While connected refrigerators abound at CES events, with LG and Samsung pushing boundaries through internet links and front-facing screens, GE's upcoming Profile Smart Refrigerator with Kitchen Assistant, revealed before CES 2026, sticks to familiar concepts yet introduces a novel element: an embedded barcode reader designed to populate shopping lists effortlessly.
The innovative 'Scan-to-List' function leverages the built-in scanner to accurately log products onto a collaborative shopping roster within the GE SmartHQ application. Users can consult this roster during physical store visits or link it directly to Instacart for automated home delivery, bypassing traditional grocery runs altogether.
Internally, the unit incorporates a sleek LED strip equipped with a camera, offering instant visual updates on the contents of produce compartments, particularly emphasizing high-value and short-shelf-life goods. Known as 'FridgeFocus,' this tool aims to curb excess purchases of fresh items by highlighting those closest to expiration.
Complementing these intelligent capabilities, the GE Profile Smart Refrigerator sports a four-panel stainless steel configuration, including a door-within-door compartment and a customizable cooling zone. It features an 8-inch display for accessing cooking instructions or local forecasts, along with audio sensors for voice interactions. Additionally, the water dispenser employs integrated detectors to precisely measure and pour the desired volume into vessels.
Starting in April 2026, the GE Profile Smart Refrigerator with Kitchen Assistant will hit shelves through GE and various partners, priced at a recommended $4,899.