Haier vs Hisense washing machines
Two grandmasters. One board. Both Chinese, both value-focused, both underestimated. Most buyers assume Haier is the stronger brand. The data disagrees — and the gap is wider than you'd expect.
Hisense is the better all-rounder — it owns the budget band, now wins the mid-range too (89 to 87), averages higher across its range (WAC 80 to 77), and offers far more features per pound. Haier’s answer is the premium flagship: it wins the £650-plus head-to-head decisively (91 to 81) on a near-perfect value score. Choose Hisense for value and anything up to £650; choose Haier for the best premium machine in this pairing.
Ask most UK buyers which is the better brand and the majority would guess Haier. It has more machines (49 vs 31), a wider price range stretching to £999, a proper premium tier, and it has been a recognised name in the UK longer. Hisense looks like the challenger — fewer models, lower ceiling, cheaper entry. The data says the opposite. Across every average metric we track — overall WAC Score, reliability, and value — Hisense leads. That gap between expectation and reality is what makes this comparison genuinely interesting.
Both are Chinese. Both sell washing machines in the UK from under £350 to well above £600. Both are frequently dismissed as budget brands by buyers who have not looked at the data. But look at the data and a clear picture emerges: these are two very different companies making very different bets, and understanding which strategy matches your priorities makes the decision straightforward.
We have scored 489 washing machines across 25 brands on reliability, efficiency, features and value using our WAC Score system, drawing on 430,000+ verified customer reviews. Here is what the numbers say about Haier and Hisense.
The brands at a glance
| Brand | Models | Avg WAC | Avg reliability | Avg features | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haier | 36 | 77 | 78 | 78 | £342–999 |
| Hisense | 30 | 80 | 78 | 87 | £239–999 |
Mid-range — the main event (£350–£650)
The mid-range is where both brands sell the most machines. Here are the best-scoring from each at this tier — and this is where the verdict has changed since our last update.
Haier now edges the mid-range on score (87 vs 85), with the bigger reliability score. Hisense is £110 cheaper and has the higher feature score (91 vs 85).
| Machine | WAC Score | Reliability | Efficiency | Value | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hisense 3S Series WF3S1243BB3 | 89 | 81 | 90 | 76 | £419 |
| Haier X Series 7 HW120-B14367GUUK | 87 | 85 | 93 | 69 | £549 |
Hisense 3S Series WF3S1243BB3
12.0kg · 1400rpm · A rated · Black
Haier X Series 7 HW120-B14367GUUK
12.0kg · 1400rpm · A rated · Graphite
Mid-range verdict
The mid-range has flipped back to Hisense. Its WF3S1243BB3 scores 89 to Haier’s 87, for about £130 less and with a far richer feature set (94 to 85). Haier’s mid machine keeps a slight reliability and capacity edge, but Hisense takes the head-to-head on score, features and value alike.
Premium — above £650Above £650 both brands field genuinely strong flagships, and the gap here is narrow.
Haier leads premium on overall score (91 vs 88) and reliability. Hisense counters with the highest feature score in the comparison (93) at £30 less.
| Machine | WAC Score | Reliability | Efficiency | Value | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haier X Series 9 HW120-B14387GUUK | 91 | 85 | 93 | 99 | £729 |
| Hisense 7S Series WF7S1247BB | 81 | 77 | 93 | 59 | £671 |
Haier X Series 9 HW120-B14387GUUK
12.0kg · 1400rpm · A rated · Graphite
Hisense 7S Series WF7S1247BB
12.0kg · 1400rpm · A rated · Black
Premium verdict
Haier owns premium, 91 to 81 — a wider gap than the mid-range. Its HW120 flagship pairs solid reliability with a near-perfect value score (99) at £729; Hisense’s best premium machine trails on score and reliability. For the best premium machine in this pairing, Haier is the clear pick.
Who should buy what
Buy Hisense if
- You want the most machine for your money — Hisense owns the budget band and now wins the mid-range too (89 to 87).
- Features matter — its mid-range machine posts a 94 features score, the highest in this pairing.
- You are shopping anywhere up to £650, where Hisense leads on score, features and value.
Buy Haier if
- You want the best premium machine — Haier wins the £650-plus head-to-head 91 to 81 with a near-perfect value score.
- Capacity is a priority — Haier fields the largest drums in this comparison.
- You value raw efficiency — Haier edges the efficiency average across its range.
Frequently asked questions
Is Haier better than Hisense for washing machines?
Overall, Hisense — it owns the budget band, now wins the mid-range head-to-head (89 to 87), averages higher across its range (WAC 80 to 77) and offers far more features per pound. Haier’s one clear win is premium, where its flagship beats Hisense 91 to 81. So Hisense for value and anything up to £650; Haier for the best premium machine.
Are Chinese washing machine brands reliable?
Increasingly, yes. Both Haier and Hisense average a reliability score of 78 in our data — comparable to established European names — built from hundreds of thousands of verified owner reviews. The old assumption that Chinese brands are a reliability gamble is not supported by the current evidence; both have become dependable mainstream choices.
Is Haier a premium brand?
Haier operates across every price band, from budget to nearly £1,000, but its strongest results come at the premium end, where its HW120 flagship is the best machine in this pairing with a near-perfect value score. It is not a luxury marque like Miele, but it competes seriously at premium prices while undercutting the traditional names.
What is the difference between Haier X Series 5, 7 and 9?
The number roughly tracks the tier: X Series 5 machines are Haier’s budget and entry line, X Series 7 the mid-range with larger drums and more programmes, and X Series 9 the premium flagships with the biggest capacities, quietest motors and best efficiency. Score and price rise with the series number.
Which Hisense washing machine series is best?
For value, the 3S Series dominates — its mid-range WF3S1243BB3 is the highest-scoring Hisense machine in this comparison (89) and among the best-value machines on the whole site. The 5S and 7S Series add capacity and features at higher prices, but the 3S is where Hisense’s value density is highest.
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