it stops before one full hopper is ground. A flashing purple light signals a clogged or locked grinder, and the hopper must sit fully locked.
Does the GE Cafe Steam Wand Froth Milk Well?
No. The Affetto steam wand froths milk with big bubbles instead of silky microfoam.
The wand moves very little, so finding the right angle for steaming is hard. The wand is stainless steel and lifts off for cleaning. A stainless steel pitcher ships in the box.
The Bellissimo wand solves part of this problem because it rotates 180 degrees. The wider arc gives more room to angle the pitcher.
A daily Affetto owner finds that the wand heats quickly from the water reservoir and froths milk easily.
How Do You Clean the GE Cafe Espresso Machine?
Cleaning the GE Cafe espresso machine means washing the drip tray, wand, tank and bin with warm soapy water.
The Affetto brew unit slides out through a magnetic side door. Warm water cleans the unit, and the unit must dry fully before it goes back. A microfiber cloth ships in the box.
Descaling is still needed when the tank holds filtered water. The kit includes a water hardness test strip. The SmartHQ app alerts for cleaning, a full grounds bin, empty beans, low water and a full drip tray.
The maker advises against ultra-oily dark roast beans, which can build up inside the grinder.
Parts to Wash:
- Drip tray
- Steam wand
- Water tank
- Grounds bin
- Brew unit
Does the GE Cafe SmartHQ App Work?
No. The GE Cafe SmartHQ app works unreliably for some owners, and the machine runs fine without it.
Some owners cannot get the Wi-Fi link to run reliably and see no value in the app. Bellissimo buyers report that the volume, temperature and strength controls do nothing.
GE markets the app as a way to customize drinks. The Affetto control panel works without the app. Wi-Fi setup starts by holding the Hot Water key until the machine connects.
SmartHQ is the GE Appliances app that links Cafe appliances to a phone. Setup starts by signing in to the app and tapping the plus sign on the home screen. The app then lists nearby networks. The machine works without Wi-Fi.
What Can the GE Cafe App Change?
The GE Cafe app changes shot strength, shot volume and the MyCup recipe. The Bellissimo app also changes the grind dose.
The MyCup key defaults to a short ristretto. The app can set the key to a different recipe. After saving, the key brews that recipe without the app.
The app also sends alerts. The alerts cover cleaning, a full grounds bin, empty beans, low water and a full drip tray.
The Affetto has no two-cup function. Pulling two shots means pressing espresso twice.
What Do Owners Say About the GE Cafe Espresso Machine?
Owners rate the GE Cafe espresso machine as middling: 3.4 out of 5 for the Affetto, 3.5 for the Bellissimo.
The Affetto has 485 ratings, and the Bellissimo has 423. The GE Profile twin of the Affetto scores 3.6 out of 5 from 77 ratings.
Buyers split between happy daily users and buyers whose machines failed early.
Praise centers on taste and looks. Complaints center on reliability and value.
What Do Owners Like About the GE Cafe?
Owners like the GE Cafe espresso machine for its push-button ease and its pod-free design.
The Affetto needs no tamping or shot pulling. Every drink starts with one key. Alerts show when cleaning or emptying is due, so owners do not have to track upkeep themselves.
The machine accepts any whole beans. Owners can buy beans they like, so pods and subscriptions are not needed. The compact body and copper accents also draw praise.
The Affetto also holds up over time. An Affetto can last five years of daily use. One owner bought the same model again after a power surge destroyed the first.
Main Praise:
- Push-button operation with no tamping
- Any whole beans, no pods
- Compact body with copper accents
- Alerts for cleaning and refills
What Are the Common GE Cafe Complaints?
The common GE Cafe complaints cover grinder failures, leaks and clogging on the Bellissimo.
The Bellissimo grinder can stop before one hopper of beans is ground. Water can leak from underneath, and the machine can clog often.
The Affetto alerts do not talk to each other. A water refill can be followed at once by an empty-grounds alert. Much of the body is plastic, though the drip tray cover and steam wand are metal.
Repairs after the first year can fall outside coverage.
Main Complaints:
- Bellissimo grinder stops early
- Water leaks from underneath
- Frequent clogging
- Affetto alerts that clash
- Plastic body on the Affetto
How Does the GE Cafe Compare With Rival Espresso Machines?
The GE Cafe espresso machine costs about as much as the De'Longhi Magnifica Start and the Philips 3200 but scores lower. The Affetto sells near $566 and averages 3.4 out of 5.
- De'Longhi Magnifica Start: This machine lists at $599.95. It offers 3 one-touch recipes with a built-in grinder. Its rating is 4.1 out of 5 from 162 ratings.
- Breville Barista Express: This is the closest rival to the Bellissimo. It costs $699.95. It has a built-in grinder with 16 settings, a 54 mm portafilter and a manual steam wand.
- Philips 3200 Series: This machine costs $551.44. It makes 5 coffee varieties with a LatteGo milk system. Its rating averages 4.0 out of 5 across 6,222 ratings.
- De'Longhi Classic Signature: This machine costs $229. It carries a pressure gauge. Its rating averages 4.3 out of 5 across 1,129 ratings.
Price and Rating Comparison:
| Machine | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| GE Cafe Affetto | $566.10 | 3.4 out of 5 |
| De'Longhi Magnifica Start | $599.95 | 4.1 out of 5 |
| Philips 3200 Series | $551.44 | 4.0 out of 5 |
| De'Longhi Classic Signature | $229 | 4.3 out of 5 |
The Barista Express costs $120.95 more than the $579 Bellissimo list price. The Affetto costs $629 at list price, so the two GE models sit close together on price.
Is the GE Cafe Better Than the Breville Bambino Plus?
No. The GE Cafe is not clearly better than the Breville Bambino Plus, because the two suit different buyers.
The Bambino Plus costs $499 and has a 15 bar pump. The base Bambino costs $299 and has a 9 bar pump.
The Bambino Plus has no built-in grinder, so a separate grinder is needed. The ThermoJet heater reaches brewing temperature in 3 seconds.
The Bellissimo carries a built-in grinder and a 95 oz (2.8 L) tank. The Affetto removes tamping and shot timing from the job.
How Much Does the GE Cafe Espresso Machine Cost?
The GE Cafe espresso machine lists at $629 for the Affetto and sells for $450 to $570 on sale.
The Affetto in matte white sold for $566.10 at 10 percent off. A sale near $450 appears for some colors and seasons.
The GE Profile twin of the Affetto, model P7CEBBS6RBB, lists at $629 as well. The Affetto box holds a stainless steel pitcher, a microfiber cloth, cleaning supplies and a water hardness test strip.
The Bellissimo costs less. A new unit has sold near $249, and a factory-refurbished unit has sold at $149.
The Bellissimo lists at $579 at one dealer, with a 5-year protection plan at $209. The box holds 1-cup and 2-cup filters and a cleaning brush. No milk pitcher is listed.
GE Cafe Price Summary:
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Affetto list price | $629 |
| Affetto sale price | $450 to $570 |
| Bellissimo list price | $579 |
| Bellissimo sale price | $149 to $249 |
| Affetto 3-year plan | $120.99 |
| Affetto 5-year plan | $239 |
Extended protection for the Affetto costs $120.99 for 3 years or $239 for 5 years at one dealer.
Is the GE Cafe Warranty Good Enough?
No. The GE Cafe warranty is not good enough at one year for a grinder, pump and boiler.
The Affetto carries a one-year limited warranty. Retailer listings show one year of parts coverage for the Bellissimo, and labor coverage is unconfirmed.
A repair at about two years can fall outside coverage. A fault in the first year can bring a replacement. One machine that threw dry grounds into the tray was replaced.
Is the GE Cafe Espresso Machine Worth It?
Yes. The GE Cafe espresso machine is worth it for beginners near $450 to $570. The $629 list price is too high.
The Affetto gives easy, pod-free espresso with a grinder in a compact body. The weak steam wand, the unreliable app and the one-year warranty hold the score down.
Pros:
- Easy push-button espresso
- Pod-free, any whole beans
- Built-in grinder
- Compact Affetto body
Cons:
- Weak Affetto steam wand
- Unreliable app
- One-year warranty
- Bellissimo grinder failures
The Bellissimo makes sense only at refurbished or discounted prices near $149 to $249. Grinder failure reports raise the risk.
At $9 a cafe latte, a $566.10 Affetto repays its price after about 63 drinks, before beans and descaling.
Who Should Skip the GE Cafe Espresso Machine?
The GE Cafe espresso machine is a skip for enthusiasts, milk-drink fans and high-volume households.
Enthusiasts who want exact grounds-to-water ratios and crema control prefer a manual machine. The Affetto fits a convenience buyer.
The 40.6 fl oz (1.2 L) Affetto tank runs low after a few drinks, especially when cups are preheated.
Buyers who want long coverage face the one-year warranty. Extended plans add $120.99 to $239.
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