Whirlpool refrigerators are the safest option, but the LG refrigerators have a lot to offer.
Read this in-depth comparison to find out how LG and Whirlpool refrigerators stack up against one another.
If you’re shopping for a new refrigerator, you’ve probably seen LG and Whirlpool refrigerators. These brands offer a range of fridges in different styles. But what’s the difference between them?
In this comparison of LG vs. Whirlpool refrigerators, you’ll find how they differ in reliability, efficiency, features, and more. You’ll find all the info you need to decide between these refrigerator brands.
Contents
LG and Whirlpool Refrigerators: At a Glance
LG and Whirlpool refrigerators differ in several ways, but they each have advantages and disadvantages. If you’re looking for a reliable refrigerator with no frills, Whirlpool fridges are the way to go. LG refrigerators tend to offer more advanced features but at the cost of less reliability. Whirlpool will also offer more basic models for the budget-conscious consumer.
When comparing LG vs. Whirlpool, use the chart below to get an overview of the two brands:
| LG | Whirlpool | |
| When Started | 1947 | 1911 |
| Primary Products | Consumer Electronics & Appliances | Home Appliances |
| Fridge Warranty | 1-year limited (all parts)5-year limited (sealed refrigeration system)10-year parts (compressor only) | 1-year limited (all parts)5-year limited (sealed refrigeration system) |
| Fridge styles | French-door; Side-by-Side; Top Freezer; Bottom Freezer | French-door; Side-by-Side; Top Freezer; Bottom Freezer |
| Why to Buy | Premium features, Smart technology, spacious | Reliable, affordable |
| Why Not to Buy | More service calls; more expensive; may not want extra features | Not as many advanced features, not as energy-efficient |
Things to Consider Before Buying Refrigerators
One of the most important things to consider is the refrigerator’s size. Will the fridge fit inside your kitchen space? Some home appliances, like stoves or dishwashers, have standard-size openings. Unfortunately, refrigerators don’t.
It’s important to measure the opening where the refrigerator will go, as well as any doorways leading to the kitchen. This video by Home Depot shows how to measure:
It may also depend on your kitchen configuration. If you have a small kitchen, you might prefer a counter-depth fridge that frees up space to move around.
Another consideration is the volume and interior organization. How much does the refrigerator hold? Generally, French door models will have the most space, followed by bottom-freezer and side-by-side models. Top freezer refrigerators are usually the smallest in size, but they’re also the most affordable.
The interior shelving and layout can also make a big difference in the functionality of a fridge. Adjustable shelving gives you more flexibility. A designated deli drawer is great for storing meats and cheese,
It’s also a good idea to weigh how energy-efficient a refrigerator is. A fridge with a high energy consumption will raise your utility bill, which can cost you a lot more in the long run. Look for Energy Star-certified models for the best efficiency.
Finally, you want to consider the key features. Nowadays, there are all sorts of advanced features. Most French door and side-by-side refrigerators come with ice and water dispensers and even adaptive defrosting that uses sensors to determine when the ice buildup is enough to warrant a defrost cycle.
Smart fridges might include things like door-in-door storage, Wi-Fi connectivity, smart technology, a see-through door, Sabbath mode, and so much more. Of course, the more features a fridge has, the more expensive it will be.
It’s helpful to decide which features are the most important to you before shopping.
Whirlpool and LG Refrigerators: Product Reviews
LG French Door Refrigerator, 28 Cubic Feet, Print-Proof Stainless Steel
The LG Refrigerator is a French door design and holds an impressive 28 cubic feet. That size makes this LG fridge perfect for a large family. It comes in two finishes: print-proof stainless steel and black stainless. This LG refrigerator has mostly positive customer reviews, with 73% of customers recommending the fridge.
This LG refrigerator has a Smart Cooling system that’s designed to monitor and maintain conditions to help keep food fresh. It also offers a Multi-Air Flow System designed to maintain superior humidity and temperature levels to help keep your food fresher for a longer period of time.
Whirlpool French Door Refrigerator, 24.5 Cubic Feet, Fingerprint-Resistant Stainless Steel
This Whirlpool Refrigerator has a capacity of 24.5 cubic feet. It has French doors, with a bottom freezer, and an extra refrigerated exterior drawer. It comes in four finishes: fingerprint-resistant stainless steel, black, white, and fingerprint-resistant black stainless. This refrigerator got wonderful customer reviews, with 90% positive feedback.
Highlights include spill-proof glass shelves that help contain spills and prevent liquids from leaking below. The Accu-Chill temperature management system will keep food cold at the right humidity. Finally, the exterior ice and water dispenser with Everydrop water filtration provides access to filtered water and ice without opening the refrigerator door.
LG vs Whirlpool: Side-by-Side Feature Comparison
Let’s take a closer look at Whirlpool and LG refrigerators and their individual features. But first, a little information about the two brands.
About the Brands
LG is a global corporation based in South Korea that manufactures consumer electronics and home appliances. Founded in 1947, it initially produced cosmetics and plastic household products. The company expanded into electronics in 1958. Today, its product lineup includes refrigerators as well as washers and dryers, vacuums, air purifiers, TVs, laptops, earbuds, and more.
LG refrigerators are known for their energy efficiency, technology, and convenient features. It’s no surprise that LG refrigerators would have more smart-home features, considering the background of LG in electronics.
Whirlpool Corporation started in 1911 in Benton Harbor, Michigan. Whirlpool was responsible for the first automatic washing machine in 1948, but has since expanded its product line to include all types of household appliances. Whirlpool dishwashers, laundry machines, ovens, and of course, refrigerators are widely available and well-respected. Whirlpool has owned the Maytag label since 2006.
Whirlpool refrigerators are known for the reliability, easy access, and affordability. They’ve been around a long time, and many repair centers service Whirlpool models and carry their parts.
Reliability
Whirlpool is a good brand in terms of reliability. A Whirlpool fridge won’t have the advanced features of other brands, but it’s solid and well-trusted. In fact, according to the 2019 PULS National Appliance report, Whirlpool was the most reliable refrigerator, based on the number of service calls.
In recent years, LG has made an effort to improve the performance of its refrigerators, and it has paid off. For instance, in the Yale Appliance report, LG was the most reliable brand for counter-depth refrigerators in 2023. This was only four years after settling a class-action lawsuit because their new linear compressor was not cooling. LG has come a long way!
However, in spite of those improvements, it’s still more difficult to find a repair company that can fix LG refrigerators when problems do arise. In fact, that same Yale report said that it’s best to know who is fixing your LG refrigerator before purchasing it.
If you have a repair company nearby that can service LG fridges, go for it. Otherwise, Whirlpool refrigerators are your best bet.
Winner: Whirlpool
Compressor
LG refrigerators feature a Smart Inverter Compressor that can adjust the cooling power to match the amount of food stored inside the fridge. This allows for more efficient energy use and optimal food preservation.
Whirlpool also uses an IntelliSense inverter compressor on some of their models, to sense, control, and adapt the cooling to match the specific needs of the refrigerator.
Winner: Draw
Energy Efficiency
The LG refrigerator has an annual energy consumption of 726 kWh, which is relatively energy-efficient for a French-door fridge. This LG fridge is Energy Star qualified, which means it exceeds minimum federal energy standards. However, the Whirlpool refrigerator only uses approximately 683 kWh of energy each year and is Energy Star certified.
LG refrigerators have gained a reputation for being highly energy efficient. Most LG models have high energy efficiency ratings, at least partially due to the inverter technology. LG refrigerators feature a Smart Inverter Compressor that can adjust the cooling power to match the amount of food stored inside the fridge. This contributes to increased energy efficiency.
Whirlpool refrigerators don’t have the same reputation for energy-efficient models, but the brand does offer several Energy Star-certified refrigerators, including this French door refrigerator.
Overall, though, LG refrigerators tend to have high energy-efficiency ratings.
Winner: LG
Key Features
LG refrigerators offer a lot of premium features. Some of these include Wi-Fi connectivity, remote temperature control, craft ice (round, slow-melting ice for drinks), InstaView (a glass screen you can tap on to activate a light so you can see what’s in the compartment), and much more.
This particular LG refrigerator offers dual ice makers that automatically create standard ice cubes, crushed ice, and craft ice for every sort of get-together. The dual ice makers were the most popular feature in consumer reviews.
You can also control key refrigerator features from anywhere, at any time with LG SmartThinQ Technology. This allows you to conserve energy while away on vacation.
The Whirlpool fridge doesn’t offer quite as many features, but it does have a few worth nothing. For instance, the measured fill feature allows you to select how much water you need. The water in-door dispenser will fill your container in ounces, cups or liters, and automatically shut off when it’s done.
Plus, you can quickly get your food cold with technology that senses and adapts to create the ideal environment for food with the ACCU-CHILL temperature control. The smart cooling keeps food fresh for longer.
Winner: LG
Capacity
Another difference between LG and Whirlpool refrigerators is the storage capacity. If you have a large family, you’ll want to know which refrigerator has more storage in the LG vs Whirlpool refrigerator battle. In most cases, LG refrigerators offer more storage than Whirlpool models because LG tends to manufacture larger refrigerators overall.
In this case, the LG refrigerator has a capacity of 28 cubic feet, compared with the Whirlpool’s 24.5 cubic feet.
Ultimately, both models offer a variety of storage options for users to choose from. Of course, with more space comes a higher price tag, as well. It really depends on what size you need.
Winner: LG
Storage & Interior Organization
When it comes to configuration, LG and Whirlpool refrigerators are pretty similar. Both brands offer a wide range of models with different storage capacities and features. Both models also include ice and water dispensers. These particular refrigerators have a few differences, however.
The LG refrigerator has a larger interior volume of 28 cubic feet, compared to the 24.5 cubic feet of the Whirlpool refrigerator. It also features a full-width Glide N’ Serve drawer, making it easy to find some space for all that food you want to keep fresh. The freezer compartments are deep, with a smooth gliding top drawer and a lower split bin for extra room.
The Whirlpool refrigerator might be smaller, but it packs a lot of storage space inside. It has humidity-controlled crispers that let you store fruits and vegetables in their ideal environment, as well as adjustable gallon-sized door bins for increased flexibility.
The LG has more storage space, but the Whirlpool has an extra refrigerated exterior door that slides out for easy access. In the end, it really boils down to personal preference.
For LG vs Whirlpool, there is no clear winner in this category.
Winner: Draw
Aesthetics
Both Whirlpool and LG offer a variety of appliances in different styles and finishes. LG has a sleek design with shiny stainless steel or black stainless steel. The InstaView on some models (not the one listed above) is neat, but it can give a “patchwork” look to the fridge. I’m personally not as big a fan of that, but again, it’s highly subjective.
Whirlpool refrigerators don’t have the same shine to them as LG fridges, but I think they appear more streamlined. Their black stainless is gorgeous, while still offering the standard white, black, and stainless steel options.
When comparing LG vs Whirlpool refrigerator aesthetics, this one’s going to come down to personal tastes. Do you want a more subdued, understated look that’s timeless? Do you want something shiny and gorgeous but draws more attention instead of “blending in?”
Winner: Draw
Price
Another important difference between LG and Whirlpool refrigerators is the cost. LG fridges are generally more expensive than most of the Whirlpool refrigerators, even when comparing similar models.
LG is a tech-forward brand that emphasizes research and development. LG models offer innovative features, but that technology translates to higher manufacturing costs.
If you’re just looking for a basic fridge with no bells and whistles, then you can find a Whirlpool refrigerator at an affordable price. Whirlpool does offer some high-end choices, like its French door black stainless steel models with in-door ice storage and water filtration. But in most cases, expect to pay more for LG refrigerators. In the end, it all comes down to your personal preferences and budget.
The LG and Whirlpool French door models highlighted in this article don’t have a price difference. So if you’re comparing just these two fridges, there’s no difference. If you’re comparing the two brands overall, Whirlpool refrigerators are the more affordable option.
Winner: Whirlpool
Warranty
Whirlpool offers a similar 1-year limited warranty on the entire appliance. Additionally, Whirlpool offers a 5-year warranty on any part of the sealed refrigeration system (the compressor, condenser, evaporator, dryer, and all connecting tubing). The only thing Whirlpool doesn’t offer is the 30-day water filter replacement guarantee, which wouldn’t apply in this case anyway.
LG models come with a 1-year warranty on parts and labor, with a 5-year warranty on the sealed system that includes the condenser, evaporator, dryer, and all connecting tubing. LG also offers a 10-year limited warranty on the linear/inverter compressor, which only covers parts and not labor.
There’s little difference in the warranties of the two brands, but the additional five-year warranty on the compressor gives LG’s warranty coverage the advantage here.
Winner: LG
Alternatives
LG Side-By-Side Refrigerator, 27 cubic feet, Stainless Steel
This LG model is a side-by-side refrigerator that holds a generous 27 cubic feet. It comes in either a print-proof stainless or black stainless steel. Just like the French door model, this one features a dual in-door ice maker that dispenses three types of ice, including craft ice. The ice and water dispenser is located in the freezer exterior door.
On the other side, LG’s latest InstaView window on the main door is 23% larger with a tinted, frameless edge-to-edge design. The InstaView allows you to see the interior contents with just two quick knocks on the glass panel. See what you have inside without ever opening the door. Not only does this make the fridge more energy-efficient, but it’s also extremely helpful when taking stock before grocery runs.
This LG refrigerator has a lot of advanced technology, but it didn’t have as good a customer rating as the other LG model. This fridge only had 62% positive customer reviews, with problems ranging from cooling, the door bins falling out, and other issues. Another odd thing is this fridge’s door style. Instead of typical handles, there are two pocket handles that open the doors to this side-by-side fridge.
Like many LG models, this one has a lot of bells & whistles. But if I had to pick, I’d go with the French-door model. It’s bigger and has better reviews and fewer problems.
Whirlpool Side-by-Side Refrigerator, 21.4 cubic feet, Stainless Steel
This Whirlpool Refrigerator holds 21.4 cubic feet, which is noticeably smaller than the LG refrigerator. It is a standard-depth side-by-side model with the freezer next to the fridge compartment. It comes in four colors: black, white, fingerprint-resistant stainless black, and fingerprint-resistant stainless steel.
This fridge offers an in-door can caddy, adjustable gallon door bins, and a water and ice dispenser. The large deli drawers give you plenty of storage space, while the frameless adjustable shelves offer flexibility in your storage options.
This Whirlpool refrigerator had great customer satisfaction, with 83% of customers giving a positive review. This is also one of the more affordable Whirlpool models, so it’s great for those who are quality-minded but budget-conscious.
You do sacrifice some room here. However, this Whirlpool refrigerator shines in its storage and organization. With a can caddy, adjustable gallon door bins, and edge-to-edge shelving, this fridge makes the most of its small(ish) footprint.
LG vs Whirlpool Refrigerator: Last Thoughts
LG and Whirlpool refrigerators offer different benefits. I recommend Whirlpool refrigerators if you want the most reliable option. They may not have as many features as LG fridges, but you’ll likely have fewer issues. They’re also more affordable.
LG refrigerators offer more advanced technology, but they aren’t historically known for being as reliable. Furthermore, LG parts are not as readily available, making them more difficult to repair. However, LG is taking steps to make their fridges more reliable. They also have better energy efficiency.
The safe option is to go with Whirlpool refrigerators, but the LG refrigerators have a lot to offer. In the end, you must decide what’s more important to you. Read more about the most reliable refrigerator brands in my in-depth review.
