Paige Cerulli is a freelance writer with more than a decade of experience. Her product reviews have appeared in USA Today, TIME Stamped Shopping, Business Insider, and more. Paige takes pride in helping shoppers make well-informed buying choices, and her keen eye for detail and methodical testing processes allow her to thoroughly and obectively evaluate products.
GE Profile Smart Mixer with Auto Sense: Key specs
| Power | 540 watts |
| Capacity | 7 quarts |
| Speed Settings | 11 speeds |
| Attachments | Beater, bowl shield, dough hook, 11-wire whip |
| Dimensions | 17.07 H x 11.33 W x 14 D inches |
GE Profile Smart Mixer with Auto Sense: Setup
Unboxing Experience: The GE Profile Smart Mixer arrived double-boxed, and the exterior box appeared in excellent condition. When I removed the interior box, one corner seemed to have sustained damage before it was shipped, but there was no damage to the mixer, itself.
The mixer was held in place by two large blocks of Styrofoam, as well as packing tape. All of the components were taped in place securely, and since the Styrofoam was so thick, the damage to the box corner hadn't affected any of the components or the mixer.
Since the mixer weighs 44 pounds, unboxing it was a challenge. I had to tip the exterior box at varying angles and gradually pry the interior box out. The interior box was easy to open, but again, removing the mixer itself required some prying and pulling because of the weight. Once out of the box, I was able to cut the tape, remove the attachments, and then pull the Styrofoam off of the mixer.
The mixer includes a quick start guide and a 19-page owner's manual. The quick start guide is full of very clear, well-designed diagrams that walk you through the process of setting up the mixer. It also highlights some key features, like how to use the scale and timer functions. It does a great job at simplifying the assembly, so you can start using the mixer quickly.
Assembly Instructions: The mixer requires minimal assembly. Installing the bowl is simple. The mixer lift arms lower when you press down on their ends, and the bowl just fits over the pins.
Installing the attachments is also very easy. The attachments can just be pushed up into the output shaft. They lock into place with an audible click, and then they're securely held until you release them by pulling down on the shaft. Installing them required a little bit of twisting at first, but now that I'm familiar with the design, I can install them in about three seconds using one hand.
Initial Setup: When setting up the mixer for the first time, you'll need to wash the attachments and the mixing bowl. The instructions highlight the importance of making sure the mixer is unplugged and turned off when you install the bowl and the attachment.
The first time I installed the bowl, I didn't have it completely mounted on the pins, so it moved as soon as I turned the mixer on. Make sure that the bowl is fully and securely mounted before using the mixer.
Once the mixer is assembled, you can plug it in. The plug is on the larger side, which gives you a secure grip, and I found it was easy to plug in and unplug.
While you can use the mixer's manual settings right away, if you want to use the Auto Sense techniques or guided recipes, you'll need to pair the mixer with WiFi and the SmartHQ App. The quick start guide includes a QR code so that you can easily access and download the app. Then, the app guides you through the process of pairing the mixer.
I found it very easy to pair the mixer with the app, and the entire process including downloading the app, setting up an account, and pairing the mixer took about five minutes.
User-Friendly Features: This mixer is full of helpful features. The controls are easy to use, and you can adjust the mixer speed either by using the app or by turning the dial at the top of the mixer. The mixer also features large buttons to operate the scale, timer, and reverse settings at its top. The buttons have a slightly rubberized surface, so they're easy to operate, even if your hands are wet.
Additionally, the mixer features a digital screen, which displays its operations and settings. The app features numerous Auto Sense techniques and guided recipes, which feature preset mixing options to take the guesswork out of using the machine.
- Score: 8/10
GE Profile Smart Mixer with Auto Sense: Design & Features
Aesthetic Appeal: The GE Profile Smart Mixer with Auto Sense is a sleek, modern-looking machine. I tested the mixer in black, though it's also available in silver and white. I think any of these colors can complement many kitchen decor schemes, but I also think it's probably easiest to keep the black mixer clean.
When in use, the digital screen and the lights illuminating the area below the speed dial further enhance that modern look. The whole mixer body is one piece, and it would fit in very well with kitchens full of smart appliances or those that have a minimalistic style.
However, this mixer is large. It weighs 44 pounds, so it's not something you would want to store in a cupboard and then repeatedly lift onto and off of a counter.
I would consider it a permanent fixture on your counter, and since it measures 17.07 inches high, you'll need significant height on your counters to store it. It's a better choice for a larger kitchen where you have plenty of counter space, and would not be a good choice for a small kitchen where counter space is at a premium.
Build Quality: This mixer is made in the USA and is crafted from die-cast zinc, which is an incredibly strong and corrosion-resistant material. The mixer's heavy weight suggests that this is a quality, solid machine built to withstand heavy-duty use.
The mixing bowl and attachments are crafted from solid stainless steel, so they're durable and dishwasher-safe.
Motor Power: The motor features a 540-watt motor, meaning it's strong enough to handle large mixing jobs and heavy, dense doughs. It's also equipped with Auto Sense technology, which allows the mixer to monitor texture and viscosity changes via the motor torque feedback. Using that information, the mixer can optimize mixing performance to avoid over-mixing and undermixing.
Bowl Capacity: The seven-quart bowl capacity is very generous, and even larger recipes seem small in this bowl. My sugar cookie recipe, which makes three dozen cookies, didn't even take up half the bowl. The generous capacity means you can make large recipes or even double or triple your standard recipes to save time.
Attachment Options: Three included stainless steel attachments make this mixer a versatile choice. A beater is suitable for stirring wet batters, blending frosting, mashing potatoes, or creaming butter. A dough hook is designed to mix and knead dough. The wire whisk is designed for whipping cream or egg whites.
Ease of Use: The mixer's connectivity with the app makes it very easy to use, even for individuals who are new to baking and who might be hesitant to try recipes requiring precise or advanced techniques, like baking a pavlova. The app can truly guide you through these recipes step-by-step, and mixing presets take the guesswork out of these types of recipes.
The mixer lacks any head tilt function, and I found that to be a real drawback. While the plastic bowl shield does include a space to help direct ingredients down into the bowl, it was difficult to fully tip even a small one-cup measuring cup without making contact with the mixer head. The ability to tilt the mixer head back would be a real advantage and would make it even easier to use.
Ergonomics: One of the major benefits of this mixer is the fact that you can use it with the app and take advantage of its smart features, or it can function as a traditional mixer without all of the technology. The physical controls are user-friendly and easy to operate, and the speed dial gives you just enough resistance for controlled operation while still being friendly to someone with limited hand strength or arthritis.
The bowl features a generously sized handle, which makes it easy to lift and carry. However, the bowl arm lifts aren't the easiest to operate; you'll have the most control and power when you press down or lift up on them both at once, but it can be difficult to reach around the mixer to reach the far side lift. It also needs to be said again that this mixer's weight is a disadvantage since simply moving it across the counter can be difficult for anyone with arthritis or physical limitations.
- Score: 8/10
GE Profile Smart Mixer with Auto Sense: Performance
Mixing Efficiency: I tested the mixer on several types of cookie dough, cake batters, butter, waffle mix, and whipped cream, using both the preset functions and using it as a traditional mixer. It performed very well during all of these tests.
The guided Lemon Bliss cake recipe takes you through every step of preparing the cake batter. The directions are very clear and user-friendly, and I believe someone with little baking experience could make the cake using the guided recipe.
The mixer's settings are automatically set through the recipe, and they're sent to the mixer so I never had to manually adjust the mixing settings or time. I found the mixer mixed the cake batter very thoroughly, though I did have to scrape the bowl repeatedly. The cake was delicious, but dense.
The Auto Sense Techniques were also incredibly easy to use. In making butter and whipped cream, I simply followed the directions and put the ingredients into the bowl. Then, the mixer mixed at the appropriate speed and duration until these foods were ready. I didn't have to worry about monitoring texture or overmixing at all, and the results were delicious.
I was particularly impressed with the homemade butter, which is, in all honesty, the best butter I've ever tasted. It very quickly transitions from a liquid to a solid ball, but hte mixer itself is so solid that it had plenty of power to handle that transition without rocking or moving.
I also made seven batches of cookies, including a sugar cookie recipe which makes three dozen cookies. The mixer's large capacity easily handled this big recipe, and I suspect I could have doubled the recipe if I'd wanted to. All of the cookie dough mixtures were thoroughly mixed, although I did have to repeatedly stop and scrape the bowl. Though the mixer has a reverse function that helps to untangle dough and thoroughly mix ingredients, I found there was still dough left up on the bowl sides that I had to remove.
The one issue I repeatedly encountered was when I had too little dough in the mixer for it to be able to thoroughly blend it. For example, my chocolate chip cookie recipe begins by blending just sugar and butter. The mixer bowl is so large that these ingredients didn't really thoroughly blend until I added in more. This wasn't an issue with larger recipes in which I started with greater amounts of ingredients.
Versatility: I'm very impressed by the mixer's versatility. It's best suited for larger recipes, but also efficiently blends smaller recipes, including a relatively small amount of whipped cream.
Lack of power was never an issue, even when making butter or mixing a tougher sugar cookie dough. Similarly, the mixer can easily handle light batters, like waffle mix.
The attachments contribute to that versatility. The included dough hook is ideal for doughs, while the beater is suitable for most cookie doughs and cake batters. The whisk is capable of whipping cream, giving you plenty of options in terms of how you use this machine.
User Experience: The mixer is loud, likely because of its powerful motor. I measured its peak volume while mixing butter at the top speed to be 70 decibels. To carry on a conversation in the kitchen while using it at that setting, I would have had to nearly shout.
It's much more tolerable when mixing cookie dough at slower speeds. At the fourth speed, it measured 50 decibels, and I could have easily spoken over the noise.
Convenience Features: The Auto Sense Techniques and guided recipes are very convenient, especially if you're not a confident baker or want a little backup when you try a new recipe or a new technique. I never would have attempted to make butter without the Auto Sense feature, but it made the process very easy and the results were great.
Additionally, the mixer features a built-in scale that can measure ingredient weight in grams, pounds, kilograms, and ounces. It's easy to use, and you can zero out the bowl and then add ingredients directly to the bowl to be weighed. It saves you the need to have a separate kitchen scale, eliminating an extra step.
The timer function is also helpful. The timer increases by 15-second increments, though you can press and hold the timer button to increase the time by one-minute increments. Once you start the timer and set the mixer to your desired speed, the mixer will automatically turn off once the timer ends. The feature allows you to focus on other tasks without worrying about overmixing a recipe.
- Score: 9/10
GE Profile Smart Mixer with Auto Sense: Care & maintenance
Cleaning Routine: After each use, you can clean the bowl and attachments in the sink or in the dishwasher. The main mixer unit can be wiped down with a damp cloth, and I found that the surface can be easily wiped clean without any residue left behind. GE recommends that you store the mixer in a clean, dry place after it's cleaned.
The attachment output shaft also needs to be cleaned after each use. It should be wiped down to remove excess flour, and can be cleaned with a warm, damp, soapy cloth to remove any remaining dough.
Long-term Maintenance: GE doesn't provide any additional instructions for long-term maintenance. However, to prolong the mixer's lifespan, be sure to monitor it carefully for any worn parts that might need to be replaced and follow the usage instructions carefully.
Troubleshooting Common Issues: If the mixer makes strange noises, check to make sure that you haven't put more than the recommended amount of ingredients in the mixing bowl. Strange sounds can indicate that the mixer is malfunctioning, so you should immediately unplug it and visit geappliances.com for additional support.
If the display screen shows a cooling message, it indicates that the motor is overheated. You should turn the speed dial to the Off setting and wait for the display screen to show "Ready," indicating it has cooled and is ready for use.
Storage Recommendations: The mixer is so heavy that it's really only practical to store it on a countertop in between use. You may want to invest in a cover for it to protect it from dust.
- Score: 10/10
GE Profile Smart Mixer with Auto Sense: Price & Value
The GE Profile Smart Mixer with Auto Sense was originally priced at $799.95, but currently costs $599 from GE. It's also available for $599.95 from Williams Sonoma and for $598.96 from Sur La Table.
It appears to be the first smart mixer on the market, so at the moment, it's in a class of its own. I would compare its overall quality to the KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer, which retails for $649.99 from KitchenAid.
Overall, the GE Profile Smart Mixer with Auto Sense offers a good value to anyone who bakes regularly. When compared to the KitchenAid model, it is competitively priced, and it also offers the smart features, which the KitchenAid model does not.
- Score: 10/10
Would I buy the GE Profile Smart Mixer with Auto Sense?
Overall, the GE Profile Smart Mixer with Auto Sense performed well. It thoroughly mixed doughs, cake batter, butter, and whipped cream, and its large capacity and multiple attachments make it versatile. The Smart Sense technology simplifies preparing different recipes, and it makes baking user-friendly, even to beginners. The technology may also encourage more experienced bakers to try new recipes and techniques, increasing the chance of those attempts being a success.
While the mixer performs well, it does have drawbacks. Since the head doesn't tilt back, adding ingredients to the bowl can be a little challenging, even with smaller measuring cups. Its 44-pound weight is a significant drawback, meaning you'll most likely need to store the mixer on your countertop. Plus, this is a larger machine, so it's not a good fit for smaller kitchens with limited counter space.
Overall, this mixer is a solid buy, but for very specific individuals and situations. If you have lots of kitchen space and are just getting started with baking or want to expand your baking skills, it can be a worthwhile investment.
| Attribute | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Getting the mixer out of the box is difficult because of its weight, but the overall setup process is easy. | 8/10 |
| Design | This is a sleek, quality machine, but its weight and the lack of a head tilt option are drawbacks. | 8/10 |
| Performance | This powerful mixer is highly efficient and mixes well, but it's so large that it's difficult to mix smaller amounts of ingredients when starting a recipe. | 9/10 |
| Maintenance | The mixer is very easy to clean and maintain. | 10/10 |
| Value | While this is a more expensive mixer, it's competitively priced when compared to a 7-quart KitchenAid stand mixer. | 10/10 |
How does the GE Profile Smart Mixer with Auto Sense compare?
If the GE Profile Smart Mixer with Auto Sense isn't right for you, there are plenty of alternatives. The KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer offers the same large capacity and is backed by a KitchenAid's fantastic reputation for performance and reliability.
For a more affordable model with a slightly smaller capacity, consider the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer. This mixer features 10 speeds and a tilt head design, so it's easy to add ingredients.
You can also get a modern look that resembles the GE Profile's with the Cuisinart Precision Master 5.5-Qt. Tilt-Head Stand Mixer. This mixer has excellent reviews and still offers the capacity you need to make smaller and larger batches of dough.
How I tested the GE Profile Smart Mixer with Auto Sense
I tested the GE Profile Smart Mixer with Auto Sense in my home kitchen for two months. During that time, I tested the Auto Sense Techniques, including making homemade butter and whipped cream. I also made guided recipes, including the Lemon Bliss cake and Holiday Butter cookies, and then I used the mixer to prepare my own recipes, such as chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies, and Belgian waffles.
Discover more about how we test.
