The Candy Smart Pro Inverter CSO686TWMBB6-80 is an 8kg, WiFi-connected washing machine aimed at busy homes that want quick, efficient laundry without paying premium-brand prices. With a 1600rpm spin, A energy rating and a modern black finish, it is designed to look the part as well as keep bills in check.
Candy tends to sit in the value and mid-range space, and this model reflects that: the price is competitive for an 8kg, 1600rpm washer with smart features. Despite the wallet-friendly positioning, the spec sheet is strong, including an inverter motor, steam function and a full-load 59-minute wash.
Owners rate it very highly, with an impressive 4.8 out of 5 from 190+ reviews. That gives plenty of confidence that, in real homes, it’s performing well and proving easy to live with.
With an 8kg drum, this Candy Smart Pro is ideal for small to medium-sized households – think couples who wash often, or families with one or two children. It comfortably handles everyday mixed loads, bedding and towels without feeling oversized in a typical UK kitchen.
If you’re watching energy costs, the A rating and relatively low quoted energy use per cycle make it attractive. The KG Detector automatically adjusts water and time to the size of the load, so you’re not wasting money when you only need to wash a few bits.
It’s also well suited to time-poor households. There are 9 rapid cycles, including a 14-minute quick wash and a 59-minute full-load option, so you can fit laundry around work, school runs and busy evenings instead of the other way round.
The WiFi connectivity and hOn app support will appeal to more tech‑comfortable users who like remote control and extra programme options. That said, the rotary dial and clear display mean it’s still approachable for anyone upgrading from an older, more basic washer.
The 8kg drum hits a real sweet spot, big enough for family use but not so large that it feels inefficient for smaller loads. Combined with the A energy rating and 0.425kWh quoted consumption per wash, it should be relatively cheap to run.
The 1600rpm spin speed is excellent at this price, helping clothes come out noticeably drier and cutting tumble dryer time. That’s especially useful in winter or in homes with limited drying space.
Candy’s KG Detector is a standout: by weighing the load and adapting the cycle automatically, it helps reduce water, time and energy use without you having to think about it. This is backed up by handy extras like variable temperature and spin, half-load functionality and foam control.
Rapid cycles are another major plus. With a 14-minute quick wash for lightly soiled items and multiple other short programmes, you’re rarely stuck waiting hours for the machine to finish. The “Full load in 59” programme is particularly practical for everyday laundry.
The steam cycle, Easy Iron options and anti-crease features help reduce wrinkles and freshen fabrics, making ironing faster and easier. Add in the inverter motor, WiFi control via the hOn app, child lock and Aquastop leak protection, and you end up with a feature set that feels very strong for the money.
Owner feedback is overwhelmingly positive, which supports the idea that this is not just good on paper but performs well in real homes.
Noise levels are on the higher side, with 78dB listed for spin, which is noticeably louder than some quieter rivals. If you have an open-plan living space or like to wash late at night, this is worth considering.
The spin performance is rated B rather than the top A, so while 1600rpm is powerful, it’s not quite class-leading in efficiency terms. Clothes will still come out fairly dry, but some premium models may extract a little more water.
There’s no automatic detergent dosing, and features like a Water Plus system or dedicated sportswear cycles are missing, so if you want the absolute widest programme range and the most hands-off experience, you may find this a bit more basic than higher-end machines.
Finally, the manufacturer warranty is only 1 year, which feels short when some competitors offer longer cover on the motor or the whole appliance. For a product you’ll likely use several times a week, extended protection might be worth budgeting for.
Day to day, the Candy Smart Pro CSO686TWMBB6-80 should be straightforward to live with. The front-loading design and standard 60cm width mean it will slide into a typical under-counter slot, and the 53cm depth (including protruding parts) makes it slightly shallower than some models, which can help in tighter kitchens.
The rotary and touch controls, combined with an LCD display, give a clear overview of settings. There’s a remaining time indicator, so you know when the load will finish, and a 24-hour delay timer if you prefer to run washes overnight or to finish just as you get home.
The Pause & Add Item feature is genuinely useful: if you spot a stray sock just after starting a cycle, you don’t have to wait until the next load. The half-load and KG Detector functions mean you can run smaller washes without feeling guilty about wasting water and energy.
Although the machine doesn’t have self-cleaning, maintenance is fairly conventional – you’ll need to keep on top of drum clean cycles and wipe the seal, as with most washers. Child lock and Aquastop add peace of mind if you have little ones or the machine is installed in a space where leaks would be a real headache.
The only real compromise in everyday use is noise. While washing noise is moderate, the 78dB spin can sound quite assertive. Placing the machine on a solid, level floor and using the load balance system correctly will help minimise vibrations.
Core washing performance is strong for this class. An 8kg capacity and A-rated wash performance make it well equipped for family life, while the inverter motor should deliver consistent results with improved energy efficiency compared to older, brushed motors.
The 1600rpm maximum spin speed means laundry comes out significantly drier than from 1200rpm or 1400rpm machines, especially on cottons. That can translate to shorter tumble drying times or quicker air-drying, which matters if you’re trying to cut running costs.
Where this model really stands out is its programme and feature set. You get 14 programmes, including hand wash, eco cycle, stain removal support and a suite of rapid cycles, topped off by the “Full load in 59” option. KG Detector automatically tailors each cycle to the actual load, helping optimise time, water and energy without extra input from you.
For fabric care and finishing, the steam cycle helps to loosen creases and remove odours, while Easy Iron and anti-crease options reduce the need for heavy ironing sessions. Extras like Extra Rinse, Skip Spin, foam control and a load balance system give you more control and protect both clothes and machine.
The WiFi connectivity and hOn app add a modern touch, letting you start or monitor cycles from your phone and potentially access additional programmes or diagnostics. When combined with child lock, Aquastop and adjustable feet for stable installation, the overall feature list feels more like a higher mid-range washer than a basic budget model.
At around £289, this Candy Smart Pro represents very good value for an 8kg, 1600rpm, A-rated washing machine with WiFi and steam functions. Many machines at a similar price point offer lower spin speeds or fewer smart and fabric-care features.
The low quoted energy consumption per 100 cycles (43kWh) and modest 44-litre water use per wash should help keep running costs under control, especially when combined with the KG Detector and eco cycles. Over a few years of regular use, that can make a noticeable difference compared with older, less efficient models.
The main compromise at this price is the 1-year manufacturer warranty and higher spin noise, but owner satisfaction is excellent, with a 4.8/5 rating from 190 reviews suggesting the overall reliability and user experience are strong.
Taking the specification, performance and user feedback together, it offers a lot of machine for the money. If you want a capable family washer with modern conveniences without stepping up to premium-brand prices, it’s an appealing option.
The Candy Smart Pro CSO686TWMBB6-80 is a feature-packed, energy-efficient washing machine that suits most small to medium-sized UK households very well. It combines an 8kg drum, powerful 1600rpm spin and an A energy rating with rapid cycles, steam options and smart connectivity, all at a very accessible price.
It’s not the quietest washer around and the 1-year warranty feels a little mean, but those are the main trade-offs. For the majority of users, the convenience of the quick programmes, KG Detector, Pause & Add function and Easy Iron features will matter far more day to day.
If you’re looking for a stylish black washing machine that delivers fast, efficient laundry care without breaking the bank, this Candy Smart Pro deserves to be high on your shortlist. Noise-sensitive buyers or those wanting a longer guarantee might prefer to spend more, but for most, it strikes an excellent balance between performance, features and cost.
