Home » Product Reviews » Washing Machines » Hotpoint NSWA 1146 WW UK 11kg Washing Machine with 1400 rpm review
The Hotpoint NSWA 1146 WW UK is a family-sized 11kg, 1400rpm washing machine aimed squarely at busy households that get through serious amounts of laundry. With an A energy rating, it promises to keep running costs sensible while still offering the power to tackle full loads.
Hotpoint has long been a go-to brand for practical, good-value laundry kit rather than flashy gimmicks, and this model follows that formula. It focuses on stain removal, allergy care and straightforward everyday programmes instead of smart apps.
A 4.8 out of 5 rating from hundreds of user reviews suggests owners are very happy with how it cleans, especially given the generous drum size and feature set for the money.
This 11kg machine is ideal for larger households – think families with two or more children, shared houses or anyone who routinely fills the laundry basket. The roomy drum lets you wash more in one go, cutting down the number of cycles you need to run each week.
It suits buyers looking for solid mid-range value: you get an efficient A-rated motor, a high 1400rpm spin and a good spread of programmes without straying into premium price territory. If you’re upgrading from an older 7kg or 8kg washer, the jump in capacity will be very noticeable.
It’s also a strong option if you regularly deal with tough stains or sensitive skin. The dedicated Anti-Stain cycle is designed to shift marks without pre-treating, while the Anti-Allergy function targets dust mites and common allergens – helpful for families with young children, allergy sufferers or anyone prone to eczema.
If you want app connectivity or lots of niche specialist cycles, this isn’t the machine for you. But if you value simple controls, big loads and dependable cleaning, it hits a very practical sweet spot.
The standout plus here is the huge 11kg drum, which comfortably handles bulky loads like bedding, towels and family washes. Fewer loads means less time in the utility room and lower overall running costs.
The A energy rating is impressive for such a large-capacity washer, helping to keep electricity use down over the long term. Combined with a brushless motor, it should be efficient and relatively durable.
Hotpoint’s Anti-Stain programme is a real asset if you’re constantly fighting food spills, grass or mud – it’s designed to tackle stubborn marks without the hassle of soaking or pre-spraying.
The Anti-Allergy function, certified to remove 99.99% of dust mites, is reassuring for homes with allergy or asthma sufferers. It uses higher temperatures and extra rinses to reduce irritants left in fabrics.
Convenience touches like Stop & Add (pause to add missed items), a quick wash option, a full-load 45-minute cycle and a clear LED display all make day-to-day use more flexible and less stressful.
Noise on spin is rated at 76dB, which is fairly typical but not especially quiet – if your machine lives in an open-plan kitchen, you’ll notice it working at full speed.
There’s no dedicated easy-iron or anti-crease programme, so if you’re very particular about minimising ironing, you may find that a limitation compared with some rivals.
The machine doesn’t include automatic detergent dosing or self-cleaning features, so you still need to measure detergent yourself and run the occasional maintenance wash to keep it fresh.
A one-year manufacturer warranty is on the short side for a major appliance; some competitors offer longer cover, which may matter if you like extra peace of mind.
Day to day, the NSWA 1146 WW UK is designed to be straightforward. The combination of rotary dial and buttons, backed up by an LED display, makes it easy to pick a programme and see how long is left thanks to the time-remaining indicator.
Despite the large 11kg drum, the footprint is standard for a front-loader at 85 x 59.5 x 60.5cm, with a total depth of around 63.9cm including protruding parts. That means it will slot under most kitchen worktops, though you’ll want to double-check depth if your cupboards are tight.
The 16 programmes cover the essentials: cottons, synthetics, wool, quick options and dedicated cycles for stains and allergies. Variable temperature and spin settings give you control to protect delicates or ramp things up for heavy loads. Features like Full Load 45′ and Rapid 30′ are handy when you need clean clothes in a hurry.
The Stop & Add function is particularly useful in real life. If you spot a stray sock just after you press start, you can pause and drop it in without waiting for the next wash. A child lock helps prevent curious fingers from meddling with the settings mid-cycle.
With no self-cleaning system, it does rely on basic maintenance: leaving the door ajar after washes and running an occasional hot empty cycle with cleaner. But overall, its design and controls are friendly even if you’re not especially tech-savvy.
Performance-wise, the big 11kg stainless steel drum and 1400rpm max spin speed give this Hotpoint serious everyday capability. The higher spin speed helps to pull more water out of clothes, so they spend less time on the radiator or in the tumble dryer, saving time and energy.
The A energy rating, with a quoted 0.53kWh per wash and around 53kWh per 100 cycles, is strong for a washer this size. Water use is listed at 54 litres per cycle, which is reasonable for full loads – and the load-balance system helps keep things efficient and stable by adjusting to how the drum is filled.
On the fabric care side, the wool cycle and variable spin options let you treat more delicate items gently, while the Anti-Allergy programme uses extra rinses to flush out detergent residues and allergens. The super/extra rinse feature is useful if you or your children are sensitive to washing powder.
The Anti-Stain programme is a key selling point, designed to tackle common stains without pre-treating. For busy families this can be the difference between clothes heading for the wash basket and heading for the bin, especially on school uniforms and sports kit.
You also get modern conveniences like a delay timer, quick wash and Rapid 30′ options, plus stackability if you’re pairing it with a separate dryer in a tight space. It doesn’t stretch into smart-home territory, and there’s no automatic detergent dosing, but as a well-specified, practical family workhorse it covers the bases that matter most.
At around £349, the NSWA 1146 WW UK offers strong value for an 11kg, A-rated washing machine with a good set of stain and allergy-focused features. Many washers at this price point offer smaller capacities or lower energy ratings, so you’re getting a lot of drum for your money.
The impressive 4.8/5 user rating, backed by a large number of reviews, suggests reliability and performance that match the specification on paper. That positive owner feedback helps justify the spend, especially if you’re upgrading from an older, less efficient model.
The main compromise is the basic one-year warranty and the lack of premium extras like smart connectivity or auto-dosing. If those features are non-negotiable for you, you’ll need to look higher up the price ladder.
For most households that simply want a big, efficient and dependable washer from a trusted mainstream brand, it represents very solid value.
The Hotpoint NSWA 1146 WW UK is a thoroughly practical family washing machine that prioritises capacity, efficiency and fabric care over flashy add-ons. The 11kg drum, A energy rating and 1400rpm spin give it the fundamentals to handle busy homes with ease.
Its Anti-Stain and Anti-Allergy programmes make it particularly appealing for households with messy kids, sports kit or sensitive skin, while everyday touches like Stop & Add, quick washes and clear controls keep it easy to live with.
It’s not the quietest, the warranty is only a year and you don’t get smart features or auto-dosing. But judged on the basics – cleaning performance, running costs and sheer practicality – it’s an excellent choice for larger households looking for strong value without overcomplicating laundry day.