Why You Can Trust CNET Kenmore 41393 review: This boring washer brings more of the same
Kenmore's 41393 doesn't improve upon the LG washer that inspired it.
Modeled after LG's disappointing $1,100 WM3575CV washing machine, the $1,000 Kenmore 41393 is similarly uninspired.
Kenmore 41393
The Good
The Bad
The Bottom Line
With a cluttered display panel, poor stain-fighting power, and a confusing "Kenmore Connect" troubleshooting feature, I'd leave the 41393 off your shopping list. Take a look instead at the Electrolux EFLS617S and the Whirlpool WFW87HEDW -- both of these midrange front-loaders look and perform better.
More of the same
Kenmore is an appliance brand exclusive to Sears. Rather than manufacturing and selling original designs, Sears relies on refining and rebranding appliance models from other manufacturers. In this case, Kenmore used LG's WM3575CV as the blueprint for its 41393 washer.
The 41393 is a fine-looking appliance. Its gray finish feels premium, but you can also snag one in white for $100 less (that's model number 41392). And it offers 10 cycles and a 4.5-cubic-foot capacity -- that's plenty of cleaning options and space for most folks.
Take a peek at the 41393's main specs versus some competing washers:
Comparing washing machines
| Kenmore 41393 | LG WM3575CV | Whirlpool WFW87HEDW | Electrolux EFLS617S | |
| Price | $1,000 | $1,100 | $1,199 | $1,099 |
| Color finish | Metallic, White (model #41392 for $900) | Graphite Steel, White (for $1,000) | Chrome Shadow, White (for $1,099) | White, Titanium (for $1,199) |
| Capacity | 4.5 cubic feet | 4.5 cubic feet | 4.3 cubic feet | 4.4 cubic feet |
| # of cycles | 10 | 12 | 10 | 9 |
| Energy consumption | 90kWh/year | 90 kWh/year | 109 kWh/year | 85 kWh/year |
| Dimensions (width, height, depth) | 27 x 38.69 x 29.75 inches | 27 x 38.69 x 29.75 inches | 27 x 38.75 x 33.13 inches | 27 x 38 x 31.5 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 | Yes, Android and iPhone | No | No |
After a closer comparison, the 41393 has fewer cleaning cycles than the WM3575CV; it also doesn't come with a related app like its LG counterpart. You can use the LG washer app to listen to audio frequencies from the washer that sound like old-school dial-up internet. These sounds communicate troubleshooting information so you can try to pinpoint a specific issue without calling customer service.
No, the LG washer app isn't the easiest to navigate, but at least I figured it out after a little effort.
Kenmore offers a similar feature called Kenmore Connect that has no discernible mobile software component. KenmoreConnect.com doesn't help much, either. I tried the "Add an appliance" option on the site first, thinking that you could add a Kenmore-Connect-enabled model to your online account and then access instructions for the Kenmore Connect troubleshooting feature from there.
After selecting "Add an appliance," I was directed to a search engine that prompted me to enter the washer's model number. Unfortunately, the search tool never located the Kenmore-Connect-enabled 41393 washer I was testing. I even searched by keyword "washing machine" and scrolled through the entire list, but never found the 41393.
After a little more sleuthing, I learned that there's no online access to this feature. Instead, you have to call 1-800-4MY-HOME and speak to a representative. They'll ask you to press and hold the "Wash Temp" button on your washer's display panel until a "6" pops up on its digital screen. Soon after you'll hear the familiar dial-up internet sounds and the representative will ask you to hold the phone as close to the washer as possible so the troubleshooting data transmits to them.
Even LG's clunky Smart Diagnosis feature is a lot more accessible by comparison, since you simply have to download the app so it can "listen" to the transmission data. It's easier because you don't have to call customer service, but neither option is particularly streamlined.
Performance
To test washers, we look at two main things -- how well a washer removes stains and how gentle (or tough) it is on clothes. For in-depth details on our test methodology, check out this how we test washing machines article.
We use fabric strips saturated with sebum (skin oil), carbon (mineral oil), blood, cocoa, and wine to measure stain removal via a percent of stains remaining score. The 41393 didn't do well here. Similar to the LG WM3575CV, which had an overall stain remaining score of 52 precent, this Kenmore had a 49 percent overall stain remaining score -- not great.
By stain, that's:
- Sebum 52 percent stains remaining
- Carbon 55 percent stains remaining
- Blood 30 percent stains remaining
- Cocoa 55 percent stains remaining
- Wine 54 percent stains remaining
Considering that the Electrolux EFLS617S dominated with a 40 percent overall stain remaining score, the 41393's 49 percent really doesn't impress.
To score gentleness, we count the number of attached frayed strands on fabric squares that measure at or over 2 millimeters. The higher the number, the tougher a machine is on clothes. The 41393 had 254 attached frayed strands, the LG WM3575CV had 251 attached frayed strands, and the Electrolux EFLS617S was the toughest on clothes with 295 attached frayed strands.
The takeaway
Don't be tempted by the 41393's 15-minute Express Wash cycle -- this $1,000 washer just isn't worth it. Of course, it is on sale at Sears right now for $650. That discount does make the 41393's shortcomings seem a little more bearable, but other models with a similar MSRP perform a lot better. In particular, I'd look at the Electrolux EFLS617S. It costs slightly more at $1,099, but it's a worthwhile investment if you're looking for a solid midrange washer upgrade.
Kenmore 41393
