Intuitive interface with very low learning curve. Excellent build quality. App is simple and works well.

Podless single-serve mode is one of the better small-batch auto-drip options on the market, though smart features work only with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Integrating with HomeKit via third-party apps isn't worth the effort. Pricey for what’s essentially an auto-drip machine that works with an app, which is no longer novel or futuristic.

GE Profile approaches both frontiers of innovation with a subtle grace. It brews a cup of coffee that's about 75 percent as good as the Fellow Aiden for about 75 percent of the price. Situated at the top of this 16.5-inch caffeination station is a removable hatch that covers up a sloped bean hopper, which maxed out at about 100 grams of whole-bean light-roast coffee in my tests.

Behind the hopper is a detachable reservoir with markings for 8 to 24 ounces, along with its 90-ounce recommended maximum. A short turn of the chute cover inside the hopper reveals the burrs for ease of access when the machine tells you it's time to clean the grinder. At the top of the unit's front panel is a black-and-white LCD display surrounded by 11 soft-touch buttons that provide quick access to features and settings with minimal menu diving.

The first fork in your workflow is whether you want to brew a large batch into the included carafe or the ‘podless single serve mode’. Strength can be adjusted among light, medium, bold, extra bold, and Gold (more on this later) with the titular button, and brew temperature can be adjusted from 185 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit with the Temp button. Press Brew to brew now, or press Delay Brew to open a sub-menu where the custom brew time is dialed in with dedicated hour and minute buttons.