The LG LRDCS2603S is a top-rated, large capacity bottom freezer refrigerator with modern amenities and a simple, no-frills design. The review gives you a detailed review of this storage champ.
The LG LRDCS2603S offers consistent cooling, straight-forward organization options, and plenty of ice. A successor to the LG LDC24370ST, this model doesn’t quite offer the same level of performance, but it is more affordable. The bottom freezer fridge also maintains the same dimensions, practical internal layout, and helpful features.
Before we look at how well the LG LRDCS2603S scores on dependability, function, looks, and value, let’s briefly discuss why one would choose LG over the many other refrigerator brands.
LG LRDCS2603S 25.5-Cu. Ft. Bottom Freezer Refrigerator Review
The LG LDCS24223S is a bottom freezer refrigerator with a total capacity of 25.5-cu. ft. With a drawer-style bottom freezer, the fridge dispenses the usual fancy frills like a water and ice dispenser through the door, opting for a basic yet functional and stylish design.
The fridge’s bottom freezer configuration places your frequently used fresh foods and beverages at eye level, meaning you don’t have to bend down to access them. Typically larger, this configuration also gives you the full width of the fridge to work with, which is ideal for storing large items like cake sheets.
Besides the contoured doors and stainless steel finish, the LG LRDCS603S has a fairly unassuming appearance. This is one of the fridge’s best attributes – a stylish look that’s hard to miss as soon as you step into the kitchen, but which doesn’t dominate the space. The classy, stainless steel finish nicely blends in and lifts the ambience in the kitchen without drawing too much attention.
The LG LDCS24223S stands out for its size, which is perfect if you are looking for more storage in both the fresh food and freezer compartments. At 33 ft. the fridge is quite tall. It is fairly wide too, meaning it may be a tight fit in a small kitchen. However, the reversible door does make it easier to find a good spot for the fridge.
Besides its large capacity, the LG LRDCS2603s refrigerator is notable for its drawer-style bottom freezer. More functional than the standard door-style freezers, this configuration allows for easier access to the freezer contents. It is also easier to stack and arrange items in a drawer-style freezer.
Inside the fridge, the advanced Smart Cooling system keeps things evenly chilled. The system is designed to react faster to temperature fluctuations, which ensures your groceries keep fresh twice longer than other fridges in the same class.
Construction
Modern refrigerators tend to be heavy on bells and whistles. While the fancy features are welcomed, it’s nice to combine that with a sturdy build quality, and a finish that does not stain and scratch easily.
By many people’s assessment, the LRDC2603s passes the build quality test. This model features LG’s PrintProof™ fingerprint and smudge resistant finish that easily wipes down with a microfiber cloth.
One area of concern are the fridge shelves. While it’s great that the shelves are designed to contain spills, they could have done with extra support. Without support brackets in the middle, the concern is whether the shelves will hold up under the weight of a full casserole dish, for example.
Freezer and Refrigerator Capacity
Though this is a beefy fridge, you will still be surprised at how spacious it is inside. The fresh food compartment alone has an incredible 17.2-cu. ft. of storage space.
Another nice feature of the fresh compartment are the two humidity-controlled crisper drawers for your deli meats and fruits and vegetables. However, if you buy a lot of fresh veggies and fruits, you may find the crisper drawer rather small.
The freezer is notable for its drawer-style configuration, but some will choose the model for its 8.3-cu. ft. of storage. A chunk of that storage is taken up by the ice bin. Even though it doesn’t hurt to have more ice on hand, you may prefer that some of that space was left free for more important items like meat.
Organization Options
The fresh food compartment has two slide-out shelves that make it easy to organize the fridge. But because the two crisper drawers take up so much space, it can look rather cramped in there. Removing a shelf would declutter the fresh food compartment and open up space for taller items, but it would also make some of the space unusable.
If the fridge compartment’s organization options aren’t as flexible, the easy-to-access door storage bins expand your options. Though not adjustable for height, the door bins are quite deep and have a slot for tall bottles. By the way, the fridge door is reversible, so there is no one way you have to organize the door bins.
One of the more noteworthy features of this refrigerator has to be the slide-out drawer freezer. The lift-out baskets and sliding drawers are user-friendly, making it easier to pack groceries and find stored items.
Do you prefer to have a good stock of ice on hand?
You get plenty of ice with this fridge, with an inbuilt ice maker and ice bin that takes up almost half of the freezer’s top drawer. The freezer also uses clear plastic bins and not wire baskets that have holes that small items may fall through.
Dimensions and Weight
With a height of almost 70 feet, a width of 34.5 feet, and a depth of 34 feet, the LG LRDCS2603S is a large fridge. That large frame delivers a cavernous 26-cu. ft. of space.
While you wouldn’t complain about the fridge being too big because of the space it brings, its large size makes it a challenge to bring it into the kitchen and position it in a way that the door can fully open. It is not a fridge for a small kitchen.
Because of its size, you may have to remove the door for the fridge to get through the front door of the house. The fridge also sticks out into the kitchen, so make sure there is space for the door and freezer door to open into.
Weighing 226 lbs when empty, the LRDCS2603S is heavy. As such, it can be a challenge moving it into position and when cleaning and rearranging the setup in the kitchen.
Installation and Maintenance
Installation becomes a headache when there is not enough space for the refrigerator. So, measure the space your fridge will live in before you buy it. Compare the measurements with the refrigerator’s dimensions, making sure to add an allowance for ventilation on the sides and back of the unit.
Another important consideration is the fridge’s proximity to a water source. Position the fridge where you can safely run a water line for the ice maker. Otherwise, installing the 25.5-cu. ft. LRDCS2603S is pretty straightforward.
Annual Energy Consumption and Temperature Control
All the fanciest fridge features pale into insignificance if the refrigerator can’t maintain consistent temperatures. While the LG LRDCS2603S lacks the superior performance of the previous generation model, it still delivers fairly consistent cooling in the fresh food compartment.
The digitally controlled Multi-Air Flow system has strategically placed vents that circulate cool air and sensors that monitor temperatures within the fridge. This ensures consistent temperature and humidity around your food, wherever it is placed in the fridge.
The steady supply of cool air extends to the door bins, thanks to the Door Cooling+ system. The effect is you get just as cool temperatures and humidity in the door bins and front of the fridge as in the deeper regions of the fresh compartment.
How much energy does all this draw? The total energy consumption for the refrigerator measures at 562 kWh per year, which is fairly efficient for the fridge’s storage capacity. It is efficient enough to earn the fridge an Energy Star certification.
It is also worth pointing out that the fridge is blissfully quiet, other than the times when the ice maker is filling with water. Another noteworthy feature that also helps save energy and space is the beautifully recessed LED light that illuminates the interior of the fridge and helps locate items with ease.
Ice Maker and Defrost Type
You could buy this fridge just for its generous supply of ice. The factory-installed ice maker produces 2.5 lbs of ice per day. For the ice storage, there is a large bin with the capacity to store 12 lbs of ice. On party days when you need a faster supply of ice, the Ice Plus feature speeds up production to ensure that every glass has a few cubes of ice.
The LRDCS2603S automatically defrosts, which saves you from the messy job of manual defrosting. The drawer-style freezer configuration itself would make manual defrosting particularly taxing.
Certifications and Warranty
LG refrigerators have a somewhat checkered record with their linear compressors. The company has in the past been forced to recall some fridges and settle a class-action suit over faulty compressors. The 10-year warranty for this model’s linear compressor shows that the company has worked on the issue and is confident the compressor will last.
The Sealed system is supported by a 5-year warranty for parts and labor, while the rest of the fridge enjoys 12-month warranty support, again for parts and labor. The Energy Star certification is an affirmation that the fridge will not blow your electricity budget.
Additional Features
- Easy-grab door handles. We like the stylish appearance and sturdy quality of the door handles. Chunky, with a curved design, the fridge door and freezer drawer handles are easy to grab and give the fridge a solid, well-built feel.
- Door alarm. While the young ones are usually the ones guilty of leaving the fridge door open, even adults do occasionally forget to check that the fridge door is properly shut. The LG LRDCS2603s refrigerator sounds a door alarm if the door is left open for too long. This helps prevent the loss of cold air, saving the fridge from having to use more energy to restore the internal temperature.
- Price. For the amount of storage it offers, the price of the LG LRDCS2603S compares well with other refrigerators in its class.
What Are Consumers Saying About the LG LRDCS2603S
People who have bought this refrigerator remark at how spacious the fresh food compartment is. Many owners rave about the deep door storage bins that expand organization options, including the bottom bin that has generous clearance for taller items.
While a few buyers bemoan the extra storage the large ice bin takes up, many appreciate the convenience of always knowing you have a steady supply and generous stock of ice for whenever you may need it.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Internal Capacity | 17.2-Cu. Ft. |
| Freezer Capacity | 8.3-Cu. Ft. |
| Total Capacity | 25.5-Cu. Ft. |
| Dimensions | 72″ x 38″ x 35″ |
| Weight | 226 lbs. |
| Annual Energy Consumption | 562 kWh |
| Shelves | 2 |
| Baskets/Bins | 2 |
| Ice Maker | Yes |
| Defrost Type | Automatic |
| Noise Level | N/A |
| Certifications | ENERGY STAR® Qualified |
| Warranty | 1-year limited |
Pros
- Great storage capacity
- Ice maker
- Comes with reversible door option
- LED lights
- LG smart cooling system
- Dispatch filtered water
Cons
- Expensive buy
- LG customer support is slow and unreliable
- Customers have received defective units
LG LRDCS2603S 25.5-Cu. Ft. Bottom Freezer Refrigerator
LG LRDCS2603S 25.5-Cu. Ft. Bottom Freezer Refrigerator
Additional Resources
How Does The LG LRDCS2603S Compare With Its Competitors?
The LG LRDCS2603S 25.5-Cu. Ft. bottom freezer refrigerator fares well against competing models on storage capacity, energy efficiency, and overall value. It offers more storage and a best-in-class compressor warranty without being too pricey.
| Model | Total Capacity | Annual kWh | Certifications | Warranty | Review | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG LRDCS2603S | 25.5-Cu. Ft. | 562 kWh | Energy Star | 10 years (linear compressor), 1 year (parts and labor), 5 years (sealed system) | Check Price | |
| Frigidaire 18.3-Cu. Ft. | 20.8-Cu. Ft. | 410 kWh | ADA compliant, UL listed | 1-year | Check Price | |
| Whirlpool 18-Cu. Ft. | 18-cu. ft. | 400 kWh | UL listed | 1-year | Check Price | |
| Samsung 17.6-Cu. Ft. | 17.6-Cu. Ft. | 448 kWh | Energy Star and CSA certified | 10-years | Check Price |
Is the LG LRDCS2603S the Refrigerator for You?
The LG LRDCS2603S is right for you if you are looking for an affordable, large capacity fridge with ample freezer storage but which is not heavy on fancy features. The fridge is also a good choice for keen entertainers who would rather make their own ice than buy it.
Why Choose LG
LG Electronics is a large Korean conglomerate that manufactures everything from home appliances, air conditioners, smartphones, computers, to vehicle components. The LG brand is synonymous with thoughtful, tech-forward design, and innovation.
Ever an innovator, LG pioneered the smart fridge and is today one of only a handful of brands offering production models that connect to the cloud, enabling all manner of smart home features.
The LG brand offers a full line of fridges for the residential market. These include top-freezer, bottom freezer, side-by-side, and French door models at different price points and feature sets.
Besides its lineup of reliable, beautifully designed refrigerators, consumers have long trusted LG for its strong customer support, a nationwide technical support network, and its appliances’ repairability.
FAQs
Refrigerators from LG Electronics are widely desired for their innovative features, reliable performance, and ease of repair. LG refrigerators have topped rankings in the J.D. Power 2019 Kitchen Appliance Satisfaction Study for three years in a row since 2019.
LG recommends waiting 24 hours for the factory-installed ice maker to start making ice. It takes anything up to 24 hours for the different refrigerator compartments to reach optimum temperatures.
The LG company says its fridges have a lifespan of 20 years, but independent experts, including those from the National Association of Home Builders, put the average lifespan of LG branded refrigerators at 13 years. That said, what ultimately determines how long a refrigerator lasts is how well you maintain it.
While both LG and Samsung refrigerators are highly regarded by consumers, LG edges its fellow Korean fridge maker for reliability. LG refrigerators are also easier to repair than Samsung fridges.
As well as offering more storage in the freezer and fresh food compartment, bottom freezer refrigerators are more convenient to use. The configuration places the more frequently used fresh groceries at eye level, where they are easier to reach.
