Why You Can Trust CNET Kenmore 27132 review: This costly washing machine isn't quite worth it
Kenmore's $950 27132 washing machine is priced too high for its minimal features and so-so performance.
Everything about Kenmore's $950 27132 top-load washing machine is middle-of-the-road.
Kenmore 27132
The Good
The Bad
The Bottom Line
- The 27132 looks fine, but the digital screen on its display is small and difficult to read
- This washer has a steam function, but fewer advanced options than GE's $900 GTW810SSJWS
- It performs decently well, but not as well as Kenmore's $720 22352 or GE's $650 GTW485ASJWS
The 27132 is ultimately tough to recommend given its average performance and lack of features.
Gettin' to know the 27132
While this $950 Kenmore top-loader has a standard white design finish, its LED status lights, transparent top lid and curved display panel give it a slightly more luxury look. The 27132 also features a high-efficiency impeller cleaning mechanism in its 4.8-cubic-foot bin. That's something you won't find on Kenmore's 22352 or GE's GTW485ASJWS, both of which rely on traditional agitators to wash clothes.
Want more details on the difference between impellers and agitators? Check out my washing machine buying guide.
Take a look at this chart for an overview of the 27132's specs versus other sub-$1,000 washers:
Comparing washing machines
| Kenmore 27132 | Kenmore 22352 | GE GTW485ASJWS | GE GTW810SSJWS | |
| Price | $950 | $720 | $650 | $900 |
| Color finish | White | White | White | White, Metallic (for $1,000) |
| Capacity | 4.8 cubic feet | 4.2 cubic feet | 4.2 cubic feet | 5.1 cubic feet |
| # of cycles | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 |
| Energy consumption | 169 kWh/year | 238 kWh/year | 152 kWh/year | 152 kWh/year |
| Dimensions (width, height, depth) | 27.5x37x27.9 inches | 27.5x37x28 inches | 27x44x27 inches | 28x44.5x29 inches |
| Warranty | 1 year, limited | 1 year, limited | 1 year, limited | 1 year, limited |
| Voltage rating | 120V; 60Hz | 120V; 60Hz | 120V; 60Hz | 120V; 60Hz |
| App | No | No | No | Yes, Android and iPhone |
As far as side-by-side comparisons go, Kenmore's 27132 holds its own pretty well. It may have one or two less cleaning cycles than the competition, but it has a larger cleaning capacity than Kenmore's 22352 and GE's GTW485ASJWS (due to its space-saving impeller).
But when you compare it directly to its closest competition -- GE's GTW810SSJWS, the 27132 loses appeal. GE's GTW810 has a larger cubic-foot capacity, two additional cleaning cycles and a related app for advanced automation. The GTW810 also has a larger digital display on its control panel, making it easier to read how much time is remaining on a cleaning cycle.
Cleaning power
To test a washer's ability to remove stains from clothes, we run fabric strips stained with skin oil, mineral oil, pig's blood, cocoa and aged red wine through three identical cleaning cycles. Then we calculate how much of the original stains remain. The lower the stain remaining score, the better the washer removed stains.
While the Kenmore 27132 didn't exactly botch our stain removal test, other models have performed significantly better. 50 percent of the 27132's original stains remained overall. By stain, that translates to:
- Skin oil: 45 percent stains remaining
- Mineral oil: 55 percent stains remaining
- Blood: 41 percent stains remaining
- Cocoa: 54 percent stains remaining
- Wine: 58 percent stains remaining
Kenmore's 22352 and GE's GTW485ASJWS both had 48 percent stains remaining overall and Electrolux's front-load EFLS617S had just 40 percent stains remaining overall. GE's GTW810SSJWS scored the same as Kenmore's 27132 with 50 percent stains remaining overall.
How this Kenmore stacks up against other washers we test.
We also test how gentle or tough a washer is on clothes by counting the number of frayed threads on fabric squares post-cycle. The lower the number, the gentler the washer was. Kenmore's 27132 did extremely well here with just 187 frayed threads. In contrast, Kenmore's 22352 had a 228-count, GE's GTW485ASJWS had 266 frayed threads and GE's GTW810SSJWS had 241 frayed threads.
This makes Kenmore's 27132 the gentlest machine we've tested so far, but perhaps its stain removal score would be better if it were just a little tougher on clothes?
Counting the number of attached, frayed threads on a piece of fabric post-cycle.
The washer for you?
Kenmore's $950 27132 top-load washing machine may be gentle on clothes, but that isn't enough to separate it from the competition. This model just doesn't offer enough in terms of innovative design, advanced features, optimal usability (make the digital display larger!) and overall performance to justify its midrange price. Consider GE's $900 GTW810SSJWS, Kenmore's $720 22352 or GE's $650 GTW485ASJWS before you buy the Kenmore 27132.