How well does the Hoover H-WASH 500 9kg Freestanding Washing Machine clean and spin?
With 14 different cycles to choose from to suit your needs, with run times ranging from 14 minutes to 330 (and a variation in maximum load depending on what cycle you choose), the Hoover H-Wash 500 is a versatile machine well suited to family life.
These cycles include: 20 degree wash, All in one 59, Allergy care, Drain and spin, Cotton care, Total care, Extra care, Fitness care, Fresh care, Mixed, Rapid wash, Rinse, Soft care, and Wool & handwash, as well as an Eco mode.
The All in one 59 wash cycle allows for a mix of different fabrics to be washed together in just 59 minutes, and there are an additional three rapid wash cycles of 14, 30 and 44 minutes if you want your washing done in even less time.
Our tester Izzy says, “We almost exclusively use the Eco setting which takes one hour. We have found that the other settings, for example ‘Total care’, just take too long (two hours) and are therefore not worth using unless your clothes are very dirty. The other setting that we do use semi-regularly is ’Fitness care’. This is handy for a quick refresh of any light exercise clothes and only takes 39 minutes.”
The H-Wash 500 isn’t a washer dryer so won’t suit you if you’re after a drying function, but the 1600rpm spin speed successfully reduces drying time, particularly in the colder months, despite the machine’s overall spin rating sitting only at a ‘B’.
Izzy says, “You can also amend the programme you are using to a lower or higher temperature, or a lower or higher spin setting. We have found the variable spin feature in particular very handy. In the winter when it takes clothes longer to dry, we put this to the maximum setting (1600 spin) so that our clothes come out drier.”
Read next: The best steam irons to buy
What's the Hoover H-WASH 500 9kg Freestanding Washing Machine like to use day-to-day?
Izzy says, “The machine is generally very easy to use, and you can also set and delay the timer so that the H-Wash starts a wash cycle whenever you want it to.”
She continues, “The machine works well on a day-to-day basis. We use Smol laundry capsules, but there is an auto-dose feature if you prefer to use laundry detergent.” This uses an advanced algorithm that adapts the right amount of detergent to your wash for optimum performance and efficiency.
While there is a childproof lock, the main flaw to this washing machine is that there is no warning if the door is still open before a wash cycle starts. Izzy says, “We didn’t close the machine door properly once, and the machine still proceeded to start a wash without any sort of warning that there was an issue. Luckily, I was in the kitchen and instantly noticed that water was trickling out of the door!”
Read next: The best fabric softeners