How do you pick between two similar companies with two similar washers like LG and Samsung?
Shopping for laundry should be a much easier purchase than it is. You only have a few brands like LG, Samsung, GE, Whirlpool, Maytag and Electrolux.
Of these, LG and Samsung are the most most intriguing. Both look the same with similar features.
In this article, you’ll learn the differences and a few key features including reliability based on over 40,000 service calls logged by our service department just last year.
In the end, you’ll know the best model for your home based on how you wash your clothes.
Table of Contents
Size & Capacity
In a comparison this close, some of the best features are shared, but we’ll review them anyway since they probably weren’t around when you last bought a washer.
Both have an internal capacity of five cubic feet with similar outside dimensions. Five cubic feet is large, almost twice as much as a regular top load washer.
LG’s exterior is a 1/4″ taller and 1/4″ shallower than the more standard 4.5 cubic sizes.
LG is the shallowest at 30 1/8″ and the easiest for closets and other tight spaces.
Wash Cycles
Both models feature steam. Steam loosens up tough stains like wine or grass.
Samsung now has AI to recommend cycles based on your clothes and your most often selected cycles.
But both manufacturers have an unbelievable number of cycles and options, 5 wash-rinse combinations and 5 spin speeds for any type of fabric.
You can wash a load of laundry in 28 minutes in Samsung super speed and 30 minutes in LG’s Turbo 360 cycle.
Both have higher spin rates, so that clothes are drier after the wash, giving them less time in the dryer.
LG’s faster 1300 rpm, while Samsung is closer to 1200 rpm.
Smart Functionality
Smart features haven’t lived up to their promise in other appliances just yet. However, Smart functionality works for laundry.
You can turn the machine on or off remotely and start your laundry from your office and have it ready after your commute.
Seeing the time remaining in a notification after the cycle is over will save you time. You don’t have to continually check your laundry down the basement to see if it’s done.
LG is also testing service through Smart Diagnosis. Your machine will self-diagnose and send for service along with the replacement parts.
Smart service will be huge in reducing your wait time between the issue occurring and getting someone to your home to fix it.
Availability
Both Samsung and LG are Korean multinationals. LG is appliance first, while it’s a much smaller part of Samsung’s overall business portfolio.
That’s given LG an edge and availability over the last few years as they have a much more robust global supply chain and much more response to technical support.
Mold Prevention
GE populized antimicrobial coatings with microban surfaces to reduce mold and mildew in the gasket, dispenser and hoses.
Samsung has fallen to a lesser extent with their Clean Guard technology in their gasket, dispenser and control panel.
However, LG does not offer any microbial protection other than their clean tub cycle. You can eliminate most mold in any front load by drying the gasket in the dispenser and leaving the door open also helps.
Detergent Dispensers
Automatic dispensers take the guesswork out of dispensing by releasing the right amount of detergent at the right time for the best cleaning results.
Most people also pour in too much detergent like a top load washer. Front-loaders only need a cap full, so all that excess detergent ends up in the machine as residue, leading to an expensive future service call.
The LGWM4500 has a 15-load automatic dispenser, while Samsung has the single use older style.
Promotions & Pricing
Both LG and Samsung are two of the most promotional appliance companies. Both promoted less in sales and discounts in the last two years due to supply constraints.
With availability still being a problem, it’s hard to predict future promotions. That said, still check around holidays just in case.
A difference of $150 may be a key feature of two nearly identical machines. Just make sure whatever you buy will be delivered on the promised date.
Many stores will promote promotional prices. After taking your money, they’ll push out the promised delivery date and time, so just be careful.
Reliability
Both LG and Samsung were number 1, number 2 last year on the reliability for first year service rates of 3.3% and 4.9% for front load washers.
LG is a little more significant because we sold ten times the amount over Samsung last year due to availability.
Because LG manufacturers more of the washer, including their inverter motors, parts are more accessible as well.
In terms of what happens when there are issues, LG is better than Samsung only because Samsung has very little service and that’s not a tough standard to beat.
Both front-loads are reliable, but fixing a front-load is complicated, so finding service in your area is probably more important than feature differences.
Key Takeaways
Both are good machines with excellent features like steam, AI, smart functionality and every spin and wash combination you can think of.
Samsung will have their Antimicrobial Clean Guard and possibly lower price around promotional holidays, if they’re available.
LG is the most reliable, has a slightly better spin speed. Their auto dispenser will allow to dump 15 loads of detergent and let the machine do the work.
With machine’s this close, look at the price and as we always say, look for available technical support in your areas for the deciding factors.
So when there is an issue in the future, and there will be, you’re not without your washer for 8-10 weeks.