Hotpoint WT960P > Reviews > WASHING WITH STYLE

Author's product rating:   

Performance	Excellent
Ease of use	Very easy
Durability	Everlasting
Noise	Very low
Value for money	Excellent

Advantages:	LCD display, 1600rpm Spin, everything else
Disadvantages:	None

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I'm not going to write an extremely long review, otherwise you would be here all day. This washing machine has been around for quite a while now, and is still going strong. I will give you the list of main features, but I'm sure the quality will speak for itself. As you can probably see by the product ratings this is a fantastic machine, so here's what I think.

The main reason for choosing this machine was that the noise levels were supposed to be better than other products on the market. It has a 47dB noise level, that's really quiet. And believe me, when I first used this machine I couldn't tell it was on, apart from the fact that the drum was spinning around. You could hear the noise of the water filling, which is a cold fill only machine, then there is silence while the drum starts spinning. Later on there is some noise while it drains the water for rinsing. The noise then is minimal, but then what did you expect, there has to be some noise. Th main noise comes from the Spinning, which goes up to 1600rpm, and sounds like a flying saucer getting ready for take off. Well to me it sounds like that anyway. Overall very quite, I had to keep looking at it to make sure it was still working.

Anyway enough about the noise, here are some more details.

LCD Display
7KG load capacity
AAA Efficiency Rating
24hr Delay Timer
16 Wash Programmes
Spin speed select
Temperature Select
Child Lock ( essential with small children around)
Quick wash (30 minutes)
Half Load
Memory Function (one programme only)
Out of balance spin protection (what? I hear you say)

Those are just a selection of the main features, it actually washes clothes as well. The LCD display is a very good feature with this washing machine. It indicates what programme options you have selected, telling you the temperature, spin speed, and importantly, time left before it finishes. It lets you know when the door can be opened with the key symbol. And it also lets you know what the machine cycle is running, i.e wash, rinse, spin. It is a lovely bright blue display which is extremely easy to read. Everything is very clear, so you can see exactly what functions have been selected, and if any changes need to be made, which you can do easily before you press the start button. All of the buttons are flat on this machine, which means that you don't knock anything accidentally. There are no knobs to spin around like so many other machine. (Didn't you just hate having to spin it all the way round again, because you missed your stop?) All in all the buttons and display features are a big bonus with this machine.

Here is a list of the washing options that you have.

Cottons (40, 60, 95 degree washes which can be altered)
Superwash (60 degree, for very dirty colourfast cotton clothes)
Fast Wash (60 degree 1 hr, 30 degree 30 minutes, for mixed fabrics)
Acrylics (40 degree, for man-made fibres)
Cool Wash (30 degree, for non colourfast cottons)
Wool (40 degree, wool & wool mixtures)
Silk (30 degree for silks, 25 degree handwash option)
Rinse & spin options
Spin options

The manual which comes with the washing machine is very useful. It gives you the full list of wash options and added functions, like rinse hold, reduced creases, extra rinse and prewash. The manual also gives you a rough indicator as to how many item of laundry you can fit into the machine. Each programme option gives you full details on what type of fabric they are for, how long each cycle will last, what temperature can be selected, spin speed, how dirty your clothes are and the maximum wash load. It also tells you how many times you need to press the function button. A truely brilliant manual. If you are a novice when it comes to working machines, and don't really like messing about with buttons, then this manual is ideal, and although the machine looks complicated at first, it is very easy to use. You don't need any A-levels. (Or GCSE's for that matter).

The machine itself has dimensions of:
Height 85cm (33.5")
Width 59.5cm (23.5")
Depth 58cm (23")

It comes in Polar White or Graphite Grey. I chose the White.

The dispenser drawer is quite big, so you don't have to fiddle about trying to put your detergent and conditioner in, and is clearly labelled. The drum itself has a capacity of 7KG so is plenty big enough for family washing. You can easily put 1 double and 2 single duvet covers in, and still have room left for pillow cases. Because of the high speed spinning, your clothes come out and feel really dry. This saves energy on tumble dryers, if you even need one. I really noticed the difference from my old machine which only went up to a 900rpm spin. When the final spin cycle has finished on the Hotpoint WT960P it carries on spinning every few seconds so that your clothes are separated from the drum wall. No more scraping your clothes out of the machine. This was a surprising new function, which wasn't mentioned in the manual.

I think providing you follow the guidelines on your detergent your clothes will always come out clean and fresh, but I seemed to notice that this machine washes your clothes so much better. The rinse cycles last quite a while, so they are really doing their job. The cold water fill is apparently supposed to be good for washing as cold water relaxes fabrics, whilst hot water can seal in stains. It is also more economical for your machine to heat the water rather than getting your immersion heater to do it for you. This is why the machine has a triple A Energy Rating.

Anyway, I said this wasn't going to be a long review, but there are so many great things about this machine that it is difficult not to talk about them.

If you need any more info then please ask away. I can definately recommend this machine. I paid £330 for this machine which is quite pricey, but it is well worth all of the money paid. I'm not sure how much this machine was when it first came on the market, but my friend bought the same one a couple of years ago and paid £350 for it.

Enough from me. Thanks for reading and start saving up, as this is one appliance no home can do without.

Thanks