Product review (3 stars): Okay for the Price
I bought the Amana new at a bargain price cheaper than here. Before, I used a cheap off-brand top loader that was rough on clothes & didn't clean well. The machine is easy to use, is easy on clothes and cleans adequately. The detergent bin is an awkward pull out tray and it's easy to spill soap or bleach into the softener cup, or on the floor. Since the 1st load the drain pump makes a loud noise and sometimes the water dispenser too. I hoped that like some electrical/mechanical devices it might lessen after a little use, but no. The door lock is loud and the machine is designed to start, then stop and unlock for a minute then lock and start again which is a little strange. The wash and rinse cycles are almost silent. The machine vibrates during spin, especially with a load of even the slightest bulk. There is still inherent noise but if my laundry closet floor were not cement the vibration could be a problem. The extra care these types of machines need can be a slight nuisance too. I'm slightly concerned with the cleanliness of the clothes. I have to use mild cleaners (Eco or Sensitive Skin) and while new spill stains are removed it seems to me that clothes might not be really clean. Really tough or set in, or old stains aren't resolved by this machine. Whites are appearing dingy and sometimes clothes don't smell clean after washing (I can tell most when I'm ironing) although I closely follow garment, machine and detergent instructions. I do seem to get a lot less spotting from my occasional use of fabric softener. Extra rinse is practically mandatory when using bleach or for larger loads that require a bit more detergent. The cycle choices are good, the controls are easy to understand. A power button separate from the cycle control takes some getting used to. A couple of the settings are a little gimmicky but there's nothing here that is just a gimmick. The electronics are slightly glitchy. The selector knob can seem to select a cycle different than expected, the timer display occasionally stays the same number for several minutes, or the spin cycle occasionally takes longer to start. The selection of water temps and spin speeds needs attention too when starting a load. It's looks are basic but it's in a closet so no big deal. I suppose, for a front loader it's worth the low price. I wish it didn't make the noise and that the electronics were more reliable. It's miles ahead of the dirt cheap top loader I used to use but I would recommend this only for the budget conscious occasional user with a sturdy floor who can't wait for a sale.