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Hisense 3 Series WF3S8043BW Washing Machine review: a super quiet, affordable washing machine
Quiet, quick and reliable, Hisense's budget washing machines have impressed Mumsnet users for a while now. We put this A-rated washing machine through its paces in a real family home.
By Poppy O'Neill | Last updated Jun 19, 2024
Price on writing: £369 | Buy now from Boots Kitchen Appliances
15-minute quick wash
Quiet brushless motor
Allergy steam function
A-rated for energy
Pause and add function
Schedule washes via an app
Self-diagnoses issues
Child lock
Some cycles are quite long
No delicate or handwash cycle
Spin speed: 1400 rpm | Capacity: 8kg | Energy rating: A | Spin performance: B | Number of programs: 16 | Wool wash: Yes | Delicate wash: No | Hand wash: No | Energy consumption per cycle: 0.475 kWh | Water consumption per cycle: 45 litres
Related: The best washing machines, tried and tested
How we tested
Our tester Anna put the washing machine to the test in her 3-bedroom home in East Sussex over the course of a month. Taking detailed notes on user-friendliness, efficiency, effectiveness and noise levels, she cross-compared it with her previous washing machine and thoroughly tested each feature against a number of everyday laundry tasks.
Read next: The best budget washing machines under £500
Our verdict
With Jet Wash technology for powerful cleaning, and a brushless motor for quiet operation, this washing machine delivers impressive results - especially for a machine under £400.
Anna loved the super speedy 15-minute quick wash cycle, which cleans her clothes well enough to make it her go-to programme. For a more intensive clean on dirtier items, the Eco 40-60 is a thorough and energy-efficient option, though it does take quite a long time. She also loves the Auto cycle, which weighs your washing and adjusts settings accordingly, completing a wash in around an hour.
Using an eco-friendly Laundry Egg instead of conventional laundry detergent, Anna was pleased with how quickly the Hisense 3 Series WF3S8043BW got a small load of washing clean and ready to hang on her retractable washing line.
With an 8kg drum, it's well suited to a medium-sized household, and Anna found the ability to pop all her bedding in at once to be a godsend - especially as she was used to a smaller drum in her previous machine.
Besides the impressive cleaning in lightning quick time, the thing Mumsnetters love most about this machine is how quiet it is. At just 72dB at the loudest part of its spin cycle, for the majority of the time it's on, the machine is remarkably quiet.
The washing machine has app connectivity, so you can perform basic tasks like scheduling a wash remotely. It's also self-diagnosing, so if there's ever something wrong with your washing machine, it'll be able to tell you exactly what the issue is.
The washing machine does have a number of downsides - there's no handwash or delicates cycle, though there is a wool cycle that'll do the job for all but the most delicate items. As previously mentioned, some of the cycles take a little longer than Anna would have liked, but it's reassuring to have the quick wash cycle available when you're in a hurry. At less than £400, it's clear there would need to be trade-offs, and we think Hisense have concentrated on what's important to families - noise levels, cleaning quality and user-friendliness - while dispensing with some of the nice-to-haves like extra wash cycles.
Related: The best washer dryers for families
What's the Hisense 3 Series WF3S8043BW like to set up and start using?
Once installed, the washing machine can connect to the ConnectLife Laundry app via WiFi. The app is straightforward to use, offering the option to set and schedule washes from your phone, as well as a 'wizard' to suggest suitable programmes. The washing machine is also Alexa compatible, so you can control it with your voice.
However, all the controls and programmes can be operated via the chunky dial and digital display on the washing machine itself. So if you're not into apps and voice controls, you can still take full advantage of the washing machine's many talents.
The control panel is straightforward to use - there's a dial to select the cycle, then buttons to select any extra programmes like the anti-allergy steam, prewash, adjust temperature, start time, or even pause the wash to add that rogue sock that got away.
Related: The best tumble dryers Mumsnet users swear by
What's the Hisense 3 Series WF3S8043BW like to use day-to-day?
On an everyday basis, the washing machine is a great addition. With its straightforward controls, there are no complex or unexpected features - just a reliable washing machine that gets on with the job quietly.
It does beep, but there are clear and simple instructions for turning the noise off on the control panel - just hold down two of the buttons.
The 15-minute quick wash fits perfectly into Anna's routine, with longer cycles available for larger or dirtier loads. For forgotten items, there's a handy pause and add function, and you can use the timer on the control panel or set schedules on the app.
Related: The best dehumidifiers for drying clothes
Does the Hisense 3 Series WF3S8043BW offer good value for money?
At under £400, the Hisense 3 Series WF3S8043BW is one of the best budget washing machines out there. When compared to the similarly-price Beko Aquatech® RecycledTub® B5W5841AW, the Hisense stands out for its faster quick wash (the Beko clocks in at 28 minutes).
Sure, you could spend a little more and get a Bosch washing machine for around £500, but if you're looking to save money the Hisense will serve you well, plus it's got an A energy rating, meaning it won't push up your energy bills either.
About the author
Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She's been researching and reviewing the products Mumsnetters swear by for 3 years, with a particular focus on home essentials, laundry and fans. From a highly-recommended retractable washing line to the best quiet fans money can buy, and Mumsnet's favourite dehumidifier to the steam generator iron that'll cut your ironing time in half, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the very best products on the market.
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.
About Mumsnet reviews
All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real parents after weeks of research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.