Hoover HW3 Wet and Dry Vacuum: Two-Minute Review
Looking for a budget-friendly wet-dry vacuum that packs a punch? The Hoover HW3 is here to save the day! This nifty little machine delivers impressive cleaning power at a price that won’t break the bank. Designed for hard floors, it combines a wet roller to scrub away dirt with powerful suction to pull up solid debris.
On test, the Hoover HW3 tackled spillages of all kinds with ease. From soy sauce to dry cereal, oats, and even sticky Marmite spread, it wiped and sucked away mess with minimal effort. Its battery life is on par with the rest of the market, maneuverability is good, and the self-clean mode takes care of everyday maintenance.
Now, the design of the water tanks could use a bit of improvement – filling the clean one can be a bit fiddly, and both tanks occasionally failed to clip in properly. But these are minor nit-picks in an otherwise stellar performer.
So, should you buy the Hoover HW3 wet-dry vacuum?
If you’re on a budget and looking for a wet-dry vacuum that ticks all the boxes for everyday cleaning, the Hoover HW3 is a no-brainer. It’s affordable, effective, and a great choice for the average household.
However, if you’re dealing with hardcore cleaning needs, like grease, you might want to consider investing in a pricier model with more advanced features like hot water self-cleaning or steam functions.
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.
For a slightly higher price, you could pick up a Shark HydroVac Cordless, which offers a similar feature-set but also comes with a “Freshen mode” for area rugs. At the premium end of the market, there are models like the Tineco Floor One S7 Pro and Dyson WashG1, which offer additional modes and features, but at a significantly higher price point.
Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5
Hoover HW3 Specs
– 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
The Hoover HW3 is a cordless wet-dry cleaner with button controls and a screen for info. It has two main modes: vacuum-and-mop and vacuum-only, plus a Max mode for extra suction. The self-clean function uses cold water and cool air.
Controls are positioned on the top of the handle, within easy reach while cleaning. There are three buttons: On/Off, Max, and a third button for switching modes. A secret fourth button sits on the bottom corner of the handle for launching the self-clean cycle.
A screen on top of the motor section displays battery life and troubleshooting icons. The clean and dirty water tanks clip to the front and back of the machine, but the design could be improved for easier filling and clipping.
Design score: 4 out of 5
Hoover HW3 Wet and Dry Vacuum Review: Performance
The Hoover HW3 excels at cleaning solid and liquid spills, even sticky stains like Marmite. It’s simple but effective to use, with clear verbal and visual cues. Setup was a bit of a trial and error due to unclear instructions, but once up and running, the vacuum performed exceptionally well.
It propels itself forwards when switched on, making it easy to drive, and maneuvers well around furniture. The mopping was even and left a light sheen of water that dried within around five minutes. The self-clean mode is solid, using cold water and cool air to clean and dry the roller.
Performance score: 4 out of 5
Hoover HW3 Review: Battery Life
The Hoover HW3 promises 40 minutes of cleaning on a single charge in standard vac-mop mode, and my tests confirmed this figure. It’s in line with the wet-dry competition, but the recharge period is long at four and a half hours.
Battery life score: 4 out of 5
So, if you’re in the market for a budget-friendly wet-dry vacuum that cleans like a pro, the Hoover HW3 should be at the top of your list. It’s affordable, effective, and a great choice for the average household. Happy cleaning!
