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.” 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. The Active Steam program will relax the creases in your clothing, allowing you to easily iron dry clothing. The Steam Refresh program will release steam after the cycle to help relax the clothing and leave fewer creases. The Hoover H-Wash 500 is a rather standard-looking washing machine, with a traditional control panel layout. There’s a programme selector dial at the centre, with a secondary control panel used to fine-tune programmes. This secondary control panel is brimming with symbols, not all of which are particularly clear. I had to keep the manual to hand at first to work out what everything meant. 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 test strip included (left to right) red wine, orange juice, ketchup, vegetable oil and gravy stains. On the 30ºC wash, the image below shows that stain removal was pretty good, although you can still see a clear outline of the red wine stain, plus a mark from the ketchup. It’s decent performance, but more expensive machines – such as the LG V9 F4V909BTS – clean better, albeit at a higher cost. The wash took just over two hours to complete. 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 For the most part, you’ll operate the Hoover H-Wash 500 HWB via the controls on the front of the machine. First, there’s the control dial that lets you select the wash programme; you’ll need to refer to the manual to find the right wash for each load. There are plenty of options to choose from, however, including modes for whites, wool, fitness gear and allergy care. In compliance with the New Energy Label, this B class washing machine not only reduces consumption starting from 43% compared to a G class, saving energy and respecting the environment, but also contributes to helping you save money on your utility bills. 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.Most programmes can be altered using the options on the secondary control panel, including setting the spin speed, wash temperature and soil-level of garments, while also adding extra options, such as steam to improve hygiene and reduce odours. I definitely needed the manual to hand to figure out what the various icons were referring to. Hoover’s app can still be useful. It provides access to a wider range of programmes, including special cycles designed for cleaning specific items: diving suits, face masks and bloodstains are just some that jump out. Plus, each programme is described in detail, which makes it a bit easier to understand. 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. The benefit of a freestanding washing machine is that it’s generally much simpler to install than an integrated washing machine. Admittedly, this job will need to be done only once – and likely by the person who delivers the appliance – but less fiddly bolts would have been appreciated.

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 authorRead 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, “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.” 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 Hoover H-Wash 500 was very easy to set up. We connected the pipe ourselves and have not had any issues with the connectivity.” We introduced a new test for washing machines in September 2022. Because this is a model tested before these changes came into effect, the score won't be directly comparable with the scores achieved by models published after.

To test the effectiveness of the Hoover H-Wash 500, I ran a few test washes to see how well it copes with stain removal. I started out with the white wash set to 30ºC, which used 0.57kWh of power and 41.7 litres of water – decent, but not the lowest I’ve seen. The best combination of time and performance. Hoover washing machines allow you to choose between no fewer than four cycles that are less than an hour long yet 100% effective.HOOVER H-WASH 300 LITE boasts the most complete set of washing cycles to take care of all your favourite clothes, preserving fabrics and colours for longer, without any effort. It offers the most complete set of washing cycles to preserve the fibres of all your favourite clothes for longer, without giving up on the best washing results. 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. As with all washing machines, the Hoover H-Wash 500 has to have its transport bolts removed. These comprise one plastic part with a rubber bung on the rear. My attempt to remove them resulted in the the rubber part coming away from the plastic part on two bolts, with the plastic bit dropping inside the machine. I had to then remove the thin rear panel to retrieve these items before I could turn on the appliance. There are some faster cycles you can run for lesser-soiled items, but the main programmes on this washing machine are quite slow.

This model has a traditional pull-out detergent tray, with space for washing detergent, pre-wash detergent and fabric softener. You’ll need to determine the correct amounts by yourself, rather than relying on the machine to do it for you, but this isn’t much of a hardship. Next, to work out accurate running costs per year, I take the average number of UK cycles per year (274) and multiply this by three different load sizes – high (6kg), medium (4.5kg) and low (3.5kg) – to get a total amount of washing per year. In this instance, high users would have to make 164.4 full loads to complete all the washing, rather than the 274 UK average. 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.” Its Eco setting helps to reduce energy consumption and costs, and it uses less water per cycle than most washing machines on the market. 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.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. Read next: The best washing machine cleaners Is the Hoover H-WASH 500 9kg Freestanding Washing Machine good value for money? There’s also a dial position to turn on Wi-Fi, letting you connect the washing machine to the Hoover hOn app. It’s important to note that you can only use the app while the machine is set to Wi-Fi mode; if you use a different programme, you’ll lose the remote connection. This means that using the app requires you to programme the machine with the app. This is different to the way the Samsung WW9800T works; it lets you use the app at any point.