LG vs. Whirlpool Counter-Depth Refrigerators: Which Is Better?

Whirlpool and LG are two popular choices for French door refrigerators.

However, Whirlpool owns other brands like KitchenAid, Maytag, Amana, and JennAir. LG has sub-brands including LG Studio, LG Signature, and SKS.

In this article, you will discover the differences, best models, reliability, features, and options between LG, Whirlpool, and their subsidiaries.

I want to start with reliability.

Everyone seems to have an opinion, yet nobody will give you hard numbers based on real service calls.

Until now.

Let’s dive in.

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Refrigerator Reliability

Counter-Depth Refrigerator Reliability for 2023

The following service rates are based on a minimum of 100 refrigerators sold and a total sample of over 3000:

We have never really sold Whirlpool refrigerators. It's odd, but locally, nobody else seems too either.

KitchenAid and JennAir are similar to the better Whirlpool refrigerator models with twin evaporators mentioned later in the article.

Therefore, you are really looking at LG compared to KitchenAid in this reliability report.

So, why are you reading so many negative reviews about LG from "services"?

Three reasons:

1. These online retailers don't sell LG, so the alternative is to bash them. However, these reviews only list common issues such as parts, compressor failures, and lack of support. Most brands experience similar problems.
2. LG and Samsung have made the unfortunate decision to pay the lowest warranty rates in the industry. Thus, they aren't exactly making friends with the service community.
3. LG had problems with its new inverter compressor and settled a class action lawsuit in 2019.

Where Whirlpool Is Better

Finding service on a Whirlpool will be easier because LG's service and support have not kept pace with their popularity.

Whirlpool acquired Maytag over 20 years ago, giving them a dominant 50%+ share of the French door market.

Twenty years ago, LG was not marketing appliances. Now, they are amongst the most widely sold.

Whirlpool Refrigerators

Whirlpool is an American company based in Benton Harbor, Michigan, with factories operating throughout the US.

With their acquisition of once rival Maytag twenty years ago, Whirlpool owned a significant over 50% share of the French door market.

But that dominance has changed considerably with Samsung’s and LG's emergence in the US.

To be transparent, we don't sell any Whirlpool appliances at Yale anymore after being amongst their largest dealers in New England.

I keep returning to a meeting in their Chicago offices years ago.

The head of refrigeration told me, "We don't believe technology has a place in refrigerators."

I asked him politely if he knew who he was competing against.

Years later, that philosophy of producing similar, basic products is problematic.

Highlights Whirlpool Refrigerators:

• FreshFlow Air Filter: Whirlpool's FreshFlow air filter helps reduce common food odors in the refrigerator, ensuring that your food stays fresh longer.
• Accu-Chill Temperature Management: This feature uses built-in sensors to monitor and adjust the temperature inside the refrigerator and freezer, helping to maintain a consistent and ideal temperature for your food.
• Spill-Proof Glass Shelves: Some Whirlpool models have spill-proof glass shelves containing spills, making cleanup easier and preventing liquids from dripping onto other items.
• PUR Water Filtration: Many Whirlpool refrigerators have a built-in water filtration system, providing clean and fresh-tasting water and ice.

Highlights of KitchenAid Refrigerators:

• Preserva Food Care System: KitchenAid's Preserva Food Care System is designed to maintain optimal humidity levels in the refrigerator and freezer with two evaporators for better humidity and less freezer burn
• ExtendFresh Temperature Management System: This feature includes sensors that help maintain consistent temperatures throughout the refrigerator, ensuring your food stays at its best.
• SatinGlide Crispers: KitchenAid refrigerators often have SatinGlide crispers that operate smoothly, making it easy to access and organize your fruits and vegetables.High
• Max Cool and Max Ice: These features allow you to quickly cool down the refrigerator or boost ice production when needed, which is handy for parties or when you've just done a big grocery shop.

LG Refrigerators

LG is from South Korea. Our parents knew them as Goldstar, but they changed their name to LG in 2002.

They are predominantly manufactured in South Korea. However, their Tennessee laundry plant is slated to produce refrigerators.

LG is a technology company and incorporates tech into all its appliances.

Highlights of LG Refrigerators:

• Multi-Air Flow Technology: This feature ensures even cooling throughout the refrigerator, preventing hot and cold spots and keeping your food at a consistent temperature.
• Linear Compressor: Many LG models use a linear compressor, using less parts for better energy efficiency and quietness
• Ice and Water Dispenser: Some LG counter-depth French door refrigerators come equipped with an ice and water dispenser on the exterior, offering filtered water and either cubed, crushed, or even Craft ice.
• Door-in-Door: Certain models feature a "door-in-door" design, which allows you to access frequently used items without fully opening the refrigerator door, reducing cold air loss.
• Smart Connectivity: Smart features allow you to remotely control and monitor your refrigerator using a smartphone app.
• Door Cooling Plus: Whenever you open the door, vents from the top of the refrigerator blast cold air to keep the temperature in the refrigerator consistent.
• Counter-Depth MAX: The Counter-Depth MAX is the newest line of LG refrigerators with sizes up to 26.5 cubic feet or almost 3-6 cubic feet more than the average counter depth refrigerator

LG vs. Whirlpool Counter-Depth Refrigerators

Price

Price differences are all over the place.

One prominent review site even said this:

"In most cases, LG refrigerators are more expensive, even when you compare models with similar features."

LG is a tech-focused brand that invests a lot in research and development.

They offer cutting-edge features, but more technology means higher manufacturing costs."

Seriously?

When you invest in anything well, you will realize a long-term ROI.

However, it is the case when you are looking at a basic Whirlpool French door compared to a basic LG French door refrigerator.

LG LRFLC2706S vs. Whirlpool WRF540CWHZ

LG's base price is about $1,995 while Whirlpool is about $2,350.

They both have more expensive models depending on features and size, but for comparable features, LG is less.

Pro Tip: Buy both LG and Whirlpool on a holiday like Presidents’ Day, Black Friday, July 4th, Memorial Day, and Labor Day to save a considerable amount of money.

Confused about appliances? Download our Free Appliance Buying Guide with tips, buying strategies, and profiles of every major brand. Over 700,000 people have read this guide.

Warranty

With Whirlpool, you get a one-year parts and labor warranty and a five-year warranty on parts only for the sealed system including:

• Compressor
• Evaporator
• Condenser
• Dryer
• Connecting tubing

LG refrigerators feature a one-year warranty on parts and labor and a five-year warranty on the sealed system (parts and labor) that includes:

• Condenser
• Evaporator
• Dryer
• Connecting tubing

The compressor has a 10-year warranty.

LG's warranty is amongst the best. Then again, it probably had to be after the class action in 2019.

It's better than Whirlpool because the warranty covers parts and labor for five years, not just parts.

In years six through 10, it only covers parts and requires you to pay for labor.

Features

Refrigerator Models

LG currently has 14 French door counter-depth refrigerators, not including the SKS built-ins.

You can buy them with ice dispensers and a Door-in-Door panel, so you don't have to open the door to access your most used items.

Their InstaView door allows you to look into the refrigerator.

You have a few different series in LG.

The standard LG has two evaporators, so the air doesn't travel back and forth between the refrigerator and the freezer, along with nine sensors to maintain temperature.

With the warmer air not transferring to the freezer, there is less defrosting and the food in the freezer tastes better.

The Counter-Depth MAX refrigerator is LG’s newer, larger line of refrigerators with a thinner type of insulation and one compressor using two sensors to monitor temperature.

Whirlpool has four models. There are two base line models in the Whirlpool line and two better KitchenAid models.

KitchenAid refrigerators are larger with 23.5 cubic feet of storage space with the two evaporators. In comparison, Whirlpool is smaller with only 20 cubic feet of storage space.

Size

The Counter-Depth MAX models from LG have an average size of 22.5 to 26.5 cubic feet, while Whirlpool and KitchenAid refrigerators have an average size of 20-23.8 cubic feet.

Technology

LG packs more tech into their refrigerators. Then again, they are a technology company.

With the LG ThinQ app, you can manage features, like the icemaker, changing temperatures from your phone.

You can also get push notifications to change your filters or alert you for higher temps, like the door being open.

Smart Diagnosis allows the refrigerator to monitor problems and provide simple fixes.

The next generation will one day diagnose the parts needed to fix problems.

Some other advanced features include:

• Craft ice maker: In some LG, you have crushed cubes and Craft Ice, slower dissolving spherical balls for fine cocktails where you want to taste more of the drink rather than water from a dissolving cube.
• Vacation Mode: You can conserve energy while you are away without unplugging
• InstaView: You can tap the glass to see what's inside. Tap again if you don't.
• Door Cooling Plus: Cold air is projected from top to bottom from vents in the top whenever you open the door to maintain temperature.
• Door-in-Door: You can access the items on the door by pushing a button.
• Metal backing: Metal absorbs cold better, so place your milk and juices next to the back for a faster chill.

Still confused about appliances? Download our Free Appliance Buyers Guide with tips, buying strategies, and profiles of every major brand. Over 700,000 people have read this guide.

Best LG and Whirlpool Refrigerators to Consider

LG LRFLC2706S

The basic Counter-Depth MAX still has decent features like DoorCooling Plus, an internal water dispenser, and the largest size for a counter depth refrigerator at 26.5 cubic feet.

Place your milk and juice against the metal back to keep them colder because metal absorbs cold better.

The LG Counter-Depth MAX refrigerator uses one compressor and two sensors to maintain temperature.

LG LRMVC2306S

The LG LRMVC2306S is one of the most fully featured counter depth refrigerators with Craft Ice, Instaview, Door-in-Door, plus two evaporators and sensors to keep the temperature constant.

The middle "Full Convert" Drawer has a range of temperature settings for refrigerators or freezers.

Two evaporators and nine sensors are employed throughout the refrigerator to maintain temperature.

KitchenAid KRFC704FPS

The KitchenAid KRFC704FPS features a "Perserva" system that uses two evaporators and a temperature sensor in the refrigerator and freezer.

KitchenAid also uses an ethylene gas filter in the crispers. Ethylene gas is created by spoiling food.

A filter will slow spoiling and stop the gases from cross-contaminating other foods.

The refrigerator filter at the top is the third leg of the system.

Whirlpool WRF540CWHZ

Whirlpool has a four-door counter depth, a more basic French door, and the exact same model as the KitchenAid with similar features.

LG vs. Whirlpool Counter-Depth Refrigerators: Conclusion

It's a pretty compelling comparison.

Usually, I provide the pros and cons of both brands and let you decide. Most comparisons like, say, Bosch vs. KitchenAid dishwashers are a toss-up.

However, in this case, you have a better product.

Hopefully, Whirlpool will redesign its refrigerators quickly because LG is demonstratively better in terms of reliability and features.

Additional Resources

Want some more information about counter-depth refrigerators? Get the Yale Appliance Counter Depth Buying Guide with features, specs, and detailed profiles of the major brands. Well over 1 million people have read a Yale Guide.

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