In this Amana NTW4516FW review, you’ll find all the information you need to decide whether this model is the right choice for you. We’ve covered everything from size and capacity, installation, as well as what users think of this machine. We also find out whether this machine is worthy of a place in our round-up of best top load washers.
The Amana NTW4516FW washer has a capacity of 3.5 cubic feet which makes it smaller than a lot of models on the market, but ideal if your household is small. The real selling point of this machine is its affordability, and you can pick it up for hundreds of dollars cheaper than some of the other models we’ve reviewed.
1. 3.5 cubic feet capacity
2. Costs around $494
3. Porcelain tub
4. Not Energy Star rated
5. Late lid lock for adding items
6. Made in the US
7. One-year warranty
8. Eight cycle settings
9. Costs approximately $19 a year to run
10. Maximum spin speed is 680 RPM
This washer is only available in white but there is a matching dryer available in either a gas or an electric model. Inside the washer, you’ll find a porcelain-coated tub that is gentler on clothing than a metal interior. There are two agitators that move the washing around in the drum, and while that’s good for providing a more thorough clean, agitators are also harsh on clothes and these types of machines often use more water than a model without agitators.
You can make use of eight different wash cycles on the Amana NTW4516FW and there are five different temperature settings to choose from. The late lid lock on this machine also allows you to add items to the wash just before the spin cycle starts - ideal for when you spot that stray sock after you’ve switched the machine on.
The Amana NTW4516FW won’t be able to give premium models a run for their money, but it doesn’t cost as much as those either.
Amana NTW4516FW: How big is it?
- Length: 27-inches
- Width: 27.5 inches
- Height: 42-inches
The Amana NTW4516FW has a 3.5 cubic feet capacity which makes it a good choice for singles living alone or two people, but if you have a larger household something bigger will be better, or you’ll find you constantly have the washing machine on in order to stay on top of your laundry basket.
To put it in perspective, you’ll need a washing machine with at least a 4.5 cubic feet capacity to be able to wash a king-size comforter. The exterior dimensions of this machine are pretty standard so should fit where your existing washer has been placed, but be sure to measure up just in case - and don’t forget to consider the machine’s height when the lid is open too.
Amana NTW4516FW: How easy is it to install?
As with many household appliances, this washer can be installed by a professional or many retailers offer a fitting service for an additional fee, however, with the right tools, you can also install this washing machine yourself.
You’ll need to make sure you have inlet hoses with flat washers because the washing machine itself doesn’t come with any. You’ll also need an adjustable wrench, a level, wooden leveling block, a measuring tape, and pliers.
Depending on your current setup, you can choose from three different water draining methods - floor standpipe drain system, wall standpipe drain system, or a laundry tub drain system. Installation is fairly straightforward if you have the pipework and a three-prong socket to plug the machine into.
The manufacturer will provide detailed instructions on how to connect the machine up. We’d recommend getting a professional in to install the washer if you don’t have any existing pipework.
Amana NTW4516FW: What’s good about it?
The Amana NTW4516FW’s biggest plus point is its price. This machine is regularly available for under $500, which is considerably cheaper than lots of the other leading models.
The machine’s drum is coated with porcelain to protect clothes during a wash cycle and there’s a delicates cycle. The water levels are automatically adjusted depending on how much you place inside the drum, but there’s also a deep water wash cycle for when you want a thorough clean.
Top loading washers like this one often have an agitator (a central column that rubs against clothing to clean it), however, the Amana NTW4516FW has two agitators that work together to moves clothes around the drum more frequently. This means you can expect a more thorough clean.
If laundry suds are something you regularly come up against, the Amana NTW4516FW has an extra rinse cycle for deep cleaning the soap from your washing load. Plus, this washer has auto-sensing technology meaning it only fills up the machine drum as high as necessary for the amount of laundry you’ve placed in there.
For those that prefer to buy products made in the US, you’ll be pleased to hear that this Amana model is designed and assembled in the USA.
Amana NTW4516FW: What’s not so good about it?
While it’ll be ideal for a single person or small household, the Amana NTW4516FW’s capacity won’t be big enough for family homes. It does have two agitators to clean your clothes with but this could actually be even more damaging to your clothes compared to a model that uses an impeller to spin the clothes around.
There’s a one-year warranty on this Amana model which is a little disappointing despite the reasonable price. Spinning your clothes at high speeds will rid them of excess water and decrease drying times so it’s a shame the maximum spin speed on this washing machine is 680 RPM - some of the leading models boast spin speeds of 950 RPM.
Some users might find the number of wash cycles limiting and there isn’t a quick wash setting. Finally, this machine isn’t as efficient as many other options on the market - something we’ll expand on next.
Amana NTW4516FW: How efficient is it?
Energy efficiency is becoming increasingly important to consider when you buy any new appliance, not only to help you keep running costs low, but also to reduce the impact each appliance has on the environment.
The Amana NTW4516FW isn’t a front runner when it comes to efficiency and it’s not Energy Star certified. It won’t cost you a fortune to run every year - it’s estimated at $19 a year, depending on where you live - but it’ll use more water than a high-efficiency model.
Top-load machines like this generally aren’t as efficient as one of the best front load washers and that’s because the clothing is submerged in a vat of water. Whereas front loaders use less water and instead clean the clothes by spinning them around using gravity.
Amana NTW4516FW: User reviews
This is a pretty popular model amongst users, scoring an average of 4.5 out of 5. Many note that it’s mostly quiet but the odd review noted that it could be a bit noisy when washing bulky items. Most importantly, users loved the performance, with clothes coming out really clean even on high efficiency, low detergent settings.
It's a smallish tub size so expect to do more smaller loads.
Lowe's reviewer
The auto-sensing feature is also particularly popular, allowing the machine to save water when the drum isn’t as full, helping to save on water bills. A few reviews did note that the auto-sensing feature didn’t always work for them, but this only seemed to apply to a small number of users.
Should you buy the Amana NTW4516FW?
The Amana NTW4516FW is a rather basic model that relies on more traditional technology, but it is one of the cheaper models on the market. The small capacity is likely to be a big drawback for large families or those that often wash bulky items, who may need to pay a bit more for that extra capacity.
It isn’t Energy Star certified so it could have a bit more of an impact on bills than other models, but the auto-sensing feature should mitigate some of the extra cost. Overall, it’s a popular budget model that does a good job without putting too much of a dent in your wallet.
If this model isn’t for you…
Not sure the Amana NTW4516FW is for you? We’ve reviewed plenty of other top-rated machines. If you need something with a large capacity, high spin-speeds and the convenience of smartphone controls, head to the best LG Smart Top Load Washer WT7300CW review.
If efficiency is high on your agenda, consider a model that is Energy Star certified such as the Maytag Bravos XL MVWB835DW or the Samsung WA45T3400AV washer.
