LG InstaView ThinQ GSGV81EPLD WiFi Connected American Fridge Freezer - Black vs InstaView ThinQ GSVV80PYLL WiFi Connected American Fridge Freezer - Silver — Comparison

The LG GSGV81EPLD (black, £1,599) and the LG GSVV80PYLL (silver, £1,249) share a 416-litre fridge, a 239-litre freezer and the InstaView knock-to-light door. They are not simple colour swaps, though. The black model carries an ice dispenser and a bottle-fed water dispenser, while the silver has neither, and the two differ on running cost.

The black is rated D with 280 kWh a year, against E and 352 kWh for the silver. It is also heavier at 144 kg against 118 kg, while external width and depth match at 913 mm by 735 mm. The silver has four freezer shelves against three on the black. In daily use the dispenser is the main difference: the black delivers ice and chilled water, but its water dispenser runs on bottled water, which reviewers flag as an extra running cost.

Buyers of the black praise the ice maker, the room for a family and the finish, though some find the ice-making noisy and the glossy front shows fingerprints. Buyers of the silver like the knock-to-light door, the deep shelves and quiet running. The black's extra weight of 144 kg means the delivery route and a firm, level floor should be planned before ordering.

Bottom line: choose the black GSGV81EPLD if you want ice and water dispensing and lower annual energy use, and can accept buying bottled water. Choose the silver GSVV80PYLL if you do not need dispensers and want £350 off the price.