They already have mastered the cooling factor, but who knew that refrigerators could also be, well, “cool”? The LG Smart InstaView Door-in-Door MAX 4-Door French Door refrigerator took me by surprise with its unique color personalization and left me feeling like I just might have the coolest fridge on the block —no pun intended.
Alex Frost is a mom and an experienced journalist and product reviewer. She tests a variety of products in her career, including small and large home appliances, mattresses and products that make parenting easier. As a mom of 5 kids who are all under the age of 10, products are tested for durability, efficiency, and the ability to make family life a bit less chaotic.
LG Smart InstaView Refrigerator: Key specs
| Capacity | 28.6 cubic feet |
| Doors | 4 |
| Ice and Water Dispenser? | Yes, dual ice makers |
| Smart Features? | Yes |
| Energy Star? | Yes |
| Dimensions | H70.375 x W35.75 x D34.375 inches |
LG Smart InstaView Refrigerator: Setup
Luckily fridges are one of those appliances where it’s the total norm to have someone haul in, install, and set up for you. Not only is that because they are quite heavy and cumbersome, but because they need specific water hookups, such as in this case, two ice machines.
I did have an issue with this set up, as the initial installers only hooked up one of two, so I did not have ice coming from the dispenser (only the bucket in the freezer) and had to call again. So if you do choose this fridge, ensure the installer is knowledgeable about its unique needs compared to older/other fridges.
Once installed, there’s a bit of a learning curve — you might not realize right away you can knock twice on the fridge door glass to turn the light on, to see if you need more milk soon. Necessary? No. Fun? Definitely.
- Score: 8/10
LG Smart InstaView Refrigerator: Design & Features
The design elements are quite unique, and have visitors asking, “Wait, what does this do?” Here’s what I noticed.
The peek door
It came to be known as the peek door in my home. You can “peek into” the fridge via a window that just opens to show the three sections usually on the full door of a fridge. You know, where you keep those sauces you never use, and might have some coffee creamer from a year ago (no? Just me?). This is where high use items should be kept, in my opinion, for easy access. For my family, this is milk, jelly, cream, syrup, and similar highly used condiments. It’s especially helpful so my kids don’t tell me they can’t find anything. “Seriously? It’s in the peek door!” The only downside is that without rearranging you can’t choose anything very bulky or tall for this area.
The snack drawer
Like many modern fridges, there is a snack drawer at the perfect height for kids. As a parent, I’ve always used this section for foods I’m fine with kids accessing in a grab and go fashion anytime they want, such as cut up fruits and vegetables, yogurt, cheese, drinks, and other items. This drawer is well designed, opens and closes easily, and has intuitive sections that align with how we naturally stock the fridge.
The freezer
The two level freezer has a pullout drawer to allow for more visibility in the fridge. This gives users the ability to see all of their options without bending over, moving stacked objects, and wondering why they never eat all the food in their fridge. Unlike some other fridges I’ve tested, the drawer and the inner pullout section all open and close very easily. There is a bin of ice on the left side that is the second icemaker’s output, and is helpful in a large setting such as a part to have.
- Score: 9/10
LG Smart InstaView Refrigerator: Performance
Temperature Performance
This fridge is, well, FRIGID. I had to lower the temperature multiple times, which had a small learning curve. I think of the buttons as having a “shift” button on a keyboard — there are multiple functions for each button, and you have to access that second row of options to get to some of them. In the first few weeks, I found frozen cucumbers, strawberries, and other produce, while I learned that this fridge’s definition of cold and mine are slightly different. But, once I played with the settings, I found a happy medium that kept my food cold, not rock hard.
Ice Maker and Water Dispenser Performance
The ice maker and water dispenser on the top front of the fridge is one of the most poorly designed features. It confuses guests, who frequent the water dispenser, and I may even eventually have to put a little sticker on the options to denote their meaning. The problem is that instead of pushing the button for what you want (ice vs. water, for example) you push the button in the front to move the “select” function over to ice. So, many a guest have been sprayed with water thinking ice was coming out.
Additionally, I have very few glasses that are able to catch all the ice cubes shooting out of this thing. Instead, unless you are using a very wide cup, some always end up on the floor. I think the designers should adjust the angle of the ice dispenser internally, so that the average cup catches the ice cubes — though my dog does enjoy catching them as half of them fall to the floor.
However, the ice maker has been more reliable overall than some, though it does take a few seconds to wake up and begin dispensing ice.
Smart Features
Ever wish your fridge would match your next party theme? Me neither, but this one does. The fridge pairs with the “Thin IQ” app that allows you to set timers and colors for your fridge light, inside that peek door, for a specific ambiance in your kitchen. It’s one of those extras that can feel kitschy or cool depending on the day — on an average Tuesday morning rolling down in pajamas to set up my kids’ breakfast, it sure doesn’t matter if my fridge light is purple or red. But, my kids have enjoyed knocking on the fridge to get the light to turn on.
- Score: 7/10
LG Smart InstaView Refrigerator: Care & Maintenance
Owners are encouraged to use a non-abrasive and non-flammable cleaner to maintain both the interior and exterior of the refrigerator. While the refrigerator and the freezer both defrost on their own, LG does recommend cleaning both portions of the appliance to prevent odors. A mixture of baking soda and water may be helpful on the inside walls of the fridge to further eliminate odors.
The exterior of the refrigerator should be cleaned using a damp microfiber cloth in the direction of the grain. This will help prevent scratching and streaking. Door gaskets and liners should also be wiped down using a soft cloth with mild detergent. Like most stainless steel appliances, I did notice that the fridge picked up all of my children’s handprints, but they were easily wiped with a microfiber cloth as LG suggested. The glass peek-through door also showcased fingerprints but nothing that required heavy scrubbing.
Finally, LG recommends cleaning the condenser cover and vents with a vacuum cleaner. This will help prevent dust buildup and ensure that the fridge runs optimally.
- Score: 9/10
LG Smart InstaView Refrigerator: Price & Value
This LG refrigerator can be purchased through the LG website for $3099. The company frequently has price reductions and rebates, so it’s worth visiting their website for the latest pricing. You can also purchase this refrigerator through Home Depot and Best Buy. Both businesses currently list the price at $2699.99.
Additionally, the refrigerator can be purchased through locally-owned appliance businesses. Price and availability may vary.
- Score: 7/10
LG Smart InstaView Refrigerator: User Reviews
Many of the owners of this refrigerator appreciate its spacious storage, noting that the height of the shelves are useful for a variety of products. Additionally, the Flex Drawer was a great asset for active households–easily switched between refrigerator or freezer storage depending on storage needs. The overall quality of the appliance was spoken highly of, and reviews indicate that owners feel they have a top-of-the-line appliance for the money paid.
Some reviewers did note that they felt the app wasn’t as functional as they’d hoped, and while the glass window on the door was helpful for some, it was a consistent positive for owners. Additionally, the dual-zone ice maker caused problems for some with owners sharing it didn’t consistently make ice or the ice produced tasted like plastic.
Would I buy the LG Smart InstaView Refrigerator?
| Attributes | Notes | Score |
| Design | Unique design with a “peek door” is ideal for regularly used products. Aesthetically, modern look and customizable color lights make for a fun option | 9/10 |
| Storage Space | The storage of this fridge is ideal for large families. Only downfall was that certain products were too large to fit on the door. | 9/10 |
| Temperature Consistency | Fridge can be extremely cold, to the point of freezing produce until you find the correct setting | 7/10 |
| Cooling Performance | Once the temperature was figured out, the fridge and freezer both did a great job of keeping my food products cold. | 8/10 |
| Extra Features | Ice and water dispenser can be temperamental and controls for it aren’t overly intuitive | 7/10 |
Buy it if...
You’re looking for a sleek, modern refrigerator with added technology features.
The flat panel doors make this refrigerator aesthetically-appealing and modern in style.
You need added customizable and flexible storage space.
Fridge storage needs can change over the lifetime of your appliance, and this fridge allows for customization. The Flex Drawer allows you to add space to your refrigerator or freezer depending on your food storage needs.
You enjoy using technology to keep up-to-date on your household activities.
If you’re the person whose phone is full of smart-technology apps and appreciate when appliances can keep you up-to-date on usage, then this refrigerator will be for you. With ThinkQ capabilities and added smart features, you’ll know how often your fridge was open, if a door is left open or when maintenance is needed. Not to mention, you’ll be able to customize the LED lighting of the interior of your fridge to fit your mood.
Don’t buy it if…
Smart technology isn’t your thing.
If smart technology isn’t a requirement for you of your appliances, then you might consider skipping this model. While the app isn’t necessary to operate the refrigerator, you might be paying for technology that you prefer to not use.
Digging through a freezer drawer wreaks havoc on your zen.
While the freezer portion of this refrigerator does provide 2-tier organization the lack of a drawer divider means you might find yourself digging through the cold drawer to find your favorite pizza rolls and ice cream bars.
How does the LG Smart InstaView Refrigerator compare?
While this model offers a lot of great storage, if you need slightly more storage, LG does offer a similar model with a 30.7 cu. foot capacity. The main difference between the two models is the presence of the Flex Drawer, which disappears with the larger capacity fridge.
Additional brands also offer a flex drawer option for a slightly smaller price tag. GE offers a similar size appliance with a 4 zone temperature drawer for $2599. Samsung also offers a similar model for $1999.
How I tested the LG Smart InstaView Refrigerator
For more information on how we review products, click here.
Key things I paid attention to during my review of this fridge were:
Unboxing: I noted details about the packaging and how the fridge arrived. Were there scratches on the appliance and was packaging recyclable? I also reviewed the instructions to ensure that the company provided detail and clarity so the appliance could be used in short order.
Performance: I tested the fridge using my typical food products and temperature needs. I evaluated how my produce and perishable items did in the fridge and if the temperature stayed consistent or had times where it got too cold or too warm.
Cleaning, Storage, and Maintenance: With a family of 7, I paid attention to the storage options and their usefulness to my young family. I also noted the ease of opening and closing the fridge–even those times when I might have a baby or toddler on my hip. It was also important to me to evaluate how easy it was to remove all those little fingerprints from the front of it, or how quickly a spill could be contained on the fridge shelves.
