GE Debuts Smart Fridge With Barcode Scanner

GE Appliances has unveiled a new smart refrigerator that aims to make grocery planning and shopping much easier by integrating a barcode scanner directly into the fridge. 

Instead of guessing what you need or manually typing items into your phone, this fridge lets you scan the barcode of items you’re running low on—like milk, eggs, or condiments—right at the fridge door. The scanner is placed near the water and ice dispenser, and it automatically adds the scanned product to a digital shopping list in GE’s SmartHQ app. The list includes details like brand, flavor, and size.  

GE says the system can recognize more than four million barcodes at launch, covering most packaged groceries. If an item doesn’t have a barcode, you can still add it manually by voice or through the app.  

The digital grocery list can be shared with family members and used when you’re actually shopping. In some versions, it can also be synced with Instacart so you can order items for delivery straight from the fridge interface.  

Inside the fridge, an integrated camera called FridgeFocus takes photos of produce drawers so you can visually check what you have while in the store—helping you avoid buying duplicates or forgetting something important.  

GE plans to start selling this Profile Smart Refrigerator around spring 2026, with a premium price tag of about $4,899, reflecting its advanced grocery-management technology.