Samsung vs. LG Refrigerators: 7 Key Differences & How to Choose

Are you shopping for a new refrigerator but need help deciding between Samsung and LG?

Both brands offer excellent quality, generous warranties, and unique features. But which one is best for your home?

In this comparison of Samsung vs. LG refrigerators, you’ll learn how these two brands differ in reliability, price, features, options, technology, and more.

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Use the links below to navigate the comparison:

• Difference 1: Reliability
• Difference 2: Price
• Difference 3: Warranty
• Difference 4: Features
• Difference 5: Technology
• Difference 6: Models and Options
• Difference 7: Top-Rated Models
• What Others Say About Samsung and LG Refrigerators
• Bottom Line: Should You Buy a Samsung or LG Refrigerator?

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Difference 1: Reliability

Reliability is one of the most important factors to consider when buying a new refrigerator. So how do LG and Samsung compare in this category?

To find out, I interviewed several appliance repair companies. When I contacted each service pro, I asked two simple questions:

• Which refrigerator brands are the most reliable?
• Which refrigerator brands are the least reliable?

The chart below summarizes their responses. Unfortunately, LG and Samsung were both on the wrong end of this survey. All seven repair professionals said Samsung is one of the least reliable refrigerator brands, and six out of seven said to avoid LG.

Brand	Votes for Most Reliable Refrigerator	Votes for Least Reliable Refrigerator
Whirlpool	4	1
GE	3	1
KitchenAid	3	1
Bosch	2	0
Maytag	2	0
Jenn Air	1	0
LG	0	6
Samsung	0	7
Frigidaire	0	2
Electrolux	0	1
Blomberg	0	1
Beko	0	1

Below are direct quotes I received from appliance repair companies. As you’ll see in their responses, there are two main issues with Samsung and LG fridges.

First, both companies have poor customer service relative to the industry. Secondly, replacement parts are difficult to find. Because of those two issues, few companies service LG and Samsung.

The team at Hunter Appliance said, “We tend to see the lowest service call rates on Bosch, GE, and KitchenAid French door fridges and the highest on Samsung, LG, and Frigidaire.”

Appliance Services, LLC in Epping, New Hampshire, said, “Stay away from LG and Samsung. Few companies service these brands.”

Another Cycle Appliance Repair, Inc. in Londonderry, New Hampshire, said, “We recommend Whirlpool, Maytag, and KitchenAid refrigerators — those brands are the most reliable. Samsung and LG Refrigerators are the least reliable.”

Harrison Refrigeration & Appliances in Hyde Park, Massachusetts, said, “Electrolux, Frigidaire, Samsung, LG, Blomberg, and Beko are the least reliable refrigerator brands. These brands have frequent service issues and poor customer service, and their parts are frequently on backorder or no longer available. They’re also more susceptible to premature failures.”

Ray’s Appliance in Taunton, Massachusetts, said, “Samsung lacks parts availability and local service companies, and as a result, we elect not to sell the brand.”

The repair professional at United Appliance Parts in Schenectady, New York, said, “Most refrigerators are about the same right now. The only brands I don’t recommend are Samsung and LG because they are more expensive on parts and harder to get parts for. Also, most service companies won’t work on Samsung and LG.”

Hub Appliance in Boston, Massachusetts, said, “Stay away from LG, Samsung, and GE. Whirlpool refrigerators are the most reliable. Fancy models have fancy (and expensive) problems.”

Yale Appliance, an appliance company that’s been servicing the Greater Boston Area since 1923, releases reliability data each year. Service rate, the number of service calls divided by the number of units sold, is the primary reliability metric in these reports.

As you’ll see in their latest report (summarized below), LG is the most reliable refrigerator brand, with a service rate of 8.8% in 2024. Yale didn’t sell enough Samsung refrigerators to include them in the 2023 and 2024 reports. However, Samsung ranked number two in 2022 with a service rate of 8.4%.

Refrigerator Brand	Service Rate 2024	Service Rate 2023	Service Rate 2022	Service Rate 2021
LG	8.8%	6.9%	4.5%	27.8%
Bosch	11.6%	10.7%	14.9%	16.9%
GE Appliances	11.6%	19.6%	16.5%	12.21%
GE Profile	16.8%	16.5%	10.2%	22.8%
Fisher & Paykel	18.9%	5.0%	N/A	N/A
Café Appliances	20.1%	9.9%	12.6%	21.9%
Beko	32.8%	25.9%	32.6%	18.1%
KitchenAid	N/A	25.5%	17.0%	21.6%
Samsung	N/A	N/A	8.4%	20.9%
JennAir	N/A	N/A	15.8%	36.7%

While this data is insightful, it doesn’t tell the whole story.

LG settled a class-action lawsuit in 2020 that accused the company of selling more than 1.6 million refrigerators with faulty compressors. These units were sold between 2014 and 2017.

Although LG denied wrongdoing, the lawsuit prompted them to update the design. And since then, fewer complaints have been filed.

This change could be why LG’s service rate fell from 27.8% in 2020 (recorded in Yale’s 2021 report) to 4.5% in 2021 (2022 report) and has remained relatively low at 6.9% in 2023 and 8.8% in 2024.

Yale mentions they didn’t sell many Samsung refrigerators recently, so their service rates are highly volatile. They also confirm what I heard from other repair companies: Samsung’s customer service could be better.

Overall, LG and Samsung refrigerators are not known for their reliability. But, based on my interviews with appliance repair companies and Yale’s annual reports, LG refrigerators are slightly less problematic. Plus, the improvements they’ve recently made to the compressors have resulted in fewer service calls.

To learn more, read my complete guide to the most (and least) reliable refrigerator brands.

Difference 2: Price

Samsung and LG refrigerators come in a range of prices, but Samsung offers more affordable models. The chart below compares the number of Samsung and LG refrigerator models across different price ranges.

Price	Samsung Refrigerator Models	LG Refrigerator Models
Under $2,000	46	12
$2,001 to $2,500	58	19
$2,501 to $3000	100	14
$3,001 to $3,500	19	18
$3,501 to $4,000	12	14
Over $4001	6	7

In addition to its standard refrigerators, LG offers two special collections: LG Studio and LG Signature.

LG Studio is one step up in features and price from the brand’s standard fridges. This collection ranges from $3,500 to nearly $8,000.

LG Signature is the best-of-the-best with the most advanced features but the highest prices, starting at $6,000.

You can compare the current prices of LG and Samsung fridges on Amazon (LG prices, Samsung prices).

Difference 3: Warranty

The warranty coverage period you get with your refrigerator varies depending on the parts you’re replacing. Some parts will have a shorter warranty period than others.

For example, LG offers a one-year warranty on most components, but some have a five-year warranty, like the sealed system and compressor.

LG refrigerators with a linear/inverter-type compressor are covered for five additional years (totaling 6-10 years).

You can easily find the warranty policies for each part on LG’s warranty webpage — it has product pages for each refrigerator with a specs section that details which compressor you have.

Samsung’s warranty depends on the refrigerator model. The standard refrigerators feature a one-year warranty that covers a full replacement of any functional internal part. Bespoke models (those that have been customized to your liking) have a two-year warranty.

Samsung offers a 5-year coverage period on any part of the sealed refrigeration system, including the compressor, condenser, evaporator, and tubing. The digital inverter compressor (a more high-tech and energy-efficient version of the regular compressor) has a 10-year coverage period.

This table quickly compares LG and Samsung’s warranty details.

Warranty Period	Samsung	LG
One Year	Full replacement for any functional internal part	Full replacement for any functional internal part
Two Year	Full replacement for any functional internal part on bespoke models	N/A
Five Years	Full replacement of any part of the sealed refrigeration system (compressor, condenser, evaporator, and tubing)	Full replacement of any part of the sealed refrigeration system (compressor, condenser, evaporator, and tubing)
Years Six – Ten	Digital Inverter Compressor Only (parts only)	Linear / Inverter Compressor Only (parts only)

Difference 4: Features

Samsung and LG refrigerators come with various features, including ice and water dispensers, LED lights, wheels, child locks, door alarms, digital temperature control, and more.

The features across Samsung and LG models are almost identical, but a few differences exist.

Most notably, LG offers see-through and self-closing door options that Samsung doesn’t. Also, some models come with a “Craft Ice” maker, a special feature that makes round, slow-melting ice balls for cocktails.

Remember that every refrigerator model is different and will offer a different combination of these features. 

Check out the chart below for an overview of the features offered by each brand.

Feature	Explanation	Samsung	LG
Ice and water dispensers	Usually located on the front of the fridge	✔	✔
Dispenser light	Dispenser lights allow you to see how much water you’re putting into the cup at night	✔	✔
Hidden Hinges	Hinges are concealed inside the refrigerator, giving the appliance a seamless look	✔	✔
Reversible door hinge	Reversible door hinges let you change the swing direction of the fridge doors to fit your kitchen layout	✔	✔
LED lights	Energy-efficient LED lights illuminate the inside of the fridge	✔	✔
Wheels	Wheels are located on the bottom, making it easier to move	✔	✔
Door alarm	When you accidentally leave the fridge door open, an alarm will sound	✔	✔
Child lock	Child lock disables the front control panel, preventing children from changing the temperature and disabling/enabling the ice maker	✔	✔
Sabbath mode	Disables the lights, door alarms, and dispenser in observance of the Sabbath and other Jewish holidays	✔	✔
Smudge-proof	Smudge-proof refrigerators won’t show unsightly finger smudges when you touch the door or handle	✔	✔
Digital temperature control	The digital temperature controls on the front of the fridge let you adjust the temperature with the push of a button	✔	✔
Door within door	Door-in-door fridges have an outer door and an inner door. You can grab items from the outer compartment without letting out cold air from the inner compartment	✔	✔
Self-closing door	These doors close automatically, so you don’t have to deliberately push them closed	✘	✔
See-thru door	See-thru doors offer an at-a-glance view of your fridge without needing to open it	✘	✔
Craft Ice	A setting on the ice maker that produces large, round ice balls	✘	✔
Flat-back design	Flat-back fridges do not have any raised areas on the back, allowing them to sit against a wall without any gaps	✔	✔
Garage ready	Designed to maintain the proper temperature, even in extreme heat and cold	✔	✔
Triple evaporating cooling system	Features three fans and two compressors to cool large-capacity refrigerators with multiple zones	✔	✔
Energy Star rated	Energy efficiency ratings to help you save on power	✔	✔

Difference 5: Technology

LG is known for introducing advanced technological features into its appliances, especially refrigerators. Samsung also offers smart tech and an integrated app, but LG offers more features.

For instance, LG’s IcePlus mode automatically fills your ice maker when it runs low, and the measured fill feature pours a pre-measured amount of water. Here are a few of the technology features in LG refrigerators:

• ThinQ app: Every LG smart refrigerator connects to the ThinQ app, which allows you to manage your refrigerator and its features from anywhere. With the ThinQ app, you can remotely adjust the temperature of your fridge, put it on vacation mode, make extra ice, receive door notifications, and more, all from your mobile device. The features below are controlled with the ThinQ app:

• Remote Temperature Controls: Adjust your refrigerator’s internal temperature remotely through the app.
  • Door Notifications: When enabled, the ThinQ app will alert you when your refrigerator door has been left open for more than 10 minutes.
  • Smart Sabbath Mode: In the app, you can enable the Smart Sabbath mode, which turns off notifications on religious days and holidays, as well as keeping the fridge on a timed defrost without having to be powered on or off.
  • Vacation Mode: This setting is designed to save energy when no one is around. Simply enable Vacation Mode with the ThinQ app when you leave, and disable it when you return.
  • IcePlus Mode: This mode prompts your refrigerator to begin producing more ice. You can enable IcePlus remotely through the ThinQ app or your refrigerator’s front control panel.
• InstaView: The see-thru door on your LG refrigerator is a fantastic energy saver — it allows you to see what’s inside without opening the door and letting the cold out. Knock on your refrigerator door twice, and the lights will turn on, allowing you to see inside.
• Craft Ice: The Craft Ice mode makes spherical ice balls that take longer to melt, which is ideal for cocktails and cold drinks. Some LG refrigerators have two ice makers — one for standard and crushed ice cubes and one for the Craft Ice sphere.
• Measured Fill: This feature allows you to get the exact amount of water you need without pouring it to a fill line. Instead, you can choose a pre-measured amount. 
• Smart Care+: This unique feature analyzes your refrigerator use and optimizes cooling and energy based on how your refrigerator is used. It will also automatically turn on the IcePlus feature when your ice level runs low.
• Proactive Customer Care: This feature sends notifications to your ThinQ app when the air and water filters need to be replaced. It will also notify you of any issues with your refrigerator and offer potential solutions.

Samsung has its own smart appliance app: SmartThings. Combined with the FamilyHub feature and Bixby Assistant, you can connect to your refrigerator remotely and control the temperature with the touch of a button or with voice activation.

Samsung refrigerators also include features like Flexzone, which allows you to customize the temperature zones in your fridge. Here’s a rundown of the technology in Samsung refrigerators: 

• SmartThings app: You can control and manage your refrigerator remotely from your phone through the SmartThings app.
• Family Hub: Samsung refrigerators that are Wi-Fi compatible include the Family Hub feature on the front door panel of the fridge, which allows you to coordinate your shopping, home, communication, and entertainment needs with various apps. With Family Hub, you can also add a shopping list, to-do, calendar, and timer.
• Bixby Assistant: Another FamilyHub feature, the Bixby Assistant enables voice control of your refrigerator.
• Beverage Center: There is a single glass water dispenser in the beverage center and a pitcher water dispenser.
• FlexZone: Samsung’s refrigerators feature flexzone cooling, which allows you to customize the space inside with multiple cooling zones. You can convert refrigerator space to freezer space and vice versa.

Difference 6: Models and Options

While LG offers a slightly higher number of models (Samsung has 37 and LG has 44), Samsung offers more choice and versatility when it comes to design.

Here is a look at Samsung’s options:

• Number of models: 37
• Styles: French door, side by side, top freezer, bottom freezer, and freezer-less (the freezer-less column-style refrigerators from Samsung are popular), 4-Door Flex
• Finishes: Stainless, black stainless, bronze stainless, white, navy, black, gray, and custom.

Here’s a tip: you can mix and match finishes when choosing a Samsung Bespoke model.

And here’s a rundown of LG’s options:

• Number of models: 44
• Styles: French door, side by side, top freezer, and bottom freezer
• Finishes: Stainless, black stainless, stainless look, black, white, gray, and silver

Difference 7: Top-Rated Models

Both brands have dozens of refrigerator models, but a few stand out from the rest. Read on to discover the key features of two top-rated models for each brand.

Samsung

Samsung’s Smart Side-by-Side refrigerator is designed with families in mind. It features a minimalist stainless-steel exterior with a flat-door design and recessed handles for a modern look. The exterior finish is also fingerprint and smudge-resistant, making it easier to keep clean.

The redesigned interior boasts a 27.3 cu. ft. capacity that fits 10% more groceries compared to the Samsung Standard Depth Side-by-Side model RS25J500D, which has a 24.52 cu. ft. capacity.

Multi-vent technology creates even cooling throughout the interior. The refrigerator also includes a high-capacity in-door ice maker and a detachable ice bucket in the freezer to free up storage space.

This fridge is also available with FamilyHub, a feature by Samsung that allows you to see inside your fridge, stream music, manage your home’s calendar, and more, all from the front panel of the refrigerator.

Alternatively, the Smart 4-Door French-Door fridge from Samsung is versatile and spacious with practical features that help to keep your food fresh. Its stainless-steel exterior will blend well into any kitchen, and its large French doors open wide to allow for extra storage.

The spacious 17.3 cu. ft. interior includes large drawers that can be converted into small freezers by adjusting the temperature from a light chill to a deep freeze. The two drawers also have humidity control to keep produce fresher for longer.

You can control the temperature of this fridge and monitor it remotely using the SmartThings app by Samsung. This model doesn’t include the Family Hub feature, but it is available as an additional option.

LG

LG’s Door-in-Door Smart Refrigerator features a unique fingerprint and smudge-resistant stainless-steel finish with a modern glass InstaView Door-in-Door panel that lets you see inside the fridge without letting cold air out.

It also includes features like a ColdSaver panel, a DoorCooling+ air duct, and a fresh air filter. These keep your refrigerator’s contents fresh for a longer period. The large 26 cu. ft. interior is well-organized, including a space-saving ice system that feeds into a tall 12-inch ice and water dispenser.

The smart refrigerator runs with LG’s signature ThinQ app, which allows you to monitor and change the refrigerator’s settings remotely from your phone.

The LG French Door Smart Refrigerator is another popular model because of its large 26 cu. ft. interior, dual ice maker, humidity-controlled crisper drawers, and 2-tier freezer organization.

High-tech features, like LG’s Smart Cooling technology, help keep food fresh. The ThinQ app lets you control the fridge’s features and enable SmartDiagnosis from your phone or through voice-activated devices like Google Home or Amazon’s Alexa.

SmartDiagnosis is a feature on the ThinQ app that can help troubleshoot and diagnose problems with your refrigerator right from your phone. It can also suggest solutions.

The refrigerator’s Linear Compressor motor reacts to changes in temperature to operate more efficiently.

What Others Say About Samsung and LG Refrigerators

Not only are both Samsung and LG popular brands with customers, but they’re also favorites with home appliance experts and media outlets. Take a look below to see what others have to say about LG and Samsung refrigerators:

LG was highlighted by the New York Times as a major refrigerator brand with the highest level of customer satisfaction. While the NYT notes that LG’s customer service is not the best, they also point out that LG is an incredibly reliable brand, so you’re much less likely to need to deal with customer service over the life of your fridge.

LG’s InstaView Door-in-Door Refrigerator makes the Best Refrigerators list by Good Housekeeping. GH praises the refrigerator’s reliability and consistency in tests and the easy access of the InstaView compartment on the door. They also point out LG’s ability to create well-designed, dependable refrigerators and do a fantastic job keeping food fresh for longer.

Reader’s Digest shouts out the Samsung Family Hub Smart Refrigerator as its pick for the best smart refrigerator, calling it a “Wi-Fi-connected wonder” that, with the help of the SmartThings app for both Android and Apple devices, can assist you with everything from keeping inventory of your fridge to showing cooking videos.

The LG Counter Depth Refrigerator with InstaView and the LG French Door Refrigerator with Ice both make Reader’s Digest list. The Counter Depth refrigerator was RD’s top overall pick because of its affordable price point and high-end design. According to RD, the French Door Refrigerator is an excellent choice for home cooks because of its ultra-large capacity, which makes it a versatile workhorse for large, busy families.

Samsung’s 3-Door French Door Refrigerator With Family Hub stands out on Forbes’ list of Best Refrigerator Brands. Forbes praises Samsung’s bespoke refrigerator offerings and Family Hub technology. According to Forbes, Samsung is a leader in the smart fridge space because of innovative features like its Family Hub technology.

Both Samsung and LG make the list of Popular Mechanics’ picks for best refrigerators. Popular Mechanics praises LG’s Side-by-Side Refrigerator, remarking on its wide range of features for the modest price point, like the in-door ice maker and water dispenser. Samsung’s Counter-Depth Side-By-Side Refrigerator also earns a shout-out, with Popular Mechanics noting that Samsung’s refrigerators are an excellent value and have attractive, modern designs and a wide range of features. Specifically, Popular Mechanics shouts out the fridges’ large capacity, Wi-Fi ability, and modern front panel.

Bottom Line: Should You Buy a Samsung or LG Refrigerator?

Now that you’ve learned more about the main features, models, options, benefits, and drawbacks of Samsung and LG refrigerators, it’s time to choose which brand is best for your home.

But first, here’s a quick recap of the most significant differences between the two:

• Almost all appliance repair companies I contacted said to avoid LG and Samsung. However, LG fixed the design of its compressors in 2020 and since then has had one of the lowest service rates (service calls divided by units sold) of any brand, according to Yale Appliance’s annual reliability report.
• Samsung offers more options for under $2,000, but both brands provide a range of options for all budgets.
• Samsung and LG have nearly identical features, except for the self-closing door, see-thru door, and Craft Ice maker, which are only available on LG refrigerators.
• LG refrigerators include impressive technology like InstaView panels and Measured Fill. Samsung’s main differentiators are its FamilyHub and voice-activated Bixby Assistant.
• While LG has more models, Samsung provides color, finish, and style options. Samsung Bespoke models allow for the most customization. 

So which brand should you buy?

Ultimately, LG and Samsung refrigerators are more similar than different. Both brands offer a range of sizes, styles, and prices, and most models are packed with the latest features and technology. The differences are subtle but matter when investing over a thousand dollars on a brand-new appliance.

If you love the idea of the InstaView see-thru door or need an ice maker that makes round ice balls for cocktails, go with LG.

If you’re looking for the most advanced Wi-Fi-enabled fridge, equipped with a Family Hub for sharing pictures, music, and shopping lists right on the door panel, go with Samsung.

Unfortunately, when it comes to reliability, both LG and Samsung underperform. With more features and advanced technology, there’s more to break and malfunction. And when there is an issue, finding a company that will service these brands can be an expensive hassle.

If reliability is your top priority, skip LG and Samsung and go with GE, Bosch, Whirlpool, or KitchenAid.

Learn more and read dozens of reviews of both brands at the links below:

• Samsung on Amazon and Samsung.com
• LG on Amazon and LG.com