Amana NTW4516FW Washer Review
Our verdict
The Amana NTW4516FW is one of the most straightforward budget picks in the full-size top-load washer category. A 3.5 cu ft drum, eight cycles, and 44 dB operating noise at $588 make a clear case for small households who want a reliable, quiet machine without paying for features they will not use. The 700 RPM spin speed is the main tradeoff: clothes come out wetter than from higher-spin competitors, which means longer dryer or drying-rack time. For buyers who do not rank drying time as a priority, it is hard to fault at the price.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Small households of two to four people who want a full-size top-load washer with low noise, a simple feature set, and a price under $600. Good for renters and first-time appliance buyers.
Skip if
Skip if you need a spin speed above 700 RPM to minimize drying time, plan to stack a dryer on top (top-load machines cannot be stacked), or regularly wash large bulky items that would benefit from a 4.5-plus cu ft drum.
- Capacity 3.5 cu ft
- Load type Top Load
- Installation Freestanding
- Cycles 8
- Spin speed 700 RPM
- Operation Fully Automatic
- Priced 35% above the category median ($434.99 across 24 tracked models)
- Cycles of 8 - lower than 62% of the 24 models we track
- Spin speed of 700 RPM - slower than 100% of the 24 models we track
Our scorecard
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Owner rating4.3/5
4.3 average across 78 owner ratings
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Value for money4.6/5
$168 per cubic foot, below the category median
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Popularity2.7/5
78 owner reviews, more than most models here
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Storage space2.9/5
3.5 cu ft, roomy for this category
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other portable and full-size washers and dryers we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Specifications
- Capacity
- 3.5 cu ft
- Load type
- Top Load
- Installation
- Freestanding
- Cycles
- 8
- Spin speed
- 700 RPM
- Operation
- Fully Automatic
- Controls
- Push Button
- Drum
- Porcelain
- Noise
- 44.0 dB
- Color
- White
- Finish
- Painted
- Dimensions
- 29 X 46 X 28 In
- Weight
- 0.01 lb
- Voltage
- 120 Volts
Overview
The Amana NTW4516FW is a top-load automatic washer with a porcelain drum, eight wash cycles, and push-button controls. Its 3.5 cu ft capacity handles medium loads comfortably, including a queen-size comforter or about two weeks' worth of clothing for one person. The 44 dB noise rating is notably quiet for this price range, well below the 78 dB of the Avanti STW30D0W ($639.99) and below the level most buyers describe as noticeable in an open-plan living space.
At $588, the Amana is cheaper than the Avanti STW30D0W ($639.99, 3.0 cu ft, 6 cycles, 800 RPM, 4.1 stars from 33 reviews) and far below the Westland WFL1300XD ($1,178.49, 13 lb, 1 cycle, 1,200 RPM, 4.0 stars from 54 reviews). Against the Avanti, the Amana offers more capacity, more cycles, lower noise, and a lower price, with a better rating from more reviews. The Avanti's advantages are limited to its stainless steel drum and higher spin speed.
The 700 RPM spin is the Amana's clearest weak point. After an Amana cycle, clothes typically need a longer dryer run than after a 1,000-plus RPM machine. Buyers who air-dry or pay attention to energy bills will notice this over time. Porcelain drums are serviceable but can chip if zippers or metal hardware abrade the surface repeatedly.
Pros
- 588 price makes this one of the most affordable new full-size washers available
- 44 dB operating noise is unusually quiet for a top-load machine in this price range
- 3.5 cu ft drum handles medium household loads including queen bedding
- Eight cycles cover the main fabric and soil categories adequately
- Push-button controls are durable and easy to operate without a manual
Cons
- 700 RPM spin speed is low, leaving clothes noticeably wetter than 800-1,200 RPM rivals
- Porcelain drum can chip over time, particularly from zippers and metal fasteners
- 78 reviews is a small sample for drawing confident long-term reliability conclusions
- Zero reported recent monthly purchases suggests limited current sales traction
- No high-efficiency, steam, or sanitize cycles found in higher-end machines
Performance notes
A 3.5 cu ft drum fits a standard household load without overloading, and eight cycles give you enough variety to handle everyday items, delicates, and occasional heavy loads separately. The 44 dB noise level is the standout spec: most top-loaders in this bracket operate in the 60 to 70 dB range, where machine noise is clearly audible across a small apartment. At 44 dB, the Amana is closer to the ambient noise of a quiet room, which matters if your laundry space is near a living area or bedroom. The 700 RPM spin is the tradeoff. Post-cycle, expect clothes to be wetter than from machines with 800-plus RPM spin cycles, adding time in a dryer. The 120-volt connection requires no special wiring. Dimensions of 29 x 46 x 28 inches fit standard laundry alcoves. Porcelain is a workable drum material, but check periodically for chips that could damage fabric.
What buyers say
Seventy-eight reviews at 4.3 stars is a solid, if modest, sample. The average exceeds the Westland WFL1300XD (4.0 from 54 reviews) and the Avanti STW30D0W (4.1 from 33 reviews), which suggests the Amana performs well relative to its price expectations. Buyers at the $588 price point are typically not demanding premium spin performance, so the 700 RPM limitation may not surface as a common complaint. Zero recent monthly purchases warrants some attention, though it may reflect the listing's search visibility rather than product quality. Overall, the pattern points to a machine that meets practical expectations for its price without overpromising.
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Frequently asked questions
Does the Amana NTW4516FW include a warranty?
Amana typically backs its washers with a limited one-year parts and labor warranty. Warranty terms can vary by retailer, so confirm the exact coverage with your seller at the time of purchase.
Can the Amana NTW4516FW be stacked with a dryer?
No. Top-load washers cannot be stacked. If you need a stackable laundry pair, you will need a front-load washer. The KoolMore FLW-5CWH is one front-load option in this category that can be paired with a compatible dryer for vertical stacking.
How much quieter is 44 dB compared to other washers?
44 dB is roughly the sound level of a library or quiet office. Most top-load washers operate at 60 to 70 dB, which is more noticeable in a small apartment. The Avanti STW30D0W, for example, runs at 78 dB, comparable to a vacuum cleaner. The Amana is meaningfully quieter than most machines in this price range.