GE Vs Whirlpool Refrigerator Compared (Which One Is Better?)
When it comes to choosing between GE and Whirlpool refrigerators, it can be challenging due to their widespread popularity and strong reputation in the appliance industry. Both brands have their strengths, making the decision a difficult one.
If you’re looking for an affordable smart refrigerator and high-end options like Samsung or LG are out of your budget, GE is a great choice. On the other hand, if you prioritize functionality and ample built-in storage, Whirlpool is worth considering.
While this is one prominent distinction between these two refrigerator giants, there are several other factors to consider when comparing GE and Whirlpool, including customer satisfaction, reliability, style, age, cooling technology, series, capacity, innovation, and price.
In the following sections, we will compare these brands based on these fundamental aspects. Additionally, we will provide a comprehensive comparison of their refrigerator types to give you a fair assessment of how they stack up against each other.
Let’s dive in and explore the details.
GE Vs Whirlpool Refrigerator Comparison
| Comparison | GE Refrigerator | Whirlpool Refrigerator |
| Customer Satisfaction | Slightly lower satisfaction, but overall satisfactory | Better customer satisfaction |
| Reliability | Slightly less reliable than Whirlpool | Slightly more reliable than GE |
| Style | More stylish and fancy | Less fancy and stylish |
| Age (Lifespan) | 10 years or more | 14 years or more |
| Cooling Technology | Fewer cooling technologies | More cooling technologies |
| Fridge Series | Three series (Regular, Profile, and Cafe) | No particular series, only types |
| Storage/Capacity | Good capacity, but less storage flexibility | Good capacity, more storage due to intelligent shelving |
| Innovation | Smart home integration (smart fridges) | No smart fridges |
| Price | Cheaper | Slightly costlier |
Comparing GE and Whirlpool Refrigerators
GE Overview
General Electric Company (GE) is one of the oldest multinational appliance makers, founded in 1892. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, GE serves customers worldwide.
Their refrigerator offerings include French door, top-freezer, bottom-freezer, side-by-side, and mini/under-counter fridges. GE is known for their SmartHQ smart technology, which offers a user-friendly experience.
Whirlpool Overview
Whirlpool Corporation, founded in 1911, is another prominent American appliance maker. Whirlpool is the parent company of various brands such as KitchenAid, Hotpoint, Maytag, Amana, and Consul.
While the company is headquartered in Benton Charter Township, Michigan, its market extends globally. Whirlpool produces a wide range of fridge styles, including French door, top freezer, bottom freezer, and side-by-side refrigerators.
Style
GE refrigerators are known for their stylish designs, featuring sleek finishes such as stainless steel that is resistant to fingerprints. The interiors of GE fridges include intelligent features like sliding and adjustable spill-proof shelves, dropdown trays, and storage drawers.
Whirlpool fridges may not be as aesthetically pleasing as GE models, but they also offer stylish options with fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finishes. The interior features of Whirlpool fridges include panoramic lighting, frameless glass shelves, dispenser night-lighting, and freezer-tier storage.
Reliability
In terms of reliability, both GE and Whirlpool refrigerators have improved over the years. While GE refrigerators previously had some reliability issues, they are now on par with other brands. Whirlpool enjoys a slight advantage in customer satisfaction ratings, but both brands offer readily available replacement parts and service technicians, making them reliable choices.
Age (Lifespan)
The lifespan of a refrigerator depends on maintenance and user behavior. Both GE and Whirlpool fridges are known for their durability. With proper care, a GE fridge can last up to 10 years, while a Whirlpool unit can last 14 years or more. Regular maintenance and responsible usage will help extend the lifespan of either refrigerator.
Cooling Technology
GE incorporates Turbo Cooling Technology in their refrigerators, which automatically adjusts the interior temperature to keep food fresh, especially after frequent door openings. Whirlpool offers various cooling technologies, including Accu-Chill, Quiet Cooling, Total Coverage Cooling, and Dual Cooling. These technologies provide features like faster food cooling, reduced noise levels, improved ventilation, and odor isolation.
Fridge Series
Whirlpool categorizes their fridges based on types (e.g., top freezer, French door, bottom freezer, and side-by-side) rather than series. In contrast, GE organizes their fridges into three series: GE Regular, GE Profile, and GE Cafe. GE Regular offers basic and budget-friendly options, GE Cafe provides high-end models with restaurant-quality features, and GE Profile sits in the middle, offering enhanced specifications. GE offers a broader range of options across different budgets compared to Whirlpool.
Storage (Capacity)
Both GE and Whirlpool fridges come in various sizes, offering small, medium, and large capacity options. GE fridges tend to have slightly larger overall capacity, but Whirlpool excels in maximizing storage with intelligent shelves, drawers, and gallon door bins.
If comparing fridges with the same capacity, a Whirlpool model will likely provide more effective storage space.
| Fridge Type | GE | Whirlpool |
| French Door Fridge | 20-25+ cubic feet | 19-27 cubic feet |
| Side By Side Fridge | 20-25+ cubic feet | 18-28 cubic feet |
| Top Freezer Fridge | 16-24 cubic feet | 11-21 cubic feet |
| Bottom Freezer Fridge | 20-25 cubic feet | 19-22 cubic fee |
Innovation
Whirlpool showcases innovation with features like Humidity-Controlled Crisper Drawers, Flexi-Slide Bin, Infinity Slide Shelves, Tiered Freezer Storage, In-Door Ice Storage, and Gallon Door Bins. However, Whirlpool fridges do not offer smart capabilities.
For those seeking a smart home-compatible fridge, GE is the better choice. GE French door and side-by-side fridges are equipped with SmartHQ mobile technology, allowing users to control the fridge using their smartphones.
SmartHQ enables functions such as receiving status updates, alerts, brewing tea, dispensing ice, opening the fridge, and adjusting temperature settings. In terms of innovation, GE takes the lead thanks to its SmartHQ smart fridge application.
Price
When it comes to pricing, GE and Whirlpool offer refrigerators at different price points to cater to various budgets. The table below provides a general idea of the price range for each fridge type:
| Fridge Type | GE | Whirlpool |
| French Door Fridge | Starting from $1,100 | Starting from $1,699 |
| Side By Side Fridge | Starting from $933.50 | Starting from $1,299 |
| Top Freezer Fridge | Starting from $549 | Starting from $549 |
| Bottom Freezer Fridge | Starting from $900 | Starting from $999 |
Based on the table, it is evident that GE fridges are slightly more affordable than Whirlpool options, except for top freezer units where the prices are comparable. In terms of price, GE offers potential savings of a few hundred dollars compared to Whirlpool.
Fridge Type (Door Style)
Both GE and Whirlpool offer a variety of fridge types, including French door, top freezer, side-by-side, and bottom freezer models. Let’s compare them in more detail:
GE vs. Whirlpool French Door Refrigerator
The main differences between GE and Whirlpool French door fridges lie in customer satisfaction, price, and capacity. While Whirlpool generally enjoys better customer satisfaction ratings, the situation is different in the French door category. GE receives a higher percentage of very satisfied customers (50.5%) compared to Whirlpool (46.4%). In terms of pricing, GE French door units start at $1,100, while Whirlpool units start at $1,699. When it comes to capacity, GE French door fridges offer a range of 20-25+ cubic feet, while Whirlpool models average around 19-27 cubic feet.
GE vs. Whirlpool Side-by-Side Refrigerator
GE and Whirlpool side-by-side refrigerators primarily differ in capacity and price. GE side-by-side units start at $933.50 and offer a total capacity of 20-25+ cubic feet. In contrast, Whirlpool side-by-side models start at $1,299 with a capacity of 18-28 cubic feet.
Whirlpool vs. GE Top Freezer Refrigerator
The key distinction between GE and Whirlpool top freezer refrigerators is mainly in capacity. GE top freezer fridges provide a capacity range of 16-24 cubic feet, while Whirlpool counterparts offer 11-21 cubic feet. Both brands start at a similar price point of $549.
Final Thoughts
When deciding between GE and Whirlpool, it ultimately comes down to your storage requirements, feature preferences, and budget. If you prioritize ample storage options, Whirlpool is the better choice, albeit at a slightly higher cost.
However, if you seek a refrigerator that seamlessly integrates with a smart home setup and are unable to invest in an LG or Samsung unit, GE is the more suitable option. Furthermore, opting for GE can also lead to some cost savings.
Overall, both brands offer reliable, user-friendly, energy-efficient, and durable refrigerators. Therefore, it becomes a matter of personal preference and individual needs when selecting between GE and Whirlpool.
