... The Hotpoint WD420 Aquarius model is the one we went for.
As you all know Hotpoint are one of the most recognisable names in the field of washing machines, however they do receive their fair share of negative press. However, due to the size matching our requirements and the price being ... Read review
Advantages: High efficiency ratings. Relatively quiet. Disadvantages: Some programs take a long time.
...buy a washer dryer. The Hotpoint WD420 Aquarius model is the one we went for.
As you all know Hotpoint are one of the most recognisable names in the field of washing machines, however they do receive their fair share of negative press. However, due to the size matching our requirements and the price being within budget we decided to go for this model.
The hotpoint WD420 comes in various forms either silver or white (which ... ...several indifferent reports of various Hotpoint appliances in the past, however this machine has impressed us at this early stage. It is very quiet during its cycle, both washing and drying, and we have had no problems with leaks or with the electrics or dryer. There is every type of program that we are ever going to need, and several more that we won't!!! Finally we have found that it cleans the clothes very well indeed and also dries them well ... more
Well just a couple of months ago I moved into a new house with my girlfriend and so the first task was to equip the kitchen with some new appliances. Firstly and most importantly to us was a washing machine and so due to a lack of available space we decided to buy a washer dryer. The Hotpoint WD420 Aquarius model is the one we went for.
As you all know Hotpoint are one of the most recognisable names in the field of washing machines, however they do receive their fair share of negative press. However, due to the size matching our requirements and the price being within budget we decided to go for this model.
The hotpoint WD420 comes in various forms either silver or white (which ours is) and there are other similar models WD420G and WD420P to name a couple. Our particular one is the WD420 Aquarius which has a 1200 rpm spin rating. Its other variations offer differing spin speeds up to 1600.
This washer/dryer was ordered from Comet online, but is readily available on other well known electrical websites and retailers. I found that a decent discount was available online and so that is why we did it that way. We paid £320 for this and £10 for delivery charges.
Installation was very straight forward really. Simply remove the associated packaging and polystyrene bits and follow the clear installation guide provided. The machine is a cold fill only machine, so only one pipe connection is needed, and despite not being much cop at DIY, I managed with the help of the guide to successfully install the appliance within an hour. A wash is then performed with the machine empty and no powder as a test, and then you are ready to start washing.
The machines technical stats are quite impressive if you are into that kind of thing. It has a 6kg load capacity. It is rated B for energy efficiency, A for washing efficiency and B for spin efficiency, which makes it one of the most highly rated machines on the market in terms of energy efficiency. In addition it is a front loaded machine which is freestanding. It also has unbalanced load detectors and lack of water detectors to prevent any damage occurring to the machine due to these factors.
The washing part of the machine is very versatile and has many different programs to choose from. Ranging from a 'full' wash at 95 degrees down to a fast wash and handwash option for delicate items. The most popular program we use is F which is the standard wash at 40 degrees however it is the most inefficient use of the washer. A time saver button is also added for speed if your machine is not fully loaded as well as the option of prewash. Special spin options are also available to remove excess water or help to remove creases from your washing.
Drying is equally versatile, with the choice of high or low heat and the drying duration up to you. This also includes a cool tumble at the end of the drying program and to increase the life span of the washer, you are advised not to interrupt the drying program at any point.
PERSONAL OPINIONS
I have to say that I have been impressed with this machine. We were slightly nervous having read and heard several indifferent reports of various Hotpoint appliances in the past, however this machine has impressed us at this early stage. It is very quiet during its cycle, both washing and drying, and we have had no problems with leaks or with the electrics or dryer. There is every type of program that we are ever going to need, and several more that we won't!!! Finally we have found that it cleans the clothes very well indeed and also dries them well in quick time aswell.
To summarise I would say that this is a very good washer/dryer and at the £300 or so mark that it is now available for, it is an excellent mid range product at a lowish price whilst not compromising on efficiency or performance.
Advantages: Takes large loads, great range of cycles (From 30 to 95 degrees), very quiet, Disadvantages: Boil wash can take very long time,
When we bought our first house there are so many new things to buy so spending this much on a washing machine is quite a risk. The price difference between just washer and the washer dryer was not much so decided to opt for the combined machine. There are so many different cycle options that I honestly haven't needed to use all of them.
My husbands is a chef so a high temperature wash ( boil wash) was very important to me with all the whites and ... ...very effective I even use extra stain removers ( vanish ) less often as the hot wash starts colder to loosen the dirt before blasting at the high temperature. The downfall of this is that the cycle does take an awfully long time, but as the machine is so quiet I don't have a problem leaving it to wash/dry in the nightime. My old machine was so noisy the neighbours heard it so couldn't use it late. There is a hand wash and a wool cycle which are very ...
Ortu 05.02.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Hotpoint WD420
Advantages: A nice looking machine which is very easy to use Disadvantages: Blockages are a very common problem due to no external filters, very poor customer services
...the control panel.
The Hotpoint Customer Services Department leave a lot to be desired in their interpersonal skills. They are unhelpful and can even be rude if you disagree with them or make a comment that they take a dislike to. Whilst under warranty, though you don't have any changes incurred, it's an inconvenience to have to take time off work/out of your day to wait for an engineer. You can't pinpoint a specific time, and the numerous times ... ...such as us, I was even told by an ex Hotpoint engineer that if you have pets forget it, it just won't cope. Summary: I really don't feel that this is at all suitable for the average family.
**Also reviewed for Dooyoo under my username Mardicow** ...
HeidiBooToo 12.11.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Hotpoint WD420
Advantages: Washes well Disadvantages: doesn't dry well
Things I like about this washer-dryer:
- very efficient washing
- has a fast wash
- variable temperature (if, for example, you want to make sure a wash doesn't go above 30 degrees)
- extra big barrel, means I don't do quite so many washes per week (I have 3 kids)
-It is very quiet
-washing is only damp when the cycle ends, not wet
-you can go straight from wash to dry without reprogramming (i.e. if you're out when it ends)
-it washes 6kg ... ...have to take half the wash out to dry it. But having not used the dryer much, this doesn't seem much of an advantage.
Things I don't like:
-The dryer takes blooming ages.
-If you overshoot with the drying time, everything comes out irreversibly creased
-there is nothing to tell you where it is in the cycle, you only know whether it is in the middle of it or on the final spin.
-Many times I have pressed the start button and it has lit up, but ...
jfsalazar 18.09.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Hotpoint WD420
Performance
Ease of use
Durability
Noise
Value for money
Quick review of Hotpoint WD420
this machine worked brilliantly for the first month (very low noise and vibration, good cleaning) and then its motor broke down and so did its main 'motherboard'. The service is terrible because it took 2 engineer visits to fully diagnose the problem and now we are now waiting for them to call us because they just dont have the required part in stock. It's been 6 weeks now without a washing machine ...
AmaanLast 21.07.2007
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Hotpoint WD420
Advantages: Looks good, well laid out, easy to use. Disadvantages: Has the life expectancy of a Mayfly. Dryer not very efficient.
...unhelpful and unsympathetic service from Hotpoint themselves. The unit broke 4 times in the first year, always the dryer at fault. the 5th time faulty was just 2 weeks after the warranty expired. Hotpoint didn't care it was the same fault and told me I had to pay £90 pounds to have their engineer fit a part under their 5-year warranty. some warranty! after much arguing they sent an engineer who wrote the machine off! they replaced it after much arguing. ...
ipylon 12.08.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Hotpoint WD420
