Capacity: 26 cubic feet
Energy Star certified: Yes
Ice dispenser: Yes - dual (2.5lbs)
The Energy Star-certified Smart InstaView® Counter-Depth Max French Door Refrigerator from LG has all the storage you need for fresh produce, with a huge 26 cubic feet of space. In addition, LG says their refrigerator offers the industry’s largest counter depth capacity, maximizing storage space with larger width and shallower depth. Equipped with LG’s InstaView® Edge-to-Edge technology, all you need to do is knock twice on the door to gain an instant view of what’s inside, keeping everything cool and saving on energy costs. A capacious pull-door freezer at the base of the refrigerator offers two deep drawers for frozen foods.
For
- Great capacity
- Knock to gain view of inside
- Ice & water dispenser
Against
- Expensive
- Requires wide space in kitchen
Capacity: 29 cubic feet
Energy Star certified: Yes
Ice dispenser: Yes
This Samsung fridge features 29 cubic feet of storage space, giving even large households more than enough space for fresh produce. The ‘beverage center’ provides filtered, chilled water two ways, with an internal water dispenser and a built-in autofill water pitcher, while the dual ice maker serves up cubed and chipped ice whenever you need it. This appliance also features what Samsung calls its FlexZone™, a versatile lower-right storage unit that converts from fridge to freezer temperatures. It offers lots of flexibility with five customizable temperature settings. Perfect for overflow, holidays and entertaining.
For
- Huge capacity
- Ice & water dispenser
- Lots of colorways
Against
- Doors may need extra clearance
- No deli tray included
Both LG and Samsung offer some of the most premium refrigerators on the market, as well as some of the best value options. When you compare LG vs Samsung though, it can be hard to decide which refrigerator brand is best for you.
Both brands offer models that feature in our best side-by-side refrigerator and best French door refrigerator guides, but if you know that you’re definitely in the market for either a Samsung or an LG refrigerator, but can’t decide which one is right, you've come to the right place.
When it comes to paving the way for smart home appliances, LG and Samsung have always led the pack. Some of the brands’ newest innovations include door-in-door features and smartphone compatibility.
LG vs Samsung: Price
With both brands, the range of prices is huge. However, Samsung definitely has the edge if you are looking for an affordable refrigerator. The Samsung RS25J500DSR side-by-side refrigerator is our top pick of a budget-friendly side-by-side refrigerator, and there are plenty more high-quality refrigerators available from Samsung for under $1,000.
LG, however, has a slightly narrower range. Prices for a full-size refrigerator start at around $1,500. At the upper end of the spectrum, though, both brands go up to the $7,000 mark, with many models available between $3,000 and $4,000.
LG vs Samsung: Product range
We have a theory that LG prefers to make French door refrigerators. It has plenty of side-by-side models available, but most of its brightest and best come in French door designs. Samsung, by contrast, really dominates our side-by-side guide, appearing three times in a guide of just 12 products.
While side-by-side and french door fridges dominate, there is also a selection of top freezer and bottom freezer refrigerators available from Samsung and LG. These are best suited to smaller homes as an alternative to buying a mini fridge and a freezer.
LG vs Samsung: Design
When we start with the basics, both LG and Samsung have glossy and high-level designs that make a statement. You’ll have no difficulty finding a refrigerator with a large capacity from these brands, and it’s not uncommon to find a model in both counter-depth and full-size dimensions.
This means that if you find your perfect refrigerator but it’s not in the right size for your kitchen, it may be possible to pick up the same appliance but with the right depth.
Color is another distinguishing factor. LG refrigerators typically come in stainless steel or a black stainless steel finish. Samsung has these same colors, but it also offers a unique Tuscan stainless steel, which has more of a warm-toned plum finish.
LG vs Samsung: Features
Everything you expect from a refrigerator can be found in abundance from both Samsung and LG. Most ice makers come with crushed and cubed ice, as well as filtered water dispensers. The LG LSXS26366S side-by-side refrigerator has a Slim SpacePlus system that makes sure the ice maker works perfectly without taking up too much of that precious freezer space.
Humidity-controlled crisper drawers are also available in both brands. These regulate the humidity in your refrigerator to keep fresh fruits and vegetables crisp for long periods of time.
Smart features are increasingly popular in refrigerators, and both Samsung and LG have really lead the way with this. In Samsung refrigerators, you’ll find something called the ‘Family Hub’. This is WiFi and Bixby enabled, meaning you can pair it with a smartphone to monitor your refrigerator using an app. This can boost your fridge and freezer levels before you load it up with new groceries. Some even come with in-built cameras! The Family Hub can be used to electronically add notes, stream music or videos, and keep track of your grocery list for easy shopping. Even something as simple as putting a family photo on your fridge can be done remotely, so it really is designed to be the heart of your home.
By contrast, LG’s equivalent is less wholesome and more modern-feeling. The door-in-door design means you can knock on the door of your refrigerator to show a window into the interior of your fridge. This means you won’t lose the cold air from your fridge when checking if you need to buy more milk, or whether you have any wine in the fridge. The display shows the internal temperature of your refrigerator front and center, which allows you to make sure your food is being refrigerated at the right temperature.
Speaking of door-in-door, both LG and Samsung offer a smaller door on the front of the refrigerator that holds all of your essentials without having to open up the entire fridge. This is very useful for grabbing butter, milk, or a cold soda from the fridge without losing track of where it is. It also makes fridge organization easier than ever.
LG vs Samsung: Energy efficiency
There’s one surefire way of making sure your fridge is going to be energy efficient, and this is by looking for the Energy Star certification. More so than most refrigerator brands, LG and Samsung both offer a whole selection of energy-efficient extras. This includes the door-in-door features and the LED lights that won’t counteract the cooling process inside your refrigerator.
A few of our top picks from LG, such as the LG LSXS26366S, do miss out on that all-important certification, whereas most Samsung refrigerators (like the Samsung RS27T5200SR) come with Energy Star certification. If energy efficiency is a concern, it’s definitely worth taking a look at the specific models before buying, but Samsung marginally wins out when it comes to offering energy-efficient designs.
LG vs Samsung refrigerators: Which should you buy?
If you want a discerning refrigerator with a modern feel, we would recommend investing in an LG refrigerator. Its knock-to-look designs are that little bit more sophisticated than the more family-friendly Samsung Family Hub.
Samsung takes the win when it comes to affordability. While both Samsung and LG offer refrigerators in excess of $5,000, Samsung’s prices do start at a lower point.
Both brands are continually innovating and making excellent new appliances, so whether you choose a Samsung or an LG, you can rest assured that while there are some fun features available, there's no skipping out on quality design.
