Kenmore water heater reviews are dominated by the post-Sears-bankruptcy era — what you read depends heavily on whether the review is from a pre-2018 customer (when Sears Home Services was reliable) or post-2018 (where warranty service has become inconsistent).
Pre-bankruptcy era (units installed before 2018)
Owner sentiment is generally positive. Kenmore units were State Industries or A.O. Smith manufacturing under private label — solid mid-tier residential tanks. Sears Home Services provided reliable in-warranty repair. Tank lifespans averaged 10–14 years.
Common feedback themes:
- "Same tank as A.O. Smith but cheaper" — true on price; equivalent on build
- Reliable performance — typical residential glass-lined tank reliability
- Decent recovery times
- Sears Home Services was a strength — single-source warranty
Post-bankruptcy era (units installed after 2019)
Owner sentiment is mixed-to-negative, primarily because warranty service has become unreliable.
Common complaints:
- Difficulty reaching Sears Home Services in many markets
- Long wait times for warranty parts
- Confusion about which entity handles claims (Transformco, A.O. Smith, Sears, etc.)
- Some buyers report needing to invoke the underlying A.O. Smith warranty directly
The tanks themselves are still well-built (same A.O. Smith/State manufacturing), but the brand-experience has degraded.
Reliability data
| Metric | Kenmore | Equivalent A.O. Smith ProLine |
|---|---|---|
| Tank life (typical) | 10–14 years | 10–14 years |
| Warranty terms | 6/9/12 year tank | 6/9/12 year tank |
| Annual service rate | 0.3 service calls/year | 0.3 service calls/year |
| Average price (50-gal electric) | $450–$650 | $500–$700 |
| Warranty path | Sears (variable) → A.O. Smith | A.O. Smith direct |
Which Kenmore tier to choose
If you do purchase Kenmore today, the 12-year tank tier is the best value — typically 30% more expensive than 6-year but 2x the warranty coverage. The 9-year is middle-ground but rarely the best value at the price.
Who should buy Kenmore today
Right buyer: existing Sears credit holder taking advantage of remaining promotions, buyer in a market with active Sears Home Services, someone who can independently verify the underlying A.O. Smith warranty path.
Wrong buyer: anyone who values straightforward warranty service, anyone in a market where Sears has no presence, anyone who could just as easily buy the A.O. Smith equivalent at similar price.
Honest verdict
The Kenmore brand was excellent value in its Sears era. In the post-bankruptcy era, you're getting the same tank as A.O. Smith ProLine but with a more complicated warranty path. Unless price is dramatically lower (it usually isn't), buy A.O. Smith ProLine directly instead.