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HotpointH8 W946WB

Freestanding
Large capacity
9kg

£479View retailers

Test score

Lowest available prices

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The Hotpoint H8 W946WB UK is a premium washing machine at the top of the brand’s range. As such it comes with the latest features, including automatic detergent dosing and GentlePower technology, which the makers claim will save energy and water. Which? Independent testing measures exactly how much of each is used, as well as how well each washing machine cleans. Read our full review to find our full verdict.

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What's included?

What is it?
How well does it clean, rinse and spin?
How much does it cost to run?
Is it easy to use and live with?
Should I buy it?

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KEY TEST RESULTS
Overall cleaning
Energy efficiency
Ease of use

Feb 2024Last checked by Which?
May 2022First reviewed by Which?

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test washing machines

2 May 2024

Overall cleaning

How we test overall cleaning

The combined cleaning star rating is based on the wash results from our tests for both the 40°C cottons and 40°C synthetics wash programmes.

Water use

How we test water use

We measure the amount of water used by the machines on both their cottons and synthetics programmes when washing at 40°C.

Cotton wash

How we test cotton wash

We check how good each washing machine is at removing stains when washing cottons at 40°C and when loaded to 80% of the machine’s capacity.

Synthetic wash

How we test synthetic wash

This star rating shows how well each washing machine removes stains when washing synthetic fibres at 40°C. For this synthetics test, we load each machines to its listed capacity for synthetics.

Rinsing efficiency

How we test rinsing efficiency

We check how well each machine rinses detergent away from clothes by stopping the machines just after the rinse phase and then analysing the remaining water for signs of detergent. We use a spinning machine to extract the water to analyse.

Spin dry

How we test spin dry

We weigh the clothes we wash before and after the wash to be able to judge how well each machine spins water away.

Ease of use

How we test ease of use

We run more than 50 ease of use assessments as part of our tests. We look at how clear the instructions are, how easy the machine is to load and to unload, we check the clarity of markings on the control panel and how easy the controls are to use. We also take a look at how easy it is to use the detergent drawer.

Program length

How we test program length

During our tests we record how long both of the wash programmes we test take to run. The star rating is based on the length of the programmes and is relative to the capacity of the washing machine.

Noise

How we test noise

We use an expert panel to listen to each machine as it fills, washes, spins and drains. Our panel listens for the normal operating noises as well as any annoying sounds the machine makes. A five star machine will be just about as quiet as a washing machine can be. A one star machine will make a lot of noise as it fills, washes and spins.

Energy efficiency

How we test energy efficiency

We record the amount of energy used by the machines on both their cottons and synthetics programmes when washing at 40°C.

General
Type	Freestanding
Colour	White
Height	84.5cm
Width	59.7cm
Depth	64.5cm
Drum capacity	Large capacity
Cotton capacity (kg)	9kg
Synthetics capacity (kg)	5.5
Quick wash maximum capacity	5.5
Cotton 40°C run time (mins)	234 mins
Synthetic 40°C run time (mins)	166
Number of programs	15
Wash temperatures (°C)	cold-20-30-40-50-60-70-80-90
Annual energy cost (£)	£77.24
New energy rating	A
Max spin speed (rpm)	1400
Manufacturer guarantee	1
Which? test programme	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.

Features
Auto load adjustment	Yes
Autodose	Yes
Baby program	Yes
Delicates or handwash	Yes
Digital display	lcd
Door safety lock	No
Extra rinse	Yes
Hygiene or allergy program	Yes
Intensive program	Yes
Overflow protection	No
Panel safety lock	Yes
Program sequencing indicator	Yes
Quick wash	Yes
Smart	No
Start/End delay	Yes
Steam refresh	Yes
Steam wash	Yes
Time remaining display	Yes

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HotpointH8 W946WB

Lowest available prices

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pros

cons

What's included?

How we test washing machines

Overall cleaning

Water use

Cotton wash

Synthetic wash

Rinsing efficiency

Spin dry

Ease of use

Program length

Noise

Energy efficiency

Compare retailers

How this product's score compares with other washing machines we've tested

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AEG

LG

Hotpoint

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HotpointH8 W946WB

Lowest available prices

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