Introduction

Design & Usability

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Needlessly cheap user interface

The {{product.name}} is sold in many different markets worldwide, where many different languages are spoken. Instead of creating different displays with names for cycles, the folks at Haier instead used a number to represent each cycle and slapped a sticker on the front of the washer to provide translation. This works, but it's extremely inelegant. Furthmore, it’s tough to cram clothes in the Haier’s little basket. Due to the lack of wheels it’s also tough to drag it over to the faucet. However, that still may be easier than a trip to the laundromat.

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Performance & Features

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The {{product.name}} must ride on its performance, for it has little in the way of features to speak of.

Clothes emerge from a wash without stains, but water retention, fabric handling and debris removal is subpar. In the 47 minute Standard cycle, the {{product.name}} displayed superior stain removal ability. This would be impressive performance for a washer of any size, let alone a wee portable.

The {{product.name}} displayed superior stain removal ability. However, this performance doesn't come cheap. If you're paying for your own water, the {{product.name}} will certainly increase your bill. Despite its tiny tub, the Delicates cycle used a whopping 43 gallons of water, while other cycles used about 27. Your yearly water bill will probably increase by at least $50. If you decide to use hot water for washes, expect a higher energy bill, too. On average, living with the {{product.name}} for a year will cost $55.

Conclusion

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If you hate lugging clothes to a laundry room or laundromat, consider making a small investment in the Haier HLP23E.

It's easily found on sale for under $250, and it does a really good job lifting stains. Expect to notice its presence on your electric and water bills, however, because this little Haier had some of the highest energy and water usage we've ever seen. It is almost to the point that it defeats the purpose of a washer that operates in low space, low infrastructure areas. It used much more electricity than an average full-size washer, too. At least the HLP23E can hold its own against larger washers when it comes to stain removal.

The only feature that matters on the HLP23E is its portability, but for some people, that goes a long way. If dragging your dirty laundry up the block for a public spin is consistently the low point in your week, and if features and water bills are the furthest things from your mind, you may want to consider adopting this little appliance.

Science Introduction

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The {{product.name}} had a powerful cleaning performance, especially considering its size. This washer is also convenient, as it can be operated anywhere there is a faucet. Yet, this concept of operating in an area with little space and less infrastructure seems defeated by the {{product.model}}'s lack of efficiency. We estimate that a year of working with this washer will cost you $55.

Performance Tests: Efficiency

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An army of {{product.name}}s could drink rivers dry.

We hooked the {{product.name}} into water and watt meters to determine its drain on household resources. We ran every cycle this washer had to offer and recorded the resource usage. We calculate that this Haier will add about 448 kilowatt-hours to your yearly bill. To put that in perspective, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that the average monthly usage is 958 kilowatt-hours. The water meter gave us no better news either. The Gentle cycle used over 40 gallons. Overall, we expect the yearly operating cost of the {{product.name}} to top $55.

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Performance Tests: Cleaning

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A washing machine should do some cleaning

To determine a washer's cleaning performance we use strips of cloth stained with the common enemies of cleanliness. Each strip is divided up into sebum (sweat), oil, blood, red wine, and cocoa. After select wash cycles, strips are taken out and scanned by a light spectrometer. These readings are compared to control samples to determine how much of the stain has been lifted. The Normal and Heavy Duty cycles carried similar performances. They even powered through greasy stains.

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