Reviewedthe coffee experiment2026

Reviews / Coffee equipment

GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew Coffee Maker Review: Is It Worth It?

Stainless steel GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew coffee maker with thermal carafe on a plain background

Hey, I'm Mark, and this is my take on the GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew. My mornings have started at an espresso machine since 2010, so coffee makers get a hard look from me.

The GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew is a drip coffee maker with a built-in burr grinder, a 10-cup thermal carafe and podless single-serve brewing. GE Appliances launched the SCA-certified machine in January 2025, and the Carbon Black model listed at $349 at launch. The machine suits households that brew a daily pot.

The coffee tastes rich, and the Gold setting brews at 200°F (93°C). Panel settings cover grind, strength and temperature, while the SmartHQ app adds remote start and custom profiles. The 90 oz (2.7 L) reservoir beats the Breville Grind Control by 30 oz (890 ml). Cleaning is easy except around the grinder. Tom's Guide tested the machine for about three weeks.

Owners praise the fresh grind and the slim 7.5 in (19 cm) body. The weak spots are a small hopper and reports of grinder clogs and failures. GE has ended production, and the price now lists at $399. I cover grinder first, then brew quality and owner problems. This review is independent.

What Is the GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew Coffee Maker?

The GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew is a drip coffee maker with a built-in conical burr grinder, a 10-cup thermal carafe and podless single-serve brewing. GE Appliances, a Haier company, announced the machine on January 23, 2025. The Specialty Coffee Association certifies it.

GE Profile is the premium line of GE Appliances, a company based in Louisville, Kentucky. The machine uses no K-Cup or other pods. Single cups brew from freshly ground beans, so the grinder and the brewer work as one unit. Retailers also call the machine the Grind and Brew, and both names mean the same product.

The SmartHQ app adds Wi-Fi control, though the panel works alone. GE has since ended production of the machine.

The machine holds a lot of water and few beans. The reservoir holds 90 oz (2.7 L), the carafe holds 45 oz (1.3 L) and the bean hopper holds 6.7 oz (190 g). Single-serve cups run from 6 to 24 oz (180 to 710 ml).

Key Specs:

SpecValue
Water reservoir90 oz (2.7 L)
Thermal carafe45 oz (1.3 L)
Bean hopper6.7 oz (190 g)
Grind settings6
Strength settings5
Single-serve range6 to 24 oz (180 to 710 ml)
Weight20 lb (9 kg)
Warranty1 year

The body is tall and slim. The unit measures 16.4 in (41.7 cm) high, 7.5 in (19 cm) wide and 12.3 in (31 cm) deep. The weight is about 20 lb (9 kg).

Which Models Does the GE Profile Grind and Brew Come In?

The GE Profile Grind and Brew comes in Carbon Black and stainless steel finishes under several model codes. GE sold the Carbon Black P7CGAAS6TBB on its own site at launch. The stainless steel finish was an Amazon exclusive.

Retailers list the same machine under other codes, so a buyer may see names that look like different products. P7CGAAS2YSS and P7CGAAS2TSS appear on dealer pages and in the Tom's Guide spec list. The brewer, grinder and carafe are the same across these listings.

The launch price was $349 for the Carbon Black model. GE's own page for the P7CGAAS6TBB now shows $399. The page lists the machine as temporarily out of stock and states that the model is no longer made.

How Does the GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew Work?

The GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew grinds whole beans on demand and drops the grounds straight into the brew basket. Beans, grounds and water all sit inside one cabinet. Pressing Brew starts the grinder. A countdown timer on the panel then shows the time left.

Tom's Guide timed a six-cup carafe at a little over 6 minutes. The same tester found the countdown handy during morning chores, since the timer showed when the coffee would be ready.

A lever at the bottom of the brew basket switches between carafe and single-serve brewing. Each mode needs its own filter, so two reusable gold-tone mesh filters come in the box. A removable brew stand makes room for travel tumblers.

The LED touch panel sets strength, temperature and servings. A Grind Off option lets the machine skip the grinder and brew pre-ground coffee. Tom's Guide used that option several times when the beans ran out, with equal results.

How Does the GE Profile Grind and Brew Grinder Work?

The GE Profile Grind and Brew grinder is a stainless steel conical burr with six coarseness settings. Setting 1 is the finest and setting 6 is the coarsest. A dial next to the hopper changes the setting.

The manual recommends setting 3 or 4 for a balanced brew. Tom's Guide left the dial on 4 for the whole test. When the coffee tastes watery or flat, a finer setting helps.

The hopper holds beans for only a few pots. Tom's Guide refilled the 6.7 oz (190 g) hopper after about two pots. The panel gives no low-bean warning until the brew has already started.

GE fits the grind chute with a steam shield door. The company calls the door an industry first and says it prevents clogs. Owners still report clogged chutes, so the door does not stop every jam.

What Does the SmartHQ App Add to the GE Profile Grind and Brew?

The SmartHQ app adds remote start, scheduling, custom brew profiles and an AI assistant to the GE Profile Grind and Brew. The app is optional. The machine brews fine from its own panel.

Using the app starts with a SmartHQ account. The sign-up asks for a full address and phone number, which Tom's Guide disliked. After login, the app found the machine over Bluetooth and paired in about 60 seconds.

Once paired, the app unlocks settings that the panel does not offer. It stores up to three custom brew programs. It extends the bloom time up to 30 seconds. It also lets the user tune the grind time for a lighter or stronger cup.

The same app also holds an AI Coffee Assistant, powered by Google Cloud generative AI. The assistant answers product questions and tailors brew settings by chat. Alexa and Google Assistant voice control also work.

How Hard Is the GE Profile Grind and Brew to Clean?

The GE Profile Grind and Brew is easy to clean for daily use and harder to clean around the grinder. Daily cleanup means dumping the grounds and rinsing the filter. The filter is dishwasher safe.

The brew basket needs some force to snap back into place. Tom's Guide worried about the plastic parts there. Loose grounds can also land on top of the basket during a brew.

GE recommends a new carbon water filter every two months, and an indicator light gives the reminder. The filter alert comes on after about 25 gallons (95 L) of brewing. Replacing the filter clears the reminder from the settings screen.

A descale reminder also appears, and the menu walks the user through the steps. The descale alert means hard-water buildup has cut the heater efficiency.

The grinder is the hard part. Cleaning it means emptying the beans from the chute and tipping the unit over. The disc under the grinder needs a wipe right after brewing, or grounds fall to the bottom.

Does the GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew Make Good Coffee?

Yes. The GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew makes rich, flavorful coffee that is not acidic. Tom's Guide tested the machine for about three weeks. The tester called the cup consistent in temperature from the first brew.

Fresh grinding lifts ordinary beans. The same tester said grocery store beans tasted much better than usual. Specialty roaster beans should taste better still, since the grinder runs seconds before the water.

Strength has five levels, and the Gold level brews at 200°F (93°C). Light, Medium, Bold and Extra Bold sit alongside Gold. A wide range of strength and temperature pairs lets the user tune each pot.

Some owners find the coffee too strong at every setting. Some also find the carafe cools faster than expected. Tom's Guide rates the thermal carafe at up to two hours of warmth.

Does the GE Profile Grind and Brew Brew Hot Enough?

Yes. The GE Profile Grind and Brew brews hot enough, since the Gold setting runs at 200°F (93°C). That temperature sits inside the range the Specialty Coffee Association sets for brewing.

Brew temperature is not fixed, which matters for anyone who finds the coffee too cool. The panel and the app both change it. A user can pick the hottest setting to get the hottest brew.

Heat also has to last after brewing ends. The carafe is double walled and needs no hot plate, so the coffee stays warm without scorching. Some owners still report fast cooling. For slow sippers, the hottest setting is the better choice.

Is the GE Profile Grind and Brew SCA Certified?

Yes. The GE Profile Grind and Brew carries Specialty Coffee Association certification. GE states the certification in its press release. GE announced the certification with the launch in January 2025.

The Certified Home Brewer program tests a brewer in a third-party lab. Water must reach 197°F (92°C) at the grounds within the first minute. The water must never exceed 204.8°F (96°C). Contact time must exceed 4 minutes.

The certified mode is the Gold strength setting. Tom's Guide reports that Gold brews at 200°F (93°C). Other strength and temperature mixes work, though the certification covers Gold.

The certification is rare among grinder machines. Tom's Guide notes that many comparable SCA brewers have no built-in grinder. The Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select and the Fellow Aiden are certified brewers with no grinder. The Breville Grind Control is the other certified machine with a grinder.

What Do Owners Say About the GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew?

Owners rate the GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew well overall, with a clear minority reporting hardware failures. One retailer shows 4.0 of 5 across 157 ratings. Fifty-seven percent give five stars and 12% give one star.

The full split reads 57% five stars, 13% four, 10% three, 7% two and 12% one. Another retailer shows 4.68 of 5 across 47 reviews, and 82% of those are five-star ratings.

Rating Split:

StarsShare of 157 ratings
5 stars57%
4 stars13%
3 stars10%
2 stars7%
1 star12%

Many reviews are marked as promotional or incentivized. Those reviews skew positive. The one-star and two-star reviews carry most of the detail on failures.

What Do Owners Like About the GE Profile Grind and Brew?

Owners like the GE Profile Grind and Brew for fresh grinding, slim size and app control. They point to three benefits:

  • Fresh grinding: The grinder runs right before the brew. A pot tastes fresher than coffee ground the night before. Owners praise the grinding noise as minimal.
  • Slim size: The body is 7.5 in (19 cm) wide, so it fits narrow coffee bars. Owners with an espresso machine on the same counter call the slim body a deciding factor. The tall body is the trade-off.
  • App control: The app starts a pot without a timer. Owners brew from the couch or with a voice command. Many buyers also value the lack of pod waste.

The thermal carafe and the large reservoir also earn praise. The 90 oz (2.7 L) reservoir covers two full carafes before a refill.

What Are the Common GE Profile Grind and Brew Problems?

The common GE Profile Grind and Brew problems center on the grinder, the brew basket and water handling. The reports are a minority of reviews. They are specific and repeated.

Reported Problems:

  • Grinder failure within six months on two separate units
  • Clogged grind chute with a persistent clean error after a few months
  • Brew basket swinging open from grinder vibration and spilling grounds
  • Water leaking onto the counter
  • Water sensor refusing to brew with a full reservoir
  • Wi-Fi connection dropping on a replacement unit

Some owners got relief from the warranty. One owner received a third replacement unit. Others stopped using the grinder and kept brewing with pre-ground coffee, since the Grind Off mode still works.

How Does the GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew Compare With Rivals?

The GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew has two main rivals, the Breville Grind Control and the Cuisinart single-serve brewer with a grinder. The Breville matches the GE on grinder type and price. The Cuisinart undercuts both.

The Breville Grind Control has a built-in burr grinder, a thermal carafe and a single-serve option. Tom's Guide prices it near $350. The Breville also carries Specialty Coffee Association certification.

The Cuisinart Single Serve Coffee Maker plus Coffee Grinder costs about $150. The Cuisinart brews up to 12 oz (355 ml) at a time. Tom's Guide calls the Cuisinart less streamlined to use.

The Cuisinart Grind and Brew carafe model uses a blade grinder, not a burr. Burr grinders give a more even grind. The grinder type explains much of the price gap.

Buyers who prefer separate parts can pair a grinder with a certified brewer. The Technivorm Moccamaster KBGV Select and the Fellow Aiden both carry the Specialty Coffee Association mark and have no grinder.

Rival Snapshot:

ModelGrinderPriceStandout
GE Profile Smart Grind and BrewBurr$399 listed90 oz (2.7 L) reservoir
Breville Grind ControlBurrAbout $350Larger bean hopper
Cuisinart Single Serve plus GrinderNot statedAbout $150Brews up to 12 oz (355 ml)

GE Profile Grind and Brew vs Breville Grind Control: Which Is Better?

The GE Profile Grind and Brew beats the Breville Grind Control on water capacity and ease of use. The GE reservoir holds 30 oz (890 ml) more. A full extra carafe fits before the next refill.

Tom's Guide found the GE controls easier to operate. The same tester found the GE carafe easier to pour. Both machines carry the same Specialty Coffee Association certification, so quality of certification does not separate them.

The Breville wins on hopper size and strength options. Its hopper holds more beans. That matters because the GE hopper empties after two pots, so the GE needs refilling sooner.

Best Buy lists a 12-cup Breville at $399.95.

How Much Does the GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew Cost?

The GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew cost $349 at launch and now lists at $399. GE set the launch price in January 2025 for the Carbon Black model. The stainless steel model was sold through Amazon.

GE gives small appliances a 1-year warranty. GE offers no repair service on small appliances, though a product exchange is possible under warranty. Bodewell Care plans add 1 or 2 years of coverage after the manufacturer warranty ends.

GE's page for the P7CGAAS6TBB shows $399, shows the machine as temporarily out of stock and says production has ended. A buyer may find remaining stock at appliance dealers. Prices vary by seller.

Running costs are small. The carbon water filter needs a swap every two months. The Tom's Guide spec list gives a one-year warranty.

Is the GE Profile Grind and Brew Worth the Price?

Yes. The GE Profile Grind and Brew is worth the price for buyers who want a fresh-ground pot with minimal effort. Tom's Guide calls the machine a worthwhile splurge. The price matches other SCA brewers that lack grinders.

The Cuisinart costs half as much, but it gives up the burr grinder, the big carafe and the app. A buyer who values those features pays the premium.

The risk is reliability. The warranty covers one year, and some owners report grinder failures inside six months. Warranty replacements fix the problem for some owners and repeat it for others.

Is the GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew Worth It?

Yes. The GE Profile Smart Grind and Brew is worth it for buyers who want fresh-ground coffee and accept some grinder risk. The coffee tastes good, and the settings offer real control. The hardware record is mixed.

Verdict Summary:

  • Strong points: adjustable brews, carafe or single cup, 90 oz reservoir, SCA certification
  • Weak points: small hopper, hard-to-seat reservoir, grinder clogs and failures
  • Status: production has ended, so stock and support may thin out

The brewing side is solid. The grinder side is the weak link. A buyer who treats the grinder as a bonus, with Grind Off as a fallback, loses little.

Who Should Buy the GE Profile Grind and Brew?

The GE Profile Grind and Brew suits households that brew a daily carafe and want fresh grinding with app control. The big reservoir makes a full carafe possible. The slim body fits a busy counter. The settings suit tinkerers.

The machine fits three types of buyers poorly:

  • Low-price shoppers: These buyers should look at the Cuisinart.
  • Buyers who need a large hopper: These buyers should look at the Breville.
  • Buyers who want the lowest failure risk: These buyers should skip any built-in grinder.

GE gives a one-year warranty. A buyer should test the grinder early and keep the receipt.

The Coffee Experiment is a reader-supported platform. Purchases made through our links may earn us an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.