Available 
Hisense PureFlat Infinite RQ758N4SWSE Total No Frost Multi-door American Fridge Freezer
from £999.
£999
Rated 4.9 / 5 from up to 3,260 reviews
Colours tracked: Stainless Steel
Guide
Are WiFi connected electricals worth it?
WiFi connected electricals can be worth paying for when app control, alerts or scheduling solve a real household problem, but they are easy to skip if you will not use them.
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Last verified: 2026-06-28
What WiFi connected electricals can do
WiFi-connected electricals are usually about convenience rather than a new core function. AO’s smart home guidance points to remote control, scheduling, alerts and some energy-monitoring style features, so the value comes from reducing the need to stand next to the appliance. That matters differently across products: the Hisense PureFlat Infinite RQ758N4SWSE Total No Frost Multi-door American Fridge Freezer is listed at £999, while the Hoover H-DRY 300 HLE C9DRGR-80 9Kg Condenser Tumble Dryer is listed at £349, so the question is not just “is it smart?” but “what job does the smart feature make easier?”
When smart features are genuinely useful
Connected features tend to make the most sense for busy households and larger appliances that run for long periods or sit in awkward places. A fridge freezer like the Hisense multi-door model may benefit from alerts and remote checks if you want extra convenience, while a connected dryer such as the Hoover 9kg condenser model may suit anyone who likes scheduling or change-on-the-go control. Public review counts and star ratings can help show that these products are widely bought and discussed, but they do not prove the WiFi feature itself is the reason shoppers are happy.
When you should skip the upgrade
If you rarely use app features, WiFi may add little beyond a higher upfront cost. The available guidance also makes setup and network quality part of the decision, because app dependence only feels worthwhile when your home WiFi is strong enough and the app is compatible with the devices or smart-home setup you already use. There is also a security and privacy caveat with connected appliances, so buyers who mainly want the core appliance job done may prefer to keep things simpler and spend their budget on capacity, fit or energy rating instead.
Key features to look for before buying
Before you pay extra for connectivity, check exactly which app-based features are included and whether they solve a real problem for your household. AO’s guidance suggests confirming app compatibility, WiFi strength and whether you will actually use remote control, alerts or scheduling, rather than assuming a WiFi label automatically adds value. For the Hisense fridge freezer, the more important practical checks are still dimensions, capacity and installation fit; for the Hoover dryer, it is worth checking whether the smart extras sit alongside the drying features you actually need.
What the evidence says about connected appliances
The clearest pattern from AO’s buying guidance is that connected appliances are positioned as convenience-first products. That means the smart layer is optional rather than essential, and the real value depends on whether the household will use the app for control, scheduling or alerts. The visible review ratings and large review counts for the Hisense and Hoover examples are useful popularity signals, but they are not independent lab evidence and they do not isolate the worth of the WiFi feature itself. Because some live retailer details were not fully available during checking, this page should be treated as a cautious shortlist with extra verification needed on the retailer page.
How to judge the price gap and product type
The shortlist spans a wide price range, from the Hoover H-DRY 300 HLE C9DRGR-80 9Kg Condenser Tumble Dryer at £349 to the Hisense PureFlat Infinite RQ758N4SWSE Total No Frost Multi-door American Fridge Freezer at £999, so WiFi should be weighed alongside the appliance job itself. A fridge freezer buyer needs to compare capacity, split, dimensions and door clearance as well as connectivity, while a dryer buyer may care more about scheduling convenience, space and whether the connected features are used often enough to justify the premium. Hisense and Hoover also sit in very different brand and product-type contexts, so the fairest comparison is not which is “better” overall, but which one matches the household’s space, habits and willingness to use smart extras. Always check latest price, delivery, stock and the exact feature list on AO before buying.
Electricals to use as comparison examples
Available 
Hoover H-DRY 300 HLE C9DRGR-80 9Kg Condenser Tumble Dryer
from £349.
£349
Rated 4.4 / 5 from up to 9,976 reviews
Colours tracked: Graphite
Retailer details used
Last checked 2026-06-28. The source list below is included to help you check the details behind the comparison. Always confirm the latest price, delivery cost, stock status and product details with the retailer before buying.
- Smart Home | Buying Guide | Help & Advice | ao.comGeneral benefits, compatibility, WiFi strength, security, setup guidance.
- Smart Connected Fridges & Freezers | Essential Feature Guide | ao.comExamples of connected fridge freezers and how AO presents the category.
- Smart-Connected Tumble Dryers | Essential Feature Guide | ao.comExamples of connected tumble dryers and how AO presents the category.
- Smart Appliances Could Expose Your WiFi to Hacking Risks - Consumer ReportsSecurity caveat and optional-benefit framing.
Helpful next reads
Use these related electricals guides and reviews to turn the advice into a practical shortlist.
Firmness questions
Do WiFi connected electricals need a phone app to work?
Usually the core appliance still works without the app, but app control is normally what unlocks remote changes, alerts and scheduling. If you are buying a connected fridge freezer or dryer, check which functions are available from the appliance itself and which ones rely on the app.
Are smart appliances worth paying extra for if I only want the core appliance job done?
Often not. If you will not use app control, alerts or scheduling, WiFi may add more to the price than it adds to everyday use. In that case, it can make more sense to put the budget into the right capacity, dimensions, energy rating or installation type.
What should I check before buying a connected appliance from AO.com?
Check app compatibility, home WiFi strength, the exact connected features listed on the product page, and whether those features solve a real household problem. For the Hisense fridge freezer and Hoover dryer examples, also confirm latest price, delivery, stock and any fit checks before you order.
How important is home WiFi strength for connected appliance features?
It matters a lot if you want remote control, alerts or smooth scheduling. AO’s guidance suggests connected features work best when the home network is strong, so a weak signal can reduce the value of the smart functions even if the appliance itself is a good fit.
Can review counts tell me whether the WiFi features are any good?
They can show that a product is popular and widely reviewed, such as the Hoover dryer with thousands of ratings, but they do not prove that the WiFi feature is the reason. Treat review volume as sentiment and ownership scale, then still check the connected functions, price and fit.