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vinzweig

Need Help ASAP to buy Samsung vs. LG Refrigerator tomorrow 11/30/2016

9 years ago

I am comparing LG and Samsung refrigerator models and need help from people who actually own these refrigerators because I am having difficulty choosing among refrigerators with similar features.

The new 4 Door French Door "Quad" Refrigerators -- Samsung RF28K9070SG or RF28K9380SG versus the very new LG LPXS30866D. I know that they are different in that the Samsung has the lower right quadrant "flexzone," and the LG just has organized freezer space. Although they both don't have handles -- they open very differently--vertically vs. horizontally -- which is ergonomically better? The biggest problem is that we cannot even view the LG model on the floor of any store in our area in RTP, North Carolina and it's hard to buy a $4,000 refrigerator without at least seeing it first. One reviewer on the LG website said the refrigerator was difficult to open on the upper left because of the weight of the water/ice maker in the door. Is this true?

Is there a big difference between the reliability/functioning of the ice maker and water/ice delivery systems between Samsung and LG??

Lastly is the "black stainless different in Samsung or LG -- as far as actual material, durability, or fingerprint resistance? Black stainless looks sharp and is supposed to be more fingerprint and smudge resistant and easier to clean than regular stainless... is this true? Is it a good idea?

Since size may be an issue, can you tell me if the actual height of the Samsung is 70.75 inches or 71 7/8 inches (different specifications listed in different places and I have a space that is only a little more than 71 inches high unless I remove cabinets or can one modify the refrigerator somehow?

The other models we are considering which are very close in features are the LG LMXS30776D with its CustomChill Drawer and Door-in-Door features versus the Samsung RF28JBEDBSG with its Flexzone Drawer and Food Showcase Door. What do you think of these models -- are they equivalent or is one somehow better than the other -- in terms of function or durability? Do you think the varying temperature drawer is just a gimmick or useful to keep wine, beer, and cheese? Is the extra door within a door useful as a way to quickly grab water, juice, or protein drinks without opening the whole refrigerator or a pain in the neck in that it is sometimes difficult to close fully?

Anyway, thanks for your help --now I await your replies. Any other review sites you recommend before making this expensive decision?

Comments (13)

  • 9 years ago

    I'm also refrigerator a shopping. I keep going back to the Samsungs just because I like the looks and the layouts best.

    I'm not really impressed with the door in door. If I had larger family where the fridge was constantly being used to get the things you would normally store there I might feel differently. The four door styles are nice but I feel you are giving up freezer width. Maybe it's just that I am also partial to chest freezers over vertical ones. Psychological???? I like them better than the door in door for sure. The door in door seems awkward and a waste of space.


    I am mostly drawn to the one with the separate drawer. Probably because it is a comfortable height for me. I am at the shorter range of adult height at 5" 1". I also like it better than the pantry drawer withing the fridge because it is deeper. You can actually store upright soda cans in it. I will probably use it for snacks and sandwich fixing most of the time but I love the width and depth for things like sheet cakes or food platters.

    My biggest fear on all of them is the ice/water through the door dispenser. I wish they made the drawer version with an in freezer ice maker and called it good. That would be my dream model.

    Those are jsut my thoughts. I don't know how helpful they can be. I'm going to follow this thread and see what others opinions are.

  • 9 years ago

    Thanks for answering Watchmelol! I agree that there is a lot written in online reviews that expresses distress over both Samsung and LG ice/water through the door dispensers... does anyone who has one of these new models want to weigh in on this? Have they fixed this problem in the newer models? Is it a true problem or a matter of initial installation? (They say that you need to flush 5 gallons of water out of the dispenser initially to get rid of air in the line and then you won't have a problem..... is this true?)

    Also, as to different refrigerator model designs -- they actually recommended online that the refrigerator design with the four quadrants and the vertical lineup of drawers and door bins in the freezer is actually easier for shorter people than the big cavernous bottom freezers. I am actually on the taller side (5'8"), and to be honest I do not like bending over at all LOL! But at least it might be easier to find things below in a freezer composed of door bins and drawers, versus one big bin even if it has two levels.

    What do people who own them think of the new refrigerators by LG and Samsung with the tiered organization versus the old French Door/Bottom Freezer design?

  • 9 years ago

    C Net has some pretty in depth interesting reviews. Comments sections however show the same problems we read of elsewhere malfunctioning ice and water and noise. But maybe it's just the the dissatisfied consumers that tend to comment more. https://www.cnet.com/topics/refrigerators/products/2/

  • 9 years ago

    I just realized that Kitchen Aid (and perhaps Whirlpool too) makes a very well thought out, well sub-divided refrigerator -- the KRMF706EBS 5 drawer French Drawer refrigerator in either black stainless or regular stainless. Does anyone have any experience with this model that costs more and is not currently on sale (and one review mentioned that Whirlpool makes an identical model (what model? and is it really identical in all features and does it come in black stainless?)

    And what are the pros and cons of black stainless vs. regular stainless steel?

  • 9 years ago

    Got an extension of time, so I can still get more advice.....

    I am leaning towards the Samsung Flex RF28K9380SR in regular stainless steel or the Whirlpool WRV986FDEM in regular stainless steel. (still considering Black Stainless, but I was told that it scratches easily...)

    The KitchenAid KRMF706EBS is very similar to the Whirlpool, but is more expensive, and has a very organized, compartmentalized interior. It comes in regular stainless or black stainless and does anyone know if KitchenAid's black stainless is more durable than Samsung or LG?

    Also what are the true differences between a KitchenAid and Whirlpool model when they look so similar?.... I really did not like the "platinum" grey interior color of the KitchenAid. What do y'all think?

  • 9 years ago

    I like the drawers in the KA freezer. I also dislike the gray interior. Looks dreary/ dingy to me.

    I am looking at the frigidaire pro counter depth FD. I like the frig space and the handles are similar to the KA appliances I've ordered for the rest of the kitchen. It's a smudge free stainless so it's slightly different shade but I think it matches pretty well and like that the busiest and biggest appliance would be smudge free.

    I also thought the Electrolux were nice. Didn't look at whirlpool. I really dislike the big slot handle on the samsung.

    Did you look at GE? An appliance guy told me they were best value.

    Sherrie Zweig thanked upfixer
  • 9 years ago

    I am now leaning towards the Samsung FLEX 4-Door Refrigerators RF28K9380SR with the door-in-door or the RF28K9070SR without the "food showcase" feature, and I am considering the one with all the bells and whistles -- the Samsung RF28K9580SR Family Hub French Door Refrigerator -- I can actually imagine using most of the apps on the touch screen because I use All Recipes, Pandora, and I like the calendar and photos features on the touch screen. Has anyone out there actually used these models -- especially the last one??

  • 9 years ago

    Have you looked at the Sears Kenmore models? LG makes some Sears appliances and you might find the one you want re-labeled there. I worry about all the Korean made appliances myself but Whirlpool has had a lot of problems/bad reviews too.

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Samsung appliances have received a large number of poor reviews relating to parts availability and service.

    Whirlpool makes the Ikea frigs and they come with a 5 year warranty.

  • 9 years ago

    Since its still Black Friday/ Cyberweek, there are some great prices out there on the Samsung refrigerators -- especially all the high end 4 door Flex models.... Does anyone have direct experience with the Samsung RF28K9380SR or the RF28K9070SR or the RF28K9580SR?

    I think one would need the extended warranty from Lowes to safe-guard any of them.... especially that last very high tech model..... who would be able to fix it? (Should I buy instead from Best Buy and get Geek Squad protection?)

  • 9 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    So did you buy Samsung model you listed above?? Which one did you get and from where?/ I am very interested in getting one of the Samsung model listed above. I was also interested in Samsung RF30KMEDB approx. 30 cu.ft with two drawer model. Would love to hear which model did you end up getting and if you still like it. Thank you in advance.

  • 9 years ago

    We have a 4 door Samsung model. It is now 6 years old and the freezer stopped working.( had the extended warranty from Lowes and it expires last year). We called several reputable repairmen in the area and only one would deal with Samsung appliances. We were told the unit is not repairable. He also told us that Samsung and LG are the worst products to purchase because of the poor customer service, lack of repairmen willing to service them and durability of the product. We have been researching and trying to decide the next step of calling Samsung directly for service or replacing this unit ( our research has showed many complaints about Samsung). While doing the research ( it has only been a few weeks) we were using the freezer area for water bottle storage as it has been reaching almost refrigerator temperatures ( 48 degrees). We have now discovered that the middle drawer items are not as cold as expected and just put the thermometer in there to see where we land. Oddly enough..the ice maker has never given us trouble!

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