If you’re looking for an affordable, simple front load washer, you’re definitely looking in the right place considering the Kenmore 41262. This washing machine has a lot to love about it, from its water and electricity efficiency to the stellar washing performance. You can expect a high performing machine that is easy to use from the Kenmore 41262, which is especially helpful as you won’t need to spend copious hours trying to get to grips with using the machine.
Buyers Guide
One thing that simply must be said, however, is that if you’re looking for a washer that provides you with a bunch of extra bells and whistles, you should probably look elsewhere. This is at its core a basic washer that is efficient, but you’re not going to get any smart home or Wi-Fi features with it.
With that being said, here are some of the key things that you need to know about the Kenmore 41262 if you are considering buying it.
Specifications
Washer Type: Front Loader
Size: 27 x 39 x 30.0
Capacity: 4.5 cu. Ft
No. of Cycles: 8
Wash Features: Express Wash, Bulky/Bedding
App Control: No
Energy Consumption: 90 kWh/year
Fit and Finish
Despite the fact that this is a very basic washer, the machine doesn’t actually feel that way. You don’t need to worry about the machine falling apart, mainly because it’s so easy to use and it’s so robust. It comes with a bunch of useful extra features too that make it really seem like a cut above the entry level.
Constant Freshness
Let’s face it - we aren’t all domestic gods and goddesses. You may not mention it to your mother in law or to your neat freak of a brother, but you’ve left your washing in the machine for a little longer than you should have before now, right? Thankfully you don’t need to worry about emerging into the office smelling musty, because the Stay Fresh feature that comes with this washer will periodically tumble your clothes for right up to 19 hours to keep them as fresh as they were right off the store’s shelf.
Powerful Motor - Do you want the power? You can HAVE the power with the Kenmore 41262. This washer has a pretty impressive motor that can spin as fast as 1300 RPM. Having a fast spin means that you can easily wring out any extra water from your laundry, which ultimately means that your clothes don’t need to stay in the dryer as long. Did someone say energy saving?
Smart Motion - The drum that’s inside of the LG-built Kenmore is actually able to complete five distinct motions that are made to evenly distribute water and detergent, in addition to bleach and softener.
Magnetic Stopper - A magnetic stopper is designed to stop the front loader from accumulating any nasty smells. Essentially, it holds the door slightly ajar so that the gasket can dry in between washes.
The Efficiency of Stain Removals
We’ve tested this machine to see how it performs when it comes to removing some tough household stains. After we thoroughly looked at how much of every stain remained afterwards, we were definitely happy with how this machine, which is pretty much entry level, performed when faces with proteins and tannins. It did have a little bit of trouble when it came to oil and sweat stains, however. As far as the wear of the clothes was concerned, the machine was hardly the most gentle on delicate fabrics but it also wasn’t excessively rough either.
The machine is also quite efficient as far as energy is concerned. We estimate that the yearly running cost of this machine is around $26, which is roughly $10 cheaper than your average front loading washer, and more than half as much as what it costs to run the average top loader.
Nothing is Ever Perfect
As we’ve already made it known, the Kenmore 41262 is certainly a great washer if you’re looking for an affordable entry level option that has a couple of tricks up its sleeve. With that being said though, there are a few issues with the machine that we feel need to be made apparent.
To start with, the machine does not have an internal water heater, which means that no high temperatures or Sanitize cycles are available to you. This may not be ideal if this is something that you require in a washer.
In addition to this, as we’ve already mentioned you won’t find any bells and whistles with this washer. One particularly frustrating feature that’s missing with this washer is that it doesn’t have smart connectivity, which is becoming a more and more common feature on washers that a lot of people simply cannot live without.
The biggest glaring flaw with the Kenmore 41262 however is the slower than average cycle times that it has. On a normal cycle you’re looking for it to take an hour and fifteen minutes. For a heavy duty wash, on the other hand, you’re looking at around two hours for the machine to complete the cycle. This is a problem as it’s almost twice as long as your average front loader that you can find online. The only wash that was efficient on time was the Express Wash which finished in 15 minutes, but this cycle wasn’t particularly effective at removing stains. If you would rather your laundry take as little time as possible (because let’s face it - most of us don’t particularly enjoy doing the laundry!) then you really would be better off looking at another option because you certainly won’t get that here.
Quick Summary
So, is it worth it to get the Kenmore 41262? Well, the answer to that ultimately lies in what you need from a washer, how much you’re willing to spend and what aspects are deal breakers for you. Of course, this washer is a fantastic choice for an entry level option. It provides great washing performance and doesn’t use a lot of water and electricity, which means it can save you a considerable amount of money in the long run.
Sure, this is a basic model, but it’s efficient and if you aren’t particularly bothered in smart features then it really is an option that you should consider. However, with that being said, you aren’t going to get connectivity options, such as remote monitoring or smart home features, and you won’t be able to sync this machine up with Alexa to check on your laundry’s progress. You also aren’t going to get some of the not-so-commonly used cycles such as Sterilize because there isn’t a water heater built into it.
What you do get are some other pretty cool features. One example of this is the Stay Fresh feature, which is ideal if you tend to have a habit of forgetting your washing is there and literally doing anything else except for drying your clothes in a reasonable time frame. You also don’t need to worry about musty smells penetrating the noses of everyone on the subway as you emerge because of the magnetic stopper that will hold the door slightly ajar, so your clothes don’t get musty.
As a whole, it really is a fantastic option for a budget front loader washer that you really should consider, if you aren’t deterred by the more negative aspects of the machine.
Features
- All controls are electronic and they tend to last longer than mechanical parts
- The washer is self cleaning which is especially helpful
- The washer pump and the channel are available from the front of the washer
- The machine is extensive so there’s no need to worry about pushing huge loads into a tiny barrel
Pros
- Impeccable stain removal
- A door stopper is fitter to allow the gasket to dry, meaning that your clothes don’t smell musty even if you leave them in there for 19 hours
- 15 minute express cycle
- Ideal for people on a budget looking for a suitable entry level option
Cons
- It takes a long time to wash large loads of laundry, which can be a bit of an issue if you have a lot of family and a lot of laundry to wash in a short time frame
- Does not feature an extra huge drum, a good quick wash or a Sanitize cycle
- Does not include any smart features