The most important thing to look for in a washer is hardcore stain removal. And the kenmore 27132 review does just that, despite its surprisingly modest price tag. It was able to pull off an impressive 58% of sebum (that’s skin oil, for the uninitiated) and 68% of blood on its first wash. It even did a good job with beverage stains, though that didn’t quite match the best-in-class numbers for this category of machine (which, incidentally, are only about $300 more than this one).
What we liked most about this model was its design. Its highly discreet control panel stops it from looking like a prop from Sixties sci-fi and makes this model stand out in a category that tends to look a little bit like the washing machine equivalent of a butler.
This top loader also offers some other nice touches that make it a smart pick for a sub-$1,000 washer. Its StainBoost option and SteamTreat technology help to tackle tough odors and set-in stains without the need for pre-treatment. And its Deep Fill feature adapts water levels to optimize washing for bulky loads, so you can save money and time on re-washing.
The only area where the 27132 lagged behind our best-in-class scores is on fabric care. In our tests, it left more than 197 attached, frayed threads on the average garment, and almost all other machines in this category have fewer than that. Still, that’s a very minor quibble.
