Haier HWF-AN1 Series

Very impressed! Wouldn't hesitate to recommend this machine – I received this machine to review as part of the Productreview Ambassador Program, and I'm honestly so glad I did. This is the first front loader machine I've ever owned/used and, at 40 years old, I'm (finally) 100% a convert! *If you're short on time, I've listed what I think are the key pros/cons at the end of this review* To start, setup was… Read more

super easy. I needed hubby to help lift the machine out of the box as it's quite heavy, but other than that, it was just a case of removing travel bolts, hooking up cold water to the inlet, fitting the drain hose into the sink and plugging in. The machine also comes with a set of noise reduction pads that can be fitted to the machine prior to connecting it. I didn't end up fitting these as I have an outside laundry room, but honestly, even without them, the machine is very quiet and the sound wouldn't be an issue for me if I were to have it in the house anyway. Aesthetically, this machine is amazing. It would look right at home in the pages of a fancy housing magazine or some Northern Beaches mansion. Alas it doesn't get the full effect in my shabby little laundry, but it looks so nice every time I walk in and see it, it makes me like the room a whole lot more. I was initially a little disappointed that I wouldn't be able to watch my washing spinning around as the door is a very dark tinted black glass, but the aesthetics that brings kind of make up for it. It wouldn't have quite the same effect with a clear door. In terms of functionality, this machine has 12 preloaded wash cycles to select from that pretty much cover any type of washing you would need to do. Just spin the dial until the required cycle lights up, add your powder to the detergent drawer and press the start button. The display will show how much time you have left on the current cycle. You can also tweak settings on any of the cycles if you wish - eg. change the temperature (up to 90 degrees), add a soak time (30/60/90/120 mins), increase/decrease spin speed. There is also an ECO function to save water and power, a Speed Up option if you wish to reduce the washing time for a smaller load, and a Sanitise feature which will set the temperature to 90 degrees (so just be careful using this on delicate items). You can save your tweaks onto any program as a favourite by holding the Soak & Sanitise buttons simultaneously for 3 secs, which saves you having to adjust settings every time you do a wash. If you wish to revert to the default cycle settings just press & hold Soak & Sanitise buttons again and you're good to go. I'm actually really impressed with the level of cycle customisation available on this machine. My old 10kg top loader didn't have anywhere near this level of options available and it used to bug me, so this is a major plus for me. When it comes to effectiveness, I don't have a bad thing to say about this machine. My clothes have all come out super clean and fresh. I have two small boys (4 and 6 years old) that sure know how to put a washing machine through it's paces, and I had no problems at all getting their food and dirt covered clothes totally clean in the standard cotton cycle. I actually had a pair of my youngest's pyjamas that he'd burst a fish oil capsule onto and I'd already washed them multiple times in my old machine, soaked in napisan, canesten etc. trying to get the rancid fish smell out. I was on the verge of throwing them in the bin but decided to wait and try them in the new machine. Put them in with the Sanitise option and they came out smelling fresh after just the one wash! I also use the Sanitise feature for towels that have been sitting in the bathtub for a couple of days and gone a bit musty smelling and they come out great, as well as my rat hammocks and dog bedding. *Just remember that it is a 90 degree wash when you use Sanitise so be careful not to use it on anything that may shrink or be damaged by the heat. This machine does seem to hold moisture inside more than my top loader did so I recommend keeping the door ajar when not in use to help it dry out and prevent mold/mildew growing. Also a regular wipe down of the rubber seal inside the door as it catches little bits and pieces from the wash under the rubber lip and they'll sit there at the bottom getting manky if you don't remove them (this is particularly if you have small children with a tendency to keep random items in their pockets!) The detergent drawer is super easy to remove and wash, just press down on the little green clip and it slides out so you can clean it out properly and just slide it back in. The pump filter is easy to access and clean also, step by step instructions are printed inside the little door that pops open as well as in the manual so you should have no issue there, just make sure you have a big bucket ready before popping off the hose plug! I found the app very easy to set up and use. Just go to the website listed in the manual, download the app relevant to your phone (iOS/Android), setup an account and then just follow the steps that the app will run you through to add your machine. You can set up a load to then remotely start later via the app, just be sure to set the machine on Remote Mode by holding ECO & Speed Up buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds (or until the little flashing phone icon lights up) before you leave. This isn't something I would personally use at this point in time, but I can see it being handy for people who work long/odd hours, or just those who don't like leaving their washing sitting in the machine all day and want it fresh when they get home to hang out straight away. Overall, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this machine. It's effective, easy to use, has a cycle to suit everything, is very customisable and looks great. I don't really have anything bad to say about it and was kind of scraping to find cons to put below!

SUMMARY:

Pros: Easy to set up Easy to use in general 12 preloaded wash cycles that cover anything you would need to wash Ability to customise your wash cycles and save favourite settings Very effective - gets things nice and clean! Sanitise option to get those nasty items clean App functionality (if it's something you're after) ECO Function Plays a cute little tune when you turn it on and when it's finished washing (yes it's silly but it makes me happy and my kids love it!)

Cons: It is very low to the ground - I get down on my knees to fill it so I don't have to bend down, I'm not sure if this is standard for front loaders though since this is my first. Holds moisture - I feel like the rubber seal would get slimy real quick if the door was kept shut, however this can be subverted by just leaving it ajar. Can't see your washing through the door properly (not a deal breaker at all, but I'm sure it would bug some people)

A great washer that meets the needs of modern life – First impressions are that this is a good-looking washer as far as washers go. Not that looks are the only factor when choosing a washer – it is however great to have something that looks the part in the laundry. The design is modern and stylish and is not overdone with buttons like some washers are. The model described here is a 2021 release –… Read more

the HWF85AN1 – this is an 8.5 kg capacity front loading washer, which is the middle size of three similar washers. The smaller version is 7.5 kg and the larger is 9.5 kg.

The unit is quite heavy, weighing in at approximately 70 kg – which is not a bad thing, but good – it means the unit is robustly built and is less likely to drift from its position when operating.

Removal of the washer from the packaging is simple. It is important to read the supplied user manual to ensure that the unit is unpacked and prepared correctly. Not an onerous task; however, it is important to remove the transit bolts from the rear of the unit. These bolts fix the internal washer drum, so it does not bounce around when in transit. If not removed the washer would not be able to operate. There are four of these that are easily removed with a spanner. It is important to keep these bolts in a safe place as they should be replaced if the washer is moved from the premises i.e. for when you move house, otherwise damage could occur.

The user manual states that the four holes remaining after the bolts are removed should be plugged with the plugs provided with the washer. There are five plugs provided, which seems as though there is an extra provided. However, there is another hole which looks the same as the bolt holes and is designed to fit the plug. Although the manual states nothing about this hole it is obvious that the extra plug is for it. The washer only requires a cold-water connection. A hot water connection is not required as the washer will heat its own water to the required temperature. The washer is an inverter model, which means it can adjust its energy use to suit the load conditions. It has a standard wastewater hose like other washers and the electrical cord is of a sensible length for easy and practical installation into any standard laundry.

The door handle is molded into the washer door and there is a marking to indicate its location on the door. This does not sound like a big deal, but there are washers and dryers out there that do not have a logically placed or identified door handle. Opening the door is not too hard but still feels secure and not flimsy – it does not feel like it could ever pop open during a wash cycle. A part of this is attributed to the door’s metal latch – there are many appliances that have plastic latches that start off okay, but eventually break as the plastic ages and through repetitive use. It is expected that a metal latch would be stronger, more durable and contributes to the robustness of the machine. A machine is usually only as good as its weakest link, and it is a good move by Haier to not scrimp on the door latch. One of the reasons why the washer looks stylish is the use of touch sensor buttons. There are no mechanically operated buttons that can jam or break. The use of touch sensor buttons means there are no moving parts to the switch or gaps around the buttons. Such gaps can allow moisture and dirt to accumulate – if it doesn’t damage the machine, it will ultimately look dirty and be harder to clean than the smooth surface created by the touch sensor buttons. There is a large dial located on the right-hand side of the programme panel. This dial can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise to select wash programmes. This is a logical layout which allows the user to scroll through and select out of 12 programmes. All of the available programmes are listed in two rows on the control panel – the selected programme is identified by a small blue light next to the programme title. Above the programme rows is a row of touch sensor buttons for various functions or options that can be applied to the wash programmes.

The washer beeps when you turn the dial between programmes and also when buttons are pressed. The washer plays a little tune when you start a wash cycle and a longer tune when it finishes.

Each of the programmes are preset, which makes it simple to commence a wash cycle, particularly for everyday clothing. However, the various functions or options allow some of the aspects of each of the preset programmes to be customised - such as the spin speed, temperature, how long you want to soak the load, and/or the sanitisation option to be added if not already included in the programme. It also allows you to reduce or switch off a particular aspect - such as reducing the spin speed or changing to a cold wash. The washer has many of the usual programmes that you would expect to find on most other washers. However, it has extra features and options such as an allergy programme. This programme heats up the water to 90 degrees Celsius to destroy allergens. This is a great feature due to the ever-increasing sensitivity and allergies being experienced by many people.

The washer also provides a sanitise option to most of the programmes, which is also a great inclusion, particularly in our current Covid-19 world. This washer is great for busy people who are time poor. It has an “Express 15” programme - this is great if you are limited in time, only have a few things to wash and those items are not too dirty. It is Important to note that this programme requires the use of less detergent as this is not a normal wash, which is a good thing. It should be noted that this advice is provided in the user manual, therefore, it is important that the manual is read before using the washer, as the washer itself does not offer any warning on this requirement. Some of the programmes state “Auto” when selected. Although one would expect that this means that the wash cycle is automatic and requires no more intervention from the user – and one would be correct – it also means that the washer will adjust its cycle automatically based on the wash cycle load. In other words, the washer actually weighs the load and determines the appropriate energy, water and washing time. When a program with the auto weight is activated, it is noticeable at the start of the cycle that the washer is checking the load – however, it would have been great if it could display the weight of the load to get a feel for how much a typical load should weigh - perhaps something Haier could consider for future models. The washer also has a “Refresh” programme. This is a steaming function which is great for refreshing dry clothing. It is used to remove odours and to remove crinkles from clothing – great for those shirts with creases that just won’t iron out. This is not for multiple garments but for single applications. It should be noted that it uses steam only and does not actually wash the items. The “Speed up” option is great - by pressing this, the length of the wash cycle can be reduced. Great if you need to go somewhere and have underestimated the length of the normal program. The washer provides the opportunity of saving programmes that have been customised through the various functions and options. This is done by pressing and holding two buttons for three seconds – in this case the “Soak” and “Sanitise” buttons. It should be noted that the markings on the washer control panel are easy to understand, indicating what combinations of two buttons are to be pressed to activate additional functions. However, there is a symbol on the panel which is also activated by pressing two buttons simultaneously that is not mentioned in the manual – this involves the “Sanitise” and “Speed Up” buttons. It is not clear what the symbol is referring to; however, one would expect that ongoing use of the machine and its various functions will eventually reveal its purpose (unless Haier can provide an addendum or update to their user manual).

The washer can also be locked by pressing and holding another combination of two buttons for three seconds. The lock mode ensures that all buttons become disabled – this is great if there are toddlers who you would not want to touch the machine. The washer has been used with business shirts, jeans, t-shirts, underwear, socks, bed linen and towels – this being a typical load of washing done in this household. The results have been good, particularly with the spin cycle, which has left the clothes only slightly damp, and thus reducing the time it takes to dry the clothes.

One particular load of washing involved bed linen that was stained with blood from a blood-nose. Although the stain was not entirely removed, the results from the washer were more than one would expect for such staining.

A merino wool and cashmere jumper has been washed using the delicate cycle with adjustments to the temperature and spin cycle – the temperature was reduced to a cold wash to prevent any shrinkage and the spin speed was reduced to 400 RPM to limit the stress on the garment. The results were excellent. The video that accompanies this review shows the jumper being washed.

The sanitisation option and the allergy programmes have been used on neck gators, which are being worn over the face when outdoors during spring, to reduce breathing in pollen. The sanitisation option has been effective with fishing clothing which are stained with baits and fish blood and guts.

The “Refresh” programme has been useful for some business shirts that have creases that are almost impossible to remove. This is a great feature that reduces the frustration with ineffective ironing and can be used to assist this situation.

An exciting feature of the washer is the fact that it is Wi-Fi enabled. There is an App called SmartHQ, which is used with Haier and Fisher & Paykel appliances. The App is easy to install with step-by-step prompts in the App. The App is somewhat simple and does not provide many options; however, it is useful for monitoring a programme while it is running and provides some information on how many washes have been completed over a period. A great aspect to the App is that it will send you a notification on your smart phone that a wash cycle has completed, allowing you to be away from the washer to do other things. The washer can be started remotely from the App; however, it requires the activation of the washer’s remote access mode by simultaneously pressing two buttons on the washer. When in remote access mode, it locks the door. The App then only allows the starting of the wash cycle together with information regarding the programme that is selected. There is still more work to be done to the App to make it truly remote, however, I would expect that this is under development and will improve greatly in the future.

The App has highlighted that the duration of some programmes are actually longer than stated. This becomes obvious on the App as it displays the expected finish time and there have been times when the finish time has extended by up to 12 minutes. Although the washer has a “Speed up” function that can be used to compensate for duration over-runs on some wash cycles, it would be better if the cycle times were slightly more accurate. Having said this, it is understood that this is an inverter model, and the wash cycle is probably being automatically adjusted to suit the conditions identified during the wash cycle to produce the best results. This is a great washer that meets the needs of modern life – that is, it can express wash or accelerate a wash cycle when people are busy, it can refresh clothing instead of washing every time, it can deal with allergens and can sanitise in a Covid-19 world. Being Wi-Fi enabled makes this washer exciting and remotely accessed. Its affordable price in the vicinity of $700, makes it one of the best featured and value-for-money washers available.

I purchased this washing machine from Harvey Norman during a promo period which gave the buyer an Activ e-gift card as a cash back option. My purchase entitled me to a $100 e-gift card. So, I go online and register my details, I get approved for the gift card and then get an email from Haier promotions saying - “gift card may take up to 45 days to… Read more

arrive in your email, keep checking your spam folder” [Content Removed]? I purchased an e-gift card for a nephew and it arrived within 2 hours of the transaction being completed, so where and why is the delay of 45 days occurring?? I emailed Haier promotions asking for this to be looked into and got the same bland response back from customer service. “This can take 45 days to process, please check your spam folder” If you’re thinking of purchasing during the promotional period, think again. Worst customer service experience I’ve had. How on earth does it take 45 days to process something I’ve already paid for?

Disappointing quality and expensive repairs! – I purchased this Haier washing machine 14 months ago, and the edge of the door seal has already ripped, causing leaks. Despite being under warranty, I was told that door seals are excluded, as they are considered “user error.” It was suggested that dragging clothes out of the machine or improper handling (e.g., by children) might be to blame.… Read more

However, this is a single-user machine, and I’m certain my handling of washing machines hasn’t changed in the last six years. Isn’t the door designed to help remove clothes?

For comparison, my previous front-loader was a second-hand Samsung I bought for $250, and it lasted five years second hand without any seal issues or similar problems. This Haier machine cost $750, and the repair work and labor for the seal amounted to about 46% of the purchase price.

If Haier has any confidence in their products, they should at least offer a goodwill warranty free of charge for at least the first two years. At the very least, when the part fails—because let’s be honest, it will—you should clearly inform the customers of the repair costs for the next visit and expected longevity of the replacement. This would allow me to make an informed decision about whether to proceed with the repair or start shopping for a more reliable machine.

For $750, I expected far better quality and customer service. This has been a complete waste of money, and I’ll never buy a Haier product again. I’ll save myself the frustration and invest in something dependable—like Samsung.

Great quiet machine – This machine replaced a bosh. I do love this one, it’s smaller on the outside and bigger on the inside. Quiet. Smooth. I can choose exactly how I want to wash my clothes. Quick, speed up or a soak. Honestly I really did not expect a great machine but it is. I can also add a sock if I’m quick enough.

After finally having to replace our 15 year old LG 8.5kg, which worked perfectly up until the day it suddenly had a huge, irreplaceable mechanical failure, I decided to go with Haier. Considering most sub-$1000 machines were all made in China, I felt why not go with a legitimate Chinese brand. I knew that Haier had been around for decades and… Read more

heard that made pretty good fridges.

Purchased this and it didn't work straight off the bat, involving us having to repackage it up and return it for a replacement. This warranty unit worked as it should and sort of still is. Was really hoping to take advantage of the WiFi functionality, but considering the (lack) of features it offers and concerns of security(like most IoT these days, local connection isn't available, only channelling everything through the your home network, your phone and the "cloud"), I've never used it.

Only a couple of years on and aesthetically, the plastic protector on the front has already bubbled, looking awful, and I don't know whether to rip it off or leave it. Starting only occasionally, but now literally every wash cycle, FC1 & FC2 errors appear. These seem to clear themselves after 5-10 minutes and the wash cycle continues, but have concerns that one day they're just not going to proceed. On consultation, these errors at to do with one of the boards within the unit and replacement isn't really an option.

Although not a huge thing, the time indicator also is highly inaccurate and should be only be considered as a rough estimate. The amount of times I've been late, while I waited with basket in hand, for the final 2 minutes of the cycle to take well over 10.

In the end, we'll continue to cross our fingers, hoping for the best; but can't say I'm sold on the brand.

As a clothes washer, it performed quite well for about three years. But a little over one year after the 24 month warranty expired, it started malfunctioning, where the control panel didn’t light up when you pressed the On button. The fault was intermittent at first and the machine could be persuaded to “awake up” if you fiddled with the On… Read more

button, the selector dial and unplugging and re-plugging it. But two weeks ago, it died completely and nothing lit up despite multiple attempts.

Phoning a few local repair guys it appears that this unit, which has 3 printed circuit boards, has one board which is prone to failure. It costs an eye-watering $315 to buy a new one from Fisher & Paykel, the agents for Haier. Plus the cost of labour. My local technician said he could instal a new board within his $165 call-out fee, for a total repair cost of $480. (The entire machine was $699. At the exorbitant rates they charge for parts, the three PCB’s alone would have cost $945, with no mention of the motor, pump, cabinet, tub, impeller, wiring, suspension etc. Building an entire machine from spare parts would probably cost $10,000. There ought to be a law against such price gouging.)

I then spent an hour on the phone to Fisher & Paykel and they finally agreed to provide the PCB free of charge provided I used one of their technicians to diagnose and instal it. That would cost $209 just to diagnose the fault, and then up to $140 to fix it. Total $349. I thanked them for their offer, but decided to get rid of the Haier and buy a Beko washer which had a 5-year warranty. It costs $899 and had the strong recommendation of my local appliance dealer who said they were very reliable products, and that their warranty service was excellent.

Shocking that Haier would charge so much for a component that probably costs them $5-10 to make, and especially one that’s prone to failure. In my 25 years as a machine manufacturer (Triton woodworking machines) we replaced for free any parts that should not have worn out or broken - irrespective of the expiration of the warranty.

The machine is also rusting. Rust has appeared underneath the drawer which slides out to accept detergent. The enamel was clearly missing in that area. Overall, a very disappointing experience.

Our washing machine has been extremely noisy since purchase and did not clean our clothes properly. After just six months, it stopped working. Despite cleaning the filter multiple times, we kept receiving an error message instructing us to clear the filter, and the machine failed to drain the water. Upon inspection, the filter was already clean. … Read more

We contacted warranty support to arrange a technician for repairs, but no one ever reached out to schedule an appointment. After multiple failed attempts to book a repair online, we found their warranty support to be extremely unhelpful.

Out of frustration, we hired a technician ourselves and paid $215 for the repair. However, warranty support refused to reimburse the cost, claiming it was not a manufacturing defect. The entire experience has been incredibly disappointing.

My favourite washing machine EVER – I bought this last year after many 2nd hand machines died after only a few months. It has certainly held up to the hype, and has not skipped a beat, even after washing blankets, doonas, pillows and mattress protectors. Its great on water use and power, and cleans beautifully. I can't say enough good things about this underrated brand. I'm glad I… Read more

researched Hair before buying. Otherwise I would have missed out on a great appliance. PLEASE don't use fabric softener as it clogs up and causes mould!!!!!

Peeling Paint – Paint peeled off the front of the washing machine Model HWF85AN1 when removing the sticky tape within a few minutes of the unit being installed Disappointing E&S will not replace this for another week, but at least at this moment in time they stated they will replace it. Haier themselves were polite but useless The machine has not even been used yet and I don't have much hope if it is already falling apart. Disappointed! Show details

Good machine for $$$, shallow depth drum, handy WiFi – I did my head in doing research prior to purchasing this machine. So many reviews, so much miss information (even after ringing the manufacturer to confirm) the delayed start option NOT being present from review info. The machine replaced an eight-year-old Samsung front loader 8 kg capacity and immediately I noticed on this new unit the… Read more

shallow depth of the drum even though it is a stated larger 8.5 kg capacity. There is no way I could fit the same size load in this unit as I could my old 8 kg Samsung due to the reduced depth of the drum. (Same circumference). Considering this though the features on offer suited my requirements and although I have only done a couple of washes I am happy with its performance.

A little difficult getting the app and Wi-Fi connection talking to each other but all good now and I can confirm there IS a delayed start option accessible from within the app. Initially I wrote this feature off as I was happy with the purchase price and other features and was prepared to live without the delayed start option but very happy to soon learn this IS available from the app and works well.

The spin cycle at 1400 RPM leaves the washing drier than my previous 1200rpm Samsung.

I would recommend this unit but be mindful of the smaller sized drum which could be an issue for you.

Quit, Reliable Work Horse – It's so quit, and after one year, I feel obliged to write something to thank the good engineering, and workmanship, and the honest pricing. Show details

Good machine - but no timer delay and always showing Auto – We bought this machine to replace our 16 year old Hotpoint machine from Europe. Although a very good machine it is missing some key functionality. There is no way to put a time delay on the machine - so you can't set the machine to run when you aren't physically near it. Which in my view is a fundamental flaw with the machine. Also the display is… Read more

always showing Auto - so you actually can't see what program is running - in case you made an error and had to 'pause' the wash. Also the tray has water left in it at the end of every wash - you just need to empty it each time. Apart from these things the machine seems to wash the clothes well and it appears to be economical.

Update a year on - holes and frayed edges have started to appear on our clothes. We initially thought it was because of the age of the clothes but it is not. I think it might have something to do with the water auto adjustment. So maybe not enough water...maybe?