I have no concerns about the rest of the build, however: the H-Wash 500 feels tough, and the porthole door closes neatly and securely.

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. 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’.

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 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. 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.

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.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. The benefit of a freestanding washing machine is that it’s generally much simpler to install than an integrated washing machine. 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.