Kenmore 2800

In general, front-loading washing machines fare better than top loaders in professional tests because they clean better while using less water and energy. The Kenmore 2800 top-loading washer, however, gets good reviews from both professionals and users. It offers a 3.6-cubic foot capacity, six wash cycles and a top spin speed of 800 rpm, which owners say gets out a lot of moisture.

This Kenmore washer gets good, though not outstanding, scores in one independent test of top-loading washers, and owners generally say the machine is quiet and a great energy-saver. However, some are dissatisfied with the washer's cleaning performance, saying some loads must be rewashed to get the dirt out. A few owners also complain that the washer is hard on clothes. According to these owners, the wash plate (the mechanism that keeps laundry moving in the tub) can cause clothes to become wadded, tangled and wrinkled. Overall, we found better reviews in this price range for the LG WT5101HW, which costs more but gets better ratings for cleaning performance.

The Kenmore 2800 is included in the latest tests of top- and front-loading washing machines at ConsumerReports.org. Each machine in these tests is rated on such factors as washing performance, energy and water use, noise level and gentleness to clothing. The washer also receives about 50 reviews from owners at Sears.com, the only retailer that sells Kenmore appliances. The 2011 Laundry Appliance Satisfaction Study conducted by J.D. Power and Associates offers impressions of the Kenmore brand as a whole.