Hotpoint RFAA52P review

Review: October 2015

Rating:

In a nutshell: The Hotpoint First Edition RFAA52 P is one of the cheapest full-height fridge-freezers you can buy, and there aren't many alternatives at the same price. But be aware that you get what you pay for. This is the most basic, under-specified, and problematic fridge-freezer that we've reviewed.

Today's best buy: Hotpoint RFAA52P White from Buywise Domestics (£249.99)

Design & features

Welcome to a kitchen where time stood still. The Hotpoint RFAA52P First Edition is like a fridge-freezer from 30 years ago. Plain, plastic, cheap-looking and cheap-feeling, this fridge-freezer has little to recommend it when it comes to design.

Storage is quite limited for a full-height fridge-freezer, but that's because of the narrow width and shallow depth of the appliance. If space in your kitchen is tricky, you'll find that the RFAA52P easily slots in.

Be aware that this fridge-freezer isn't frost free, so will require regular defrosting to remove ice build-up. Like we said, it's like a journey into the past.

Efficiency, noise & reliability

You might imagine that an appliance this old-fashioned would be an energy hog, but because of its relatively small storage capacity, it's actually quite cheap to run. Its A+ efficiency rating reflects the fact that it's not particularly efficient, just small. In practice it uses around 25% less electricity than many more upmarket rivals - although they will have more storage capacity.

It's not a quiet appliance, but also not the noisiest we've encountered.

When it comes to reliability, you can tell from what we've already said that this machine is manufactured to a tight budget, and isn't built with longevity in mind. You'll have to hope for good luck, because the manufacturer's warranty lasts for just one year. On a more positive note, there are a lot of these fridge-freezers in service, so repairers will be very familiar with them.

Conclusion - super cheap

If your budget is ultra-tight, you don't have many options open to you. The Hotpoint RFAA52P is perhaps as good as any. As we've said, it does the job, but not with finesse. Its two virtues are its low purchase price and low running costs.

You should also check out the Indesit CAA55 fridge-freezer, which is virtually the same machine, and may be on sale even cheaper.

Hotpoint RFAA52P features include:

Energy efficiency class: A+
Annual energy consumption: 256 kwh
Net fridge capacity: 150 litres
Net freezer capacity: 84 litres
4 star freezer rating
Noise level: 44dB
Climate class: SN.N.ST.T (not suitable for outbuildings)
Dimensions (H x W x D): 174 cm x 54 cm x 58 cm

Best buys

£249.99

Hotpoint RFAA52P White

£249.99

Hotpoint RFAA52P White

User questions

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Hotpoint RFAA52P user reviews

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Average rating from 1 review:

Reviewed by carol from UK on 13th Aug 2017
Utter rubbish!! I brought this from John Lewis and all I can say is....don't bother. I spend at least an hour weekly (could be daily) trying to knock some of the build up of ice from the freezer. All food is permanently covered in white ice, several times I had to throw food away because it was spoiled.

My biggest regret was this purchase, so bad in face even though less than a year old, I am dumping it and going to buy a better model...my previous Beko lasted 10 years and it was brilliant compared.

I would rate it a minus number but 1 is the lowest.
Rating:

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