In the mid-range band, LG and Samsung are tied on WAC Score at 91 — but LG's 10-year warranty and beltless motor give it the edge for long-term value buyers.
In South Korea, the rivalry between Samsung and LG is not just a business story — it is a dynastic one. Samsung was founded by Lee Byung-chul in 1938. LG was founded by Koo In-hwoi in 1947. For nearly 80 years, these two chaebol families have competed across every major category in electronics and appliances. TVs. Phones. Semiconductors. And washing machines.
In the UK, both brands sit at the top of the market. Neither sells cheaply — Samsung has no budget models at all, and LG has just two. The real competition happens in mid-range and premium, where both brands field deep ranges of well-engineered machines and where most buyers in this comparison will be choosing.
Here is what our data says. We have scored 495+ washing machines across reliability, efficiency, features and value using our WAC Score system, drawing on 430,000+ verified customer reviews. The numbers are closer than most people expect — and the differences, when they exist, are specific rather than sweeping.
Why we focus on mid-range and premium: Samsung has no budget washing machines. LG has just two — not enough to make a meaningful comparison. The real rivalry is at £350–£650 (mid-range) and above £650 (premium), where both brands have deep ranges and strong data. We are honest about premium too — review counts are lower and we flag that clearly.
The brands at a glance
| Brand | Models scored | Avg WAC Score | Avg reliability | Avg features | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG | 83 | 69.3 | 82.9 | 75.9 | £299 – £2,099 |
| Samsung | 91 | 68.6 | 83.0 | 74.6 | £359 – £4,529 |
The headline numbers tell a story of near-total parity. LG edges overall WAC Score (69.3 vs 68.6) and features (75.9 vs 74.6). Samsung edges reliability (83.0 vs 82.9) — a difference of 0.1 points. These are not brands where one clearly beats the other. They are brands where the choice comes down to specific machines, specific tiers, and what matters most to you.
LG — precision engineering
- Higher overall WAC Score (69.3 vs 68.6)
- Direct Drive motor — belt-free, quieter, 10-year parts warranty
- Leads on features score (75.9 vs 74.6)
- 17 mid-range models, 9 premium — focused range
- ThinQ app for Wi-Fi connected models
Samsung — technology breadth
- Marginally higher reliability score (83.0 vs 82.9)
- ecobubble technology — effective low-temperature washing
- 26 mid-range models, 14 premium — wider range
- AI Energy features on Series 6 and above
- SmartThings app integration
Mid-range — where the dynasty is decided (£350–£650)
This is the main event. Both brands are deeply invested in mid-range and both have machines with strong review bases. Below are the best-scoring washing machines from each brand at this tier — one LG, one Samsung — so you are seeing the best each dynasty has to offer at this price.
The scores are close but the character of the machines is different. LG leads on overall WAC Score (80.2 vs 78.2) and edges features. Samsung leads on reliability at machine level (91 vs 87) — a meaningful gap — and is £30 cheaper. Samsung also has more than twice the review count (2,052 vs 834), giving it exceptional real-world validation at this price.
| Machine | WAC Score | Reliability | Efficiency | Value | Price | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG Y500 F4Y513WWLN1 | 80 | 87 | 90 | 85 | £479 | 834 · 4.8★ |
| Samsung WW11DG5B25AEEU | 78 | 91 | 90 | 83 | £449 | 2,052 · 4.8★ |
LG Y500 Series F4Y513WWLN1
13kg · 1400rpm · A rated · White
The highest-scoring LG washing machine in our mid-range data. A 13kg drum at £479 is exceptional for the price — LG is effectively giving you a large-capacity machine at mid-range money, which explains the strong value score of 85. The Direct Drive motor eliminates the belt-and-pulley system entirely, reducing vibration and the number of parts that can wear out over time. LG backs it with a 10-year parts warranty — covering motor, drum, and key components, not just the motor alone. Reliability scores 87 — strong at this price and well above LG's already-competitive brand average. The honest trade-off: a features score of 81 reflects a good programme set without steam or auto-dosing. This is not a machine loaded with specialist cycles — it does the core jobs very well. If 13kg capacity and long-term parts warranty assurance are the priorities, this is where LG makes its strongest mid-range move.
Samsung WW11DG5B25AEEU
11kg · 1400rpm · A rated · White
At £449 — £30 less than the LG — the Samsung WW11DG5B25AEEU is the most reviewed mid-range washing machine in our Samsung dataset by a considerable margin: 2,052 buyers averaging 4.8 stars. That review base is one of the strongest of any machine we track at this price point, and the reliability score of 91 is the highest of any machine in this comparison — and both machines now tie at WAC Score 91 overall. ecobubble technology dissolves detergent before the wash begins, delivering effective cleaning at lower temperatures and reducing energy consumption in real-world use. The honest trade-off: an 11kg drum vs the LG's 13kg, and a features score of 74 — Samsung focuses on doing the core wash functions extremely well rather than offering a wide programme set. If reliability validation and a lower price matter more than capacity, Samsung makes a very strong case here.
Mid-range verdict
Both machines now score 91 — tied on WAC Score. LG offers 13kg capacity and a 10-year warranty. Samsung wins on reliability at machine level (91 vs 87) and is £30 cheaper with 2,052 reviews. For large households who want capacity and the security of LG's 10-year parts warranty, the Y500 is the move. For buyers where reliability confidence and proven real-world performance are the deciding factors, Samsung's exceptional review count and 91 reliability score make an extremely strong case at £449.
Premium — above £650
Above £650, both brands have meaningful ranges — LG with 9 premium washing machines, Samsung with 14. Below are the best-reviewed machines from each brand at this tier. We are picking the machines with the strongest combination of WAC Score and review base, and we are honest about where the data is thinner.
| Machine | WAC Score | Reliability | Efficiency | Price | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG VX70 F4X7009TWB | 80 | 86 | 90 | £729 | 129 · 4.9★ |
| Samsung Series 8 WW90DB8U95GHU1 | 79 | 84 | 90 | £699 | 184 · 4.9★ |
LG VX70 Series AI Direct Drive™ F4X7009TWB
9kg · 1400rpm · A rated · Wi-Fi · White
129 reviews at this price: The LG VX70 has 129 verified reviews averaging 4.9 stars — a strong early signal but a smaller sample than we would ideally want for a premium recommendation. The score and early reviews are positive; we will update this as data builds. If you want maximum review confidence at LG premium, our data is developing well and points in a positive direction.
LG's VX70 Series brings AI Direct Drive to the premium tier — the motor uses AI to detect fabric type and automatically adjusts wash motion accordingly, reducing wear on clothes while optimising cleaning. Both LG and Samsung use Direct Drive technology at this level, but LG's 10-year parts warranty covers the motor, drum, and key components — a meaningful long-term commitment. Wi-Fi via ThinQ app allows remote control and cycle monitoring. The value score of 92 is the highest of any machine in this comparison — at £729 you are getting LG's flagship motor technology with full parts warranty coverage. Reliability scores 86, which is above LG's strong brand average. The honest caveat: a features score of 51 reflects a focused rather than expansive programme set, and at 129 reviews the data is still building. If AI Direct Drive engineering and LG's 10-year parts warranty are the deciding factors, this is where the dynasty makes its premium case.
Samsung Series 8 AI Energy ecobubble™ WW90DB8U95GHU1
9kg · 1400rpm · A rated · Wi-Fi · White
184 reviews at this price: The Samsung Series 8 has 184 verified reviews averaging 4.9 stars — the stronger review base of the two premium picks in this comparison, though still building. Both machines are at an earlier stage of data accumulation than we would ideally want for a definitive premium call. We present both with that context.
Samsung's Series 8 brings AI Energy and ecobubble to the premium tier at £699 — £30 less than the LG VX70. AI Energy monitors usage patterns and suggests more efficient cycles over time, while ecobubble delivers effective low-temperature cleaning. Wi-Fi via SmartThings app. With 184 reviews averaging 4.9 stars, the Samsung has the stronger review base of the two premium picks in this guide. Reliability scores 84 — solid but behind LG's 86 in this specific comparison. The value score of 90 reflects genuine premium technology at a price that undercuts its direct competition. If ecobubble technology, AI Energy features, and a £30 price advantage over LG appeal to you, the Series 8 makes a compelling case — particularly given its stronger review count at this tier.
Premium verdict
Both machines score closely (LG 90, Samsung 89) and both are still building their review base at premium. LG leads on reliability (86 vs 84) and has a value score of 92 — exceptional for a premium machine. Samsung is £30 cheaper and has more reviews (184 vs 129). Neither brand has enough premium review data for us to make a definitive long-term call — we present both with that honesty. What we can say: LG's 10-year parts warranty is a genuine long-term commitment that Samsung does not match at this level. Samsung's ecobubble and AI Energy make it the more technology-rich machine at a lower price.
Who should buy what
Buy LG if…
- Capacity matters — LG's 13kg mid-range machine is the largest drum in this comparison at that price
- Long-term engineering confidence is the priority — Direct Drive motor and 10-year parts warranty are genuine differentiators
- Overall WAC Score is the primary metric — LG leads at both mid-range (80 vs 78) and premium (80 vs 79)
- You want the highest value score at premium — the VX70 scores 92, the highest of any machine in this guide
Buy Samsung if…
- Reliability score is the deciding factor — Samsung leads at machine level in mid-range (91 vs 87)
- Review volume gives you confidence — Samsung's mid-range pick has over 2,000 reviews
- You wash regularly at low temperatures — ecobubble technology is genuinely effective at 30°C
- Budget within premium matters — Samsung's Series 8 is £30 cheaper than LG's VX70 at premium
Frequently asked questions
Is LG or Samsung better for washing machines?
In our data across nearly 500 scored machines, LG edges Samsung on overall WAC Score (69.3 vs 68.6) and features (75.9 vs 74.6). Samsung edges reliability (83.0 vs 82.9) — a difference of just 0.1 points. In mid-range, where both brands are at their strongest, LG scores higher (80 vs 78) but Samsung has significantly more reviews (2,052 vs 834). Neither brand is clearly better — they make different trade-offs that matter differently to different buyers.
Which is more reliable — LG or Samsung?
At brand level, Samsung and LG are virtually identical on reliability — 83.0 vs 82.9 in our scoring, both among the highest of any brand we track. At machine level in mid-range, Samsung's best-scoring machine leads on reliability (91 vs 87). Both brands use Direct Drive inverter motor technology at mid-range and above, which is the single strongest predictor of long-term reliability. The key differentiator is warranty coverage — LG offers a 10-year parts warranty covering motor, drum, and key components, while Samsung's warranty terms are more limited.
What does chaebol mean and why does it matter?
A chaebol is a large South Korean family-controlled conglomerate. Samsung and LG are two of Korea's most powerful chaebols — Samsung founded by Lee Byung-chul in 1938, LG founded by Koo In-hwoi in 1947. Their rivalry across electronics, appliances, displays, and semiconductors has defined Korean industry for nearly 80 years. In washing machines, that rivalry means both brands invest heavily in R&D and manufacturing quality — which shows up clearly in their reliability and efficiency scores.
Is Samsung ecobubble technology worth it?
Samsung's ecobubble dissolves detergent into bubbles before the wash begins, allowing it to penetrate fabric faster and clean effectively at lower temperatures. In our efficiency scoring, Samsung machines with ecobubble consistently score well. Whether it is worth paying a premium for depends on your washing habits — if you regularly wash at 30°C or below, the benefit is genuine. If you mostly wash at 40°C or above, the difference is more marginal.
Are LG and Samsung washing machines made in Korea?
Both brands manufacture globally. LG produces washing machines in South Korea, Poland, and other markets. Samsung manufactures in South Korea, Poland, and China depending on the model and market. UK models sold through major retailers are typically manufactured in Poland or South Korea. Country of manufacture does not significantly affect quality for either brand — both maintain consistent engineering standards across their global factories.
Not sure which is right for you?
Answer 5 questions and our data finds your perfect match from 495+ scored machines.
Find my perfect washing machine →