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Hoover HW3 wet and dry vacuum: two-minute review
The Hoover HW3 is a wet-and-dry vacuum that delivers impressive cleaning performance for a very affordable price. Designed for use on hard floors, it combines a wet roller to scrub away dirt with suction to pull up solid debris.
On test, it cleared spillages of all kinds with ease, sucking up or wiping away soy sauce, dry cereal, oats and even sticky Marmite spread with minimal effort. The battery life is in line with the rest of the market, maneuverability is good, and the self-clean mode takes care of everyday maintenance. The design of the water tanks could be improved – the clean one is slightly fiddly to fill, and both on occasion failed to clip in properly – but these are nit-picks. This is hands-down the best wet-and-dry vacuum I’ve examined on this budget-friendly worth bracket.
Yes, if you spend a bit more you can unlock fancier features, such as the ability to adjust water use, hot water self-cleaning, steam functions, and even AI-based dirt detection. If you have more hardcore cleaning needs – and are regularly dealing with grease, in particular – then it might be worth investing in a pricier model.
However, for the average household, this wet-dry vacuum will be more than adequate. If you’re looking for something affordable to help you stay on top of everyday cleaning of hard floors, it’s a stellar choice. Read on for more info in my full Hoover HW3 review.
Hoover HW3 review: price & availability
- List price: £249
- Launched: August 2025
- Available: UK
The Hoover HW3 launched in summer 2025, and is available in the UK direct from Hoover, as well as via various third-party retailers such as Currys and John Lewis. At the time of writing, it was widely discounted to £199.
Even at full price, that’s extremely affordable for a wet-dry vacuum. Pricier models offer features such as dirt detection and hot water in the self-clean cycle; but in terms of the basics, you’re more than covered here. It isn’t the most premium feeling wet-dry vacuum I’ve used, but neither is it flimsy, making it pretty good value for money.
For a slightly higher price, you could pick up a Shark HydroVac Cordless (US$359.99 / £329.99), which provides the same feature-set to the HW3, however it additionally comes with a “Freshen mode” that is designed to be used on space rugs.
On the premium finish of the market there are fashions such because the Tineco Ground One S7 Professional, which prices $799.99 / £599.99 and has a number of modes, together with the flexibility to deodorize and disinfect flooring. There’s additionally the Dyson WashG1, which prices $699.99/ £599.99 and would not do a lot the HW3 cannot, besides which you can select how a lot water it makes use of and there is a mechanism to separate solids and liquids, designed to make sure clean working with minimal upkeep.
- Worth for cash rating: 4.5 out of 5
Hoover HW3 specs
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Hoover HW3 |
|---|---|
|
Type: |
Cordless wet-and-dry vacuum (corded also available) |
|
Cleaner size (H x L x W): |
44.5 x 10.6 x 9.4in / 113 x 27 x 24cm |
|
Weight (empty): |
Confirming |
|
Clean water tank volume: |
0.55L |
|
Dirty water tank volume: |
0.55L |
|
Max runtime: |
40mins |
|
Recharge time: |
4hrs 30mins |
|
Suction power: |
16,000Pa |
|
Modes: |
Vacuum only, vacuum+mop, Max |
|
Self-clean cycle: |
Yes, cold water and cold air |
Hoover HW3 wet and dry vacuum review: design
- Cordless wet-and-dry cleaner with button controls and a screen for info
- Vacuum and vac+mop modes, plus a Max mode for extra suction
- Self-clean function with cold water and cool air
The Hoover HW3 is a cordless wet-dry cleaner that’s designed for maintaining hard floors. There are two main modes: vacuum-and-mop and vacuum-only. The latter is for picking up loose dirt from hard floors before going in with the mop; it isn’t really designed for carpet (if you need a dust-buster for carpets and rugs, head to my guide to the best cordless vacuums).
There’s additionally a Max mode, which boosts suction in both mode. Be aware that there is no technique to regulate the move of water: for instance, for these cases you may wish to hydrate a dried-on stain extra completely, or lower water when cleansing a wood flooring.
Controls are positioned on the highest of the deal with, inside simple attain whereas cleansing. There are three buttons: On/Off, Max, and third button for switching modes, inexplicably indicated by a four-part diamond icon. A secret fourth button sits on the underside nook of the deal with (extra seen when the vacuum is docked) – this one has a droplet and a few sparkles, and launches the self-clean cycle.
A display screen on high of the motor part shows a big quantity to point battery life (be sure you’re studying it the fitting approach up – for some time I assumed it was saying “Eh”; the truth is, it was “43”). Icons across the fringe of the display screen assist with troubleshooting. That is removed from the whizziest display screen I’ve seen on this sort of machine, however it does the job, and is supplemented by verbal prompts.
Down on the enterprise finish you will discover a delicate, microfiber-covered curler. Inside its housing you will see a row of jagged plastic spikes – I assume to scrape filth and hair off the curler. Stated curler simply unclips and slides out as required, and the entire high of the floorhead additionally lifts off in order for you it to. I are likely to assume with one thing as doubtlessly messy as a moist cleaner, the extra elements that may be eliminated for rinsing, the higher.
Picture 1 of 2
The clear and soiled water tanks clip to the back and front of the HW3 respectively. If I am being choosy, the design of those may very well be higher. Filling the clear tank is just a little fiddly, as a result of the inlet is on the vertical aspect, and the tanks did not all the time clip on correctly first time.
To empty the soiled tank you pull the highest part of it upwards, then pour the soiled liquid out by way of a grille. This high part can be totally eliminated to help you faucet out stable particles, though you will not have the ability to get your hand in there to provide it a extra thorough clear, plus there are many nooks and crannies the place I anticipate grime will begin to construct up. This type of design is not uncommon for a wet-dry cleaner, although.
The self-clean cycle runs clear water by way of the system and spins the curler. It then dries the mop, over the course of a number of hours, utilizing chilly air. Fancier, extra dear wet-dry vacuums can clear utilizing sizzling water (to chop by way of grease) and dry extra rapidly, with sizzling air. Nonetheless, this stays a stable primary choice.
The HW3’s base is shallow in top however fairly deep, so you will wish to be sure you have house for it close to an influence outlet. It is predominantly for charging the HW3, however it additionally protects the ground through the self-clean cycle. The bottom tray may be lifted out for rinsing.
There are pockets on the rear which are nearly actually meant to deal with equipment, however because the solely equipment that have been equipped with my machine are a bottle of cleansing fluid and a tube brush, neither of which match within the slots, they seem to be a little bit of a waste of house.
Hoover HW3 wet and dry vacuum review: performance
- Excellent cleaning of solid and liquid spills, and can handle sticky stains too
- Simple but effective in use
- Instructions for setup aren’t clear
Setup was a case of trial and error, since the instructions provided take the form of drawings that have all the narrative clarity of an interpretive dance performance. Once the vacuum was all charged up, I added a mix of water and a splash of the cleaning fluid provided to the tank, and was ready to roll.
Immediately, I was hit with two error messages – one informing me the dirty water tank needed emptying, and another stating that the roller was jammed. The former was because I’d filled up the wrong tank, and the latter was the result of the brand-new roller being just too darned fluffy. I dampened it down with some water and all was well.
I started by cleaning the kitchen floor in “vacuum and mop” mode. Like most wet-dry vacuums, the HW3 propels itself forwards when switched on, making it easy to drive. It’s easy enough to maneuver, and the floorhead pivots fairly well, although it isn’t as nimble as something the Dyson WashG1, for instance.
In customary mode, the mopping on my tiled flooring was even, with no drips or unintended puddles. It left a light-weight sheen of water that dried inside round 5 minutes, which is the best situation. From the grubby state of the waste water I later poured down my sink, the rollering was additionally lots vigorous sufficient for on a regular basis cleansing. I used to be impressed by how shut this wet-dry vacuum can get to the perimeters of rooms, too – approaching side-on, there was solely a really slim border left un-mopped.
Like many wet-dry vacuums, the HW3 instructs you verbally, too; however it’s noisy sufficient that it is fairly tough to listen to the voice cues whilst you’re cleansing. Fortunately, icons additionally seem on-screen, and these are simple sufficient to grasp.
Once I was completed cleansing, I hit the ability Off button. This did not instantly minimize energy, however as a substitute continued suction for a second or so nonetheless, to make sure any lingering grubby water is sucked into the waste tank, somewhat than dribbling out onto the newly cleaned flooring – a pleasant contact.
Picture 1 of 3
To offer the cleaner a extra thorough problem, I drizzled soy sauce, soy milk, oats and puffed rice cereal onto a tiled flooring, and approached in “vacuum-and-mop” mode. I used to be very impressed with the outcomes; the HW3 cleared all the pieces on the primary move.
I then determined to up the ante with some sticky Marmite and a few maple syrup. The syrup was wiped away nearly instantly, however the Marmite took a number of passes, and the machine smeared it round just a little earlier than clearing it.
The ground was additionally a tiny bit cheesy after the water had dried, so I did an extra move with the HW3 after it’d been by way of a self-clean, which took care of it. That is a robust end in my e-book – Marmite is a tough substance to scrub, even manually.
Regardless of solely utilizing chilly water and funky air, the self-clean mode appears stable, too. The half the place the system is being flushed with recent water is noisy, however that lasts solely 2 minutes 40 seconds, after which the air-dry mode kicks in. That is only a pretty quiet grumble, however it does final a number of hours, so maybe one to launch while you’re off to mattress. On this level, I like that the auto-clean would not kick in mechanically – it’s essential press a button to activate it.
After the self-clean was full, the curler seemed comparatively recent, and was good to make use of for one more spherical of cleansing. As with all wet-dry vacuums, you will wish to complement the auto-clean with your individual occasional deep clear. That is simple, because the curler simply pops out from the floorhead, able to be rinsed with sizzling water and washing up liquid, then left to dry.
- Efficiency rating: 4 out of 5
Hoover HW3 review: battery life
- Battery displayed as a countdown on the screen
- 40min runtime in standard vac-mop mode – in line with the wider market
- Recharge is slow
Hoover promises 40 minutes of cleaning on a single charge with this vacuum, and in my tests (in standard vac-mop mode) that figure was spot-on. It’s shorter than you’d expect from a suction-only machine, but it’s in line with the wet-dry competition, including the far pricier models I’ve tested. It’s also ample cleaning time for most people’s needs – bar, perhaps, those with a large houses that have hard floors throughout.
Note that you probably will have to refill the clean water tank during this 40-minute period. In addition, the recharge period is long at four and a half hours.
- Battery life score: 4 out of 5
Should you buy the Hoover HW3 wet and dry vacuum?
|
Attribute |
Notes |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
Value |
Affordable and often discounted further – not the fanciest model around, but stellar value for money. |
4.5 / 5 |
|
Design |
Relatively simple but effective, with vacuum and vac-mop modes, Max boost and self-clean. Tank design could be slightly better. |
4 / 5 |
|
Performance |
Very solid cleaning of all kinds of messes, and effective self-clean mode. No way to adjust water flow and instructions aren’t great. |
4 / 5 |
|
Battery |
40 minutes of cleaning per charge in vac-mop mode – in line with the competition. |
4 / 5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
How I tested the Hoover HW3 wet and dry vacuum
I used the Hoover HW3 regularly over the course of a couple of weeks to clean a large tiled kitchen and utility room. During this time, I tested all the various cleaning modes and monitored how well it dealt with food crumbs, hair (dog and human) and general dirt buildup, as well as considering how easy it was to use, its maneuverability, and if there were any niggling issues with performance.
I ran tests to see how it would cope with more challenging spillages such as soy sauce, maple syrup and Marmite spread, and timed how long the battery lasted per charge, and the effectiveness of its self-clean mode. I compared all my findings to other wet-and-dry vacuums I’ve tested, and considered if it was good value for money.
Read more about how we test vacuum cleaners
- First reviewed October 2025
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