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Hoover H-Wash 500 9kg Freestanding Washing Machine review
Affordable and energy-efficient with a great range of programmes, the Hoover H-Wash 500 is the ideal washing machine for most medium-sized families. We tested it out with MNHQ product manager, Izzy. Here’s our verdict.
By Laura Westerman | Last updated Nov 30, 2023
Overall star rating: 4/5
Price: RRP £579 | Buy now from Amazon
Our verdict on the Hoover H-Wash 500 9kg Freestanding Washing Machine
Ease of use: 5/5
Ease of cleaning: 4/5
Features: 3/5
Results: 5/5
Design: 4/5
Value for money: 4/5
The Hoover H-Wash 500 is more budget-friendly than many large-capacity washing machines but just as energy-efficient, which is why we think it deserves a spot on our round-up of the best washing machines to buy right now.
Its Eco setting helps to reduce energy consumption and costs, and it uses less water per cycle than most washing machines on the market.
While the 1600rpm spin setting is louder than we’d like, it nevertheless helps to reduce drying times, meaning you won’t have to rely on a heated clothes airer or tumble dryer to get your clothes dry at speed, even during the colder months.
What we like
‘A’ energy rating
Eco setting for optimum energy efficiency and performance
Low water consumption per cycle
10-year guarantee on parts
What we don’t like
1600rpm spin speed can be loud
Machine will start a wash even if door isn’t closed properly
Key specs
Type: Freestanding | Spin speed: 1600 rpm | Capacity: 9kg | Energy rating: A | Spin performance: B | Number of programmes: 14 | Wool wash: Yes | Delicate wash: Yes | Hand wash: Yes | Energy consumption per cycle: 0.49 kWh | Water consumption per cycle: 46 litres | Dimensions: 85 x 60 x 52cm | Guarantee: 10 years on parts, 1 year on labour
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How we tested the Hoover H-Wash 500 9kg Freestanding Washing Machine
Three years of use
Used twice a week on average
Tested in a two-person household
Our tester, Izzy, and her husband have been using the Hoover H-Wash 500 twice per week on average for the past three years.
Izzy says, “There are two people in our household and the 9 kg-capacity washing machine works well for us as we don’t have a huge amount of washing each week. If the utility space for the washing machine was larger, we would have opted for a bigger machine so that we could use it even less.”
To get an accurate picture of how well the Hoover H-Wash 500 performs day to day, Izzy scored the washing machine on a number of different criteria, including ease of use, features and programme length, results (clean, rinse and spin), design, noisiness, energy use, ease of cleaning and value for money.
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Hoover H-Wash 500 9kg Freestanding Washing Machine: how does it look?
The Hoover H-Wash 500 is a stylish-looking washing machine that’s available in either black or white, with dimensions that will fit smaller kitchens as well as large ones.
Our tester Izzy says, “We chose this machine primarily due to the size of the space we had available. We wanted to get a larger capacity washing machine, however the inbuilt space in our home is quite small. This was the only washing machine we could find which had a good energy rating and was the colour that we wanted (black).”
In terms of technical design, it has an LED touchscreen display that’s easy to read and operate alongside a spin dial for selecting the 14 different programmes.
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How easy is the Hoover H-Wash 500 9kg Freestanding Washing Machine to set up?
The benefit of a freestanding washing machine is that it’s generally much simpler to install than an integrated washing machine.
Izzy says, “The Hoover H-Wash 500 was very easy to set up. We connected the pipe ourselves and have not had any issues with the connectivity.”
You can also control this washing machine using the Hoover h0n app, which is simple to set up whether you have an iOS or Android device. The app offers a number of handy smart functions such as the ability to stop and start wash cycles, download up to 40 extra cycles, and run diagnostic checks on the control and programme functionality.
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.”
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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!”
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Is it energy-efficient?
With an ‘A’ energy rating, the Hoover H-Wash 500 is one of the most energy-efficient washing machines on the market, using 0.49 kWh of energy per cycle. The H-Wash also uses less water than most (46 litres per cycle). In the UK, the average water consumption for a washing machine is 48.8 litres.
Izzy says, “It is very energy-efficient and it cleans clothes well. For white items, however, I always pre-spray clothes with stain remover to make sure they come out extra clean and bright.”
Is it noisy?
The Hoover H-Wash 500 has an Eco-Power Inverter Motor. This is more durable than other motors, so it extends the lifespan of your washing machine, and reduces vibrations and friction to keep noise at a minimum. Hoover says that “it also adapts the washing action to the load ensuring best results and 60% more efficiency.”
With a ‘C’ rating for noise emissions and noise level of 80db, it’s not the quietest washing machine on the market, but this is only really noticeable if the spin speed is at its max.
Izzy says, “The machine is generally very quiet. The exception to this is when you select the highest spin setting which is quite loud - you wouldn’t be able to have a phone call in the same room while it is spinning at 1600rpm. If the sound could be reduced that would be a great improvement.”
Is the Hoover H-WASH 500 9kg Freestanding Washing Machine easy to clean?
Yes! The Hoover H-Wash 500 is quick and easy to clean. The only area that is likely to build up any dirt is the rubber attached to the door. Izzy says, “This requires a little more effort to clean if you let the dirt build up, so I make sure I clean it regularly.”
Read next: The best washing machine cleaners
Is the Hoover H-WASH 500 9kg Freestanding Washing Machine good value for money?
For a 9kg washing machine with app compatibility, prices typically range from £400 to £1000+. With that considered, the high-performing Hoover H-Wash 500 offers good value for money, retailing at £579.
While there are certainly more budget-friendly washing machines out there, for the number of programmes and features it offers, as well as its low energy and water consumption, this is a washing machine that's both versatile and affordable to run.
Our tester Izzy says, "The washing machine is very energy-efficient, which delivers good value for money. As there were very limited options for affordable machines this size when we were looking to buy, we felt this represented the best value for money in comparison to the others available."
About the author
Laura Westerman is an editor, writer and Deputy Head of Editorial Content at Mumsnet. Mum to a one-year-old, she is fully invested in finding the best and most affordable products for families.
With over seven years' experience as a full-time editor, five of which have been spent writing, commissioning and editing product reviews and round-ups, Laura has a keen eye for what parents love and likes nothing more than putting together honest reviews to make parents' lives that little bit easier.
In addition to her work as a writer and editor, she has also appeared in a number of product review videos for Mumsnet's YouTube channel.
About Mumsnet Reviews
All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real parents after weeks of research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.