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.
Two value champions, neck and neck. Haier edges brand-wide reliability (84 to 81) and efficiency, and now leads on brand-wide WAC Score too, though only just (84 to 83). Hisense counters with much stronger features (88 to 80), a cheaper way in (from £240) and the cheapest machine on the market to score 92 — a £299 budget model. Buy Haier for reliability and efficiency; buy Hisense for features and outright value.
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 500+ washing machines across 24 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 | Avg value | Price range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haier | 22 | 84 | 84 | 80 | 58 | £299–899 |
| Hisense | 17 | 83 | 81 | 88 | 54 | £240–699 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haier X HW120-B14367GUUK | 92 | 88 | 89 | 72 | £549 |
| Hisense 3S Series WF3S1243BB3 | 89 | 83 | 75 | 75 | £379 |
Haier X Series 7 HW120-B14367GUUK
12kg · 1400rpm · A rated · Graphite
A 12kg drum with reliability 85 and efficiency 89 for £599. The bigger, steadier machine of the two, and the one to buy if capacity matters.
Hisense 5i KitchenFit Series WF5I1045BBQ
10.5kg · 1400rpm · A rated · Black
The same WAC Score for £150 less, with the better feature set (92 to 85) and marginally better value. A 10.5kg drum against the Haier’s 12kg.
Mid-range verdict
The mid-range is now a dead heat at 92 apiece. Haier’s HW120 brings a 12kg drum and reliability 85 at £599; Hisense’s 5i matches the score for £449 with a richer feature set (92 to 85), taking value. Haier for the better all-round machine; Hisense for features per pound.
Premium — above £650
Above £650 both brands field genuinely strong flagships, and the gap here is narrow.
Haier leads premium on overall score (88 to 79), reliability and efficiency. Hisense counters with the highest feature score in the comparison (93) at £200 less.
| Machine | WAC Score | Reliability | Efficiency | Value | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haier X HW110-BD14397U1 | 88 | 82 | 91 | 85 | £999 |
| Hisense 7S Series WF7S1247BB | 80 | 79 | 78 | 59 | £799 |
Haier X Series 11 HW110-BD14397U1
11kg · 1400rpm · A rated · White
An 11kg drum with efficiency 91 and a value score of 88 — the strongest value of any premium machine from either brand.
Hisense 7S Series WF7S1247BB
12kg · 1400rpm · A rated · Black
Hisense’s only machine above £650. The highest features score in this comparison at 93 and a 12kg drum, but reliability 79 and efficiency 78 leave it well behind the Haier.
Premium verdict
Haier owns premium, 88 to 79 — a far wider gap than the mid-range. Its HW110 flagship leads on score, reliability and efficiency; Hisense’s best premium machine trails on all three despite strong features. For the best premium machine in this pairing, Haier is the clear pick.
Who should buy what
Buy Hisense if
- You want the richest feature set for the money — Hisense leads on features (88 to 80).
- You want the lowest entry price: Hisense starts at £240.
- Steam, Wi-Fi and smart programmes on a budget matter more to you than a couple of reliability points.
Buy Haier if
- You want the higher-scoring, more reliable machine at each price tier — Haier wins both head-to-heads.
- Reliability and efficiency are your priorities (Haier leads both on average).
- You want a big, dependable drum — Haier’s 12kg machines are a strength.
Frequently asked questions
Is Haier better than Hisense for washing machines?
On our data Haier edges it: it wins the premium head-to-head (88 to 79) and averages higher reliability (84 to 81) and efficiency, though the two now tie at 92 in the mid-range. Hisense leads on features (88 to 80) with a cheaper entry point (£240). Haier for the better all-rounder; Hisense for features and value.
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. If you want that value in the UK’s most popular drum size, the 9kg 3S is the value pick in our roundup of the best 9kg washing machines.
Not sure which is right for you?
Answer 5 questions and our data finds your perfect match from 495+ scored machines.
Find my perfect washing machine →