Kenmore 41182 Washing Machine Review

We prefer the Kenmore's user interface and lower sale price—we've seen the 41182 drop as low as $674 on sale, about $50 less than the LG. That's why we think this Sears-exclusive definitely has the chops to satisfy budget-minded consumers who still want a front loading washer.

To read our full review of this dryer's matching washer, the Kenmore 81182, click here.

Design & Usability

As the saying goes, variety is the spice of life

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Unlike most other budget-friendly white goods, the 41182 tries to buck bland design by adding a little color: The shimmery gray door isn't exactly a Keith Haring original, but gives the machine just enough personality to stand out.

As we said, the 41182 is based on the LG WM3050CW, and the essentially unchanged user interface has only a few major differences. This Kenmore includes a Whites cycle—absent on the LG. We also think Kenmore does a better aesthetic job of organizing the cycle list. A small green light turns on next to the active cycle, making it very easy to see which one is selected. Overall, the text is also larger and more spread out, so the entire console is easier to read.

Performance & Features

Good performance for the price

This washer retails at Sears for $675, a very good deal considering how well it cleans. It did particularly well against protein-based stains like blood and chocolate, thanks to smart cycle programming: Each hot water cycle would ramp up slowly from cold water, which prevents stains from "cooking" into your clothes, and is especially useful for a Whites cycle that incorporates bleach.

Still, the LG WM3050CW slightly edged out the 41182 in stain removal. However, the Kenmore used less water, and spun out more excess water during the spin cycle. That means your energy-hungry dryer won't have to work as hard, which will save you money and time.

Overall efficiency was aided by generally shorter cycle times compared to the LG. Delicates had the greatest improvement, shaving off an extra 10 minutes. The Normal cycle also ran a little faster, taking 59 minutes to complete.

Since it's an entry-level front loader, the Kenmore 41182 doesn't have a ton of features. The only one of note is a feature that we hope you never actually need to use: Kenmore Connect allows you to diagnose any problems with your washer via your smart phone. It's based on LG's Smart Diagnosis.

For in-depth performance information, please visit the Science Page.

A Budget Bargain

A good balance of price and performance

The Kenmore 41182 is a straightforward washer. You're not getting any fancy features like a steam cycle or an automatic detergent dispenser. What you're getting is a metal box that mixes detergent with water and then spins. That's all the 41182 does. Luckily, it does that pretty well, resulting in an overall clean that places this Kenmore ahead of the pack.

With a fairly low price tag at Sears, the cost to clean ratio makes this machine a bargain. Add in some impressive efficiency levels that will keep annual expenses low, and you've got one attractive washing machine. If you're in the market for a stackable front-loader that won't gouge your wallet, be sure to check out the Kenmore 41182.

By the Numbers

From the exalted to the lowly, every washer that enters our lab gets the same treatment. Each undergoes a series of empirical tests which ultimately determine the washer's position in our ranks, with cleaning performance and efficiency playing the most important roles.

Cleaning Peformance

For cleaning performance, we wash standardized stain strips intermingled with an eight-pound load made up of towels, sheets, and pillow cases. These strips are mechanically dyed with common household substances like red wine, cocoa, and dirt. When a cycle is complete, each strip is examined with a photo-spectrometer to determine just how much of the stain has been lifted.

The Kenmore 41182 had the most trouble with dirt stains, but did particularly well with protein-based ones. We attribute this to well programmed cycles that start cold and ramp up to warm or hot depending on the cycle. Overall, however, this washer exhibited middle-of-the-road cleaning capabilities.

Efficiency

Efficiency in our labs takes into account two factors: what goes in and what goes out. In terms of what goes in—water and electricity—the Kenmore 41182 is quite efficient. Based on average national costs and use patterns, we estimate a yearly running cost of around $33.

What comes out is wet laundry. The wetter your laundry is, the harder your dryer will have to work, thereby costing you more money. On average, the 41182 spun out 51% of excess water. The worst machines leave behind 75%, and anything that's at least around the 50% mark gets a gold star from us.