Hisense Wins 2026 Shonky Award for Washer Dryer
CHOICE names Hisense's Series 8i Heat Pump Washer Dryer Combo among its 2026 Shonky Awards, citing long energy-rating test cycles.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Appliances
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Consumer advocate CHOICE has awarded Hisense a 2026 Shonky Award for its Series 8i Heat Pump Washer Dryer Combo. The group says the machine took 811 minutes to dry a full 8kg load on the program used for its eight-star drying energy rating.
Why it matters
CHOICE argues the energy-rating framework lets manufacturers nominate the test programs used for headline efficiency ratings, which may bear little resemblance to how consumers actually use the appliance. The criticism highlights a gap between rated efficiency and everyday performance for Australian shoppers.
CHOICE's testing found the drying cycle nominated for the eight-star rating ran 811 minutes for an 8kg load, and the five-star washing program ran 728 minutes. Running both energy-rating programs back to back takes more than 25 hours, and it is not yet clear how Hisense responds to the findings.
The players
CHOICE
Australia's consumer advocacy organisation, known for its independent product testing and annual Shonky Awards highlighting poor-value or misleading products.
Hisense
A Chinese multinational appliance manufacturer whose Australian arm reports steady growth and holds a 14 per cent share of local refrigeration volume.
The details
CHOICE said manufacturers may nominate the program used for energy testing under the current system. The group also pointed to earlier Shonky Awards for Samsung's SW70SP washing machine in 2012 and LG's GC-L197NFS refrigerator in 2010, the latter of which later led to compensation after ACCC action.
Timeline
2006: CHOICE's inaugural Shonky Awards included Apple's repair and warranty service.
2010: CHOICE criticised LG's GC-L197NFS refrigerator.
2012: Samsung's SW70SP washing machine received a Shonky Award.
4 November 2026: CHOICE announced the 2026 Shonky Awards.
Big Picture
CHOICE's 2026 criticism follows its earlier Shonky Awards for Samsung's SW70SP in 2012 and LG's GC-L197NFS in 2010, both aimed at appliance efficiency claims. The recurring theme is the gap between energy ratings produced under the current testing framework and how Australian households actually run these machines.
Shoppers comparing washer dryers should look beyond the headline energy rating and check the real drying and washing times for the program they plan to use. Long cycle durations can add to electricity use and time spent per load.
The takeaway
Energy ratings reflect the programs manufacturers choose to test, so comparing actual cycle times and running costs can give a more accurate picture before buying an appliance.
Further reading
Explore more Appliances coverage for context on how energy ratings are tested and reported.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ChannelNews.
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