LAS VEGAS—When it comes to refrigerators, LG and Samsung brought their A-games to CES. Both had several refrigerators in their massive booths, but I was on a mission to find the top-of-the-line models.

In LG's booth, I spent some time with the Smart InstaView (above); over at Samsung, I checked out the Family Hub 2.0 (below)

In terms of features, these two refrigerators are pretty comparable: both have large touch screens on the front, and both sport cameras that let you see inside your fridge from an app. So, when you're at the grocery store and you're wondering if you have milk, you can just check your phone to find out. Pretty neat.

Eyes On: LG Smart InstaView Vs. Samsung Family Hub 2.0

On both, the touch screens serve as interactive bulletin boards for the home, letting you leave notes for family members or yourself. Both also let you browse recipes right on the screen, and they'll read those recipes to you, so you don't have to keep pressing on the screen with your dirty paws when you're cooking.

The webOS-based LG InstaView runs Amazon's Alexa digital personal assistant, and will do things like play music and tell you the weather. Those with Amazon Prime can place orders from the site, like groceries, using Alexa or add items to a shopping list. But you can incorporate any number of Alexa skills into the InstaView, and use it to request an Uber, set kitchen timers, and more.

LG also has a Windows-based InstaView that taps into Cortana.

Samsung's fridge also has voice controls—just say "Hi Samsung, play Pandora," for instance—but it taps into Samsung voice tech rather than Alexa.

Basically, if you're in the market for a tech-savvy refrigerator with all the bells and whistles, the InstaView and Family Hub 2.0 are both great picks. But if I had to choose, I'd go for the LG InstaView.

This is the LG SmartInstaview fridge that talks to you pic.twitter.com/OhzF9zTngZ — Angela Moscaritolo (@amoscaritolo) January 5, 2017

In terms of aesthetics—which, let's face it, is super important when you're picking any piece of tech, especially the focal point of your kitchen—I like the InstaView better. The whole upper-right door is basically a 29-inch screen. The Family Hub 2.0 also has a large screen, but at 21.5 inches, it's not as big as the InstaView's, and the interface looked a tad more cluttered.

Here's the Samsung Family Hub 2.0 fridge working correctly. #CES2017 pic.twitter.com/DTbC0T1ryF — Angela Moscaritolo (@amoscaritolo) January 5, 2017

Another issue: unfortunately, not all the Family Hub 2.0's fancy features worked as expected when I checked it out at CES. A spokesperson demoing the unit tried to pull up some recipes but was met with an error message saying the "All Recipies server is down." I understand demos don't always go according to plan: "death by demo," the apologetic spokesperson said. But, that's not a good look, and it made me question: if this is happening on the CES show floor, what's the likelihood of it happening in my home?

The Samsung Family Hub 2.0 fridge is having technical difficulties. #CES2017 pic.twitter.com/1mG2xNIPoe — Angela Moscaritolo (@amoscaritolo) January 5, 2017

One feature I did really like on the Family Hub 2.0 that the InstaView didn't seem to have is an infusing water pitcher. Located inside the left door, the pitcher has a compartment where you put sliced cucumber, strawberries, or any other fruit or veggies you like, which infuse into the water for a hydrating treat. You have to remember to add more fruit or veggies when necessary, but the fridge will automatically keep the pitcher filled with water.

Still, the large screen and Alexa integration help LG's fridge nab a spot on this year's PCMag Best of CES list.

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