Which is better overall, Samsung or LG?
In this article, you'll see a breakdown of Samsung and LG in laundry, refrigerators, dishwashers, and stoves.
We’ll also dive into one category where both brands (and just about every other brand) fall short—customer service, or what happens after the sale.
By the end, you’ll know which brand is the better choice for you.
Let's get started.
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You can watch this comparison as a video (above) with Fran (our store sales manager) and me. If you prefer reading, this article serves as the transcript.
Yes, we’re starting with dryers first. Both brands are way ahead of their competition (except for Miele).
The real revolution in drying is the heat pump dryer.
We’ve covered heat pumps in many other articles, but briefly:
A heat pump recycles air and heats it using a compressor through an air exchanger, with an evaporator pulling the moisture.
Compare that to a traditional dryer, which pulls air from the room, heats it with elements, and constantly vents it outside.
Heat pumps are much more efficient and also ventless, meaning you can place them almost anywhere since no vent is required.
Both brands offer 24-inch compact heat pump models, but LG also offers the compact washer-dryer combo known as the WashTower.
You might like the WashTower concept—it places the controls in the middle, making them easier to access and reducing the overall height of the unit.
Note: You won’t have to reach for the controls on a WashTower, but many washers and dryers allow you to operate the dryer from the washer directly via an app.
Currently, LG is the only brand offering full-size heat pump dryers, available in both their WashTower and standalone models:
Heat pumps are the future of drying.
If you live in Boston, the savings could be significant—between $100 to $175 per year depending on how many loads you do.
Both LG and Samsung are incredibly innovative when it comes to washers.
The number of cycles for both brands is impressive—almost to the point of being overwhelming.
For example:
Each washer has 23 cycles plus additional options. AI features even allow you to create more cycles, in case you need them.
Personally, I stick to three: heavy, delicate, and sometimes a quick cycle.
Both brands have similar capacities, though Samsung’s standard is now slightly larger at 5.3 cubic feet compared to LG’s 5.0 cubic feet.
Samsung’s automatic detergent dispenser holds more, offering 32 loads versus LG’s 18. Automatic dispensers help prevent using too much detergent.
Both washers have speed cycles: LG’s Turbo360 completes a cycle in 30 minutes, while Samsung’s Speed Cycle finishes in 28 minutes.
However, LG features five high-pressure water hoses compared to just one for Samsung. Interesting, right?
Same story with the combos: Samsung is larger and offers more cycles and options, including the ability to play Spotify and YouTube (seriously).
However, LG has proven more reliable over the past five years, based on service calls logged by our own service team.
We’ll cover customer service later, but in this comparison, LG requires fewer repairs, while Samsung is technically better featured.
LG also offers more variety in one-piece units, especially with heat pump drying.
Up until two years ago, Samsung had the most exciting refrigerators.
Everyone talked about the Family Hub, with its Android tablet allowing you to sync your family’s activities on one device.
I’ve never been too crazy about that. The kids will still be on their phones, but it’s still nice to see a calendar of what they should be doing.
The real standout in their line is the RF29DB9700 for $3,899.99, which lets you convert the right-hand drawer of their four-door model to either a refrigerator or freezer.
LG also offers some four-door and drawer units like Samsung. They have the InstaView feature, allowing you to tap the refrigerator glass to see inside.
In my case, I’d leave it dark so I wouldn’t have to see inside.
However, two years ago, LG revolutionized counter-depth refrigerators with the LRYKC2606S for $3,199.99, which has a larger capacity of 25.5 cubic feet compared to the standard 22.5 of most counter-depth models, along with the InstaView feature.
Samsung has since responded with their Mega Capacity units offering the same cubic footage.
LG now features a Counter-Depth MAX refrigerator with Zero Clearance and a new articulating hinge, meaning it doesn’t add any width when you open the door - this is huge.
You can now place a refrigerator next to a wall or door without needing to account for the extra 2–3 inches for the door swing.
Both brands offer crushed ice and cubes from their dispensers, but LG adds their “Craft Ice”, which makes slower-dissolving cubes ideal for fine liquors.
As a common theme, Samsung has the edge in technology, while LG’s Zero Clearance feature is a great idea.
Let's talk about dishwashers.
Samsung’s DW80R955 for $1,199.99 uses a linear wash system with an auto-release door at the end of the cycle.
Instead of a traditional rotating spray arm, the wash system uses powerful jets to create a wall of water that moves in a linear fashion.
The door opens at the end of the cycle to allow moisture to escape.
Their “Storm Wash” feature includes regular wash arms with a couple of intense sprays for baked-on casserole dishes.
While Samsung has reimagined dishwashers, LG has formulated better cycles.
The LG SDWB24S3, priced at $1,399.99, has steam as its big innovation in dishwashers—and it works.
My next-door neighbor had an LG, and I purposely baked macaroni and cheese onto a casserole dish as an experiment.
The dishwasher cleaned most of it—I just had to wipe it down a bit.
Steam is also used in their Dynamic Drying system, eliminating spotting.
Their better dishwashers have oblong arms to spread water more evenly.
Overall, when it comes to dishwashers, I think Samsung reinvented an appliance that already works well, while LG’s steam technology paired with existing dishwasher tech works just fine.
This is an interesting category. Both brands offer very good models.
LG LSGL6337 for $1,999 (front control) has a 22,000 BTU burner in the front, where you’ll do most of your cooking.
Just for context, that’s hotter than Wolf, Thermador, Miele, and JennAir in their pro ranges.
For gas, LG is one of the only brands, besides BlueStar, to offer pure convection, with heat blown from the back instead of from the bottom, distributed by the convection fan.
So, it’s technically better.
Samsung NSG6DG8550 for $2,299 is innovative with the Flex Duo.
I’m kind of torn on this one because you get two separate ovens, but when you remove the divider, it becomes one oven.
However, if you read the manual (which nobody does), the temperatures in each section don’t stay consistent.
But I really like the style, and it has pro-type burners at 23,000 BTU.
Both models feature the largest ovens in their class at 6.0 cubic feet.
The LG LSIL6336FE for $2,999.99 has the most powerful induction burner at 4,300 watts, so you’ll be lightning-fast when cooking anything.
You also get a large convection oven at 6.3 cubic feet, plus the InstaView door on the range.
The Samsung NSI6DG9500SRAA for $2,110 also features a 6.3 cubic foot convection oven and a 4,300-watt element.
Samsung uses ambient edge lighting to indicate when the range is on, and your food is still cooking.
Additionally, Samsung recently introduced their scratch-proof glass, which debuted just a few weeks ago.
LG may offer the best wall oven option with their speed oven over their steam assist in this combo. Check out the WCEP6423 for $3,399.99.
For those who want steam and sous-vide cooking in the lower oven, take a look at the WCEP6427 for $4,299.99.
Samsung has the NQ70CG600DSR for $3,610, with similar features to LG’s steam combo.
However, steam was a problem for Samsung a few years ago.
When you think about style for any product, you probably think of Apple and their beautiful designs with easy controls.
Samsung is the only company to compete.
In appliances, Samsung was the first company to produce a truly stylish appliance. The industry has since caught up to some degree.
However, Samsung is still preeminent, especially in cooking and refrigeration, even compared to LG.
Except in laundry.
LG still offers some great designs in their WashTower and different color options.
So, style is an additional factor to consider.
I had a spirited conversation with Samsung’s national service manager.
He was offended by my remarks about Samsung’s service, which I thought was odd.
I’ve defended Samsung’s reliability, yet I’ve been a lightning rod for criticism from aggrieved Samsung consumers.
In my opinion, both Samsung and LG do not have enough support for their overwhelming demand.
It’s a testament not only to how good both companies are at producing appliances but also to how bad GE was, and Whirlpool continues to be.
LG is slightly more reliable than Samsung, mostly because they manufacture more of their key components.
They’ve also started their own service department to better assist their customers’ needs.
If they have the continued desire to lose money for much better customer service, LG will win in the long run.
But can a public company really think in terms of a 10-20 year period?
As with many reviews, which company you choose depends on where you buy and what you value.
LG is the best for laundry, with very good (and underrated) dishwashers and cooking appliances, while Samsung is the best for refrigeration.
Samsung is generally better looking, while LG is mostly more reliable.
As with anything, assess what you really need and look at reviews in your area before buying either.
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