Technology

Haier technologies explained simply

I-Pro, Direct Motion, Smart Dual Spray, Air Surround, T-ABT, Switch Zone: Haier loves technical names. Behind them are some useful ideas and a bit of marketing. Here is each technology explained simply, family by family, with a glossary at the end.

By Clément, appliance specialist at Nimestore · 5 min read · Published 13 October 2026
In brief
  • Laundry : Direct Motion, Smart AI, Autodose, Ultra Fresh Air
  • Drying : heat pump, I-Refresh, Drying Lens
  • Refrigeration : Total No Frost, Air Surround, My Zone, ABT
  • hOn : the app shared by Haier, Candy and Hoover

Washing

Direct Motion

In a conventional washing machine, the motor turns the drum via a belt. With the Direct Motion, the motor is mounted directly on the drum shaft: no more belt, no more pulley. The result: less vibration, less noise and fewer parts that wear out. You'll find it on the I-Pro Series 5 and 7 Plus, and on the X7, X9 and X Series 11.

See-through technical view of a Haier washing machine showing the direct-drive motor fixed to the back of the drum
The Direct Motion motor, mounted directly on the drum.

Inverter BPM

The motor BPM (permanent magnet, brushless) motor in the I-Pro Series 1 and X5 is belt-driven, but it is still electronically controlled: it adjusts its speed, uses little energy and wears less than a motor with brushes. Haier also refers to ‘AI Power Drive' on the X5.

Smart AI

An automatic cycle: the machine weighs the laundry, estimates the fabric type and adjusts the temperature, water and duration. Haier claims thousands of combinations. Useful if you'd rather not think about the programme.

Autodose

You fill a liquid detergent tank and the machine doses automatically for each wash based on the load. Less waste, less residue. Available on the I-Pro Series 7 Plus in our shop.

Hand pouring liquid detergent into the automatic dispenser of a Haier washing machine, close-up of the control panel and display
The Autodose tank: one refill for many washes.

Smart Dual Spray

Two water jets automatically clean the door seal and the glass during the cycle: less residue and fewer odours in the places where they usually build up.

ABT, Refresh and Pillow Drum

ABT (Anti Bacteria Technology) refers to an antibacterial treatment of the seal and the detergent drawer. Refresh refreshes laundry with steam to remove odours and allergens. The drum Pillow Drum has rounded ridges that protect the fibres.

Ultra Fresh Air (X9 and X Series 11)

If you don't empty the machine straight away, it blows air into the closed drum for up to 12 hours after the cycle, guarding against odours, mould and creases. Not on the models we have in store.

Drying

The heat pump

Instead of heating the air with an element and then expelling it, the heat pump recycles the heat in a closed loop, like a fridge in reverse. It dries at a lower temperature (gentler on fabrics) and uses roughly half the energy. All our Haier tumble dryers have one.

I-Refresh and I-Time

I-Refresh refreshes a worn garment (even delicate ones) with warm, humid air, without washing. I-Time lets you choose the drying time directly.

Drying Lens

You photograph the garment's care label in the hOn app, and it suggests the right drying programme. On the I-Pro Series 5.

3-in-1 filter

A multi-layer filter, easier to clean, that catches lint better and protects the heat pump.

Cooling

Total No Frost

A fan circulates cold, dry air and automatic defrosting kicks in regularly: no more frost, either in the fridge or the freezer.

Air Surround and Multi Air Flow

Cold air is blown all around the food through several outlets. Haier claims freshness and taste are preserved for up to 7 days. Temperature is more even from one shelf level to the next.

My Zone, My Zone Pro and Switch Zone

A drawer (or compartment, on the S+) with adjustable temperature: meat and fish, cheese, drinks. On some models it can even switch from fridge to freezer mode.

Humidity Zone

A crisper drawer that maintains high humidity (around 90% according to Haier) to keep fruit and vegetables crisp for longer.

ABT, ABT Pro and T-ABT

A treated filter that purifies the fridge air: Haier claims over 99% of bacteria are removed. Fewer odours, better hygiene.

Direct Access drawers

On 3D fridge-freezers, a drawer-style middle compartment gives access to the most-used foods without opening the whole fridge: less cold air lost.

Up 60 freezer modulation

Up 60 upright freezers can be used as fridges as needed (holidays, summer), and Haier's artificial intelligence adjusts the cooling to your habits.

Haier Cube 90 fridge freezer with four doors open, drawers and shelves full, in an open-plan kitchen
Air Surround, My Zone and Humidity Zone in a Cube 90.

Dishwashing

  • Inverter motor : quiet and durable.
  • Smart AI : the programme adapts to the load.
  • H-Spray (high-end): H-shaped spray arms to better cover the baskets.
  • DotMatrix : a projected display on the floor on fully integrated models.

hOn: the Haier app

hOn is shared by Haier, Candy and Hoover. Depending on the appliance: remote start and monitoring, over 60 downloadable cycles, stain removal and dosing advice, Drying Lens, energy consumption tracking, favourite programmes, fridge temperature settings, inventory and expiry alerts, wine label scanning (HWS49GAE), and on recent models a remote diagnostics service. It also lets you register the 10-year parts warranty extension.

Hand holding a smartphone with the hOn app in front of a white Haier washing machine
hOn: control, monitor and register your warranty.

The Haier glossary, explained in plain English

Haier nameIn plain termsFamily
I-Pro Series 1, 3, 5, 7 PlusRange levels, from simplest to most featuredWashing, drying
X5, X7, X9, X Series 11New washing range 2025-2026Washing, drying
Direct MotionMotor fixed to the drum, no beltLaundry
Inverter BPMBrushless motor, belt-drivenLaundry
Smart AISensor-based automatic programmeWashing, drying, dishwashing
Smart Dual SprayAutomatic cleaning of the seal and door glassLaundry
Pillow DrumDrum with soft ridgesWashing, drying
Ultra Fresh AirAir blown in after the cycle to fight odoursLaundry
I-RefreshSteam refresh without washingDrying
Drying LensProgramme selected by photographing the care labelDrying
Dual CyclonLint filtrationWasher dryer
Air SurroundCold air circulated all aroundRefrigeration
My Zone / Switch ZoneAdjustable-temperature drawerRefrigeration
Humidity ZoneVery humid crisper drawerRefrigeration
ABT / T-ABTAntibacterial filterCooling, washing
Direct AccessAccessible intermediate drawersRefrigeration
Twist Ice MakerIce tray you twist to release the cubesRefrigeration
Cube, SBS, 2D, 3DFormats: 4-door, American-style, 2- and 3-compartmentRefrigeration
hOnThe app, also for warrantyAll
C
Clément's tip

The three Haier technologies really worth the extra: the Direct Motion engine if the washing machine is near living spaces, the class A heat pump for drying, and Total No Frost with My Zone for cooling. The rest is just extra comfort.

These technologies in our Haier models

To see these technologies model by model: Haier washing and Haier cooling.

Frequently asked questions

Is Direct Motion really quieter?

Yes, generally: with no belt or pulley, there are fewer vibrations and fewer parts that wear out. On our models, Direct Motion units are at 70 dB during spin, versus 72 dB for most Inverter BPM. The difference is real but modest.

What is Haier's Smart AI?

An automatic cycle that measures the load and fabric type to choose the temperature, water and duration from thousands of combinations. It's handy, but it's mainly sensors and good algorithms, not magic.

What is the My Zone drawer for?

It's a drawer whose temperature you set according to what you store: close to 0 °C for meat and fish, a little warmer for cheese, warmer still for drinks.

Does ABT really kill bacteria?

Haier claims more than 99% of bacteria removed from the air circulating in the fridge thanks to a treated filter. It's a plus for odours and hygiene, but it doesn't replace regular cleaning.

Are the 'designed to last 20 years' claims a guarantee?

No. These are design targets backed by laboratory tests (5,000 wash cycles). Haier itself makes clear that this is not a lifespan guarantee. The guarantee is the 2 years' legal guarantee, plus 10 years on parts under conditions.

Need advice?

Come and see the appliances in person

At our Temploux shop, we open the doors and compare drums and finishes. Or ask our expert sales adviser online, right now.

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