Panasonic NA-168VG4 review

EASE OF USE AND FEATURES

The NA-168VG4 is exceptionally well made and feels tough. The door opens and locks into place easily, and the detergent drawer felt secure and operated smoothly. Using the washing machine is also incredibly easy thanks to the simple layout of the control panel.

You can override pre-set wash options and select additional features using the clear control panel

A main dial lets you select the wash mode that you want, with pre-sets for most types of clothing, including Wool, Silk and Delicates in addition to the usual cotton and EasyCare cycles. While this dial sets you basic settings, you can also override the temperature (cold, 30C, 40C, 60C and 90C) and the spin speed (500, 800, 1,000, 1,200 and 1,600rpm) by hitting the relevant button on the front. This uses LEDs to highlight the current setting.

In addition, you’ve got a set of other options that you can add to a wash, including Prewash, which rinses the clothes before the main programme starts; Extra Rinse, which uses more water to ensure all detergent is removed; Easy Ironing, which uses a slower spin speed and regularly rotates your washing after the cycle has finished to prevent creasing; and Eco, which uses less water and power, but takes longer.

It’s straight-forward to pick your wash cycle and the Memory option is a great way to recall your favourite wash settings

A handy Memory option on the main dial lets you select your favourite options and remember them for future use, so you can quickly get the wash that you want. Once you’re done you just hit the Start button and the machine begins immediately, unless you’ve set the delay timer. This delays the start of the wash, so that you can ensure the machine finishes when you’re around, such as when you get back from work, and your washing doesn’t just sit there wet. A timer on the front shows you how long the wash will take. It’s calculated based on the amount of washing in the machine, so it updates as the wash progresses.

We found the machine fairly quiet in use, with a wash noise rating of 53dB and spin rating of 71dB. More importantly, the machine was stable and didn’t vibrate or shake annoyingly, meaning that it shouldn’t be too distracting.

CONCLUSION

With low running costs, excellent wash performance, decent drum size and a comparatively quiet mode of operation, the Panasonic NA-168VG4 is an excellent choice for any household and wins a Best Buy award.