logo for washing-machine-wizard.com
LEFT for washing-machine-wizard.com

Kenmore 500 Series Top Load 3.5 Cu ft

check mark

Product Overview

The Kenmore 500 3.5 cu ft washer has the capacity to wash up to sixteen bath towels in one load saving you time and money on your laundry. The Express Wash cycle will allow you to save even more time on your smaller loads by speeding up the wash cycle.


This washer will help you to save money on your utility bills by using 32% less water and 48% less energy to wash on a normal cycle. This is in comparison to top loading washing machines using the normal cycle.

Multiple wash cycles allow you to wash all of your fabrics that you have in your home including delicates. Automatic temperature control gives you a consistent temperature in your wash load for consistently clean loads of laundry.

The Kenmore 500 washer also provides an option for a second rinse ensuring that all the soap is removed from the clothing to help those with a sensitivity to laundry soaps and detergents.



check markPros x

Cons

• Large load capacity helps you to get more done in a shorter period of time

• Consistent temperature for a consistently clean load of laundry

• Multiple settings for all fabric care

• Efficient

• Simple to operate for every member of your household

• Energy savings saves you money on your utility bills
• Some users have noted a loud spin cycle

check mark

Final Thought

When shopping for washers and home appliances brand recognition and reputation go a long way.

Kenmore is a name that is known for high quality and durable home appliances. The
Kenmore 500 washer is a durable washer that should last you for ten to fifteen years. The cost of the washer in combination with its expected life make this one of the best values on the market.

The machine is energy efficient and will also save you on your utility bills. In tough economic times, savings in any regard is a welcome relief.

The machine is easy to operate and will get the toughest load clean in an efficient period of time.

The machine will also spin your clothes to near dry allowing you to save on the time in the dryer. The machine is a top loader which is the design that most people prefer in their washing machine.

Multiple fabric settings allows you to wash everything in your home from bath towels to your delicate fabrics. The cost of this machine is very inexpensive for a durable and well built machine. A good value for the money.

Take some time to determine where the machine will be placed and make sure that the Kenmore 500 will fit in your home. This washer is stylishly designed allowing you to place it just about anywhere in your laundry room.

Kenmore reputation in an inexpensive washer allow you to get the top of the line washer in this price range. Expect to have the Kenmore 500 in your home for a long time. It is built to last for many years. Giving you the best value on the market.


More Kenmore Washer Reviews

Kenmore Washing Machines Main Page

Washing and Dryer Reviews Homepage



Comments for Kenmore 500 Series Top Load 3.5 Cu ft

Average Rating starstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Oct 23, 2019
Rating
star
JUNK NEW
by: Anonymous

What a piece of junk..worse washer I have ever owned. Load doesn't stay balanced thus washer "dances" all over the floor. Clothes don't get clean and sheets bundle up and have to be washed again.. I've had this thing for almost a year and am highly disappointed in it. I would return it but Sears is no longer available, so I will have to suck up my loss and go buy something else. My recommendation: DO NOT BUY THIS WASHER"!!!

Jul 17, 2019
Rating
star
I'd rather shower with my clothes on NEW
by: Dick

Kenmore 500 series washers are crap Sears should be ashamed to sell this it takes long to wash it's loud sounds like a war zone and how do you wash clothes effectively without water you can't I'm better off showering with my clothes on quicker and cleaner I'm almost ready to drop it back off at Sears through the front door glass cause me head ache I pay it forward

Apr 09, 2019
Rating
star
Worst Washer Ever!
by: Anonymous

What are you smoking? There is nothing good about this washer except the capacity. It takes an hour and a half to wash a load. It cannot correct itself when it gets out of balance and thus does not spin out the water. Every load becomes unbalanced. We’ve adjusted balance, to no avail. I miss having an agitator. I wish I had my money back.

Apr 09, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
kenmore washer 500 series NEW
by: Anonymous

bought this washer 2 years ago. I thought it would be great larger, more opions for knob settings, Iwish I could throught it out the back door. Were to start it is VERY NOISY all you hear is a bunch of banging and sounds like tools or metal of somekind going around. Bad shaking dancing on floor hate the lid lock . Cant stand this washer. Would not buy.

Feb 18, 2019
Rating
star
water saver joke NEW
by: disgrunted

worst machine I have ever owned clothes come out full of lint and scum. Auto fill is like some one spit on your clothes, saving water with this appliance is a joke. Must run through full fill to remove scum after cycle is complete.

Jul 11, 2018
Rating
star
Kenmore series 500 he washer NEW
by: Anonymous

This was a total waste of money!! If you like wearing dirty clothes, this is the washer you need to purchase. A piece of junk!!

Nov 10, 2017
Rating
star
WORSE WASHER EVER NEW
by: Sharon

It is very noisy when it changes cycles, sounds like a truck switching gears. Also clothes come out VERY VERY wrinkled and tangled together. Clothes don't get as clean. I am very sorry I purchased this washer

Oct 15, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Kenmore 500 Series LINT! NEW
by: Gary

I don't understand why my clothes are covered in lint after the wash is finished. It is so embedded that it won't come out in the dryer.
There is apparently no way to resolve this from what I've read. I can't find a way to clean a filter if there is no filter.

Jul 29, 2017
Rating
star
Frustrating machine NEW
by: Anonymous

This thing twists your clothes up in knots and leaves a white residue on your dark clothes even with 2 rinse cycles!
We thought it was our detergent , but after trying several different brands we still get the white residue. I hate this piece of garbage!!!

Jun 20, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Stay away from belt driven machines NEW
by: Anonymous

Awful. Upgrade right now and don't waste your time on this washer. From what I gathered- The new models are belt driven and make a constant sensor noise even when full of just water. Wish they told me that before trying others. Maytag-whirlpool and kenmore (frigedaire) are all basically the same. Stay away from belt drive !!!

Jan 14, 2017
Rating
star
Worst washing machine EVER!!! NEW
by: Anonymous

I would pay to get my old washing machine back and have this junk smashed flat so I could stomp on it. Otherwise, I have no strong opinion . . . .

One hour and 12 minutes to wash one set of sheets;
clothes never seem really clean;
action has torn or damaged numerous items;
bottom line, slow, inefficient, noisy and totally worthless.

Keep fixing your old machine before you have to buy this thing!

Dec 26, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Fabric softener NEW
by: Anonymous

Can anyone please tell me how to use fabric softener in this machine???

Dec 16, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Horrible waste of my money NEW
by: Neva

This is the worst machine I have ever seen. It does not get soap out of my clothes and does not get them clean. I cant figure out how to get more water in the machine. It just does not put enough water to rinse soap. I should have just gone to laundromat. At least they work. It should be recalled.

Dec 16, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Horrible waste of my money NEW
by: Neva

This is the worst machine I have ever seen. It does not get soap out of my clothes and does not get them clean. I cant figure out how to get more water in the machine. It just does not put enough water to rinse soap. I should have just gone to laundromat. At least they work. It should be recalled.

Dec 16, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Horrible waste of my money NEW
by: Neva

This is the worst machine I have ever seen. It does not get soap out of my clothes and does not get them clean. I cant figure out how to get more water in the machine. It just does not put enough water to rinse soap. I should have just gone to laundromat. At least they work. It should be recalled.

Dec 16, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Horrible waste of my money NEW
by: Neva

This is the worst machine I have ever seen. It does not get soap out of my clothes and does not get them clean. I cant figure out how to get more water in the machine. It just does not put enough water to rinse soap. I should have just gone to laundromat. At least they work. It should be recalled.

Nov 15, 2016
Rating
star
SO SO SO Disappointed NEW
by: Anonymous

This is the worst washing machine ever!!! Takes forever and leaves detergent residue even after I use the 2nd rinse. So much for saving water!!! It tangles up the clothes and has stretched some of my things out of shape!!! I think they need to recall this machine and refund our money!!

Oct 21, 2016
Rating
star
It's a nightmare NEW
by: jones

Don't get it. Takes over 2 hrs for a normal cycle. No one tells you that when you buy how long is a cycle. The sensor keeps filling and rinse and drain and spin. even if you call Sears the 1st day They tell you that's normal. It's not and tell make like they don't speak english and don't admit the machine is defective... A nightmare trying to do only 1 wash!!!

Oct 04, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
junk NEW
by: Anonymous

wish we never bought it JUNK

Jul 25, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Worst Ever NEW
by: Anonymous

I wish I had read these reviews before we bought it. $500 down the drain is right. For 31 years my wife has always gotten our whites white and our colors bright now all our whites are dingy yellow and can only imagine how our colors would look if they were done right. We thought Kenmore product would be a good investment. What a mistake!
I think Kenmore should buy these back if they want to keep their good name.

Jul 23, 2016
Rating
starstar
Wish I'd kept my old washer NEW
by: Anonymous

We bought this from a Sears Outlet store so no manual. It took a while to figure out how to use it, but once I did I'm finding that it doesn't have any kind of lint trap!! WTF!! I have dogs and all it does is wash the dog hair, not remove it like my old washer did. When I compared some white tube socks washed in my old washer to the just washed & dried socks, the old washer did a far superior job of cleaning my clothes. This washer left my socks gray and dingy and full of lint balls that will have to be removed by hand to get the socks as clean as my old washer.
I downloaded the manual for this washer today and their solution to lint is to run 2 rinse cycles. I've been doing that all along so it truly isn't a solution. We did some research on the internet and found that washers no longer come with lint traps because most people use a dryer. I have a solar powered house and a clothes line so I don't use a dryer very much. Not only that, but all this extra lint will clog up my dryer hose which means taking it apart and cleaning it more frequently. All in all I wish that we'd spent the money to fix my old 1987 Whirlpool washer instead. I'm not saving any water because I have to do 2 rinses. I'm not saving money on power because this machine runs much longer. I can't do a house full of laundry in one day anymore. If I want to dry out on the line I have to do the laundry the night before and then run the 2nd rinse cycle as soon as I get out of bed in order to get more than one load of wash done in a day. This machine is a money and time waster. Do Not Buy it!! Heed the warnings from other reviews, do some research and buy a better washer if one exists. Better yet pay to have your old washer repaired and you'll save money in the long run.

Jul 20, 2016
Rating
star
DO NOT BUY THIS WORTHLESS machine NEW
by: Anonymous

What a sorry mistake I made cycles last long it stalls it's a waste of money

Jul 20, 2016
Rating
star
tears up clothes NEW
by: Anonymous

This Kenmore 500 sensing machine is the worst washing machine I have ever had. I want my old fashion on back!!! it spins the clothes so hard they are all tangled up. It has ripped a hole in two sets of sheets as well. Hate Hate Hate this machine !!!

Jun 28, 2016
Rating
star
Worst Machine Ever!!!! NEW
by: Anonymous

This machine is one of the worse machines I have ever used! No fabric softener. No bleach dispenser. Need to buy some sort of ball thing. Lousy spin cycle. Clothes DO NOT come out any dryer than my great front loader(Whirlpool Duet Sport). BUT they certainly come out all knotted together.
Noisy.
You might save on drying time but then you have to go and iron the items because their soooo full of wrinkles that DON'T come out in dryer.
Don't know the cost on this machine because it was in house when moved it (Thank God I didn't sell my front loader) but it went out the door not long after.

May 08, 2016
Rating
star
the worst-new NEW
by: steveAnonymous

I bought this washer and first found out it was loud, well I will deal with that. Here is the thing clothes do not come out clean. It is the worst washer,so I will never by Kenmore again. they should replace this product and stop selling this washer its terrible.

May 08, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Do not buy this NEW
by: Anonymous

Installed in December 2015multiple service calls, wrong parts delivered, for 4 weeks after it quit working correctly 8 weeks ago, service call 3 days ago and still not working. The unit and sears service are not acceptable.

May 04, 2016
Rating
star
I second that it is the worst washing machine NEW
by: sue montana

My daughter purchased this Kenmore 500 series set. She moved back home and brought it with her. We put it in place of my old machines. I have a farm and a huge family. I am an expert at washing clothes. If this was my machine, I would crush it with the bull dozer. Maybe take it to a Montana appliance shoot...
I concur with the last reviewer that the designer should be fired.

Problems:
1.IT DOES NOT GET CLOTHES CLEAN!!!
No way no how not even when I use the "deep wash cycle"
2. TAKES HOURS!!! how it that HE?

3. If you want to add something to the load you cannot. The lid locked and when you unlock it it drains out.

4. If you have one of these I suggest you break the little lock mechanism off the lid and stuff it in the hole it is supposed to go in and then run you cycle and you will see why nothing gets clean.

GARBAGE!!! shame on you Kenmore for selling this product. NEVER will I be a customer. Cant wait for daughter to move out so I can put my 10 year old MAYTAG back in place.

Apr 29, 2016
Rating
star
Ken more engineers need to be fired NEW
by: Kent Ledford

Worst washing machine we have ever owned! Will not clean properly. Clothes come out all twisted up. Cold water setting on and it gets hot water. If I designed this machine I would expect to get fired! I will never buy Kenmore again in my life. Takes forever to wash one load.

Mar 09, 2016
Rating
star
2 units broke within 20 months NEW
by: Tim UnKauf

I got two of these units and both had the gear boxes go out. One was 16 months and one 19 months of use, both out of warrantee. Service came out to offer a quote on repairing and it cost more than a new machine to fix so I wasted the $100 on this service call. I would not suggest this unit or spending the time to call a service request. If your unit is acting up just donate it and switch to another brand. I just read reviews, called Kenmore, and they said if I got the unit repaired it would be for life? Makes no sense! No more Kenmore for anyone in my family....

Dec 28, 2015
Rating
star
Horrible worst appliance I've ever owned NEW
by: TeriM

I absolutely hate this machine. The clothes come out dirty and it takes over an hour to wash a load. I wash everything in high water mode so at least my clothes get clean but then they don't spin dry properly and take extra long to dry. DO NOT PURCHASE this machine.

Nov 26, 2015
Rating
star
Dont buy this washer NEW
by: Anonymous

This washer is so loud and does not wash clothes good. I bought it 1 year ago. This is definitely junk! $500 down the drain!

Nov 12, 2015
Rating
star
The WORST washing machine NEW
by: Steve Szabo

This has been the WORST washing machine that I have ever owned for it being a Kenmore...It does not spin and drain the water out and will NOT do even a small load as it seems that the tub cannot handle the weight of the wet clothes...I have to always put it on to drain and spin after the full wash cycle has completed..I will NEVER own another HIGH EFFICIANCY WATER saving machine again..I will try and find one that still has the agitator and a powerful enough motor to handle any size load..Kenmore needs to go back to these models because they were the best that they ever made...

Sep 07, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Damn good machine NEW
by: Paul W

Bought this machine August of 07 now it's sept 15 and I have to say this is the best washer I have ever owned in my 64 years. It is very dependable maybe a little noisey but it is a work horse. When I moved I took it with me to my new house, before I started using it again it sat for six months fired it up and it ran perfect again.
It's a shame people give a decent machine all these bad reviews, I don't like Sears but this is a good item and so is the matching dryer.

Apr 29, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Very disgusted. NEW
by: Margaret

This machine is really a piece of junk. I now wish that I had kept my old machine. This new washer does not rinse properly. Some clothes come out with dry spots on them. Obviously never wet ! some clothes have soap spots on them even with 2 rinses.
Apparently these problems have never been corrected at the manufacturer, as I notice these complaints have been going on for years. How can I get a new washer from Sears?????

Jan 13, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Sorry I bought it NEW
by: Anonymous

Loud and every single load ends up out of balance on the spin cycle. Very dissatisfied!

Jan 13, 2015
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Sorry I bought it NEW
by: Anonymous

Loud and every single load ends up out of balance on the spin cycle. Very dissatisfied!

Nov 22, 2014
Rating
star
Junk Washer NEW
by: Augie

We bought the series 500 and it has been a piece of junk. It will not rinse right, leaves the cloths dirty and it seems that we have to double or triple rinse dark cloths. I wish I could take it back to the store and throw it at their door step.

Jun 17, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Help
by: Judi

I just bought a new fabric softener dispenser for my Kenmore Mod # 110.2690169 & it keeps falling off during the wash cycle. Any suggestions?

Feb 02, 2011
Rating
starstar
Repair Nightmare
by: G.Gibbons

Bought the washer in July 2010 and now less than 7 months (still under warrenty) it makes an aweful noise when aggitating to the point that for sure something is broken.

Called sears for a repair person since it is still under warrenty on a Tuesday and figured the next day or so a repair person would come out. Not true. Received a call the next day that the person could not come until Monday (almost 5 days). This is really unacceptable. Called complaint line no real solution. My thought is if it takes a week to get service then one of two things: 1) you are having too many calls for items needing repair (means sorry products) or 2) not enough service persons working.

We have bought from Sears for years and tried to buy locally because of the good products and service but I feel this was our last Sears purchase.

Oct 22, 2010
Rating
star
Won't rinse
by: Craig

I'm taking it back A.S.A.P. Machine won't rinse. If you unplug it and plug it back in, then turn it back on it will finish the cycle. I've owned kenmores for over 30 years and never had a problem right out of the box!!!

Apr 14, 2010
Rating
star
junk
by: Anonymous

I owned my kenmore 500 washer for only 2 years now. Today i am having to call out a repair man to fix the drian and spin cycle it seemed a good buy at first but it isn't worth the time if the washer is going to be broke after a year or two.

I called sears to have them come out and they wanted me to agree to a service man coming out for 125 dollars just to look at it and if that wasn't enough for them then they want to see my on paying 295 dollars to have them come fix this problem and then give me a one year warranty. personal i tought the kenmore and the sears name would have been putting out a better product then this.

Dec 02, 2009
Rating
starstarstar
Still wondering about it
by: Mack

I just bought the Kenmore 500 series Washer and Dryer about a week ago and i was having the same problems with the Cold and Warm setting as the other customer. I called the Sears help line and the representative told me that the reason why the Cold water kicks in during the warm setting and the warm kicks in during the cold setting is that the water is temperature control from a sensor in the machine. The (Tap Cold) setting will give you the cold water you want. I can not say to much about this yet since i just got it but hopefully it lasts awhile. I did notice that both the washer and dryer run a little loud but i don't mind it.

Nov 27, 2009
Rating
star
TERRIBLE WASHER/INEFFICIENT CYCLES
by: B. STELZER

Bought this washer for $400.00, good price, but not happy. Has 3 cycles, heavy duty, normal, delicate, water levels (5) good, water temp (4).

Thought these 3 cycles would be good and simple for my needs. But what I found out after using all the cycles, the agitation (which is very aggressive and loud) is the same for all 3 cylces! The only difference with delicate is it stops briefly then aggitates agressively. I am afraid eventually my clothing will be ruined by this harsh agitation for all cycles. Also, the warm temperature setting is actually "Cold" not even luke warm. So I have to wash everything either cold or hot, not good.

I am hoping to return this washer Saturday, and see what else I can find. Clothing and sheets are costly, and I take great care to make my things last and look good.

Thank You,
B. Stelzer
Stevensville, MD

Sep 13, 2009
Rating
star
You get what you pay for
by: TXLady

Purchased this machine 2 weeks ago. First thing, it washed a load, drained the water, spun, then stopped! No rinse! After some fiddling got it to finish the cycle. Works now! No true delicate cycle...same agitation speed for delicates. Agitates, stops, agitates again...not my idea of delicate cycle. After 2 weeks, am having problem getting washer to do warm wash--sometimes will, other times not! If I have Sears tech out and it's working, then they'll charge me outrageous service call price. If I return, the $75 delivery charge will not be refunded. Will cost me $75 to learn that I should have believed the reviews on Sears site. Suspect those people that were happy wrote immediate review. I did and now cannot change, add to, or write a new review!!

Jun 03, 2009
Rating
star
piece of junk
by: Lori

Bought this washer in may of 08 and twice, the fabric softener dispencer has flown off the agitator and busted. DO NOT BUY ANY WASHER WITH THIS FEATURE JUNK JUNK JUNK!!!!!!!

Mar 15, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstar
Performs well at an unbeatable price
by: Anonymous

After lots of looking around and comparing prices and energy savings I purchased my Kenmore 500 Series washing machine after owning a Whirlpool for years. Before that I used whatever was in my apartments after moving away from home.

My parents have always used Kenmore, and now I know why. Since making the purchase about 9 months ago I have been nothing but pleased. Upon delivery, it was easy for the deliverymen to install it, connecting all of the hoses and whatever other hardware they had.

The fit was perfect in my utility room with the matching dryer. I like the size because it accommodates large heavy loads and comforters while still maintaining top performance getting everything clean and fresh. The pre-wash does a very good job on items like throw rugs and towels, as well as articles that have a stain. I don't have to worry about the load no matter what cycle I choose to put it on. There are so many water levels to choose from than what I have used in the past. I don't feel like I am wasting water. This can add up over a period of time.

The dispensers for bleach and fabric softener are separate and far apart. The fabric softener dispenser is inside the agitator and releases the softener at the rinse cycle doing a thorough job of diluting in the water. I have always used dryer sheets until I bought this machine. Everything consistently comes out of the dryer free of static, soft and nice. I attribute this to the dilution and water distribution.

The rinse cycle is another important item. I never get any residue of laundry detergent or fabric softener. I have experienced this many times in the past and really hate the idea of having to run the rinse cycle again because it is so wasteful and is additional work on the machine.

The spin cycle could not be better. If there was anything I could change about the machine might be for the machine to be able to rinse the fabric soften dispenser during the rinse cycle so there is no residue after it is empty. Otherwise I am very happy with this washing machine and have recommended it to others. It performs very well at an unbeatable price.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Kenmore FRONT LOAD Washing Machines.





footer for washing machine reviews page