I am a newlywed and before I got married I lived at home, so never before did I have to think about things like washing machines and cookers. When my husband and I moved into our first place together it was a flat and washing machines were in the laundry, provided as a service by the landlord, and the cooker was there as part of the kitchen units. However, when we moved into our second place it was completely empty and we found we had to buy a new gas cooker AND a washing machine in the same week! Yikes!

I arrived home to find a lovely, simple-looking washing machine in my kitchen. Sparkly silver in colour I was delighted with my first impression of the Beko WMA 520 S machine. The dimensions of it are 60cm x 54cm x 85cm (width x depth x height) and it stands upright. It is a medium sized machine and it fit neatly under the kitchen worktop. Like most washing machines it is very heavy (a net weight of 67kg) and watching my husband trying to lift it into place was painful!

The top panel of this model is simple by today's technology-mad standard, though this pleased me. I can not stand over-complicated machines and I always worry that more can go wrong with those types. On the left-hand side of the panel is the drawer where the detergent and fabric softener go. This drawer is divived into three compartments inside; two for powder and one for conditioner (all clearly marked). The second powder compartment is used depending upon the setting you have selected. It is white and pale blue plastic inside and is very easy to remove for cleaning purposes. The drawer pulls out as you push down on the pale blue syphon. On the outside of the drawer it has the 'AA' Classification and the maximum spin speed written underneath, which is 1200 rpm.

The next feature is the spin speed selector. This is a smaller plastic dial and gives 6 speed options: No Spin, 400 rpm, 600 rpm, 800 rpm, 1000 rpm and 1200 rpm (rpm means rotations per minute). The main wash categories include a spin as part of the cycle, but this is great for extra spin or if you use a delicate/synthetic programme for speed rather than gentleness. These programmes don't include a spin, so you can include one manually by waiting for the wash to stop, clicking the dial onto 'spin' and pressing start.

There is a row of five larger square buttons after this time delay button which are: Start/Pause/Cancel button: self explanatory really; Prewash: allows you to roughly wash your items before they go into a pre-programmed cycle. This is good for very soiled garments; Time saver; good if you're in a hurry; Extra Rinse (allows 4 rinses instead of the standard 3) and the On/Off button. All of the aforementioned auxillary function buttons have green lights above them to denote selection. Under these buttons is a row of three program indicator lights, with the words 'Ready', 'Wash' and 'Spin/End'. These illuminate green as the different cycles end/commence. There is a child lock safety function on this and all you do is simultaneously press the prewash and time saver buttons for three seconds. The prewash indicator light will flash continuosly to assure you it is workng. This is a must-have for people with small children and prevents them from operating the machine.

The machine stands on adjustable feet which enables you to adapt it to your kitchen/utility area.

After making all of the relevant selections, which was easy, we both stared as the water ran into the drum, paranoid that something was going to happen. Our eyes were glued to the clothes inside, staring at it as though something had to go wrong. It didn't! At least the installation was a sucess. The first program I used was the intensive 40 degree, but this took about 75 mnutes, which I feel is too long. After using all of the different functions I have settled for using the delicate 30 degree program with a spin. This only takes about 50 minutes and cleans the washing beautifully, as do all of the programs. It is also better for the environment to was at a lower temerature.

It is very user friendly and great for people like me who hate unnecessary complications! If you are into hi-tech products, this will disappoint, but if you like simple this is an ideal choice.

The only disadvantage is that the pre-programmable options take so long. I have used the time saver button but found it only shaved off a few minutes. I think this is true of most modern washing machines, but how long can a garment be swished around in soapy water for before it's classed as clean? The washes are thorough and I wash towells/bed linen on the longer programmes, but I try to stick with my manual favourite.

It cost us £199.99 from Comet and came with a years full guarantee and optional insurance as an extra.