Nictemaw NI5573-10 Portable Washer Review
Our verdict
The Nictemaw NI5573-10 combines a 20 lb capacity with a 1300 RPM spin speed, stainless steel drum, and 10 cycles at $239.99. The 4.1-star average from 244 reviews is positive, and the feature set is legitimately competitive, though the 57 lb weight limits how portable this machine actually is.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Households of two or three people who want a fully automatic portable washer with a large drum, a durable stainless drum, and a higher-than-average spin speed.
Skip if
You need to move the machine frequently, have low counter or ceiling clearance (it stands 34.6 inches tall), or prefer a semi-automatic model at a lower price.
- Load capacity 20.0 lb
- Load type Top Load
- Form factor Ni5573-10
- Installation Freestanding
- Cycles 10
- Spin speed 1300 RPM
- Priced 41% above the category median ($169.99 across 88 tracked models)
- Load capacity of 20.0 lb - larger than 64% of the 88 models we track
- Cycles of 10 - higher than 64% of the 88 models we track
Our scorecard
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Owner rating4.1/5
4.1 average across 244 owner ratings
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Popularity2.4/5
244 owner reviews, fewer than most models here
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
- Load capacity
- 20.0 lb
- Load type
- Top Load
- Form factor
- Ni5573-10
- Installation
- Freestanding
- Cycles
- 10
- Spin speed
- 1300 RPM
- Operation
- Fully Automatic
- Controls
- Push Button
- Drum
- Stainless Steel
- Color
- Grey
- Finish
- Painted (Grey-Black)
- Dimensions
- 20 X 20 X 34.6 In
- Weight
- 57.0 lb
Overview
The Nictemaw NI5573-10 is positioned as a step up from basic portables. The 20 lb drum is large enough for a real household load rather than just a few items. Stainless steel resists the chipping and odor retention that can develop in plastic drums over time, and 10 cycles provide practical differentiation between cotton, synthetic, and delicate fabrics. The 1300 RPM spin speed is competitive: most portables in the $150 to $200 range spin at 800 to 1000 RPM, so the NI5573-10's higher figure means clothes exit the drum with meaningfully less residual moisture.
At $239.99, the price sits above the semi-automatic Giantex EP21684 ($149.99, 20 lb, 1350 RPM) and the Costway 24961-CYPE ($149.99, 20 lb, semi-automatic). Both of those handle the same 20 lb capacity but require manual intervention to move clothes between wash and spin functions. The Nictemaw is fully automatic, which is worth the price premium for buyers who want a hands-off cycle. The Avanti CTW84X0W-IS ($269.44) costs more but offers only 0.84 cu ft of capacity and earns a lower 3.7-star rating.
The machine's footprint is 20 x 20 x 34.6 inches and its body weight is 57 lb. That 34.6-inch height matches a typical countertop, so the NI5573-10 can slide under most counters, but confirm clearance before ordering. The 57 lb weight means once positioned, it tends to stay there.
Pros
- 20 lb capacity suits multi-person households for one or two days of laundry per cycle
- 1300 RPM spin speed is higher than most budget portables, reducing drying time
- Stainless steel drum is more durable and fabric-friendly than plastic
- 10 cycles match wash intensity to fabric type
- Fully automatic operation requires no manual cycle switching
- $239.99 buys more drum and build quality than the Avanti CTW84X0W-IS at $269.44
Cons
- 57 lb weight makes this washer far less movable than lighter competitors
- 34.6-inch height may not clear all counter installations; measure before buying
- 244 reviews provide a positive but modest dataset compared to top sellers
- No semi-automatic option for users who prefer manual control
- Painted cabinet finish may be less resistant to surface wear than plastic-molded bodies
Performance notes
A 20 lb capacity on a fully automatic machine means you load it, select a cycle, and come back to finished laundry. The 1300 RPM spin extracts enough water that clothes hung to dry will finish in a reasonable time. Ten cycles likely span normal, heavy, quick, delicate, rinse-and-spin, and a few temperature-based combinations. Fully automatic control means water fills and drains without user management, which requires both a supply hose connected to a faucet and a drain hose running to a sink or standpipe. The stainless drum is quieter in operation than plastic because it has less resonance at high spin speeds, though no official noise rating is published for this model. The 57 lb body provides stability during spin cycles, which is useful on uneven or soft flooring.
What buyers say
The 4.1-star average from 244 ratings is a genuine positive signal, though the review pool is relatively small. For reference, the Giantex EP21684 has accumulated over 15,200 reviews at a 4.2-star average, which is a much larger and more statistically robust sample. The NI5573-10's 244 reviews indicate a product with steady if moderate sales. The reported purchase velocity is low, which is common for higher-priced portable washers where the buyer pool is smaller by nature. Buyers who leave reviews appear to find the capacity and automation meet their expectations; the stainless drum and 10 cycles likely also contribute to positive outcomes.
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Frequently asked questions
Does the Nictemaw NI5573-10 require a permanent water connection?
No. It is a portable washer that connects to a standard faucet via an included hose adapter and drains into a nearby sink or standpipe. No permanent plumbing is required.
Can this washer be stacked with a dryer?
No. The NI5573-10 is a freestanding top-load machine and is not designed to be stacked. For a stacked washer-dryer setup, you would need front-load units designed for that purpose.
What is the difference between fully automatic and semi-automatic?
A fully automatic washer like the NI5573-10 handles all phases: fill, wash, rinse, and spin in a single connected cycle. A semi-automatic machine requires you to move clothes from the wash tub to a separate spin basket by hand before spinning. Fully automatic is more convenient; semi-automatic typically costs less for equivalent drum capacity.