Hotpoint HSFO3T223WXUKN Review: Flexible and stylish

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A flexible and stylish slimline dishwasher

Stylish, powerful and with some clever features, such as 3D Zone, the Hotpoint HSFO3T223WXUKN is a slimline dishwasher that can cope with even heavily soiled items. It's not always the cheapest dishwasher to run, as is typically the case with slimline models, but there are options that can reduce running costs. If you don't have space for a full-size model and don't want to compromise on performance or features, this is a great choice.

Having a slimline dishwasher doesn't necessarily mean that you have to compromise on looks, features and performance, as the Hotpoint HSFO3T223WXUKN demonstrates.

Attractive to look at with some clever features, and a lot of internal space, this is a great dishwasher for those that don't have a lot of space.

Finished in stainless steel, the Hotpoint HSFO3T223WXUKN looks like a step up from your average slimline dishwasher. If you haven't got space for a full-size dishwasher, but still want to make a statement, this is a great choice.

It's also neatly designed. From the outside, there are all of the controls you need, plus an LCD that shows you the selected options and the time remaining for a wash. The latter is particularly useful, as I could see at a glance if it was worth hanging around to unload the dishwasher.

There are nine programmes to choose from, selectable by number by pressing the P button. Fortunately, the programme names are printed on the top of the door, viewable by cracking it open a bit, so there's no need to have the manual around.

The Eco 50°C wash will do for most jobs, but there are modes for intensive cleaning, mixed loads, delicates, a night wash, sanitizing, soak and a self-clean mode. For less soiled items, the 30-minute wash can quickly turn around a full load.

This model has a dedicated button to turn on detergent tablet support, which optimises the dishwasher for using combined tablets, rather than powder or liquid detergent.

Zone Wash 3D can be selectable by wash and uses the extra jets of water inside the machine to adjust how the dishwasher cleans. Zone Wash 3D can only be used on one rack at once (selectable), not both at once. Depending on the wash cycle selected, it can either reduce energy consumption or increase the wash performance. It's ideal if you’ve either got a half load or very dirty and difficult-to-clean items.

Open the door, and there's a fairly standard layout inside for this 10-place-setting dishwasher. There are two racks, with the top one height adjustable between two positions. There's flexible storage on top, with fold-down wine-glass holders, which you can use to hold additional cutlery. I found that my very tall wine glasses would fit in here, leaving room for mugs and other glass wear.

There's a section with fold-down tines, giving flexibility between more flat space or having room to hold saucers or small plates.

Pull out the bottom rack, and there's similarly flexible space. At the back of the dishwasher, the tines fold flat, and there are two adjustable holders for larger cooking dishes.

Fold the tines up, and there's space to stand big plates. A standard cutlery basket can be placed around the rack, depending on where space is required.

Salt goes in the chamber on the floor of the dishwasher, filled using the provided funnel. Dishwasher tablets and rinse aid go in the door, much like with every other dishwasher that I’ve used. It's important to set the water hardness level before first use, so that the salt can be used at the right dosage level.

I started off by testing the dishwasher in its auto intense wash, preloading the dishwasher with a load of dirty items. I then ran the cycle and measured how much power and electricity it used. I found that this wash would cost 50.62p to run.

Cleaning quality was excellent for the most part. My dirty wine glass came out perfectly clean.

I had a coffee cup stained with dried-on coffee, but the Hotpoint HSFO3T223WXUKN managed to get all of the mess out.

For the tougher tests, I put through a plate with dried-on remains of macaroni cheese. This came out of the dishwasher as new.

Finally, I put in a bowl, which I’d used to make microwaved scrambled egg. Here, the Hotpoint HSFO3T223WXUKN managed to get rid of a lot of the mess, but there were a few bits of dried on egg left.

To counter this, I cleaned the bowl, and tried again, this time placing it over the 3D Zone wash, and using that feature. Here, the Hotpoint HSFO3T223WXUKN did much better, removing every last trace of mess. That's impressive going, as I’ve only seen this level of cleaning on more expensive machines, such as the LG DF455HMS.

On Eco mode, I found that running costs dropped to 29p per cycle. That's alright, but the full-sized Samsung DW60A8060BB has similar running costs. Part of this is down to the fact, that the Hotpoint HSFO3T223WXUKN doesn't automatically open its door, so the drying cycle isn't as efficient, as its E rating demonstrates.

To cut costs further, there is a 30-minute cycle. I tested this with a coffee cup with dried on coffee stains. Here, I found that the cost per cycle was 10.9p. My coffee cup was largely clean, although a small ring was left; a pre-rinse while the coffee was still wet would have helped. Still, for less soiled items, the 30-minute wash is a great way to save costs.

Taking the energy label figures, the Hotpoint HSFO3T223WXUKN costs 28.6p per cycle to run. Given its 10 place settings, that's a figure of 2.86p per setting; a full-size dishwasher, such as the Samsung DW60A8060BB, can get the cost per place as low as 1.7p.

You want a stylish and powerful slimline dishwasher: This model looks great, is flexible inside, and can clean even heavily soiled dishes.

You want more space or lower running costs: It's not the cheapest dishwasher to run and, if you can squeeze in a full-size model, you’ll get more room and lower average running costs.

Stylish and powerful, the Hotpoint HSFO3T223WXUKN is a great-looking and flexible slimline dishwasher. It's E-rating does mean that this model is more expensive to run than much of the full-sized competition, but there are cycles that help cut costs. If you don't have room for a larger dishwasher and want something stylish and flexible, this is a sensibly priced choice. If you’re after something different, my guide to the best dishwashers can help.

We test every dishwasher we review thoroughly over an extended period of time. We use industry standard tests to compare features properly. We’ll always tell you what we find. We never, ever, accept money to review a product.

Find out more about how we test in our ethics policy.

We measure water and energy usage for each dishwasher to see how efficient they are.

We use real-world mess to test a dishwasher's ability to clean.

This slimline dishwasher has space for 10 place settings.

No, this model is a standard appliance, controlled from the front panel only.

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Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.

Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.

Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.

We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.