You probably remember when refrigerators were purchased just to keep your food cold. Over the last few years, that has changed with Samsung and LG being the main drivers of technology in residential appliances. It makes sense because both are first technology companies.
Some of the advances are really interesting. However, you have to determine if the functionality is worth the extra money. A French door refrigerator costs between $1,599-$2,599 on average. These products can be three times that in price.
So let's look at both companies, products then compare. But first a short history of technology in refrigerators.
The First Internet Refrigerator
I loved this refrigerator when we first displayed it 12 years ago. This LG had Wi-Fi, camera, and TV. You could stream music from the refrigerator as well. We never sold one and it exists now as our warehouse refrigerator.
These refrigerators should have greater demand because you are becoming very familiar with apps like Nest and controlling your home from your phone.
They are almost half the price because technology has become cheaper to deploy.
That said, let us look at both brands and products.
Samsung
Samsung is a corporation comprised of 80 different businesses that manufacture a wide variety of products which account for 17% of South Korea’s total gross domestic product. Beginning in 1969 in Suwon, South Korea they have made everything from calculators and televisions to audiovisual devices and even skyscrapers.
They now also manufacture kitchen appliances that incorporate some of the same innovative technologies used in mobile phones and other electronic devices. All of these factors have contributed to the launch of what some may consider the most innovative refrigerator in the world.
Samsung Family Hub Wi-Fi RF22K9581SR - $4,399.99
- Food Management - Three built-in cameras take a picture of the refrigerator's interior. You can order groceries online from the touchscreen
- Family Message Center - The StickiBoard and WhiteBoard features let you leave messages for family members and sync up calendars from your connected mobile device.
- Entertainment - stream music to the built-in speakers or mirror your smart TV on the 21.5" touchscreen using such apps as Pandora and Tune In
- FlexZone - bottom-right door can be a fridge or freezer, maximizing fresh food storage space. The freshest food storage available at 17.65 cu. ft. when the FlexZone is used as a refrigerator. Five customizable temperature settings: Cool at 41°F, Cheese/Veggie at 35°F, Chill/Meat at 30°F, Soft Freezing 23°F and Freezer at -8°F to 5°F
- Triple Cooling System - 3 evaporators for ultimate freshness and provides precise temperature and humidity controls in all three zones. Your food stays fresher longer with 3 evaporators
- Available in different sizes
LG
LG Electronics has 4 business units, Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliances & Air Solutions, and Vehicle Components, and 128 operations worldwide, employing 83,000 people.
LG and Samsung are mirror images of each other and appliances are a relatively small part of their overall business. Both focus on technology and design.
LG InstaView 4-Door Refrigerator with Door-in-Door - LMXS30796D
- Instaview Door
- Wi-Fi Enabled
- Door-in-Door with ColdSaver Panel - allows for quickly getting easy in-and-out access to beverages and snacks.
- 30 cu. ft. Super Capacity - With this super-capacity 30 cubic-foot refrigerator, there's more usable space for storing more food than ever before
- Food can be accessed without opening the entire refrigerator, which reduces cold air loss by up to 47% and saves energy.
- Style and Design - Slim SpacePlus Ice System, Double Swing Freezer Doors, Hidden Hinges, Premium LED Interior Light
- The black stainless steel finish provides an elegant and sophisticated look and resists scratches and fingerprints.
- Smart Cooling Plus System - technology that is designed to maintain superior conditions within the refrigerator. The Linear Compressor and Dual Evaporators react quickly to humidity and temperature levels and help keep your food fresher, longer
- Available in different sizes
Samsung Family Hub vs. LG InstaView Refrigerators Comparison
Both refrigerators share many features. They both have apps and you can control the basic temperature functions, filters etc. There are differences.
Configuration
Samsung has four doors whereas LG is a double French door. The LG is more convenient for avoiding stooping, but Samsung is a true flex in the 4th lower right-hand door. So it can be refrigerator or freezer.
Door-In-Door / InstaView vs. Family Hub
LG's main advantage is the door within in the door (although Whirlpool had it in the 1970s), which allows you immediate access to juices, milk, and the main foods without opening the main door. The InstaView of knocking twice to illuminate the interior is also pretty cool.
Samsung reminds me of the old LG with a computer on the front to leave messages and access the internet. They added cameras on the inside so you can see inside the refrigerator while you are shopping.
Final Analysis
Both refrigerators have intriguing features. They are both so different that you can buy on or the other based on features.
However, the best question beyond the cool factor is: What do you need and what will you use.
Additional Resources
Want to learn more about the latest refrigerators? Check out the Yale Refrigerator Buyers Guide with the latest features, sizes and detailed profiles of the main brands. Over 200,000 people have read a Yale Guide.
Recommended Reads
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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.
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