Candy CN120 washing machine review: Overview

Candy bought Hoover out several years ago. This means that Candy and Hoover washing machines are now extremely similar inside and there are many similarities between this review and the Hoover H160E washing machine review

What's the difference between a Hoover washing machine and a Candy? Well, Candy are a bit cheaper and a few parts seem to be slightly lower quality. So the question is, should you buy a Candy washing machine or a Hoover washing machine? Or should you avoid both?

First impressions

I find the Candy CN120 a bit ugly. It's got an old fashioned look to it and it does look a bit cheap. The chunky option buttons look awkward but feel decent enough quality. The knobs and buttons look like they've been placed in their places without much thought. The controls are simple and there's a manual temperature control. The door opens back almost flush with the casing for easy access. This is a budget priced washing machine and one of the cheapest in the UK.

Build quality

The build quality isn't awful, but you get what you pay for. I would put it somewhere between the Hoover and Indesit. The program information printed on the control panel doesn't look hard wearing, so care would be needed to stop it wearing away altogether. The quality of the screw holes in the back panel is very poor. After just one undoing (to take transit packing off) the holes become enlarged and the back panel screws no longer tighten up properly again. It's likely to result in unnecessary rattles from the back panel in the future.

The parts inside the CN120 washing machine

As mentioned earlier, the parts inside the Candy CN120 washing machine are almost the same as on the Hoover so most observations from the Hoover H160E washing machine review are applicable here too.

The stabilizing weight on top of the tub is very large to make up for being a lightweight build. The suspension legs look a bit basic, but then crude suspension is common on all but the quality washing machines and it's one of the reasons why they aren't so stable on spin. The plastic lower half of the suspension looks breakable, but modern washing machines use advanced out of balance load detection which presumably allow the use of plastic in the suspension.

This is a simple un-cramped design which should be easy to maintain (apart from if drum bearings fail, which is covered further down this section)

Good

• The Heater and thermostats are where they should be on a washing machine - at the back where an engineer can get to them easily
• The two top tub springs holding the tub central inside the casing are now extremely strong

Bad

• No adjustment on the motor for the drive belt means a new belt will be required instead of tightening up the slack as it wears. (This is common on many washing machines now)
• If the drum bearings fail on this range of washing machine, you can't replace them separately. You have to replace the entire tub with them already pressed in. This means that the washing machine is likely to be scrapped if the drum bearings fail because of the high repair cost compared to the low purchasing price. This type of scenario is very common with many of the cheaper washing machines these days ( Do washing machines have built-in obsolescence? ) As far as I know, the Candy washing machine doesn't have the free 5 year parts guarantee that the Hoover washing machines do so this is one good reason to go for the Hoover instead.

Things I don't like about the Candy CNT120

One thing that annoys me (from a repairman's point of view) about the Candy washing machines is the lid arrangement Candy washing machines share the same lid that Hoover have adopted from Candy over the last several years. This isn't a serious consideration from a user's point of view, but depending on the location of your fill taps, drain stand pipe and mains socket, it can affect how easy it is to work on the machine in the future.

Let me explain:

A washing machine lid usually fits under two lugs at the front and is secured with two screws at the back. To remove it, you pull the washing machine out (usually from underneath a work surface) far enough to get to the two screws at the back. Once undone, the lid knocks forward and is off in seconds.

The lid on the Candy range slides in from the back between plastic guides. This means you have to pull the washing machine much further out (about 3 foot) in order to slide the lid completely out of its plastic fittings. Due to the shortness of standard washing machine hoses and the fact that plumbers often plumb taps under cupboards this is often impossible to do without disconnecting the washing machine from the plumbing and is an unnecessary pain.

The first time I came across this lid arrangement, I stood the lid on its side away from the washing machine while I worked on the machine. The floor became wet (as it does) and because the lid is made of laminated wood, it absorbed water, swelled at the edges and refused to slide back in. I had to trim it extensively with a Stanley knife.

Unpacking the washing machine before use:

This is a heavy machine due to the oversized concrete blocks. Part of the procedure for removing the transit packing and getting the washing machine ready for use involves fitting a plastic cover underneath (supplied). This means laying the washing machine down on the floor.

I don't even see why this cover is needed. If they are going to fit them, they should be fitted at the factory and not by customers, many of whom may be able to take out transit bolts and packing, but not able to lay down and pick up a heavy washing machine.

Concerns

The sump hose and pressure chamber share the same source of water in such a way that I wonder what would happen if a sock, or other obstruction, was to get jammed in the entry to the hose. Looking at the hose arrangement, if the blockage prevented water getting past it, then water could also be prevented from getting to the pressure chamber and cause overfilling. This may, or may not happen and maybe Candy decided that socks would not get swallowed up in this machine. Only time will tell.

Summary

The Candy CN120 (UK) is extremely similar inside to the Hoover range of washing machines because they are made by the same company but this one looks awful compared to the much nicer Hoover designs. Candy washing machines should now come with the same free 5 year parts guarantee safety net that Hoover's have.

Which would I choose out of Hoover and Candy? I'd go for Hoover every time but if you can pick up a Candy a lot cheaper and price is an issue, get a Candy.

• Cheap washing machines: If you must buy a cheap washing machine, or have little option, these are the only really "cheap" washing machine I would consider because they are made by the same company that makes AEG and Zanussi, they are basically budget versions of Zanussi washing machines. Reviews coming soon, meanwhile Contact me if you have any questions about these budget washing machines.
• Tricity AW1001 (1000 spin) washing machine (around £200)
• Tricity AW1401 (1400 spin) washing machine only £249 with Free delivery AND a 2 year guarantee (at John Lewis)
• Tricity WDR1241W Washer dryer only £299 with Free delivery AND a 2 year guarantee (at John Lewis)

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