Haier HW80-B14979S Freestanding Washing Machine review

Overall star rating: 4.5/5

Price on writing: £500 | Buy now from Amazon

What we like

Super quiet cycles
Beeps can be turned off
Antibacterial steam function
Stain removal options
Child lock
Weighs your washing to reduce water waste

What we don't like

Delay timer isn't available with the Eco cycle
No app
No handwash cycle

What Mumsnet users say

We have a new Haier and it is so so quiet. Never known anything like it. It was advertised as the quietest machine on the market and I just thought 'yeah yeah bet it isn't that great", but you barely even notice it is on. Even on full spin.

Recommended by Mumsnet user delilahbucket

Key specs

How we tested

Three weeks of testing
Daily use by a family of four
Trials of special features

The Haier HW80-B14979S has been put to the test in a family home with two tweens, as well as 2 cats and 2 dogs. I use the washing machine every day (so the mountain of laundry stays under control…) usually on the Eco 40-60 cycle.

For this review I made sure to test the machine on a number of other settings, to get an accurate picture of its overall performance. As well as convenience, ease of use and cleaning power, I also took note of noise levels, energy consumption and programme length.

How does the Haier HW80-B14979S Freestanding Washing Machine look?

I really like the big ‘eye’ of the Haier HW80-B14979S. We went for the graphite colour, and having only had bog standard white washing machines before, I do enjoy how this one looks in my kitchen.

The drum lights up, which is a nice touch, and there’s a smooth round dial to turn which toggles between the different programmes. The control panel is flat and touch screen, and the buttons disappear when the washing machine is running, It’s a good-looking washing machine that would suit any modern kitchen.

How easy is it to set up and use?

We had the washing machine fitted by the delivery drivers, a service I can’t recommend highly enough! They also took away our old machine for recycling. When it comes to large white goods, I always think it’s worth paying to have the faff covered by the professionals. It cost us £60 through Amazon, and you'll find this service available at a similar price from most online retailers.

Once plumbed in, the washing machine was very easy to use. Despite its sleek, modern looks, it’s laid out pretty much exactly like a traditional washing machine in terms of the drawer and programmes, so there were no surprises or fancy gadgets to get to grips with. It took me a moment to work out which buttons were touch-operated and which required the dial to be turned, but I quickly got the hang of the controls.

How well does the Haier HW80-B14979S Freestanding Washing Machine clean and spin?

The washing machine gives great results. My washing smells good, it tackles stains well and has a good drum capacity for my family’s needs. I like that cycles are easy to pause and you can open the door if you hear any suspicious clanking from items left in pockets, or you need to chuck something extra into the wash.

With 14 cycles to choose from, the machine can take almost any kind of washing a family is likely to throw at it. The cycles are: Cotton, synthetics, duvet, wool, delicate, outdoor, refresh, babycare, mix, express 15, fast, spin, cotton 20C and eco 40-60.

Not one to over-complicate things, I usually use the default setting: eco 40-60, and it does the job very well. However, in the interests of a thorough review, I put some of the washing machine’s various extra functions to the test:

Delay
Delicates
Express 15
Refresh
Stain removal
Steam
Child lock

I gave the delay function a whirl first - popping the wash on the night before to start first thing (it’s nice and quiet so it doesn’t disrupt anyone’s sleep), and it’s ready to hang before I start work.

I tried out the quick 15-minute wash and the refresh function on an armful of school shirts that weren’t dirty but did need a little freshen up. They came out looking and smelling great, and I’d definitely use this cycle again on a less-than-filthy load of washing.

The washing machine doesn’t have a handwash cycle, so err on the side of caution when it comes to your most precious delicate items. I routinely pop my silk pillowcases in on a delicate cycle and it seems to take very good care of them.

Next up, stain removal. I did my best washing detergent advert impression and poured a splash of red wine onto a white cotton tea towel, then put it in the washing machine with a white load, my normal detergent and set a mixed cycle with the wine-specific stain removal function. Other stains mustn’t feel left out - there are programmes for blood, grass, soil, juice and milk too. I’m happy to report that there was no sign of the red wine when the washing came out of the machine. Cheers to that.

If you have little ones with inquisitive fingers, the light-up, touch screen display - and the fact that cycles can be interrupted on this machine - could prove very tempting. Luckily, Haier have added a child lock to the HW80-B14979S. Simply hold your fingers on the speed and play/pause buttons for 3 seconds, and a padlock symbol will appear. The display will also show the word ‘clot’, which is unexpected, but we’ll let that slide.

Lastly, the steam function: designed with sensitive skin and allergies in mind, it works to kill any bacteria lurking in the clothing. I added the steam function to a wash and my washing came out noticeably wetter than usual. The benefits of the steam setting are, of course, present on a microscopic level, so it’s a brilliant selling point for those in need of super-hygienic washing.

In terms of drawbacks, not all of the extra functions can be used with every cycle - most particularly the eco 40-60, which is the most eco-friendly and default setting. I’m not sure of the thinking behind this, but with other cycles to choose from it’s not too big of a deal to pick cotton or mixed for a delayed wash cycle.

Is it energy-efficient?

The Haier HW80-B14979S has an A energy rating - the highest awarded. The machine weighs your load of washing and adjusts the water used accordingly, making it really energy efficient.

The machine uses an average of 47 kWh for 100 cycles - which works out at around 16p per cycle. Compared to a D rated washing machine, you’re saving about 10p every time you wash your clothes. What’s more, it’ll go into energy-saving standby mode after 2 minutes of idleness.

Is it noisy?

It’s remarkably quiet, so no wonder it’s A-rated for noise levels, with a spin noise level of 69dB. The Haier HW80-B14979 is Quiet Mark certified, so you know you’re getting one of the quietest machines on the market.

Like a lot of modern washing machines, it likes to play a little tune when it’s finished washing your clothes, but I was pleased to find in the user manual that you can switch off the beeps.

How easy is it to clean?

The washing machine has a “Smart Dual Spray” function, which automatically washes the drum after each cycle, leaving it fresh for the next load of washing. Cleaning the washing machine is one of my least favourite household jobs, so not having to worry about the inside getting scuzzy is a big plus.

Naturally, the drawer and filter will still need to be cleaned, so I like that these are both easy and straightforward to access.

Is it good value for money?

At the time of writing, the Haier HW80-B14979 retails for £500, which places it right in the middle of the market. For this price, it offers a pretty impressive range of functions, plus Quiet Mark certification and low running costs.

When comparing it to the similarly-priced Samsung Series 5+ WW90T554DAN/S1 AddWash™ however, the Haier lacks an app and special door for adding extra items to a wash. But compared to washing machines more than twice its price, like the Miele W1 WSG363 Freestanding Washing Machine, it can certainly hold its own and has everything my family needs.

When I bought this washing machine, it was a Black Friday bargain at £350. I used the saving to buy a better quality washing machine than I would have otherwise - I’ve always gone for budget washing machines in the past - and I’m glad I snagged such a good deal.

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About the author

Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She's been researching and reviewing baby and child products for 2 years, with a particular focus on baby essentials, toys and books for toddlers and outdoor play equipment. From potties to paddling pools and bunk beds to bedtime stories, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the best products out there.

Poppy is also an award-winning, best-selling children's and parenting author of books such as Don't Worry, Be Happy, The Extraordinary Book That Makes You Feel Happy and Mother Power. She specialises in children's mental health and her books are used by therapists, teachers and SENCOs across the UK. She won a The Week Junior Book Award in 2023, her books have been translated into several languages and she's been featured in The Guardian, The Sunday Times and The Sun.

After earning a BA in Creative Writing from the University of Leeds and a PGCert in Fashion and Lifestyle Journalism from University of the Arts London, she worked in fashion for most of her 20s. When her children were young, she undertook an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Chichester and re-trained as an author and freelance writer.

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