Kenmore 26132 review: This washer cleans better for less

Sometimes, you just want a simple washing machine that cleans well and doesn't have too many extras. If that sounds good, Kenmore's $830 26132 top-load washer could be for you. Here's what I like about it:

7.4

Kenmore 26132

The Good

Kenmore's $830 26132 washing machine has the best stain removal score of any other sub-$1,000 top-load model we've tested to date.

The Bad

Its small digital display isn't easy to read. The 26132 doesn't have a steam function or any other advanced features.

The Bottom Line

Look no further than Kenmore's 26132 for a solid stain remover that isn't bogged down by features.

• Simple, sleek display panel
• Good at removing stains
• It's regularly on sale at Sears, currently for just $640

The 26132 isn't the fanciest washer, but it's the best sub-$1,000 stain remover we've seen yet. If you're in the market for a top-loader, give Kenmore's 26132 a close look.

Kenmore's cleaning machine washes without protest

+3 More

See all photos

Getting to know the 26132

The Kenmore 26132 is identical to Kenmore's $950 27132 with two exceptions -- it doesn't have a transparent lid, and it doesn't have a steam setting (it also cleans a lot better, but we'll get to that later). See-through lids look nice, but they're purely a design feature. A steam setting boosts the wash temperature for a deeper clean of extra-dirty items. If that cycle is important to you, consider Kenmore's $1,100 29133 instead of the steam-free 26132.

Even without the transparent lid, the 26132 looks quite nice considering its low to midrange price. I just wish the digital display was larger because it's difficult to read from a distance.

Here's a quick overview of the 26132's specs versus other models that cost less than $1,000:

Can it clean?

Read this post for all of the gory details on how we test washers . Here's the short version: We run new stain strips coated in sebum (skin oil), carbon (mineral oil), pig's blood, cocoa (milk and chocolate) and aged red wine through three separate cleaning cycles. We then calculate an average of how much of the original stains are left. The lower the number, the better the washer did removing stains.

Kenmore's 26132 dominated the stain removal test, with just 46 percent of the original stains remaining on average. Here's how it did by stain:

• Sebum: 42 percent stains remaining
• Carbon: 51 percent stains remaining
• Blood: 32 percent stains remaining
• Cocoa: 53 percent stains remaining
• Wine: 55 percent stains remaining

No other top-load washer we've tested that retails for less than 1,000 bucks has scored such high stain removal marks. Kenmore's 27132 had 50 percent of its original stains remaining, Kenmore's 22352 had 48 percent, GE's GE GTW485ASJWS had 48 percent and GE's GTW810SSJWS had 50 percent.

During testing, we also run delicate fabric squares with five prepunched holes through the same three cleaning cycles. Afterward, we count and then average the number of attached, frayed threads that measure at or more than 2 millimeters. The lower the number, the gentler the washer is on clothes (using the normal cycle).

Here the 26132 had 197 attached, frayed threads. That isn't quite as gentle as the 27132's 187-count, but it's still significantly better than most washers, which typically clock in well over 200 threads.

Enlarge Image

A better washer

I highly recommend Kenmore's $830 26132 top-load washer. It doesn't have a bunch of features, but it nails the basics. It also performs better than any other sub-$1,000 washer we've tested to date. If you don't need all of the fancy extras, strongly consider the 26132 -- especially because it's currently on sale for just $640.