A Wi-Fi-connected washing machine seemed like a step too far until I used one for two months

There are certain functions that I would look for in a new washer-dryer, including a quick wash cycle, the ability to pair wash and dry cycles, and good energy efficiency. As much as I love my home gadget, I never saw the need for a Wi-Fi connection on a washing machine. That was until I tried the latest Haier washer-dryer.

The Haier X9 is one of the brand’s flagship models, and as such, it has an impressive range of functions on board. These range from Ultra Fresh Air technology, which keeps your clothes smelling fresh even if you leave them in the machine for the day, to Smart AI technology that detects what is in the machine and selects the right cycle. Crucially, though, it features Wi-Fi connectivity.

How much is the Haier X9?

Haier’s X9 washer dryer was first released towards the end of 2025, with availability across Europe, as well as in Asian markets. It officially sells for £849 in the UK or around €879 in Europe. Right now though, there are discounts available at several retailers, taking the price as low as £759.

Features and design

This freestanding washing machine offers a competitive specification for the price. It has a 10kg maximum wash load and 6kg drying load. There’s a 1400rpm direct motion motor for spinning and an energy rating of A.

The device is available in either graphite or white finishes, both with a graphite top panel and a large darkened glass drum lid. There’s a large 7-inch touch panel display which blends seamlessly into the top panel and a large selector dial for the main cycles. On top of the detergent and softener drawer, there’s a removable lint filter and a button for app connectivity.

One of my favourite features is the light inside the drum that comes on while you’re filling the machine and while it starts filling, so you can see if everything is washing correctly, and again when it’s finished. The drum entrance is nice and large, so you can get things in and out easily. There’s also a slight delay before locking the drum, in case you forget to put something in – which I usually do.

There are 14 main programmes available for washing and drying, including a Smart AI mode which identifies the fabric types and weighs the washing, to provide the right detergent amount, water level and temperature.

For each of the programmes, you can override the temperature, spin speed, washing intensity and add a drying mode if required. There’s also a special stain type addition, which lets you select from 35 different causes of stains, from chilli oil to wine. This will then adjust the time and temperature of the wash accordingly.

There’s also the ability to add the Ultra Fresh phase; this uses Haier’s Ultra Fresh Air technology, slowly rotating the drum when finished and blowing air into it. This is designed to stop your clothes from sitting wet in the washer for hours if you can’t get to them to unload it, and avoids them starting to smell damp. Haier says this can work for up to 12 hours.

Smart connectivity through the hOn network

Haier uses the hOn Smart Home network, which it shares with Candy and Hoover devices. This provides a single app to access all of your connected devices, including the Haier X9. Setup is simple: just download the app from the Apple or Android app store, and once you’ve set up an account, select the + symbol to add a device.

From the app, you can see how long is left on a wash or dry cycle, pause or stop, or set a new washing programme. It also has a couple of special features, including a washing lens, which allows you to scan the washing labels of your clothes and save them to a virtual wardrobe, so it can recommend the best cycle, and a guided wash to help you find the right wash programme in a step-by-step format.

Perhaps the most useful feature of this Wi-Fi-connected app, though, is a simple notification. When the programme finishes, the app provides you with a pop-up notification (provided you allow it in your notification settings). For Apple users, you can even get that notification on your Apple Watch.

The number of times I’ve put a load of washing on and then forgotten about it is too many to count, so a little notification is perfect for reminding me to go and empty the washing machine or put the drying cycle on. I also found the remaining time useful, saving me from getting up to go and check on the machine itself – a little lazy, maybe, but very satisfying.

If you don’t select the mobile connect button on the washing machine when loading your clothes, you’re limited by what the app can do. You will still get the notifications and can still see how long is left on the cycle, but you can’t stop the machine or set a new cycle. This is a sensible safety feature, but it is a little annoying if you forget to activate it – which you have to do each time you use it.

How does it wash?

Both the Smart AI function and regular programmes work very well. Clothes come out smelling fresh and clean (Haier recommends Ariel but any detergent is fine) and it has no problem removing stains.

The inverter motor is quiet, so you’d barely know the machine is on for most of the wash. However, the full spin cycle does really shake the machine. There’s quite a song when the device finishes, so even if you’re not using the app, you tend to hear it through the house.

The drying functions are equally impressive, with three levels of drying, plus timed drying options. The main functions adjust depending on the weight of the load and always finished dry for me. Despite the fibre filter, there’s still a build-up of lint around the seal after a few drys, but is easy to scrape off.

While the touch screen is great, the combination of rotating the wheel for the programme and touch buttons for the other parts can feel a bit disjointed. It would be nicer if you could touch-select the programmes as well. Or if the screen worked more like the app, and provided a changing display rather than set positions for each mode.

Should I buy the Haier X9 Washer Dryer?

This is a great washer dryer for the money, outperforming similarly priced units in both maximum wash and dry weights and spin speed. Its washing functions are solid and the addition of the ultra fresh air mode is very handy.

While the smart AI functionality is good, it’s not something I would necessarily trust on delicate clothes. However, the app functions, including the washing lens for checking labels is very clever.

For me, it’s the smart features that really make this machine, and though it’s not the only machine to offer Wi-Fi connectivity and app control, it’s now something that I wouldn’t be without.