Hoover H-Dry 350 tumble dryer review: fuss free and energy efficient

T3's Hoover H-Dry 350 tumble dryer review in a sentence: Excellent efficiency and a competitive price point offers major appeal.

Energy prices are continuing to rise, which is a real worry for many of us. It also means finding household appliances that are as energy efficient as possible also makes a lot of sense and that includes the best tumble dryer options. Enter the Hoover H-Dry 350 tumble dryer, which is a A+++ machine that has been designed to make light work of drying clothes while helping to save some money on electricity costs into the bargain.

The Hoover H-Dry 350 tumble dryer is one of a pair of new models from the brand, with the other being the Hoover H-Dry 500. Aside from their high efficiency rating, one of the most appealing aspects of these machines is the specification, which has moved on a lot compared to the washer dryer that our household has currently.

These are heat pump tumble dryers too, which are normally more expensive to buy than their vented counterparts. Another bonus with the Hoover H-Dry 350 tumble dryer is that there’s no plumbing in to be done, thanks to its internal water tank that needs the occasional empty. There’s an included hose, just in case you want to run any water straight into an available drain point instead. So, the promise of lower running costs and minimal maintenance left me very keen to try it.

Hoover H-Dry 350 tumble dryer review: price and availability

The Hoover H-Dry 350 tumble dryer is just one of a raft of tumble dryers that can be purchased from Hoover Direct, often at discounted rates. The Hoover H-Dry 350 tumble dryer I’ve been testing is a white/black model, which costs £499, down from its original RRP of £579.

There’s an all-white model available too, which switches the black door for a white one, and that can be had for £519, down from the original RRP of £579. The latter is also available as a 10kg option, over the standard 9kg load capacity edition.

Hoover H-Dry 350 tumble dryer review: is it any good?

First up, I really liked the ease with which the Hoover H-Dry 350 tumble dryer could be set up. I was up and running within minutes of the delivery driver dropping it off. It arrived shrink-wrapped and with minimal polystyrene packing on the top, base and corners. With that off and the manual extracted from inside, along with a length of flexible black tubing, which is the optional drainage method aside from the internal Hoover Aquavision tank on the inside of the door, it just needed plugging in.

The supplied manual told me everything I needed to know and the control panel on the front makes getting started a real breeze. Sure, this panel might not look quite as premium as some models on the market and the control dial feels a little plasticky, but considering the price point of this machine, I think that’s easy to live with.

There are some audible alerts as you pick through the control options plus, initially, I had to choose my operating language (although it is actually English by default) after pressing the control buttons one too many times, but otherwise there’s not an awful lot to do in readiness for the first drying session. In fact, this appliance is simplicity itself to operate, which gets it off to a very good start.

Hoover H-Dry 350 tumble dryer review: performance

I’ve tried the Hoover H-Dry 350 tumble dryer a few times now and, so far at least, it’s been an impressive appliance. The 9kg capacity seems about right for my needs, although the slightly more generous 10kg model might be the one to go for, especially if you have a couple of kids who get through clothes rapidly.

Hoover reckons that a heat pump model can offer up to 40% energy saving potential compared to a vented model. I’m hard-pressed to say how good my savings have been so far, but the appliance does seem to run very smartly. What I have found to be brilliant is the Hoover Aquavision feature. This is a water tank that sits on the inside of the front door, with a neat little built in lifting handle for when it needs to be removed and emptied. It's easy to see the levels and works a treat.

Talking of smart, the Hoover H-Dry 350 tumble dryer also packs in wireless control technology, which I didn’t really need but to have it as an option is always a bonus. The settings are many and varied too. Turning the main dial clockwise allows you to select Cotton, Whites, Jeans, Darks & Coloured, Synthetics and Shirts. On the opposite side is an XXL option, which takes in Energy Save, Delicates, Wool, Anti-Odours, Night Care and All in One under a ‘Care’ section displayed on the dial. Rapid drying includes 30/45/59-degree temperature options. The dial can be used to switch off the machine if needed too.

Meanwhile, the LCD control panel has menu options including Memory, Anti-Crease, Drying Selection, Timer Selection and the option to pause a drying session if it’s needed. Overall, there’s a generous range of options here, which allowed me to dry an array of different clothes, depending on what I’d just washed. I was also impressed at how quiet this appliance is. My only concern is how durable the plastic front door will be over time, but I guess if I treat it with respect, it should last the course.

Hoover H-Dry 350 tumble dryer review: verdict

I’ve been very impressed with the Hoover H-Dry 350 tumble dryer thus far. Considering this is a machine with a heat pump and generous array of features it’s reasonably affordable, especially when discounts are applied. There are lots of highlights too, with the Hoover Aquavision detachable water tank being one of the best things about it. This allows me to keep an eye on water levels, just by looking at the front door and then empty as needed.

The controls are a doddle to use as well, plus there are plenty of settings that cover all bases when it comes to drying every type of clothing item. All told, this is a great bit of kit.