X
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

Kenmore Elite 31633 review: Kenmore's massive washer tackles stains like a pro

Kenmore's Elite 31633 is the top-load washer you want -- if you can fit it through your front door.

Megan Wollerton Former Senior Writer/Editor
4 min read

I was pleasantly surprised by Kenmore's $1,530 Elite 31633 top-load washing machine. $1,530 is a lot to spend on a washer, so I expected it to have a lot high-end features. But the 31633 isn't app-enabled, it doesn't have a built-in sink or support a second, smaller washer in a storage pedestal below. Still, it's an excellent appliance.

8.5

Kenmore Elite 31633

The Good

Kenmore's $1,530 Elite 31633 washing machine (available at Sears for $915) has the best stain removal score of any top-loader we've tested so far. It also looks high-end and can hold twice as many clothes as your standard washer.

The Bad

The touch-screen-integrated control panel is very sensitive and it doesn't have an extra hot water temperature setting.

The Bottom Line

The Kenmore Elite 31633 is the best top-load washer we've encountered to date and it's on sale at Sears for just $915 -- a steal if you need a large-capacity model.

That's due in large part to its, well, large 6.2-cubic-foot capacity and exceptional stain removal power. In fact, the 31633 earned the best cleaning score of any top-load washer we've tested so far.

Bonus: Sears regularly marks down its appliance prices and the 31633 is currently available for just $915. Get the Kenmore Elite 31633 if you're looking for a family-sized top-load model that absolutely demolishes stains -- particularly if you can find it at its discounted price. If not, consider Kenmore's 29133 -- it also performed very well, but has a smaller capacity and costs a more reasonable $1,100.

Up close with Kenmore's Elite 31633 washing machine

See all photos

A truly massive top-loader

Wrapped in a dark gray metallic finish with a glossy black touchscreen display panel, Kenmore's 31633 looks like the top-loader of the future. A central dial lets you select among the 10 available cleaning cycles and everything else is accessible via integrated "buttons" on the display.

The controls actually work more like a phone touchscreen than actual buttons. At times they seemed too responsive, since you barely have to tap on the option you want to make a change. Alternatively, you have to hold the Start button for a couple of seconds before it will kick into action -- something you'll have to get used to considering the super-responsiveness of every other button.

The controls include basic settings like Wash Temp, Soil Level and Spin Speed, as well as advanced features like Steam Treat, Two Rinses, Fabric Softener and Accela-Wash -- an option that reduces cycle time by at least a few minutes (the exact number varies based on the specific cycle you choose).

There's no traditional clunky agitator taking up space inside the drum cavity either, just 6.2 cubic feet of space with a high-efficiency impeller-style agitator hanging out in the bottom.

Here's a look at the Kenmore Elite 31633 versus some other top-load washers:

Comparing washing machines:


Kenmore Elite 31633LG WT1801HVAKenmore 29133GE GTW860SPJMC
Price $1,530$1,150$1,100$1,200
Color finish Metallic, White (model #31632 for $1,420)Graphite Steel, White (for $1,050)Metallic, White (model #29132 for $1,180)Metallic, White (for $1,100)
Capacity 6.2 cubic feet4.9 cubic feet5.3 cubic feet5.1 cubic feet
# of cycles 1012913
Energy consumption 290 kWh/year135 kWh/year259 kWh/year152 kWh/year
Water consumption 15.6 gallons15 gallons17.7 gallons12.3 gallons
Dimensions (width, height, depth) 29.5 x 43.5 x 30 inches27 x 40.2 x 28.4 inches27.5 x 42 x 27.9 inches28 x 44.5 x 29 inches
Warranty 1 year, limited10 year, limited1 year, limited1 year, limited
Voltage rating 120V 60Hz120V 60Hz120V 60Hz120V 60Hz
App NoYes, Android and iPhoneNoYes, Android and iPhone

You start to realize just how massive the 31633 is when you compare it with other high-end top-load washing machines. Many washers hover around a 4.5 cubic-foot drum size and that's plenty big enough for a standard 8-pound load of laundry. Looking at the chart above, LG's WT1801HVA has a 4.9-cubic-foot capacity, Kenmore's 29133 has 5.3 cubic feet of space inside its drum and GE's GTW860SPJMC has a 5.1-cubic-foot capacity.

With a whopping 6.2 cubic feet in the Kenmore Elite 31633, you can literally double your laundry load and accommodate 16 pounds of clothes no problem. Got Laundry, a web-based laundry service says 15 pounds of clothes is roughly "8 T-shirts, 3 pairs of jeans, 8 pairs of socks, 2 towels, 2 sweatshirts and 1 sweater." That's a whole bunch of clothes -- more than you could comfortably fit in any other washer we've tested to date.

Note: Keep in mind that this washer has slightly bigger dimensions that your standard top-loader and its 29.5-inch width might not fit through every doorway.

Testing a washer

Check out the video above or this post to learn more about how we test each washing machine.

Here's the gist: We use stain strips coated in sebum (skin oil), carbon (mineral oil), pig's blood, cocoa (a mix of cocoa powder and milk) and aged red wine to see how well a washer removes stains. After the stain strips run through a cleaning cycle, we calculate the percent of the original stains that remain. The lower the percentage, the better the washer did removing stains.

Kenmore's Elite 31633 got the best score of any top-loader so far, with just 41 percent of stains remaining overall. Here's a rundown of the percent stain remaining by stain:

  • Sebum: 37 percent stains remaining
  • Carbon: 43 percent stains remaining
  • Blood: 35 percent stains remaining
  • Cocoa: 44 percent stains remaining
  • Red wine: 46 percent stains remaining

LG's WT1801HVA washer had 52 percent of the original stains remaining, Kenmore's 29133had 44 percent stains remaining and GE's GTW860SPJMC had 53 percent stains remaining. Only the $1,099 front-load Electrolux EFLS617S performed better than the 31633, which had 40 percent stains remaining.

kenmore-elite-31633-stain-strip-grid.jpg
Enlarge Image
kenmore-elite-31633-stain-strip-grid.jpg
Tyler Lizenby/CNET

We also measure how tough or gentle a washer is on clothes using mechanical action strips, or fabric squares with five prepunched holes in the shape of an X, like the 5 face on dice. After the strips run through a wash cycle, we count the number of attached, frayed fabric threads that measure at or over 2 millimeters long. The higher the number, the tougher the washer was on clothes.

Kenmore's 31633 had an average of 251 threads per wash cycle that measured at or over 2 millimeters long. LG's WT1801HVA washer had 243 threads, Kenmore's 29133 had 239 threads and GE's GTW860SPJMC had 230 threads. Considering how well the 31633 removed stains, 251 threads is much gentler than the Electrolux EFLS617S's 295-count of attached, frayed threads.

The takeaway

Kenmore's Elite 31633 is an exceptional top-load washing machine. Not only does it look nice, it also has all of the basic features you need plus a steam function. It has a massive capacity, too, which is great for large families.

I didn't love the sensitivity of the display panel's integrated buttons, but I got used to it over time -- and its top-notch cleaning performance more than made up for it. While it's a little light in terms of advanced features considering its $1,530 price, you can find the Elite 31633 on sale at Sears today for just $915. It's the top-load washer I would pick if I had a laundry room large enough to accommodate it.

8.5

Kenmore Elite 31633

Score Breakdown

Design 9Usability 7Features 8Performance 9.5