Fisher & Paykel AquaSmart WL80T65CW1
Verified54 reviews
I bought this machine as an interim machine, second hand for $300 over 7 years ago from the Salvos. It has been outstanding in its performance. The only thing I replaced last year were the spring arms after the missus grew tired (and I) of the machine tripping persistently on spin cycle. Since then, no other issue and should I need to replace in the future, I just hope the next AquaSmart is just as good :) Show details · 1
Sturdy Machine – We purchased this machine as a wedding present in March 2007. It had worked most of the time without fuss. Like others it did suffer from the black lint being left on the clothes, but that may also be due to too much detergent/fabric softener being used. The 'Clean Me' cycle was useless as I had to pull the inner bowl out periodically as the… Read more
soap scum build up was disgusting. The wife thought it was a new machine after I did that. The only faults I had were in 2016, when the display module failed then in 2018/2019 the RPS failed underneath; they were simple fixes. Then finally in 2023 the control board burnt out (though the code on the display stated it was the water inlet valve but that tested ok) blowing a fuse, a resistor and some mosfets. I couldn't fix this, and a local electronics tech could not source the parts to fix it. Even though I could of purchased a brand new control board, it was finally time to let it go as the machine had served us well for 16 years. I just hope the new machine is as reliable as my old one.
Nursed along for 14 years – When we received the Aquasmart it was pretty innovative and we liked the top load ease with the front loader benefit. Lasted 14 years but that is because we really pushed it. Finally when it began cutting the power to the washing machine we called it quits. This unit had a water saver feature but we didn't use it as the detergent and lint seemed… Read more
worse if you did. Also the clothes didn't wash well so it was better to just run it on a regular wash. We could not use all the features as if you used the sheets wash it refused to lock (switch it to normal and it worked). We became very frustrated with it and you could not leave it in good faith it would complete a full cycle. We used it for typical family washing, towels and bed linen. It had a good spin feature initally, but got worse over time. The system was on a hard level floor and still wobbled itself around. Over time we had 3 services to attempt to fix the display/wash cycle reads and even the technician said to just run it on normal wash and gave up when he could not solve the lock issue. The lock hook was pefectly straight and worked intermittedly. a real hassle.
About 5 years in the lock feature then needed to be completely nursed .. so every turn on we waited until it attempted to lock, then failed (cycle will not progress unless machine self locks), then pressed start again until it finally worked, and it would continue.
Then the balancing became more dodgy and it began to be very noisy when running. You could hear if it was on at any point in the home. We began to not trust it, both to work or to be safe electronically.
The final straw was the system turning itself completely off mid cycle. With the system making strange noises, the frustration with the lock issue, and only being able to use 'regular' cycle regardless of what we washed for the majority number of its life years - I won't buy another Fisher & Paykel.
This machine I can NOT recommend due to reliability and noise.
I look forward to not having to be close to my future washing machine and limp it through a cycle. I chose a different brand for a replacement.
In-depth reviews
Interesting experience over the machines life – 8Kg Top loader F&P model WL80T65C It's 12 years old, so could die at any time. Or it could work for a while longer. Thought I might as well add to the reviews for historical purposes. It's being given away, as we've just replaced it while it's still working. Caveats to using the machine, as discovered over time: There's still nothing obviously… Read more
wrong with it, at this stage. ie. no strange noises or behaviour, and nothing has gone wrong with it, over the 12 years. Yes, it's on pretty level ground, and has always been levelled.
As said in a lot of reviews, it has a habit of leaving lint behind. It seems to be a well known problem with top-loaders that don't have the central agitator/lint-filter. I've lived with it, by regularly hosing down the drum, and removing and flushing out the agitator. The 100-wash 'clean-me' cycle that fills the whole tub with hot water is useless. My wife hates it, so has finally bought another machine.
You HAVE to turn OFF the 'high efficiency' water setting button every time for every wash, or it doesn't fill the bowl with enough water to work properly.
You DO have to think about how you position large items in the bowl. ie spread/open sheets out and don't just dump/stuff towels/sheets in a tangle, etc etc. It's not a magic un-tangler.
It's been used on 'regular' for pretty much every wash, which will have stressed the motor/electronics less (I believe that's the general opinion of technicians), and never been left to spin out, if it sounded unbalanced, without repositioning the wash.
It also seems to balance out better on regular - ie I never wash sheets on the 'sheets' cycle, or quilts on the 'bulky' setting, for that matter - they always seem to end up unbalanced. My wife is the only one to have used any other setting. ie 'delicates' - which does seem to work. But every time I found she'd put a blanket quilt, etc on the 'bulky' setting, I'd stop it and re-start it on 'regular'. I almost never had it go unbalanced when I did that, but I'm pretty sure it was 100% of the washes on 'bulky' would go badly unbalanced, and have to be repositioned.
The best washing machine I have ever owned! – This machine is fully programmable, uses very little detergent and will WASH ANYTHING in cold water -backpacks, running shoes, clothes, manchester - including doona covers and delicate handwash-only items & it has never broken down! Its technology (touch control) and frontloader-like economy attracted my attention and it has really paid off. … Read more
Being very happy with my current Fisher & Paykel, I did my due diligence on this new front-loader-like version to save my back and knee joints. I also wanted a more economical and sustainable machine to update my current 12 year old Fisher & Paykel toploader so I researched retailer and manufacturer websites, Choice Magazine and then also the user forums to see what people were saying about the Aquasmart. Although many people were complaining about soap residue, I did not really take them at their word as the underlining problem seemed to be that they were still using toploader washing detergents and/or too much detergent for their new machine. I have used this machine 2-7 times a week and have now had it for over 9 years and have never looked back.
Not as bad as I expected ! – I recently bought this washer AFTER reading the reviews on this website ... WOW I'm amazed as to how well a 'budget' machine purchased off Gumtree for $150 could perform ! The people I bought it from had it from new & in the 8x years of ownership had only 1x issue & that was the 'Out of Balance' light going on back in 2014. They had the drum shock… Read more
absorber / stays replaced by repairman and have only decided to replace with a 12kg capacity machine to better suit their needs.
Since purchasing I have done about 5x loads of washing to assess whether peoples reviews are accurate & this thing is an absolute DOG that should be destroyed ?
I think the biggest issue contributing to the negative experiences with this machine would be people using the Aquasmart 'High Efficiency' mode turned on to save water plus washing in cold water ? I have found washing a breeze but have the machine setup to was on 'HOT' water setting PLUS use the Aqua Plus mode to add more rinse water.
A complete wash / rinse / spin cycle how I have it set up is about 60 minutes ... and so far even my filthy RED DIRT hi viz work clothes I occasionally have to bring home and wash, come out better than the commercial machines they have in the mining camps !
These Fisher & Paykel top loaders would have to be the simplest machine on the market with the least amount of moving parts ... NO belts, NO clunky clutches just a very simple direct drive electric motor, a water pump & some electric solenoids to let the water in ! I do notice however that F&P have gone away from the 'Impeller' type of washing action in ALL of their new range of top loaders ... and reverted to the old conventional agitator. Funny how Samsung, LG & the likes have done away with agitators in their top loaders and gone to 'impeller' types ... but F&P have reverted back to agitator ?
Most people who post on review sites like this are usually un-happy 'motivated' consumers with a product that has caused them grief ... not sure what the ratio of happy satisfied consumers to dis-satisfied reviews actually are ... but I hazard a guess that the negative is more prevalent ?
Reading & understanding the manual on how this machine works goes a long way to NOT having user issues that many people complain about ... setting the wash cycles to suit YOU is very important too as they really are infinitely variable !
Positive reviews
Built well and very user friendly – Coming on 9 years old, and used multiple times a week, this machine is well suited to big loads. From heavy work clobber to delicates, king size bed sheets and doonas, the range of pre-set options to choose from will have a washing solution for all needs. Being able to tailor those settings to each load makes it very user friendly. And then a… Read more
reminder after 100 washes to run a "clean me" cycle makes putting the clothes in the barrel the hardest part of washing. Always one to wash with liquid (not powder), my only negative is a white residue is sometimes left on black garments - in both warm / cold cycles. Otherwise, the unit is very gentle even on the toughest of loads - a brand I would certainly purchase again in the future.
loved this machine – I had this machine for almost ten Years. Had a perfect run, not 0ne call out. My towels were always spun well and dried really fluffy,never had a problem with any of the cycles. Why on earth I got the idea to try a different brand. BOSCH what a disarster. When I can afford to I'm going back to FISHER AND PAYKEL. Show details
Reliable and water saving but there are a few things I don't like – Had our machine 8 years and it's still going strong - have never needed a technician or spare parts. Uses minimal water, washes well and has a great range of programs including hand wash and cycles for cleaning sneakers and soft toys, etc. Two things I don't like about this machine are the fact that without a centre spindle clothes can get… Read more
tangled together - especially when you use the soak cycle - however the upside of no spindle is you can easily fit in large, bulky items like sleeping bags, blankets, etc. The second thing that's annoying is there's no "quick" cycle - I think newer models might have this feature?
Negative reviews
Never worked well from day 1, nursed along the last few years – From day one, never worked with washing powders, must use liquid. High efficiency mode never worked well hence not used. From day one, machine had out of balance type issues which was manageable in the earlier years of ownership (first five or six) but has steadily been getting worst to point to where literally a single pair of socks puts this… Read more
thing out of balance. Requires constant supervision to help it fix it's out of balance load. This machine which was supposed to be water and energy efficient. It is thus not either of those things due to above listed reasons! Was not a cheap machine and we weren't in a financial position to purchase a replacement until recently. Thus our persistence all these years. Quite disappointed with the product to be honest.
Worst Washing machine i have owned in 40 years of being a grown up!!!! – This is only the third washing machine I have owned and it is a nightmare!!! I have constantly had to re rinse loads due to lint being on the clothes. Clothes are constantly tangled.I have had to have it fixed a few times. It is constantly saying it is unbalanced. "Codes" flash that don't exist!.Even the delicate cycle takes so loooong...Now it is… Read more
leaking water from underneath! My Husband is a Cancer patient & I just don't have the time for this nonsense...I have given 1 star as it is a handsome looking machine but I am sorry to say that as soon as I can afford to replace it..I will be saying good riddance to it forever.My Daughter & Husband shopped for this machine & i regret the day that they chose it....Fisher & Paykel need to do something about this for their loyal customers.My email is cheryelle_b@hotmail.com
The worst purchase we've ever made! – This machine has been the worst purchase we've ever made. I don't think you could buy a bigger dud if you tried. It has wasted so much of my time and energy over the last 6 years of ownership that I'm just going to write my review in bullet point form because that's all this machine deserves. - Constantly goes out of balance - Leaves black… Read more
gunky smears all over sheets and quit covers
- Tangles clothes and ties them in knots
- Stretches clothes to within an inch of their life
- Dulls your clothes, doesn't remove any stains and leaves your whites grey
- Smells of stale stagnant water even though it was used and cleaned in accordance of the instruction manual
- Noisy, I've been on tarmacs with quieter jumbo jets than this thing on a spin cycle
- Has on occasion eaten holes in some items!
We have persevered for 6 years trying to get our moneys worth and although mechanically it still works, we finally gave in and purchased a new machine last month after it munched a huge hole in my sons expensive bed coverlet. Needless to say I wouldn't touch a F&P washing machine ever again and this time we went with a well reviewed Bosch front loader and couldn't be happier with it so far. The old F&P is sitting our garage and will be going to the dump when we have time, I'd feel terribly guilty if I sold it to somebody else even though it's not broken as such. Such a shame that Fisher and Paykel's conscience isn't like mine!
Recent reviews
9 years with not too bad of a run – Bought it in early 2008. Just died last night (error code 49) Read up that it was something to do with a valve solenoid issue. Could get it fixed for around $250 or so but with the prices of new washers these days compared with the current age of my existing machine, it's likely best to bite the bullet and opt for a new one. It did me fairly… Read more
well over the last 9 years, rarely used fabric softener (which I've been told is a little no no), and did give a whinge now and then that it was out of balance so a loss of a star for that. Always do the clean me cycle every 100 washes (when it tells you so) and it will go the distance without leaving marks on clothing.
Done some research and have opted for a front loader this time. Better water and energy efficiency, more gentle on clothes and can add clothing during the cycles now. Was tossing up between Bosch, F & P and LG and will go the LG. Bosch if I had the money though. F and P would also be another comfortable option but spoke to some techs whom have recommended LG over F and P.
Best of luck with todays new purchase...
Find out how Fisher & Paykel AquaSmart WL80T65CW1 compares to other Top Loading Washing Machines
Know better, choose better.
Best washing machine ever – I have had my washing machine now since 9/2009. Been running perfect for all this time. Never missed a beat. Perfect for us on the farm using rainwater. - so economical. Now that the family has grown up and moved out now we have just the two of us it is still economical because of the aqua smart. Thank you Show details · 1
As everyone has said pretty bad – Had all the lint problems of everyone else but have persisted over the 9 years. We seem to have been lucky, no service calls in 8 years but now it won't spin unless it has 2-3 items only in it. Sounds like the bearings or drive shaft is slipping every time it tries to spin, off to the tip by the sound of everyone else's reviews are to go by we have been lucky. Show details
Absolute Crap – I stupidly gave away my 33-year-old topload Simpson for this contraption that never gives sufficient water for the wash, stops constantly because the load is tied in a knot and out of balance. It doesn't wash as well as my old Simpson. What it does do though, with great efficiency is scream 'HELP' every five minutes to rebalance the load. Show details
I am waiting for this machine to kark it! – My husband thought he did me a good deal by purchasing me this washing machine about 9 years ago. I am an activist for saving water, saving energy, recycling and upcycling and generally saving the environment. He did the research for this machine and it ticked these boxes. Sadly Choice must have forgotten the most important element of a washing… Read more
machine - to clean clothes! I use that much prewash spray on my clothes it is ridiculous. I turn all of my clothes inside out and the number of times I rewash clothes because of all of the scum and lint left on the clothes which totally negates the whole water saving feature. Those who own this machine know the real reason why F&P have discontinued it. It is absolutely hopeless at getting washing clean and save water due to the lint. You can never increase the length of the washing time like other toploads, the agitator is hopeless, and I have had some loads like towels take up to 2 hours just to go through the cycle and they don't feel as though the soap has been rinsed out of them. Did they ever test this machine with real clothes? Or a set of king size sheets and pillow cases. How could Choice get it so so wrong. Just don't believe people who give this machine more than a 1 rating. It deserves -5.
F & P Aquasmart. Awful – Grease and grime constantly through clothes and linen. Cost a fortune in lost product. Doesn't matter how I clean the machine. Same result. Wasted money. Do not buy it. I certainly hope this machine is no longer on the market. Bring back agitators. I will not buy from Fisher and Paykel any more
wouldn't be fair to leave a comment!!!! – 2 water pumps & now fault 130. Enough is enough!! Warranty on start up & then 2 more breakdowns out of warranty. Stored in shed & never used after warranty repair. used a total of 3.5 months recently, thats it! Next time i will pay the big dollars for a long warrantied machine.
Nothing but problems. Never worked properly – I deeply regret the day we bought this Fisher and Paykel washing machine. Cost approx $1000 but with pairs more like $2000! The bad: - stopped working 3 times - each time cost us several hundred to fix and the servicemen said "never buy f&p again" (don't worry, we won't be) - LED display died - can only wash on normal full cycle - AWFUL wash… Read more
quality every time - leaves scum over everything despite trying many different solutions
- tore about 10 Sheridan bath towels and my $900 sheet set. There are holes in all our towels. Dozens of clothes ruined. Should have turfed it after the third repair but damnit, I was trying to get some money's worth hah.
- constantly unbalances
- now it won't drain - the bowl is full of water and I don't know what to do about it.
Tl;dr? I WILL NEVER BUY FISCHER AND PAYKEL EVER AGAIN. Bosch for me.
Constantly leaves marks on washed items – This is the worst washing machine we have ever owned. It leaves dark scummy marks on washed items even when using the recommended detergent and after cleaning the machine and using tricks advised by an F&P serviceman. So frustrated by constantly having to rewash loads. This machine received a very high score in a Choice review. Can't understand how. Leaves me wondering now how much weight I should give to Choice reviews in future.
machine washes ok, but no lint catcher so clothes come out washed but have lint stuck to it, gets an – machine washes ok, only noisey when spinning, sometimes makes a thump noise, my major issue is there is no lint catcher so clothes come out washed but have lint stuck to it, gets annoying, esp. for my newborns clothes. if i knew, i would not have purchased, can i buy lint catches at supermarket?
Find out how Fisher & Paykel AquaSmart WL80T65CW1 compares to other Top Loading Washing Machines
Know better, choose better.
Pretty good, lasted for around 12 years – We've had this machine for well over a decade, and was heavily used by our family. Only had to replace the door locking mechanism after 10 years. Finally has died now, sounds like the bearings have failed (trying to spin it sounds like a jet taking off) and the "load out of balance" error comes on when trying to spin. Time to retire it.
Our Fisher & Paykel AquaSmart – We bought our AquaSmart in March 2007. We made sure we leveled it properly and have always used Radiant or more recently Omo low-allergenic liquid detergent. Apart from a breakdown in October 2009 it hasn't missed a beat. We do get some lint and marks from time to time but keeping like materials with like (ie not mixing towels with shirts) and cleaning it regularly seems to keep that under control. Overall we are happy with it.
I can't believe anyone else still has one of these wastes of space – I bought mine years ago, after thorough research and reading great reviews. What were they thinking? Apart from the reported good performance, the water efficiency was the major factor in my choice. From the start I had to wash things twice to get rid of the lint, so there went the water efficiency. Technicians came and replaced the bowl, which… Read more
increased the amount of water a little. The tangle of sheets continues to this day - they come out looking like old rags after I have untied the knots mid wash and removed the flat sheets from the middle of the ball. I have even tried sheets on drip dry, but that didn't help.
Helpful customer service people suggested perhaps I was putting the sheets in in such a way that I was responsible for the knots! I was advised to use less detergent - I already only used half the recommended dose. ... and how could a machine claiming environmental credentials require the use of liquid detergent?
I can NEVER use the water efficient option. The problems are not caused by me, or the detergent - it's the machine!
Flawless for 8.5 years!! – We've had this machine from new and it hasn't missed a beat until recently. I replaced the water pump and control board, as the pump windings had shorted to ground, and it continues to operate without any issues. I think these reviews are unfair to the product, as thousands of these machines were sold, making them the most popular Fisher and Paykel washing machine ever. A little perspective here please.
Not fit for the purpose – I agree with absolutely everything everyone else has said. The relentless beeping, the time to complete a wash, the twisted clothes, but most frustrating are the dirty marks and lint that appear on the clothes after they are washed!!! Things are dirtier after a wash than before. You have to REWASH the clothes, and hope the dark stains… Read more
disappear.
This is time wasting and extremely frustrating.
I too clean the bowl as recommended, and am quite fanatical about keeping colours separate etc.
I will never buy another F&P product again. I am now doing research about the best washing machine to buy, wish I had done that before this purchase.
PS there should be a minus star rating for their products.
Terrible – In the 1st 12 months, had control panel replaced, next was barrel replaced, next the serviceman said just use the sheets cycle and use liquid not powder. I should of had have a replacement machine by this stage. Always left lint on my darks and scum marks too. Doesn't use enough water on the cycle to cover clothes. Washing cycle way too long,… Read more
would never recommend this to anyone. Also, must have hot water on, even if your only using cold wash. This model is now discontinued. I will not buy a Fisher and Pykel again.
this machine is crap – this is the worst washing machine i have ever had previously had a Fisher and Paykel machine but this model is terrible now that they don't have lint removers and the stupid knocking noise. I have replaced one suspension rod and now I need to replace the rest. I will never buy another Fisher and Paykel machine again.
Takes too long to wash clothes – I've had this machine now for about 5 years or so and honestly the amount of time it takes to wash one load of washing is just way too long. I don't have all day to wait around for a load to finish. It's just ridiculous that this washing machine does not have a quick wash mode. I know what to look for in my next washing machine. I only bought it… Read more
because i liked the thought of being able to load blankets in it. But the tangle mess that comes out of my washing machine is always very disappointing. Can't wait for this thing to die.
TOO MANY PROBLEMS - NOT WORTH BUYING – I wash approx. 12 loads per week so I needed a good machine. I was recommended this new beaut Fisher and Paykel . From the outset I have had problems with this machine. I literally have to fight with my clothes to get them untangled. i need to take half the clothes out at spin cycle to allow the spinning process to work. I am very fussy so I… Read more
always clean my machine when recommended and i wash colours, whites, sheets, towels and even polyesters separately But my clothes still come out full of lint. NOT WORTH BUYING
Do not buy this product! – I have had my machine 8 years now .I have had to have it repaired once as it was leaking. I bought it for the water savings as on tank water. Like everyone else I have problems with it not washing properly, terrible lint problems and all the clothes coming out in a ball all tangled around each other. I have to iron everything it is such a chore.… Read more
The easy iron cycle is ok except everything comes out very wet (ok in summer but not in winter as it takes too long to dry) The worst thing about this machine is that it puts holes in your clothes. Jeans and very heavy fabrics. I think it gets trapped under the bowl. I have lost so many nice expensive clothes that now I have to hand wash so many things. The noise of it spinning is like a jet plane taking off. It is so noisy you have to hear it too believe it. The cycles are far to long, what happened to the quick fast wash! Most of the other cycles you have to use hot water and who can afford that! I will not buy another F&P! The dish washers are crap too!
Don't buy one – Purchased 2006, This would be the worst washing machine we have ever owned, I searched and read comments on Choice and at the time we were on water restrictions in our town and was looking at something with good water efficiency. Sucked me in with the Water usage. I purchased one. It major problem was it leaves fluff on the cloths. Separated… Read more
colours and clothing types and still not good, Contacted FP at the time and they had us change some settings, tried another wash and still crap.
The gearbox and control panel failed at 16 mths and they updated them, the technician at the time told us they they have had a lot of problems with this model.
We eventually upgraded to a new front loader (Miele) and won't ever go back to a FP.
Machine prior to FP was a Hitachi top loader and was fantastic we had 2 over 20 years from 1986 to 2006, Hitachi stopped making the model. The last one is still used by our Daughter and going strong.
Always read owner reviews before purchase. Absolute lemon – I have never actually hated an appliance before. Yes I have disliked some aspect of their design or performance but not out rightly dreamed of taking an axe to a white good. This washing machine, purchased in 2009, has been a problem from the get go. I really should have sent it back for a refund but being a busy working mother with 3 dozen… Read more
other 'must do' things always on her list I simply persevered.
From the start the automatic lint collection was a joke. Simply never worked. My clothes always came out linty and I have spent more money on lint brushes and lint rollers then I care to recall. And those odd grey smudges, always seem most attracted to my work scrubs or my husbands business shirts. Ruined stretch fabric clothes. I have done more hand washing in the last 6 years than when I first moved out of home with no machine. Thrown away many items of clothing with the necks and sleeves ruined. Tangled washing almost every load that involves anything with long sleeves or legs. It's like sorting out a knitting basket a kitten has amused itself with. Only wet.
It was only after several years of use that I worked out turning off the high efficiency option every time makes the machine marginally less damaging to your clothes.
Now the machine has developed the dreaded balance error on the rinse cycle. I am pushing it along by emptying the contents to a few scientifically balances pieces per time to coax it through the spin cycle but this will only work for about 2/3'rds of the load before the machine refuses to play anymore.
Now I see the few people who have given this machine a higher than garbage rating have done so only after becoming washing machine repair experts and taking the monster apart themselves periodically to fix. I really don't think that paying the $1130 I bought this for meant that I have to become its physician periodically to keep it going. Am now looking at purchasing a new machine... not a F&P.
On a foot note this washing machines motor is going to be reborn as a wind generator care of my son.
Susprised at negative reviews? – Owned this machine approx 6 years. Last couple of months, at first began beeping and stopping indicating "out of balance, re-distribute load", then began thumping - pausing & thumping again, then repeating this system more and more frequently. Researched the internet, removed bowel and cleaned all scale etc. worken a little better but again began… Read more
the out of balance-thumping problem again. Phoned Fisher&Paykel spare parts, Brisbane. Gentleman could not have been more helpful in advice. In short, ordered 4 shock absorbers kit and rubber bands which stabilise the bowel, for the same price as a callout technician to attend - parts arrived by courier next day, took 20 minutes to replace the old ones and you only ned a phillips head screwdriver - and the machine has been working beautifully ever since. Fully expect another 6 year of great washes...
P.S. Have no connection with company whatsoever - just my recent experience.
Jim
Extra Information
ProductReview.com.au has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence our content moderation policies in any way, though ProductReview.com.au may earn commissions for products/services purchased via affiliate links.