LG vs. GE Refrigerators (8 Key Differences) - Prudent Reviews (2024)

Are you shopping for a new refrigerator but need help deciding between LG and GE?

Both offer advanced features, innovative technology, and solid warranties. So what’s the difference? Which brand is better?

In this comparison of LG vs. GE refrigerators, you’ll learn how they differ in reliability, price, features, technology, and more. I also reveal what appliance repair experts say about both brands.

Use the links below to navigate the comparison:

• LG vs. GE Refrigerators: Key Takeaways
• Difference 1: Reliability
• Difference 2: Price
• Difference 3: Warranty
• Difference 4: Features
• Difference 5: Technology
• Difference 6: Models and Options
• Difference 7: Capacity
• Difference 8: Top-Rated Models
• What Others Say About LG and GE Refrigerators
• Bottom Line: Should You Buy an LG or GE Refrigerator?

Difference 1: Reliability

One of the most significant differences between GE and LG refrigerators is reliability.

I recently conducted a study to determine the most and least reliable refrigerator brands.

To pick the winners and losers, I interviewed seven appliance repair professionals, analyzed data from Yale Appliance’s reliability report, which tracks the ratio of units sold to service calls, and reviewed thousands of customer testimonials.

The results were clear. GE, along with Bosch, Whirlpool, and KitchenAid, is one of the most reliable refrigerator brands, and LG and Samsung are the two least reliable.

In fact, six out of the seven repair companies I spoke to said to avoid LG. Four of seven highly recommended GE (no one said anything negative about GE).

Hunter Appliance, a repair company in Littleton, Massachusetts, said they get the fewest service calls on GE, Bosch, and KitchenAid, and the most on LG, Samsung, and Frigidaire.

The expert at Appliance Services in Epping, New Hampshire, said to stay away from LG because most companies don’t service it.

Harrison Refrigeration & Appliances in Hyde Park, Massachusetts, said GE, GE Profile, and Bosch are the most reliable, and the parts are always in stock. On the other hand, Samsung, LG, Blomberg, and Beko have frequent issues, poor service, and parts are difficult to get.

Ray’s Appliance in Taunton, Massachusetts, said GE is the brand they recommend most often because they have the “best service and parts availability.”

When I spoke to the expert at United Appliance Parts in Schenectady, New York, he said most refrigerator brands are the same, but he doesn’t recommend Samsung and LG because parts are more expensive and harder to find. Also, most repair companies won’t work on LG.

According to the Yale Appliance Reliability report, LG has been improving. In 2021, their service rate was 27.8%, meaning almost a third of LG refrigerators sold needed service within the first year. But in 2022, the service rate dropped to 4.5%, and it remained relatively low at 6.9% in 2023 and 8.8% in 2024.

It’s worth noting that LG recently settled a class-action lawsuit involving defective compressors on refrigerators made between 2014 and 2017. Units made since then are proving to work better with fewer issues.

GE Appliances’ numbers have fluctuated, according to Yale. Its service rate was 12.21% in 2021, 16.5% in 2022, 19.6% in 2023, and 11.6% in 2024. GE Profile’s service rates have also varied, with 22.8% in 2021, 10.2% in 2022, 16.5% in 2023, and 16.8% in 2024.

Although these numbers indicate that LG refrigerators are more reliable than GE, you need to take these results with a grain of salt. There are several caveats to consider when reviewing the data. For example:

• Number of units sold: Service rate is more volatile when fewer units are sold. Yale only discloses the ratio of units sold to service calls, not the actual figures.
• Service rates vary by model: The results are aggregated across all models manufactured by each brand, but some models are more reliable than others.
• First-year service rate: Yale’s report only considers the service rate for the first year. It doesn’t include data from year two and beyond.

The bottom line is that GE refrigerators are steady, reliable, and trusted by professionals. Plus, they’re easier to service when issues happen. LG refrigerators malfunction more frequently, many repair companies don’t service them, and parts are often unavailable or on backorder.

Difference 2: Price

Generally, LG refrigerators are more expensive than GE. And that’s the case for both base and high-end models.

For example, LG has ten fridges that are over $4,000, while GE only lists two.

LG focuses more on smart technology, which increases research and development costs and makes each unit more expensive to manufacture.

Below is a price chart to compare similar models between the brands.

Difference 3: Warranty

LG and GE have different coverage periods depending on the fridge parts.

LG offers a five-year warranty on the sealed system and compressor and a one-year warranty on most other fridge parts. The warranty covers both labor and parts.

For refrigerators with a linear/inverter-type compressor, LG will cover parts only for five additional years (years 6-10).

If you aren’t sure which type of compressor you have, you can check LG’s website. The product pages for each refrigerator feature a specs section, which includes the compressor type. These specs are also included in the product manual.

GE offers a one-year warranty if the fridge fails to operate, so long as it has a capacity greater than 6.6 cubic feet. GE covers the cost of labor only.

For its 42- and 48-inch built-in models, the warranty period is two years, and it will cover the cost of repairs for any part that fails to operate. GE will cover parts and labor for one year for compact refrigerators.

From there, the company offers a varying length warranty on the sealed system, depending on the model.

For GE Profile and 42- and 48-inch built-in fridges, the company offers a five-year warranty on the sealed system, including labor. The warranty extends for seven additional years (years 6-12) for the 42- and 48-inch fridges. However, labor isn’t included, and GE will provide free replacement parts.

Refer to the chart below and review the full warranties (GE warranty, LG warranty) for more details.

Difference 4: Features

Another major difference between LG and GE refrigerators is their features. The chart below provides a general overview of each brand’s bells and whistles. Keep in mind that every model is different.

Difference 5: Technology

As mentioned, LG is known for integrating advanced technology into its refrigerators. Some GE models also have smart features like the SmartHQ app for notifications and diagnostics. But overall, LG fridges have more to offer in terms of tech.

That said, more technology is not always a good thing. Fridges with more technology have more parts and systems that could break or malfunction.

Here are the main technology features of LG smart refrigerators:

• LG ThinQ App: LG’s smart refrigerators connect to this app. With it, you can receive notifications if the door is left open, put the fridge on vacation mode, adjust the temperature, make extra ice, and more.
• Vacation Mode: This setting within the LG ThinQ app conserves energy usage when no one is at home.
• Remote Temperature Controls: You can also control the fridge temperature remotely using the ThinQ app.
• Door Notifications: When enabled, the ThinQ app will automatically send notifications when you leave the fridge door open for more than 10 minutes.
• IcePlus Mode: This mode prompts the fridge to start making more ice. This feature is controllable from the front control panel and remotely through the ThinQ app.
• InstaView: On some LG door-in-door fridges, there is a see-thru door on the outside. When you knock on this door twice, the light turns on so you can view what’s inside.

• Craft Ice: Some LG fridges have two ice makers — one for standard cubes and crushed ice and another for spherical Craft Ice. Craft Ice takes longer to melt, making it ideal for co*cktails.
• Measured Fill: This measures the exact amount of water you need rather than pouring it into a fill line.
• Smart Care+: This analyzes refrigerator use and optimizes energy and cooling based on when the refrigerator is used. It also turns on IcePlus mode automatically when you need more ice.
• Proactive Customer Care: This sends notifications when the air and water filters need to be replaced. It also notifies you of a problem with the refrigerator and offers potential solutions.
• Smart Sabbath Mode: You can control Sabbath mode from the ThinQ app, so it will turn on automatically based on religious holidays.

And here are the main technology features integrated into several GE refrigerators:

• Alerts: GE fridges will send notifications through the SmartHQ app when the water filter needs to be replaced, the fridge temperature is high, or the fridge door is left open.
• TurboCool and TurboFreeze: These modes allow you to cool the fridge or freezer rapidly after you put hot items inside or open the door frequently.

• Keurig Machine: Some GE models have a built-in Keurig coffee machine. With the SmartHQ app, you can put the hot water function on a schedule so it’s ready when you need it, like for a cup of morning coffee.
• Remote Controls: Using the SmartHQ app, you can control your fridge’s hot water functions, turn the icemaker off and on, adjust the temperature, control Sabbath mode, and enable TurboCool or TurboFreeze.
• Autofill: When you press the autofill button on the water dispenser, it automatically fills your glass or bottle with the right amount.

Difference 6: Models and Options

LG and GE both offer a variety of models and options. Many color options overlap, such as stainless steel, black, white, and silver. They also have similar style options, such as French door, side-by-side, and top freezer.

The main difference is the number of models. GE has 19 more refrigerator models than LG.

Here is a rundown of LG’s options:

• Number of models: 54
• Styles: French door, side-by-side, top freezer, and bottom freezer
• Finishes: Stainless, black stainless, stainless look, black, white, gray, and silver

And here are GE’s options:

• Number of models: 73
• Styles: French door, side-by-side, top freezer, and bottom freezer
• Finishes: Stainless steel, white, black, slate, black slate, silver, and bisque

Difference 7: Capacity

The average refrigerator capacity falls between 9 and 30 cubic feet. On average, every adult in the home will need 4-6 cubic feet of space. Therefore, the average 4-5 person family needs at least 20 cubic feet.

However, you may need a higher-capacity refrigerator depending on a few factors:

• Hosting: If you like to host gatherings with friends and family, you’ll need more space than usual.
• How Often You Cook at Home: If you don’t cook often, you can get away with a smaller model. But if you regularly cook at home, you may need a few more cubic feet of space to store ingredients.
• How Often You Shop: Families that buy groceries in bulk a few times per month will need more fridge space than those who buy groceries once a week.

Over half of LG models listed on HomeDepot.com (36 out of 54) have at least 20 cubic feet, while around one-third of GE models have over 20 cubic feet of space (25 out of 73).

In other words, LG offers more models to choose from if you need a lot of space.

Difference 8: Top-Rated Models

As mentioned, both brands have dozens of refrigerator models. Below are the key features of two top-rated models for each brand.

The LG Door-in-Door Smart Refrigerator has a door-in-door design, French doors, and a bottom freezer drawer. It comes in two color options, stainless steel and black stainless steel, with a smudge-proof finish and a see-thru door on the right. When you knock twice on the door, the light turns on so you can view the fridge’s contents. With its smart capabilities, it can connect to the LG ThinQ app and send notifications and alerts, such as when the door is left open.

The LG French Door Smart Refrigerator is a similar model with French doors and a bottom freezer drawer. It has the same two color options as the LG Door-in-Door Smart Refrigerator and can also connect to the ThinQ app. Like the previous model, the fridge has plenty of organization options, including a two-tier freezer, two humidity-controlled drawers (with fruit and vegetable modes), and a full-width drawer. However, one difference is that this fridge produces more ice per day (6 pounds as opposed to 3.5 pounds). It also has a dispenser light.

The GE French Door Refrigerator features French doors and a bottom freezer drawer. It comes in four color options: black, white, slate, and stainless steel. The stainless steel option has a smudge-resistant finish. The fridge has quick-space shelves that you can push back to allow for more space for wine bottles and other tall items. It also has bright LED lighting and a digital control panel for easy temperature adjustments.

The GE Side-by-Side Refrigerator is a side-by-side model with the freezer on the left and the fridge on the right. It comes in five colors: stainless steel, white, black, bisque, and slate. Both the slate and stainless steel colors come with a smudge-resistant finish. It also has adjustable edge-to-edge glass shelves and space-saving flush-mounted LED lights.

What Others Say About LG and GE Refrigerators

Let’s review what other independent outlets say about LG and GE refrigerators to get a broader perspective.

The Spruce included both LG and GE on its list of the best refrigerator brands. For LG, it praised the brand’s “thoughtful design features,” such as door-in-door storage and the see-thru door on InstaView models. It also said the brand offers reasonably priced options with great features, like being Energy Star certified.

The Spruce said features on the GE’s higher-end models are innovative, such as a hands-free water dispenser, an LED light wall, and adjustable temperature drawers. It praised GE’s solid warranty.

New York Times Wirecutter listed both LG and GE in its list of the best refrigerator brands. It conducted a reader survey, and out of over 3,000 participants, LG fridge owners had the highest satisfaction rate (57.9% answered that they were “very satisfied”). The brand also had the highest satisfaction ratings for specific features, including overall capacity, accessibility of contents, noise level, and the ice maker.

On the negative side, 25% of LG owners who interacted with the customer service team had a negative experience. In contrast, only 12% of GE owners who made a service call reported a bad experience.

Wirecutter ranked GE French-door fridges second-highest (behind LG). Many owners appreciated the available features, such as a lighted ice and water dispenser and the LED wall. In addition, survey participants had fewer negative things to say about GE’s customer service than other brands. Wirecutter said this might be because GE has its own repair fleet in some cities, allowing them to assist customers quickly.

Insider listed both LG and GE as the best refrigerator brands. It said LG had the best smart fridges and praised features, such as digital front controls, Sabbath mode, craft ice maker, and door-in-door. It also said that between its research and consultations with experts, LG has the highest satisfaction ratings.

Meanwhile, Insider listed GE as the “best cheap refrigerator.” It praised the brand’s budget-friendly yet resilient appliances and the Sabbath mode feature. The reviewers also noted that while GE made the list of the best cheap refrigerators, the brand’s more expensive fridges have an excellent reputation.

Popular Mechanics named GE’s French door refrigerator the best overall fridge, and the brand also ranked for the best bottom freezer, top freezer, and double freezer. In total, GE fridges made up about 36% of the list. They praised its large capacity, energy efficiency, and water filters that can remove trace pharmaceuticals.

LG appeared twice on the list, ranking for the best side-by-side and best see-through option. For both models, the reviewers praised the impressive capacity and large drawers.

Reader’s Digest ranked LG fridges in two categories: the best overall fridge and the best French door refrigerator. It praised its InstaView, door-in-door, and craft ice features. It also said that both fridges provided excellent capacity.

The GE Standard Depth Side-by-Side Refrigerator ranked as the best side-by-side category. Reader’s Digest said the fridge had a no-nonsense design, an expensive look at a reasonable price, energy-efficient lighting, and an excellent ice and water dispenser.

Forbes awarded LG fridges the titles of the quietest refrigerator and the best energy-saving refrigerator. For both fridges, it mentioned the spacious storage drawers and the energy-saving features like LED lights and the door-in-door feature.

GE ranked in the best French door refrigerator category. Forbes praised the accuracy and control you get over the temperatures and the sleek look of the slate-black finish.

Bottom Line: Should You Buy an LG or GE Refrigerator?

Now that you understand the features and limitations of both brands, it’s time to choose the best one for your needs. First, let’s recap the main differences between LG and GE:

• According to repair professionals, GE refrigerators are more reliable, easier to service, and customer service is more helpful.
• LG refrigerators are more expensive due to the brand’s focus on smart technology.
• LG has a one-year warranty on most fridge parts and a five-year warranty on the sealed system, which also covers parts and labor. It also offers additional five-year coverage for linear/inverter compressors. GE’s warranty depends on the model. The 42″ and 48″ built-in models have the best warranty, with coverage on all parts for two years and the sealed system for 12 years.
• LG fridges are more feature-heavy and have more smart capabilities than GE fridges. But some GE fridges have exclusive features, such as an auto-fill water dispenser and a built-in Keurig machine.
• GE has the most fridge models, but LG has a wider variety of high-capacity (20+ cubic feet) fridges.

Bottom line — LG refrigerators come with more advanced features, but they’re not as reliable and can be a headache to repair. GE refrigerators are not immune to problems, but most repair companies service them, and parts are readily available.

If you’re still on the fence, go with GE. While LG’s ThinQ App, InstaView Door, and other innovations make day-to-day life in the kitchen more convenient, reliability is king. And when six of the seven repair professionals I interviewed say stay away from LG, that’s what you do.

Read dozens of other reviews and check the current prices of both brands at the links below:

• GE refrigerators on Amazon, HomeDepot.com, and Lowes.com
• LG refrigerators on Amazon, HomeDepot.com, and Lowes.com