Whirlpool fridges are steady, solid and good on a budget. Samsung offers premium fridges with advanced technology and smart features.
Trying to decide between Samsung and Whirlpool refrigerators? This article will break down the two refrigerator brands to help you decide the right refrigerator for you.
Buying a refrigerator can be stressful. There’s a lot riding on the line, so you want to get it right. Whirlpool and Samsung refrigerators are popular, and for good reason. They each come with different advantages.
But which one is right for you?
In this article, you’ll find an in-depth comparison of the refrigerator brands. You’ll learn the advantages and disadvantages, and read about some of their more popular models. You will also find helpful information on what to look for in a fridge.
Ready to get started? Keep reading to learn more.
Contents
Samsung & Whirlpool Refrigerators: At a Glance
Samsung and Whirlpool refrigerators offer unique advantages. According to Wirecutter, both brands have high rates of customer satisfaction. Samsung offers more high-end models with advanced technology, while Whirlpool refrigerators are praised for their reliability and affordability.
The difference boils down to technology versus reliability. A Whirlpool fridge is a sure, steady, safe option. Samsung refrigerators are sleek and feature a nice design, but you’re more likely to have issues with the compressor. That could be problematic, especially since parts are more expensive and not as widely available.
Still, the risk could be worth it to get features like a door-in-door design, Sabbath mode, remote digital temperature control, and more.
Use the chart below to get a high-level comparison of Whirlpool vs Samsung refrigerator models:
| Samsung | Whirlpool | |
| Year Started | 1938 | 1911 |
| Origin | South Korea | USA |
| Main Products | Electronics, Appliances | Home Appliances |
| Why to Buy | Advanced technology, spacious models, sleek design, high customer satisfaction | Reliable, easy to use, readily available parts, affordable, high customer satisfaction |
| Why Not to Buy | Expensive, difficult to repair, issues with the compressor | Not as many features, smaller capacity |
Things to Consider Before Buying a Refrigerator
There are several factors that influence which refrigerator is right for you. Arguably the most important consideration is the size of the fridge. Some appliances, like stoves and dishwashers, are made to fit standard-size openings in your cabinetry, but not refrigerators. You may find one with the right width and then discover that it’s too tall.
To avoid any unpleasant surprises, measure the width and height of the refrigerator space before making a purchase. Allow at least an inch of extra space on all sides of the refrigerator for easy installation and adequate ventilation.
Make sure the new refrigerator will fit through any doorways leading to the kitchen, as well. Your kitchen layout can influence which size fridge you should get. Visit my in-depth guide to kitchen layouts.
Another important thing to think about is the energy efficiency. An energy-efficient model can save you a pretty penny on your energy bill. Bonus if the fridge is Energy Star certified. Here’s how to measure the energy costs. Find the EnergyGuide sticker and multiply the estimated yearly electricity use (kWh) by the cost of your electricity per kWh. For instance, if the tag shows an annual usage of 700 kWh and your electricity costs 15¢ per kWh, your annual cost would be $105.
It’s also important to consider the refrigerator’s style. Most refrigerators fall into one of four categories: top freezer, bottom freezer, side-by-side, and French door refrigerators. Each style has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Top freezer fridges might seem old school, but they can be quite efficient. They’re more “bare bones,” but they’re more affordable than other styles. Bottom freezer fridges have a freezer compartment on the bottom, usually a pull-out drawer. This allows more storage space in the freezer and puts the fridge items at eye level.
Side-by-side refrigerators have the fridge and freezer next to one another. This keeps most of your food at eye level. Many side-by-side models include an ice and water dispenser, but you do sacrifice room in the freezer. You also sacrifice some energy efficiency.
French door refrigerators offer more space in the fridge and freezer sections. They usually come with an ice dispenser, as well. However, French door models are larger and more expensive.
Lastly, you want to consider the technology and features. Some brands provide smart refrigerators with remote temperature control, adaptive intelligence technology, door-in-door design, ice and water dispensers, and more. Some people prefer a simple design, while others like having all the bells and whistles. It’s a good idea to determine which features are the most important to you before shopping for a fridge.
Whirlpool vs. Samsung Refrigerators: Product Reviews
It’s one thing to discuss refrigerator brands, but it’s helpful to look at specific models. For this article, I’m going to compare two Whirlpool and Samsung refrigerators that fall in the mid-range of their product lines.
Samsung Side-By-Side Refrigerator, 27.4 cubic feet
This Samsung Refrigerator holds a roomy 27.4 cubic feet, perfect for a larger family. It’s a side-by-side model with the freezer section next to the fridge compartment. It comes in two color options: stainless steel and black stainless, both fingerprint-resistant.
This Samsung fridge offers adjustable shelving, gallon door bins, a door alarm that alerts you when the door has been left open for longer than two minutes, and an ice and water dispenser.
This Samsung refrigerator had positive reviews, with 68% of customers recommending this Samsung fridge. They raved about the spacious interior, the in-door ice maker, and the quiet function. Some people had issues with the compressor and with leaking.
Whirlpool Side-by-Side Refrigerator, 21.4 cubic feet
This Whirlpool Refrigerator holds 21.4 cubic feet, a slightly smaller option than the Samsung 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 Whirlpool 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 reviews, with 83% of customers recommending the fridge. They loved the interior organization, the easy operation, and the beautiful but affordable design. Some would have liked extra room, while others would have preferred more unique features.
Side-By-Side Feature Comparison
To see who comes out on top in the Whirlpool vs. Samsung Refrigerator battle, I provide a detailed comparison of the refrigerators below. But before diving into the details, a little recap about these refrigerator brands.
About the Brands
The Whirlpool Corporation is an American company 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 home and kitchen appliances, including dishwashers, laundry machines, ovens, and of course, refrigerators are widely available and well-respected. Whirlpool has owned the Maytag label since 2006 and manufactures washing machines, dryers, and kitchen appliances.
Samsung is a multinational conglomerate based in South Korea. It was founded in 1938 as a trading company. The brand expanded into multiple industries, including food processing, textiles, insurance, securities, and retail.
However, most people know Samsung for electronics, including cell phones. Samsung makes a variety of home appliances, including washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, stoves, and yes, refrigerators.
Reliability
Reliability is one of the most important factors in choosing between refrigerator brands. A fridge is a big purchase, after all (Pun intended). You want it to last as long as possible.
One metric used to determine the reliability of a refrigerator is the service rate. This is the percentage of units sold that require service within the first year. One of the more widely-used reports comes from Yale Appliance, a company that’s been selling and servicing refrigerators since 1923.
According to the Yale Appliance report, Samsung has made substantial improvements in the reliability of its refrigerators. The service rate for 2021 was 20%, which is quite high. However, in 2022 that rate dropped to 8.4%.
Despite the increased reliability, there is one hiccup. That’s the service availability. There aren’t as many appliance stores or repair companies that service Samsung models. Before purchasing a Samsung refrigerator, make sure you have someone lined up who can repair Samsung refrigerators.
The Yale Report doesn’t include Whirlpool refrigerators, so it’s tough to compare the two brands. However, the PULS report dubbed Whirlpool the most reliable refrigerators in 2019. Whirlpool has a good reputation for being reliable and easy to fix.
Most repair centers service Whirlpool, and their parts are easy to find and order. Additionally, I found Whirlpool to be the most reliable refrigerator brand.
Winner: Whirlpool
Capacity & Storage/Organization
In most cases, Samsung refrigerators hold a larger capacity than Whirlpool refrigerators. In this case, the Samsung has a total capacity of 27.4 cubic feet, decently larger than Whirlpool’s 21.4 cubic feet. The extra room also translates to a higher cost, but if you have a large family or like to entertain, it might be worth it.
Additionally, Samsung had fantastic reviews regarding the interior shelving and organization. The Whirlpool refrigerator also got high marks, especially with the can caddy and the gallon door bins. But it didn’t get quite the same level of praise as the Samsung refrigerator.
Both the refrigerators offer smart organization and interior storage. But if you need more refrigerator capacity, Samsung is your best choice.
Winner: Samsung
Energy Efficiency
Whirlpool and Samsung have a variety of fridges, but they’re energy-efficient.
The Samsung refrigerator has an annual estimated energy consumption of 728 kWh, which is on the higher side for a side-by-side model. The Whirlpool refrigerator, however, only has an annual energy consumption of 659 kWh. The difference in total capacity would account for the difference in energy efficiency.
In general, both the brands provide energy-efficient fridges in a variety of models and styles. If you’re looking to maximize your energy savings, you can choose a smaller capacity model or pass on a door dispenser. The brand isn’t the primary factor when it comes to energy efficiency.
Winner: Draw
Ease of Use
The Whirlpool fridge is straightforward and easy to use. The water dispenser has touch-tap controls and an LED night light so you can fill up your glass, even at night. Plus, the adaptive defrost technology automatically detects when to defrost the freezer, so you don’t have to manually defrost it.
This particular Samsung refrigerator has a modern design that’s easy to use. While this particular model is simple to operate, many Samsung refrigerators feature advanced technology that makes them more complicated to operate.
These particular Whirlpool and Samsung models are easy to use in either case. However, if you’re talking about the refrigerator brands in general, Whirlpool fridges are easier to use.
Winner: Whirlpool
Compressor & Cooling System
One difference between Samsung and Whirlpool is the reputation of the compressor. Samsung refrigerators use a digital inverter compressor, which is more energy-efficient. However, the rate of cooling issues is higher with Samsung refrigerators than with other brands. This could explain why Samsung offers a longer warranty on the compressor (even if it only covers parts).
The Whirlpool refrigerator has a much better track record when it comes to the compressor. There are fewer customer complaints about the cooling.
Winner: Whirlpool
Advanced Features
If you want advanced features, Samsung refrigerator models have several. Samsung offers double-door refrigerators, This particular fridge doesn’t have as many extras as some other high-end models, but it does offer an adjustable top freezer shelf for flexible storage and a door alarm that alerts you when the door has been left open for longer than two minutes.
The in-door ice maker saves space inside the fridge. However, there’s a caveat with the ice makers. Samsung ice makers had more problems with leaking, not working, etc. The Whirlpool models have a better customer satisfaction rate when it comes to ice makers. I should note that, in general, the ice makers and water dispensers are more likely to have problems than other parts of the fridge. This is true for other brands, as well.
Winner: Samsung
Technology
Samsung fridges are packed with more technology than Whirlpool models. Samsung is one of the best refrigerator brands in terms of technology, which makes sense for a company that makes electronics.
This Whirlpool refrigerator does not have much in terms of technology. It does have LED lights on the interior and in the dispenser, and it has touch controls on the dispenser. Some people prefer the simplicity of the Whirlpool refrigerator, but if you’re looking for something with more advanced technology, Samsung is the refrigerator brand to go with.
Winner: Samsung
Warranty
As much as we might hope for a problem-free refrigerator, the reality is that fridges can have issues, just like any other appliance. The warranty gives you peace of mind, which is especially helpful for a large purchase like a refrigerator.
Whirlpool offers a 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, 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.
Samsung refrigerators come with a 1-year limited warranty for standard fridge models (including the one above), a 2-year warranty for bespoke models, and a 5-year limited warranty on the sealed refrigeration system. Samsung also offers a 10-year warranty (parts only) on the compressor.
The warranties are very similar, but the additional coverage on the compressor means Samsung refrigerators have the advantage in this area.
Winner: Samsung
Price
If you’re like most people, the cost of a fridge factors into your decision. Almost everyone has a budget, so the price tag matters.
Samsung refrigerators are more expensive than Whirlpool fridges, primarily because they offer more unique features. The exact price varies by retailer and model.
Samsung refrigerators can be highly customized, which will influence the final price. Whirlpool offers more basic models, while Samsung models run toward the high-end. Not only that, but Samsung parts are more expensive. So if a part ever needs replacing, you should expect to pay more for it than Whirlpool parts.
In this case, the Samsung and Whirlpool refrigerators are quite similar in price, although the Samsung is still slightly more expensive.
If you’re budget-conscious, Whirlpool refrigerators will generally be the better option, both on the front end and on the repair side.
Winner: Whirlpool
Whirlpool and Samsung: Alternatives
Samsung French-Door Smart Refrigerator, 28 Cubic Feet
The Samsung French-door Smart Refrigerator has a total capacity of 28 cubic feet and comes in a stainless steel or black stainless steel option, both fingerprint-resistant.
It has an annual energy usage of 755 kWh, higher than the side-by-side Samsung refrigerator. However, it’s Energy Star-certified and energy-efficient for a unit this size. Speaking of size, customers loved the spacious interior. The adjustable shelves and gallon door bins give you maximum flexibility in storage.
This Samsung fridge has a twin cooling system with independent fridge and freezer temperature controls to keep food fresher for longer periods of time. The Power Freeze and Power Cool allow you to quickly freeze or chill your food.
This refrigerator model has smart technology with Wi-Fi connectivity and a FlexZone drawer that lets you set different temperature zones. But all those fancy extras come at a cost. This Samsung fridge has a high price tag.
Whirlpool French-Door Refrigerator, 24.5 Cubic Feet
This Whirlpool Refrigerator has French doors and multi-level drawers with a capacity of 24.5 cubic feet. It comes in the same four finishes as the side-by-side model: black, white, black stainless, and stainless steel. It features an exterior drawer giving you additional refrigeration space and lets you adjust temperature controls and dividers based on what you’re storing.
This model also offers measured fill, where you can select the exact amount of filtered water you need. The dispenser will fill your container and automatically shut off when it’s done. The Accu-Chill temperature management system allows to you cool food quickly, while the spill-proof shelves help keep the interior clean.
Customers raved about this Whirlpool refrigerator. It had 90% positive reviews, which is impressive. One of their favorite key features? It has a refrigerated exterior door, which allows you to store meats, cheeses, yogurt, and all sorts of items in an easily accessible way. As a mom who makes her kids’ lunches every day, that sort of easy access is a dream.
Oh, and this model is also Energy Star-certified. It uses an annual estimated 683 kWh, which again, is higher than the side-by-side model but lower than both Samsung designs. If you want a fridge with French doors without a higher added energy cost, this one is the way to go.
Samsung vs. Whirlpool Refrigerator: Wrap-Up
Both brands offer good quality but are geared toward different consumers. If you’re looking for a reliable refrigerator at an affordable price, I suggest Whirlpool refrigerators. They’re steady, solid, and designed for the budget-conscious consumer.
However, if you’re willing to pay more for a kitchen appliance with advanced features and smart technology, go with Samsung. Just be sure you have a repair center that services Samsung refrigerators in case a problem arises.
Find how Whirlpool compares to LG refrigerators and GE refrigerators. Also see how Samsung compares with LG refrigerators.
