Skip to main content

[Webinar] Kitchen Appliances to Avoid in 2024

Liebherr vs JennAir 42 Inch Counter Depth Refrigerators (Reviews/Ratings)

July 19th, 2013 | 2 min. read

By Chris Tavares

Liebherr and Jenn-Air are two very different companies. Liebherr is a family owned German company whereas Jenn-Air is part of Whirlpool, an American multi-national. The two products cannot be less similar either.

Liebherr is column style or two 24 inch refrigerators. Jenn-Air is likewise unique with the only 42 inch french door refrigerator on the market.

Liebherr

Liebherr, is a German based company which is known for its innovation in refrigeration and specializing in wine cooler, bringing a European flair to their products in America. Liebherr is also the greenest refrigerator on the market using the least resources to produce products.

Liebherr refrigerators have a dual refrigeration system which allows the refrigerator and freezer to be controlled independently. The benefit of a dual system is that no air transfers between the compartments, or from freezer to the refrigerator. For food storage this is critical since no freezer air ever enters the fresh food compartment which means the air remains moist and keeps produce much fresher. Another advantage of this technology is the odor; your freezer will never smell like the refrigerator and vice versa. The controls are digital so you know the temperature inside your refrigerator and freezer at all times.

liebherr 24 inch pro refrigerator R1410 liebherr 24 inch pro freezer F1051

Liebherr R-1410 24" Refrigerator

Liebherr F-1051 24" Freezer

Their refrigerators also have two variable speed compressors which run continuously. The advantage to this is for efficiency and to offer quiet operation. This is different from most other brands which have only one compressor like the Jenn-Air. Liebherr has a patented technology known as Bio-Fresh which keeps the compartments at a consistent temperature of 32-35 degrees with optimum moisture level. This is the ideal temperature storage conditions for fresh food like fishes, meats and produce to stay fresher and retain their nutrition up to three times longer than in the normal cooling zone.

For a 42 inch, you would need a R-1410 refrigerator at 3,099 and their F-1051 freezer at $3,799 for a side by side configuration.

Jenn-Air

Jenn-Air is the luxury line of the Whirlpool Company. With a 300 million investment in Jenn-Air plus new lower prices, Jenn-Air is now a consideration in the premium and affordable luxury segments of the appliance business.

The JF42SSFXDA at 8,499 is the largest French door in the industry. I like French doors as you have more useable capacity in the refrigerator than you would with the 42” side by side refrigerator. The side by side JPK42SNXWPS at 7,299 is mostly used for organization where you will have plenty of shelving for both refrigerator and freezer. The French door will allow you to put those larger items in the refrigerator, like a large casserole dish or left over pizza box.

jennair 42 inch french door refrigerator JF42SSFXDA jennair 42 inch side by side refrigerator JPK42SNXWPS

Jenn-Air JF42SSFXDA 42" French Door Refrigerator

Jenn-Air JPK42SNXWPS 42" Side by Side Refrigerator

Jenn-Air will give you Precision Temperature Management System with a single Variable-Speed Compressor which has electronically controlled sensors that monitor the environment inside the refrigerator which automatically adjusts the temperatures to maintain the ideal level for optimal food preservation which is comparable to the Liehberr. The Advanced Climate Control Drawers will provide precise temperatures for sensitive ingredients like produce, meats and cheese, for specialized storage and exceptional preservation.

Which is better?

These two manufacturers have very similar technology. Both offer the precision temperature inside the refrigerator for true temperatures and for food preservation. I like the two compressor system of the Liebherr for better food management.

However, the Jenn-Air has more refrigerator space and more useable space period. It is also more reliable than Liebherr with 30% less service calls within the first year.

Related Articles

Additional Resources

Download the Yale Counter Depth Refrigerator Buying Guide with specs, features and buying tips on every regular, professional and integrated refrigerator. Over 35,000 people have read a Yale Guide.

Like what you\u0026#39\u003Bve read? Click here to subscribe by email.

Why Should You Trust Us?

It seems that every appliance review has nothing but glowing comments about almost every product, yet you read customer reviews and they are almost universally bad.

We are here to fill in the disconnect. We'll give you the best features, and the drawbacks as well, including reliability based on over 37,000 calls performed by our service team just last year. Our goal is to give you ALL the information so you know what's right for you.

Please consider subscribing or adding to the conversation in the comments below. We appreciate you stopping by.

Chris Tavares

Chris Tavares is an Appliance Sales Associate at Yale Appliance and has been with Yale for over 17 years. When not helping clients, Chris is a huge Patriots fan and enjoys cooking.

Schedule a showroom visit with me

A Note About Pricing

Pricing on this blog is for reference only and may include time sensitive rebates. We make every attempt to provide accurate pricing at time of publishing. Please call the stores for most accurate price.