Whirlpool vs. Samsung Refrigerators: 7 Differences & How to Choose

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

Samsung offers more features and technology, but Whirlpool fridges are less expensive and more reliable. So which brand should you buy?

In this comparison of Whirlpool vs. Samsung refrigerators, I break down the pros and cons of each brand. You’ll learn how they differ across key categories, including reliability, price, features, options, and more.

I also reveal what appliance repair professionals say about both brands.

By the end, you’ll be able to make an informed choice about which brand is better for you.

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Use these links to navigate the article:

• 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 Whirlpool and Samsung Refrigerators
• Bottom Line: Should You Buy a Whirlpool or Samsung Refrigerator?

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Difference 1: Reliability

Reliability is one of the most important factors to consider when comparing Samsung and Whirlpool refrigerators.

But how do you measure reliability?

Yale Appliance, a company selling and servicing refrigerators since 1923, releases annual reliability reports. The key metric in the report is Service Rate, the ratio of service calls to units sold.

In other words, if they sell 1000 Samsung refrigerators, and 200 of those units need service within the first year, the service rate is 20%.

Yale Appliance’s reports show that Samsung refrigerators improved, with service rates dropping from 20.9% in 2021 (6th best) to 8.4% in 2022 (2nd best). However, Yale stopped selling Samsung fridges after 2022, so it’s not included in the latest reports.

The improvement looks excellent, but Yale mentions that it could be because they didn’t sell many Samsung units in 2022. Plus, they point out that Samsung’s customer service isn’t great, so if you run into problems with your fridge, you might be on your own.

Unfortunately, Yale doesn’t sell Whirlpool refrigerators, so I can’t compare service rates across both brands.

To better understand how Samsung and Whirlpool compare in terms of reliability, I interviewed several appliance repair companies. When I spoke to each expert, I asked two questions:

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

As you can see in the results below, four of the seven repair pros I talked to said Whirlpool is one of the most reliable brands, while all seven said to avoid Samsung.

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

Here are direct quotes from the experts. As you’ll see, the main issues with Samsung are poor customer service and parts are difficult to find. And because of that, most companies won’t service Samsung.

Hunter Appliance in Littleton, Massachusetts, said, “We 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. We suggest Whirlpool. Not because they’re better but because everyone will service them, including us.”

The service expert at 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, “GE, GE Profile, and Bosch are the most reliable refrigerator brands. These brands are built more sturdy, the parts are generally in stock, and they offer better customer service. KitchenAid, Jenn Air, Maytag, and Whirlpool are also reliable, but their customer service has declined lately, and parts are often on backorder. 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.”

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.”

The key takeaway is that Samsung is one of the least reliable refrigerator brands, and Whirlpool is one of the most reliable. If reliability is at the top of your list, go with a Whirlpool fridge.

Difference 2: Price

Samsung refrigerators are more expensive than Whirlpool fridges, mainly because they’re built with more features.

The exact price varies by retailer and model. Samsung refrigerators can be highly customized, and your chosen features will impact the final price.

As you can see in the chart below, Whirlpool offers more models under $2000, while Samsung has more luxury offerings above $2,500.

Price	Samsung Refrigerator Models	Whirlpool Refrigerator Models
Under $2,000	46	65
$2,001 to $2,500	58	3
$2,501 to $3000	100	6
$3,001 to $3,500	19	2
$3,501 to $4,000	12	1
Over $4,001	6	1

Difference 3: Warranty

Whirlpool offers a one-year warranty on all refrigerator parts and a five-year warranty on the sealed system.

Samsung provides a one-year warranty for its standard fridge models, a two-year warranty on Bespoke models (models customized to your preferences), a five-year warranty on the sealed system, and a ten-year warranty on the digital compressor.

I’ve put together a handy reference chart for you:

Warranty Period	Whirlpool	Samsung
One Year	Full replacement for any functional internal part	Full replacement for any functional internal part
Two Year	N/A	Full replacement for any functional internal part on Bespoke models
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	N/A	Digital Inverter Compressor Only (parts only)

Difference 4: Features

One of the most significant differences between Whirlpool and Samsung is the features they offer.

Samsung fridges offer numerous features, especially within their customizable Bespoke models.

Samsung’s fridge models also include many practical elements, like a flat-back design so your fridge can sit flush against the wall, triple evaporating cooling systems, door-in-door, and a garage-ready temperature rating.

The chart below allows you to compare each brand’s notable features quickly. Remember that every refrigerator model is different and will offer a different combination of these features.

Swipe to view the entire chart on mobile.

Feature	Explanation	Whirlpool	Samsung
Ice and water dispensers	Usually located on the front of the fridge	✔	✔
Hidden Hinges	Hinges are concealed inside the refrigerator	✔	✔
Reversible door hinge	Reversible door hinges to change the swing direction of the fridge doors	✔	✔
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 have 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	✘	✔
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	✘	✔

Difference 5: Technology

Another difference is that Samsung fridges are packed with more technology and “smart” features than Whirlpool.

Whirlpool doesn’t make “smart” fridges. But the company manufactures other smart appliances, like ovens and microwaves, so they might offer smart refrigerators in the future. Currently, Whirlpool fridges are relatively low-tech.

Alternatively, Samsung places a significant emphasis on smart technology. The brand offers:

• An extensive array of options for connecting your fridge to mobile applications
• Its own SmartThings app, which allows you to control your fridge’s settings from anywhere (including temperature and zone settings)
• The Family Hub, a built-in screen on the fridge’s door that integrates with third-party home applications like Ring, HomeAdvisor, Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Music, Uber, Pinterest, GrubHub, Instacart, and more
• The option to connect your fridge to your shopping list, to-do list, calendars, and timer apps
• Bixby, a voiceI assistant that lets you talk to your fridge via The Family Hub
• Samsung Beverage Center feature provides a single glass water dispenser and a glass pitcher dispenser ideal for making coffee or tea
• FlexZone cooling allows you to maximize your fridge’s available space by letting you turn freezer space into fridge space and vice versa

Difference 6: Models and Options

Whirlpool and Samsung offer a variety of refrigerator models and design options. Some of these design features overlap regardless of brand. Others are unique to either Whirlpool or Samsung.

Whirlpool offers a total of 58 unique refrigerator models (compared to Samsung’s 37). The styles include top freezer, side-by-side, french door, bottom freezer, and freezerless designs. The finish options are stainless, black stainless, stainless look, black, white, and bisque.

Samsung’s styles include french door, side-by-side, top freezer, bottom freezer, and freezerless. The brand’s freezerless column model is popular thanks to its simplicity and attractive, hypermodern design. Your Samsung fridge can come in the following finishes: stainless steel, black stainless, bronze stainless, white, navy, black, gray, and custom.

Samsung’s custom bespoke designs allow you to mix and match finishes, adding a design angle you won’t find anywhere else. The bespoke options offered by Samsung put the brand ahead of Whirlpool regarding design versatility.

Difference 7: Top-Rated Models

Let’s explore two of each brand’s top-rated fridge models below.

The Whirlpool French Door Refrigerator has a double-door design and two outer drawers, including a refrigerated drawer and a pull-out freezer. It includes an exterior water dispenser with a measured fill feature, adjustable bins, and smudge-resistant steel doors. This model exceeds government energy standards and is Energy Star certified. The model’s spill-proof shelves prevent messes by containing spilled liquids. You can get this fridge in stainless steel or black stainless finishes.

The Whirlpool Bottom Freezer Refrigerator features a simple design with one large door and a large pull-out freezer drawer. This model offers humidity control and Whirlpool’s FreshFlow produce system to extend the lifespan of fresh fruit and vegetables. The bottom drawer includes two sections — a freezer section and a small refrigerator compartment. The model’s reversible door swing allows you to choose which way the fridge door will open, which allows you to place the fridge anywhere in the room. This model comes in a black, stainless black, stainless steel, or white finish.

Samsung’s Smart Side-By-Side Refrigerator has a two-door design with an embedded touchscreen. This model is a large-capacity fridge designed to provide plenty of space for storage and reduce wasted space by providing numerous specialized compartments. Recessed handles and a flat-back design allow this model to blend into your kitchen and maintain straight edges with your walls and counters. This model features a multi-vent system that keeps food cool throughout the fridge. It comes in stainless steel or black stainless finishes.

The Samsung 4-Door French Door Refrigerator features a sleek design. It offers a high level of personalization via its smart tech features. This fridge integrates with the SmartThings app and allows you to customize your refrigerator’s climate zones and maintain them within 1°F of the selected temperature. That feature is ideal for storing specialty foods like kimchi – which many people prefer to ferment within the fridge — or temperature-sensitive fruits such as apricots. The model’s produce drawers include filters to reduce odor. This refrigerator is available in one unique finish: platinum bronze.

What Others Say About Whirlpool and Samsung Refrigerators

What do independent outlets say about Whirlpool and Samsung refrigerators? Let’s take a look.

Insider.com named Whirlpool the best overall refrigerator brand. They praised the brand’s fridges for their reliability, simplicity, and durable hardware components (such as cooling fans and drawers).

The New York Times Wirecutter reviewed Whirlpool and Samsung in a list of the best refrigerators. In the Whirlpool section, reviewers noted that while Whirlpool fridges come with “fewer bells and whistles,” they are reliable, durable, and generate fewer complaints due to fewer components. The brand’s bottom-freezer model received exceptionally high ratings in Wirecutter’s consumer poll. The reviewers labeled this model a “hidden gem” for its relative affordability and robust performance.

Wirecutter’s review of Samsung focused on the brand’s attractive, sleek designs and high-tech features. Reviewers praised the Family Hub app integration and the highly customizable Bespoke line. Still, they noted that certain Samsung features have a high failure rate, and the ice makers were especially problematic.

Reader’s Digest reviewed Whirlpool and Samsung in a list of the “6 best refrigerator brands according to experts.” Samsung was named the best brand for smart fridges, and the reviewers noted the wide range of features offered by Samsung. They also praised the brand’s reasonable pricing, especially compared to other tech-heavy fridges on the market. Again, Samsung’s Family Hub and SmartThings app integration were popular features that reviewers enjoyed.

Reader’s Digest reviewers praised Whirlpool’s simple, durable designs and affordability. They were also impressed by Whirlpool’s high energy ratings and commitment to energy conservation. Reviewers noted the brand’s lack of high-tech features but also pointed out that this limitation increases the lifespan of Whirlpool refrigerators.

The Spruce reviewed both brands in a list of the “best refrigerator brands.” The article featured Whirlpool, while they included Samsung in the “other brands” section. Whirlpool earned high marks for durability and energy efficiency, both of which added to the already impressive affordability of Whirlpool fridges. Reviewers also appreciated the brand’s minimalist aesthetic.

The Spruce had some praise for Samsung. Like other sources, they noted the brand’s commitment to cutting-edge technology and a personalized approach. Samsung’s reliability, however, left a lot to be desired. Reviewers noted the brand’s issues with specific components, especially the ice makers and compressors.

Good Housekeeping named Whirlpool and Samsung in a “Best Refrigerator Brands and Models” lineup. Whirlpool’s side-by-side refrigerator was named the best in its category. The model’s low-noise control panel, appealing design, extensive storage, and see-through drawers earned praise from the GH team. They criticized the placement of this model’s water dispenser, which, in their opinion, took up too much valuable space.

The same outlet named the Samsung 3-Door French Door Smart Refrigerator the best smart refrigerator thanks to its Family Hub and smart screen features. Reviewers enjoyed the look-inside feature that allowed them to view the food without opening the fridge door. The voice activation settings also earned high marks. That said, they also mentioned that this model was difficult to clean. 

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

Now that you know the key differences between Whirlpool and Samsung refrigerators, it’s time to decide which brand to buy.

Before I share my recommendation, let’s quickly recap:

• Whirlpool is the more reliable brand due to its simpler designs and lack of delicate – i.e., breakable – components such as touchscreens. Replacement parts are easier to find, and almost all repair companies service Whirlpool.
• Thanks to its smart features and other technology, Samsung is more expensive than Whirlpool.
• Both brands offer one-year warranties on all refrigerator parts and five-year warranties on sealed systems. Samsung offers a two-year warranty on bespoke fridge models.
• Samsung offers unique features, including the Family Hub and SmartThings app integrations. These features allow for greater customization and control but can cause issues when they break.

Bottom line — if you want a reliable refrigerator at an affordable price, go with Whirlpool. These refrigerators are built to last, and plenty of affordable base models are available.

More than half the appliance repair professionals I interviewed said Whirlpool is one of the most reliable refrigerator brands.

Samsung’s features and technology are clearly a level above Whirlpool, but you’ll pay more, and finding a company to help when issues arise is a challenge.

If there’s a particular feature you can’t live without, go with Samsung. Otherwise, Whirlpool refrigerators are more practical and a better long-term value.