Hoover Optima OPH616-80 6kg Capacity Washing Machine (White)

I Bought this washer from amazon as i have purchased many items on there reviews alone but with this product there has been problems since day one.The first issue was the outpipe was split and pouring water all over the floor this was quickly repaired by Hoover as i had activated the warranty. During this check the engineer saw a substantial dint in the machine not long after a slow leak started from under the machine not long after it set on fire so i was lucky to be in at the time.

The Engineer visited again and found the drum was split and said it must have been there from the beggining so after two long weeks and a new drum that he brought being cracked the first time he returned and replaced numerous parts including the drum drum but as soon as i tried the machine again nearly all the cycles didnt work and when the spin cycle started it wouldnt stop so i had to unplug the machine.

Now after requesting a new machine they will still not replace it but want to try and fix it again so very dissaponted with this model and Hoover for letting it get this far.

This has been such an annoying purchase for the simple reason that it's a great machine....sorry it would be a great machine if the user was allowed some more freedom of choice.

The good points first: It looks great. It also cleans great. The drum also is deceptively large and big enough for our needs. The 1600 spin really does speed up the drying process of the clothes.

The bad points: For reasons unfathomable to me, Hoover have massively restricted the potential of this machine by enforcing certain presets when it comes to spin speed and temperature. Let me explain: Yes its a 1600 spin machine but the flagship useful programmes (I.e the 29min and 39min quick washes) will only allow you to have a 800 spin, 400 spin or no spin at all. They don't let you select 1600 spin. 800 is useless so what this means is that once the wash is done, you then have to set the machine to do a separate 1600 spin - so it takes two programmes to get your washing to the end state. An annoying problem that could have been so easily avoided by allowing users to select 1600 spin as an option on these short programmes.

But there's another problem - this time regarding inflexibility of temperature. The 29 min programme washes at 30 degrees, the 39 min programme washes at 40 degrees and the 59 min programme washes at 60 degrees. The user isn't able to change this default temperature setting. This is highly irritating. I would like to do a 59 min wash at 30 or 40 degrees but I can't.

Had I been fully aware of the above points I wouldn't have bought the machine. It has the potential to be great but the designers at Hoover have done the machine and also the consumer a huge disservice by limiting its capabilities through forcing default combinations of spin speed, temperature and programme length on the customer.

EXTRA INFO RE GUARANTEE ADDED. Hi. Just updating the review after phonong to register the 5 year guarantee. Warning: it's a rip off by Hoover. You get 1 year full gurantee as standard which is fine. The extra four years parts guarantee is worthless. I was told that they will send any part required during the 4 years but only if you also arrange for a Hoover technician to come out and fit it. Min call out cost £100 and odd quid plus vat. You can't just get the part sent out and get a local handyman etc to fit it. Of course at this price, most people would just decide to buy a new machine. Thanks Hoover!!

I never thought I could fall in love with an appliace, but I do love this washing machine! I think it's amazing. For so many reasons:
1) The look is cool, very modern and the big door is very handy if you want to wash duvets.
2)It is basically a washer-drier. With 1600 rpm speed of spin, the clothes are almost dry when they come out!
3) It is very easy to use, has a lot of programs and they are very "intuitive". There is a set of programs for resistant fabrics that run at all sort of temperatures (30-40-60-90) and with automatic high spin speed. There is a set of programs for non-resistant fabrics at low-medium temp. (30-40-50) and medium speed spin. Programs for delicates (one for wool and one for silk and hand wash!), one for sport garments, two for saving energy (one takes almost 3h, but washes at 40° just like at 60°) and 3 time saving programs (1 runs for 59 min, 1 for 44 and 1 for 29, perfect if you want just to refresh some garments). And of course you can select drain, rinse and spin only.
There is a sensor that allows the machine to make an automatic half load and save you energy and money, a cold wash button that helps you save money and energy on all programs, and a "sensitive care" button with extra-rinse for those who are sensitive to detergents.
4) It is quiet during all washing cycle, except, of course, the spin cycle, which still is quite quiet considering how powerful it is! (And it lasts only few minuts anyway). Just remember to install the corrugated material sheet at the bottom of the machine when you install it!
5) It has the best rate of consumes of water and energy (1kw and 45l per wash on avg) compared with mashines of similar price and consumes less than 5 kg machines (though this is a 6kg)
6) It is very easy to install and it is cheap, considering that is a very good brand and has performances that are comparable to high price machines.
I strongly recommend this washing machine to everyone!!!