Haier vs Hisense washing machines
Two grandmasters. One board. Both Chinese, both value-focused, both underestimated. Most buyers assume one clearly beats the other. The data says it is closer than that — a single point apart overall — and which one wins depends on what you want from a machine.
Haier, narrowly — but the answer splits by what you care about. Haier leads on the measures that describe a machine’s life: reliability 84 to Hisense’s 81, efficiency 79 to 73, and value 56 to 52, across 22 models against 17, though its overall WAC Score edge is a single point, 82 to 81. Hisense wins features outright, 89 to 80 — the widest gap between them on any measure — starts cheaper at £240, and owns the budget band with the WF3S9043BB3 at 92 for £289, the cheapest machine on our site to score 92. Haier takes the mid-range and premium bands on top machine. Buy Hisense for features and a low entry price; Haier if you want the steadier machine.
The two brands at a glance
Averages across every currently available freestanding model, colour variants collapsed so neither brand is flattered by selling one machine in several finishes.
| Brand | Models | Avg WAC | Reliability | Efficiency | Features | Value | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haier | 22 | 82 | 84 | 79 | 80 | 56 | £299–999 |
| Hisense | 17 | 81 | 81 | 73 | 89 | 52 | £240–699 |
One point separates them overall, so the averages are not the story — the sub-scores are. Haier is the more consistent machine; Hisense gives you more for the money in features and reaches lower on price.
Budget — under £400
Hisense takes this band on top machine: the WF3S9043BB3 at WAC 92, £289. Hisense fields 12 models here to Haier’s 10, and leads the band on features (89 to 83); Haier leads it on reliability (85 to 81).
| Best machine in band | WAC | Reliability | Features | Value | Price | Models / band avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hisense WF3S9043BB3 | 92 | 83 | 98 | 62 | £289 | 12 / 80 |
| Haier HW120-BP14357UUK | 90 | 86 | 86 | 73 | £339 | 10 / 81 |
Hisense WF3S9043BB3
9kg · 1400rpm · A rated
Our top score of 92, features at 98 — the highest we publish — and 34 kWh per 100 cycles, for £289. The cheapest route to our top mark, and the best-equipped machine in this comparison.
Haier HW120-BP14357UUK
12kg · 1400rpm · A rated
Twelve kilos for £339 with the best reliability here at 86 and a score of 90. The most capacity either brand sells under £400. If your household needs a large drum on a budget, this is the machine.
Mid-range — £400 to £649
Haier takes this band on top machine: the HW120-B14367U-UK at WAC 91, £549. The band averages are level at 82 apiece, but Haier fields 10 models to Hisense’s 4, so its average rests on more evidence.
| Best machine in band | WAC | Reliability | Features | Value | Price | Models / band avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haier HW120-B14367U-UK | 91 | 85 | 85 | 73 | £549 | 10 / 82 |
| Hisense WF5I1045BWQ | 86 | 80 | 92 | 58 | £549 | 4 / 82 |
Haier HW120-B14367U-UK
12kg · 1400rpm · A rated
Twelve kilos, a score of 91, reliability 85 and efficiency 89, at £549. The most capable machine either brand sells, and strong on every measure that matters over a machine's life.
Hisense WF5I1045BWQ
10.5kg · 1400rpm · A rated
The lowest electricity use in this comparison at 31 kWh per 100 cycles, with features of 92 and a 10.5kg drum. If 10.5kg is enough for your household and you want the fuller feature set, this is the pick at £549.
Premium — £650 and above
Haier takes this band on top machine: the HW110-BD14397U1 at WAC 90, £999. Both ranges are thin up here — 2 Haier models and 1 Hisense — so read this as a comparison of two machines, not two ranges.
| Best machine in band | WAC | Reliability | Features | Value | Price | Models / band avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haier HW110-BD14397U1 | 90 | 82 | 85 | 85 | £999 | 2 / 86 |
| Hisense WF7S1247BB | 82 | 79 | 93 | 61 | £699 | 1 / 82 |
Haier HW110-BD14397U1
11kg · 1400rpm · A rated
Efficiency of 91 and value of 85, the strongest figures in this comparison, with an 11kg drum. The one machine either brand sells that makes a case for a premium price on our numbers.
Hisense WF7S1247BB
12kg · 1400rpm · A rated
A 12kg drum and the best features score in this comparison at 93, for £699. Hisense's only machine above £650. If you want maximum capacity and the fullest feature list from either brand, this is where to find it.
Who should buy which
Buy Hisense for features and price. Its features average of 89 is 9 points clear of Haier, it starts at £240, and the WF3S9043BB3 is the cheapest machine we score at 92.
Buy Haier for reliability and running costs. It leads reliability 84 to 81 and efficiency 79 to 73, and its HW120-B14367U-UK at WAC 91 is the strongest machine either brand sells in the mid-range.
Frequently asked questions
Is Haier better than Hisense?
Narrowly, and only on some measures. Haier averages a WAC Score of 82 to Hisense's 81 — one point — but leads more clearly on reliability (84 to 81), efficiency (79 to 73) and value (56 to 52). Hisense leads features by 9 points, 89 to 80.
Which brand is more reliable, Haier or Hisense?
Haier, on our data: an average reliability score of 84 across 22 models against 81 across 17. Both sit in the upper half of our brand ranking; the full table is in the reliability hub.
Which has the best cheap washing machine?
Hisense. The WF3S9043BB3 scores 92 at £289, the cheapest machine on our site to reach that score. Haier's best budget machine, the HW120-BP14357UUK, scores 90 at £339 but with higher reliability (86 to 83).
Are Haier and Hisense the same company?
No. They are separate Chinese appliance manufacturers. Haier owns Candy and Hoover in Europe; Hisense owns Gorenje. They are frequently confused because both entered the UK market at similar times and compete at similar prices.
Which should I buy for a big family?
Both field large drums. Haier's HW120-B14367U-UK is 12kg at £549 with reliability 85; Hisense's WF5I1045BWQ is 10.5kg at £549. On our data the Haier is the stronger machine, by 5 points of WAC Score.
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