For some people, the Frigidaire vs Whirlpool refrigerator clash is the new ‘Battle of The Titans.’ So, there are likely conflicting interests, making it rather hard for new buyers to make a choice.
Frigidaire refrigerators have a more modern look, offer more intelligent storage and food preservation technologies, and are quieter. On the other hand, Whirlpool refrigerators are more traditional, enjoy better cooling, and are more reliable, energy-efficient, spacious, and affordable.
Those are the basics that set the two refrigerator brands apart, but there’s more to come, as you’ll note from the table below.
You can differentiate the two fridge brands according to appearance, cooling, storage, food preservation technology, noise level, reliability, energy efficiency, capacity, and cost, among other factors.
To help you, I’ll compare Frigidaire and whirlpool refrigerators and highlight some of their everyday problems. But first, let’s jump into the brand overviews.
In a rush? Below is the comparison table I promised that differentiates the two refrigerator brands.
Frigidaire Vs Whirlpool Refrigerator Comparison
| – | – | Frigidaire | Whirlpool |
| 1. | Appearance | Modern sleeker look with lots of color options | Traditional, minimalistic look with limited color choices |
| 2. | Cooling Technology | Twin Tech and Even Temp | Dual Cooling, Total Coverage, Accu Chill, and Dual Evaporator (slightly superior to Frigidaire) |
| 3. | Storage Conveniences | More intelligent storage conveniences | Reasonably impressive but not as Frigidaire |
| 4. | Food Preservation Technology | Slightly superior, thanks to Optimal Freshness System | Reasonably good but not as Frigidaire |
| 5. | Reliability | Slightly less reliable than Whirlpool | More reliable owing to a high customer satisfaction rate |
| 6. | Capacity | Slightly smaller (11.6 – 27.6 cubic feet) | Marginally bigger (11.6 – 28 cubic feet) |
| 7. | Energy Efficiency | Energy-efficient (Energy Star rated) | Slightly more energy-efficient (Green Choice rated) |
| 8. | Noise Level | Quieter (however, gets noisy with age) | It can be slightly noisy |
| 9. | Cost | Slightly costlier (from $799) | Slightly cheaper (from $549) |
| 10. | Dispenser and Ice Maker | Controlled by one lever | Allows you to hold multiple dispensed cubed |
| 11. | Filtration System Location | At the back (in-door) | In the front (in the freezer compartment) |
Brand Overview
About Frigidaire
Frigidaire Appliance company, famously known as Frigidaire, is an American appliance maker founded in 1918 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Electrolux-owned company is currently headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.
Frigidaire produces various home appliances, including refrigerators, washers, dryers, freezers, air conditioners, ovens, dishwashers, and dehumidifiers. The company also manufactures air filters for their products and accessories for their various appliances.
In terms of fridges, Frigidaire makes different fridge styles, including French door, compact, side-by-side, top freezer, single door, and bottom freezer refrigerators.
You can get Frigidaire refrigerators for $799.
About Whirlpool
Whirlpool is another American brand that dates to 1911. The company was founded in Benton Harbor, Michigan but is currently headquartered in Benton Charter Township, Michigan, US.
Whirlpool makes various home appliances, including refrigerators, wall ovens, cooktops, microwaves, dishwashers, dryers, washers, water coolers, softeners, heaters, air conditioners, and air purifiers.
So, if you want an appliance brand with a track record of producing just about any home appliance, you cannot go wrong with Whirlpool.
As far as their refrigerator line goes, Whirlpool deals with French doors, under the counter, counter depth, bottom freezer, side by side, and top freezer refrigerators. Whirlpool refrigerator prices start from $549.
Frigidaire and Whirlpool Refrigerator Similarities
Frigidaire and Whirlpool are not just two of the oldest refrigerator brands but also have a lot in common, making choosing between them harder. Here are some things that make them inseparable:
- Fridge style – As highlighted earlier, both refrigerator brands make French doors, side-by-side, top freezer, and bottom freezer refrigerators.
- LED lighting – Both brands employ LED interior lighting, giving the fridge interiors a cool look and improving view and accessibility.
- Storage conveniences – The two brands offer lots of storage conveniences like pull-out drawers, in-door storage, and adjustable shelves, among others.
- Energy efficiency – Though their energy-efficiency ratings slightly differ, both brands make energy-efficient refrigerators that promise to cut down on your electricity bill.
- Crisper Drawer – Both brands employ humidity-controlled Crisper Drawer technology to keep your veggies and fruits fresher.
- Durability – With good maintenance, both refrigerator brands can average ten years or more, thus durable. They employ premium quality materials which boost their durability.
What Is the Difference Between Whirlpool and Frigidaire?
Generally, you can differentiate between Frigidaire and Whirlpool refrigerators based on the 11 factors below:
1. Appearance
Frigidaire fridges enjoy a modern, sleeker look and come in stainless steel finishes and different colors. Whirlpool fridges, in contrast, are low profile. They have a more traditional, low-profile appearance and are primarily available in stainless steel and white options.
Winner – Frigidaire (for being more elegant and sleeker)
2. Cooling Technology
Frigidaire is popularly known for its Even Temp and Twin Tech cooling technologies. Even Temp ensures no temperature fluctuation, which helps to keep food fresher. Twin Tech, in contrast, promotes consistency not only in the fridge but also in the freezer.
Meanwhile, Whirlpool is known for Dual Cooling, Total Coverage, Accu Chill, and Dual Evaporator. Dual Cooling isolates bad smells while cooling as Total Coverage promises maximum cooling throughout the fridge.
In the meantime, Accu Chill and Dual Evaporator promote cooling efficiency.
Winner – Whirlpool (for having more and better cooling technologies)
3. Storage Conveniences
Both brands promise lots of storage conveniences. Frigidaire, for example, offers Crisp Seal Crisper, which keeps your veggies and fruits fresher, door-in-door storage for easy access of foods, Custom Flex Temp drawers for temperature-controlled storage, and Gallon Bins for keeping oversized items.
Whirlpool also has Gallon Bins and indoor storage but the options are not as flexible or intelligent as Frigidaire.
Winner – Frigidaire (for more intelligent and flexible storage solutions)
4. Food Preservation Technology
These two brands take pride in their food preservation technologies, and picking a winner is hard. On the one hand, Frigidaire’s Optimal Freshness System promises maximum freshness, which is excellent for storing perishables for longer.
Other food preservation technologies by Frigidaire include Crisper Drawer and Quick Freeze.
On the other hand, Whirlpool also employs Crisper Drawer signature technology and FreshFlow Preserver for keeping veggies and fruits fresh.
Winner – Frigidaire (its Optimal Freshness System is superior to Whirlpool’s FreshFlow.
5. Frigidaire Vs Whirlpool Refrigerator Reliability
These two brands are among the most reliable fridge brands on the market. However, according to Wire Cutter, more customers are satisfied with Whirlpool fridges than Frigidaire.
So, that clearly shows that Whirlpool fridges are more reliable than Frigidaire units. However, while Whirlpool beats Frigidaire in customer satisfaction, it’s not the most reliable brand.
LG refrigerators seem to be leading the reliability chart, with 57.9% of their customers being very satisfied and only 3% being dissatisfied. Samsung refrigerators follow LG, with 40.8% of its customers being very satisfied, slightly better than Whirlpool’s 40.6%.
While it’s clear that those who are very satisfied with Whirlpool refrigerators are more than those who are somehow satisfied, the latter rate is higher than the former in Frigidaire.
It seems that most customers feel that Frigidaire could still do better even though they can’t really fault the brand.
Below is a table comparing the two and other giants.
| – | LG | Samsung | Whirlpool | GE | Frigidaire |
| Very satisfied | 57.9% | 40.8% | 40.6% | 37% | 27.1% |
| Somehow satisfied | 28.8% | 35.6% | 35.2% | 34.8% | 38.7% |
| Not sure | 3.3% | 3.1% | 7.5% | 9.4% | 10.3% |
| Somehow dissatisfied | 6.7% | 10.9% | 13.0% | 13.4% | 17.1% |
| Very dissatisfied | 3.0% | 9.6% | 3.7% | 5.5% | 6.8% |
Winner – Whirlpool (for having a higher customer satisfaction rate)
6. Capacity
Frigidaire refrigerators generally have a capacity of 11.6 – 27.6 cubic feet, while Whirlpool units average 11.6-28 cubic feet. That gives Whirlpool a slight advantage. And in terms of production volume, Whirlpool makes more high-capacity fridges than Frigidaire.
Winner – Whirlpool (for having more spacious units)
7. Frigidaire Vs Whirlpool Refrigerator Energy Efficiency
Whirlpool and Frigidaire are among the most energy-efficient fridge brands on the market. Both brands are energy certified to save you energy and costly bills.
The difference is that while Frigidaire is energy star rated, Whirlpool is Green Choice rated. That makes Whirlpool slightly more energy efficient than Frigidaire.
Winner – Whirlpool (for being Green Choice rated)
8. Noise Level
While both brands claim to be among the quietest on the market, Frigidaire fridges are more silent. The only problem is that they become noisier with age.
You will likely notice the fridge being noisy when it gets older, probably from overworking. But as long as the refrigerator is new and in good condition, it will run silently. Whirlpool fridges may be slightly noisy.
Winner – Frigidaire (for being quieter)
9. Frigidaire Vs Whirlpool Refrigerator Cost
Frigidaire refrigerators cost $799 – $3,849, while Whirlpool fridges retail at $549 – $4,199. So, it’s clear that Whirlpool has the most expensive models, but it’s also true that it has the cheapest options, making its units more affordable.
So, if you are on a budget, Whirlpool makes more sense.
Winner – Whirlpool (for having the cheapest refrigerators)
10. Dispenser and Ice Maker
The Frigidaire dispenser is on the outside door while the ice maker is in the freezer. Both components are controlled by one lever, which is different from Whirlpool.
Whirlpool ice maker and dispenser are in the freezer compartments, and the unit generally allows you to hold multiple deepened cubes.
Winner – No winner. It all depends on preference.
11. Filtration System Location
There is a clear difference in the location of the filtration system by both brands. Frigidaire Pure Source, Crisp Seal, and Pure Pour connect filtration systems are at the back. In contrast, Whirlpool’s Every Drop filtration system is in the front.
Overall, the location of the filtration system has nothing to do with performance. So, the choice is a matter of preference.
Winner – None, as the filtration system location is a matter of preference.
Frigidaire Vs Whirlpool Refrigerator Problems
Common Frigidaire problems include the water dispenser not working, the fridge not cooling, a failing ice maker, and noise when the refrigerator gets old. These issues are likely to arise after years of using the fridge, especially with little maintenance, but they are mostly troubleshoot-able.
Whirlpool units, especially its side-by-side refrigerators, also suffer a few issues. They include a failing ice maker or water dispenser, water leakage, and failure to cool or freeze. But just like Frigidaire, most of these issues are fixable with the right guide.
Is Frigidaire or Whirlpool Refrigerator Better? (My Verdict)
Generally, picking a winner of the Frigidaire vs Whirlpool refrigerator contest depends on several factors. If you want the most modern and quiet and an option with superior food preservation technology and storage conveniences, go for Frigidaire over Whirlpool.
But if you want the more reliable, spacious, energy-efficient, affordable, and overall good performer, go for Whirlpool.