Amana Washer Model Guide: Which Is Perfect For You?

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Barry Juma

Barry began to teach himself to repair appliances as a teenager. In later years, his love of cooking led Barry to learn to troubleshoot kitchen appliances around his home. His background in education allows him to combine his love of repair work and passion for writing to bring the most helpful troubleshooting and repair guides to this site. He encourages appliance owners to plan ahead, think about their goals, and always read the manual!

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Amana is presently a part of the Whirlpool family after changing owners quite a bit in the early 2000s. Being a part of this family means that it now shares Whirlpool’s pedigree of reliability, which makes it a popular American brand.

However, Amana’s Achilles heel is its relatively higher prices compared to other brands. And, sadly, the company only has two washer models for sale at the time of writing this piece. So, your options are limited if you’re partial to Amana. Still, there are a number of good things about this brand that we’ll take a look at in this Amana washer model guide. 

In this article, we’ll break down the main features of Amana’s washers to help you identify the ones that are most important to you. Then we’ll take a look at the company’s available models before sharing a few alternative models to consider from other brands. 

Main Features of Amana Washers (And What to Consider)

Types of Washers

As we mentioned earlier, Amana has only two washer models for sale, at least at the time of writing this article. These are a top-load washer and a front-load washer. So, which one should you choose? We took a look at the main differences between front-loaders and top-loaders in this article, so do take a look. 

Still, here’s a quick breakdown of the differences between Amana’s top-load and front-load models, just to bring you up to speed.

Choose Amana’s top-loader if:

• You’re on a budget.
• You don’t like bending when loading the washer.
• You want a washer that’s easy to use. 

Choose Amana’s front-loader if:

• You want a large-capacity washer.
• You want to save water and energy.
• You can afford its higher price tag.

Available Sizes and Capacities

Amana’s front-load washer has a width of 27 inches, a height of about 39 inches, and a depth of about 31 inches. On the other hand, the company’s top-loader has a width of 27.5 inches, a height of about 43 inches, and a depth of about 27 inches. 

Make sure the washer you choose can fit in the dedicated space in your home. In the case of the top-loader, ensure that there’s enough space above it for the lid to open. You also need to leave a space of about one inch on either side of the washer for air circulation. 

In terms of capacity, the company’s front-loader has 4.3 cubic feet, while the top-loader boasts 3.5 cubic feet. Both of these capacities are ideal for a family as they can handle loads of 12 to 16 pounds. According to Maytag, this is about the weight of 15 bath towels. To be more precise, an adult’s complete outfit is estimated to weigh about 4 pounds on average, while a child’s outfit could weigh around 2 pounds. Use this to figure out the average weight of your daily or weekly loads. 

If you’re a family of more than three, consider a capacity of more than 3.5 cubic feet. Amana’s only option, in this case, is the 4.3-cubic-foot front-loader. If you’re set on getting a large-capacity top-loader, then check out the alternatives we’ve shared later in this article. 

Drum Material

Amana’s front-load washer has a stainless steel drum, while the top-loader has a porcelain drum. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of both materials.

Advantages of Stainless Steel Drums:

• Stainless steel is durable, making it ideal for heavy users.
• It is also resistant to stains, therefore, doesn’t accumulate odors. 
• They can handle high spin speeds.
• They can handle high water temperatures.

Disadvantages of Stainless Steel Drums:

• Stainless steel is more expensive than porcelain. 

Advantages of Porcelain Drums:

• Porcelain is more cost-effective than stainless steel.

Disadvantages of Porcelain Drums:

• The porcelain coating wears off over time, exposing the steel underneath, which then starts to rust.
• Porcelain absorbs odors, and so these tubs accumulate stains over time.
• Porcelain isn’t as durable and can’t handle high spin speeds as well as stainless steel.

With cost being porcelain’s main advantage, this material is an option to consider if you’re on a tight budget. However, other brands have washers with stainless steel drums costing just a few dollars more than Amana’s porcelain-tub model.

Consider Amana’s washer only if you’re specifically looking for an Amana top-loader. Otherwise, check out the alternatives section in this article for washer options with stainless steel tubs at around the same price range. Even if you’re paying $50 to $100 more, the extra cost is worth it, in my opinion, because you’re getting a more durable washer.

Agitator vs Impeller

Top-load washers can either have an agitator or an impeller. An agitator is a sort of post that stands at the center of the washer’s tub. This post rotates to rub against the clothes to remove stains. 

An impeller is a disc at the bottom of a washer, which causes clothes to rub against each other when it rotates.  Amana’s top-loader has an agitator, so if you prefer a top-loader with an impeller, you’ll have to look elsewhere. (Check out our alternatives later in this article.) 

What’s The Difference Between These Two? 

Check out this article to find out more about agitators and impellers. 

Amana’s agitator has a dual-action motion, which means that it has two parts that move independently in different directions. This action helps move clothes from the top of the tub to the bottom, resulting in a more thorough wash. 

However, the agitator takes up tub capacity, and it struggles to wash bulky items like comforters. 

Available Wash Cycles

The washer you choose should have wash cycles that match your loads. So, think about what you mainly wash and ensure that there’s an appropriate cycle in your preferred washer. For instance, if you have lots of comforters or even rags that you’ll need to wash, look for a washer with a ‘bulky items’ cycle. 

Here’s a table of the main washing cycles found in Amana’s washer models. 

Cycles found specifically in the front-load washer are quick wash, towels, whites, colors, wrinkle control, and sanitize cycle. 

The top-loader has a special cycle for casual clothes. Amana tells us that this is meant for clothes that don’t need to be ironed, like sportswear and some casual business clothes. 

Price of Amana Washers

Amana’s top-load washer model costs about $580, while the company’s front-loader costs $850. The top-load model costs almost as much as similarly specced models from Whirlpool, albeit a few bucks more expensive. However, at $850, you can get better front-loaders from other brands like LG, including models with smart features. 

Sadly, Amana’s front-load washer doesn’t offer value for money. I recommend checking out the alternatives we’ve listed if your budget is in the $800 range. 

Energy Use

Thankfully, Amana’s front-loader is Energy Star certified and, according to the model’s Energy Guide label, it uses about 123 kWh per year. This amounts to about $18 annually on electricity. 

The top-loader, however, isn’t Energy Star certified. However, since it doesn’t have a large capacity, it’ll only use slightly more energy than the front loader, at about 162 kWh per year, amounting to an annual cost of about $19. 

Warranty

Amana offers a one-year warranty on its appliances, and this includes the washers. Therefore, you need not worry about spending money on replacement parts or labor within the first year, as long as the damage isn’t a result of poor use. 

Amana Washer Models Overview

Selection Criteria

As you already know, there are only two Amana washer models for sale at the time of writing this article, so we’ve featured both of them here.

To give you a wider choice, we’ve listed four alternatives that we selected based on the following factors:

• The models are within the same price range as their Amana counterparts.
• They offer greater value for the same price or a few dollars more.
• They’re top-rated models. 

Amana Model NTW4516FW 3.5 cu. ft. Top-Load Washer with Dual Action Agitator

This is the only top-loader currently in Amana’s lineup, with a number of features that make it a popular model. But first, the elephant in the room is its porcelain tub. If you’ve read the features section above (check it out if you haven’t), you know why we prefer stainless steel tubs.

However, the use of porcelain allowed Amana to sell this at an affordable price of slightly below $600. Don’t get me wrong; you’ll still get a number of years of use out of your washer, just not as much as you would with a stainless steel tub. 

Negatives aside, this washer’s standout feature is its dual-action agitator (again, check out the features section above to learn about this). Granted, the agitator takes up some capacity, but, according to past buyers, it’s quite effective at getting rid of tough stains.

Speaking of the capacity, 3.5 cubic feet may be inadequate for large households, but this is more than enough for a household of three, or even four- maybe more people if you do your washing regularly.

To help handle larger loads, there’s a deep water option, which increases the water level to completely submerge the clothes. We love that this is an option that you can turn off, allowing you to save water when you don’t have a large load. This is certainly a good Amana washer; the thousands of positive reviews are proof of its proficiency. 

Main Features

• This Amana top-load washer has a capacity of 3.5 cubic feet.
• It has a dual-action agitator.
• There are eight wash cycles.
• The washer has a Deep Water Wash Option.
• There’s an Extra Rinse Option for a more thorough rinse.
• It has a porcelain tub.

Pros:

• This washer is affordable.
• It is simple to operate.
• It has a self-clean cycle that eliminates mold and bad odors.
• The dual-action agitator is effective at removing stubborn stains.
• The washer doesn’t use a lot of electricity even though it isn’t Energy Star certified.

Cons:

• The porcelain tub isn’t as durable as stainless steel.

Amana Model NFW5800HW 4.3 cu. ft. Front-Load Washer

If you’re looking for an Amana front-loader, this is, sadly, the only option you get. Costing about $850, it’s also not a cheap washer, but is it worth the price? Let’s start with the bad news: there are no smart features. At this price point, other brands (check them out below) offer WiFi connectivity and all the convenience that comes with it. This is a feature that, in my opinion, is handy to have even if you won’t use it that much. But that’s just me! 

Still, there are a lot of positive things about this washer. First, it is Energy Star certified, assuring you of electricity savings. Actually, according to its Energy Guide label, you’ll spend about $18 on energy annually, which isn’t too shabby! 

Its 4.3-cubic-foot capacity is perfect for a family, and its 14 wash cycles can handle different load sizes and soil levels. A popular cycle is Quick Wash, which is ideal for a small load of up to four garments. You can also use the Sanitize cycle with Oxi, which kills, according to Amana, 99.9% of bacteria.

Main Features

• This Amana front-load washer has a capacity of 4.3 cubic feet.
• It has a stainless steel drum.
• It’s Energy Star certified.
• There are 14 wash cycles.
• The washer has a Sanitize cycle that uses an oxi additive.

Pros:

• It uses little energy resulting in savings on electricity.
• The sanitize cycle is great for those with kids.
• You can use the Quick Wash cycle if you have few items to wash.

Cons:

• There are no smart features.

Alternatives to Amana Washer Models

Whirlpool Model: WTW4855HW 3.8 cu.ft Top Load Washer

If you’re looking for an alternative to the Amana top loader, consider this Whirlpool option that, in all respects, is an upgrade to Amana’s option. It has a slightly larger capacity, measuring 3.8 cubic feet. This model has an agitator, one that Whirlpool calls a 360 Wash Agitator that does more or less what Amana’s dual-motion agitator does. This means that it offers an equally thorough clean. Actually, Whirlpool also calls it a two-way wash agitator as the top section moves in a different direction from the bottom section.

This washer offers 12 wash cycles, among them being a Quick Wash cycle that completes its job within just 30 minutes. And just like in the Amana washer, there’s a self-clean cycle that Whirlpool recommends to run after every 30 washes. 

Unlike the Amana top-loader, this Whirlpool alternative offers a stainless steel tub, making it a better option. However, you’ll have to pay about $60 more for this one. Still, it’s worth the extra cost. 

Main Features

• This washer has a capacity of 3.8 cubic feet.
• There’s a two-way wash agitator.
• It has 12 wash cycles.
• This Whirlpool washer has a stainless steel tub.
• There’s a self-clean cycle that uses an Affresh cleaner tablet. 

To find out more about Whirlpool’s washer models, check out this guide.

GE Model GTW335ASNWW 4.2 Cu. Ft. Capacity Washer

For an extra $90, you can choose this GE top-loader over the Amana top-load model. This one offers a much larger capacity of 4.2 cubic feet as well as what GE calls a heavy-duty agitator. In fact, according to past customers, this agitator does an excellent job at cleaning heavy loads. To help handle varied load sizes and soil levels, there are 11 wash cycles as well as a deep rinse feature that rinses clothes with extra thoroughness. There’s also a deep clean cycle for heavily soiled loads. 

Unlike Amana’s washer, this one has a stainless steel drum that boasts greater durability than porcelain. If you’re able to stretch your budget a little bit, then this is a worthy alternative to the Amana top-load washer. 

Main Features

• This GE washer has a capacity of 4.2 cubic feet.
• It has a stainless steel drum.
• There’s a heavy-duty agitator.
• The washer can handle a top spin speed of 700 RPM.
• This washer has 11 wash cycles.
• There’s a deep clean cycle meant for heavily soiled loads.
• It has an automatic bleach and fabric softener dispenser.

Learn more about GE’s washer models in this guide.

LG Model WM3600HWA 4.5 cu. ft. Ultra Large Capacity Smart WiFi Enabled Front Load Washer

Before you settle on Amana’s front-load washer, consider the one from LG, a popular brand that’s known for its reliability. This LG washer makes a compelling case for itself, first by selling at a lower price than Amana’s option, coming in at $800 as opposed to Amana’s $850. 

This LG model has a capacity of 4.5 cubic feet, slightly more spacious than what Amana’s model has. LG tells us that it can handle a load of up to 20 lbs. 

There are also a number of fancy features like WiFi connectivity, which connects the washer to LG’s ThinQ ecosystem. This means that you can operate the washer using your smartphone, monitor the cycle, and get notifications at the end of cycles. 

Moreover, this washer has a built-in AI tech that helps you choose the ideal wash settings for your load. Finally, this LG washer looks more stylish than Amana’s model, but that’s a matter of preference. Whatever the case, you get more value for money from this model and the benefit of owning a highly rated washer by Consumer Reports.

Main Features

• The LG WM3600HWA has a capacity of 4.5 cubic feet.
• It is WiFi-enabled and can be operated via your smartphone, on the LG ThinQ app.
• It has built-in AI that helps to select the ideal wash settings.
• This washer has a steam-cleaning cycle.
• It is Energy Star certified.

Check out this guide to find out more about the LG washer models.

Samsung Model WF45R6100AC/US 4.5 cu. ft. Front Load Washer

Samsung’s front loader, the WF45R6100AC/US model, no doubt looks fancier than Amana’s model. Despite looking more expensive, it actually costs over $100 less, selling at about $730 at the time of writing this article. There are three color options: platinum, champagne, and white – the champagne model is my favorite, just so you know. 

This Samsung washer has a capacity of 4.5 cubic feet, with a stainless steel drum inside. Its standout feature is VRT Plus (Vibration Reduction Technology) which keeps its noise level at a minimum. In fact, past customers say that it’s so quiet that you’ll hardly know it’s working when you’re in a different room. 

There’s a self-cleaning feature, known as Self Clean+, that alerts you to run it after every 40 washes. Sadly, this Samsung washer doesn’t have advanced smart features. What it does have is Smart Care, which enables you to troubleshoot any issues via the Samsung Smart Washer app. 

This washer is a highly efficient appliance, having earned an Energy Star certification as well as a CEE Tier 2 rating. 

Main Features

• This Samsung washer has a capacity of 4.5 cubic feet.
• It has a steam-cleaning feature.
• There’s a self-cleaning function that’s run after every 40 washes.
• It has VRT Plus tech that lowers noise levels.
• The washer is Energy Star certified and it has a CEE Tier 2 rating.

Find out more about Samsung’s washer models in this guide.

FAQs

Takeaways

Amana has a limited number of washers, but perhaps there’ll be more options in stock later. However, going by their lineup at the time of writing this piece, you may not be satisfied with what they have if you’re looking for a top-loader with a stainless steel tub or a front-loader with smart features. 

Their front-loader, particularly, doesn’t offer value for money, costing almost $850 but offering fewer features than LG and Samsung. I would recommend considering the alternatives we’ve shared.

Amana’s top-loader, on the other hand, is a good option if you’re on a budget, offering high efficiency and an effective dual-action agitator. If you don’t mind the porcelain tub, then this is a model to consider.

Read More:

• Amana Washer Troubleshooting Guide