Hotpoint Wf860 Washing Machine Review
HOTPOINT WF860 WASHING MACHINE REVIEW
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
This washing machine has a top speed of 1600 rpm and has a large 6Kg drum. It has a nice digital display that informs you of the time left to complete the program as well as the temperature and spin speed settings. You can manually adjust both the spin speed and the temperature of the wash. There is a delay start timer if you are willing to take the chance of letting a washing machine wash while you are out, or in bed.
The 6 Kg drum is handy if you have a lot of washing, but the current Hotpoint washing machine range does seem to have problems with smaller awkward loads and can thump around a bit if you put small loads in with a few heavy items in. The electronic controls are not supposed to let any out of balance load go into spin, but they seem to let the smaller bad load slip though at times. ( RELATED ADVICE: How do I avoid out of balanced loads in washing machine? )
NOISE LEVELS
This washing machine is promoted as super quiet. On wash it certainly is. Eerily quiet in fact as all you can hear is the water splashing about. However, these washing machines are not super quiet on spin. They are just as noisy as most other cheap to middle quality washing machines.
THINGS I LIKE
The heater and thermostats are at the back of the tub for easy access during repairs. Nice electronic display and controls. Nice door and handle design.
THINGS I DISLIKE
The new control module can give an electric shock up to 5 minutes after the washing machine has been unplugged. This could be nasty for any DIY washing machine repairers who will be unaware of this.
The door seal clamp that holds the seal onto the tub is rubbish. It’s not that it isn’t likely to do the job properly, it’s just very awkward to replace once removed. No doubt there’s a “special” tool available, but using just narrow-nosed pliers is a pain.
No water pump filter! This is ridiculous. All washing machines should have a customer drainable and clearable filter and not having one is enough to prevent me buying such a machine even if everything else was great. Most washing machines get obstructions in them sooner or later which jams the water pump. Without a pump drain hose and pump filter, most people will have to call out a repair engineer for something they should be able to fix themselves. ( RELATED ADVICE: washing machine water pumps )
SUMMARY
Very quiet on wash, but not so quiet on spin. Nice looking - but looks aren’t everything - and no easily accessible pump filter, which is unforgivable.
There are more (much more comprehensive) washing machine reviews on the main Washerhelp web site
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1 Answer
Thanks for posting this review. It’s a fair summary of the Hotpoint WF860 and highlights some useful real-world points that brochures don’t mention.
1. The good points are valid The WF860 does have a decent feature set for its age and price bracket: 1600 spin, adjustable temperature/spin, delay timer, and a useful display. These models are often very quiet on wash because of the motor control, even if spin noise is fairly ordinary.
2. The balance issue is worth noting Your comments about small mixed loads are important. Many Hotpoint and Indesit-built machines from that era can struggle with awkward loads such as a couple of heavy towels with lighter items. That can lead to thumping or poor spin performance even though the out-of-balance protection is meant to prevent it.
3. No accessible pump filter is a genuine drawback I’d agree this is one of the biggest negatives. If the pump gets blocked, it is far less user-friendly than machines with a proper front access filter. That can turn a simple blockage into an engineer call.
4. Safety point is especially important The warning about stored charge on the control board should be taken seriously. Always isolate the appliance from the mains before inspecting any internal parts, and leave it disconnected for a while before touching electronic components. DIY repairs should never be attempted on live parts.
5. Overall It sounds like a reasonable machine with some good design features, but with compromises on serviceability and load handling. For many people, the missing pump filter alone would be a deal-breaker.
If anyone is diagnosing faults on one of these, give the exact symptoms and I can suggest the most likely checks. For any mains, gas, or sealed refrigeration work, use a qualified engineer.
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Safety first — read before actioning advice
Never work on a live appliance
Always unplug it at the mains before going near it with any tools.
Never attempt gas work
By law, gas appliances must only be worked on by a Gas Safe registered engineer. If your fault involves gas, stop and call a professional — do not attempt it yourself.
Watch for sharp edges
Outer panels are smooth, but internal parts are full of sharp machined edges. Wear protective gloves and arm sleeves.
Water appliances can leak
Turn off the water supply before disconnecting any hoses.
Know your limits
If you're not confident testing or working inside the appliance, STOP and call a professional.
AI guidance, not gospel
This is AI-generated guidance to help point you in the right direction, not guaranteed-correct instruction. It may be incomplete or wrong, so always use your own judgement and consult a qualified engineer for electrical, gas or water work.
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