If laundry feels like more of a chore than usual these days, you are not alone. Although modern washing machines come in all kinds of colors and sizes and have specialty features like energy efficiency and various cycles, there is a major problem many people face when doing laundry: running multiple cycles. You separate your colors, delicates, heavily soiled items, and more, and then you have to run the machine over and over, making your whole day revolve around changing the laundry. Even if your machine has a quick wash cycle, which is typically between 15 and 45 minutes, you will still need to be at the washing machine repeatedly over the course of the day to keep things moving. Complaining about this problem may seem futile, but in 2025, a few brands have decided to solve this problem by creating three-drum washing machines.
The brands Haier, Hisense, and Xiaomi have all announced or released washing machines with three separate drums so that you can run multiple cycles at once with different settings. Haier’s machine was announced for presale on March 15, 2025, while Hisense unveiled its version on March 21, 2025. Fast forward to September, and Xiaomi also showed off its three-zone machine. If you are in the market for a new washing machine and the idea of three drums is enticing, then you should definitely learn more about the pros and cons of these machines to determine if buying one is worth it for you.
Read more: The Most Trustworthy And Reliable Appliance Brands, According To Experts
Pros and cons of a three-drum washer
Rather than one large drum, these new washers feature three smaller drums. The central drum is the largest, and there are two smaller drums above it. The idea behind the triple-drum design for each machine is that you can wash your largest laundry load in the central unit while simultaneously running a smaller load of delicates or items that need to be washed separately. For example, Hisense markets one of its three drums for baby clothing and the other for underwear. The smaller drums are perfect for times when you would otherwise run a whole machine for a very small load of laundry. That said, the exact efficiency improvements are hard to discern from the relatively limited information available about the products at this time. Which brings us to the cons of these machines.
First and foremost, none of the washing machines from any of the three brands are widely available. You cannot access their websites online to purchase or get more product information at this time, so you’re unlikely to have access to any of them for quite a while. And even if you could order one and have it shipped to your home, it’s still worth considering whether it’s the right choice for you to avoid the mistakes everyone makes when buying a new washer and dryer. One of the main issues with these designs could be the size. Medium and large washing machines are most common in the U.S., and three-drum machines might have central drums that are too small for your needs.
Buying a multi-drum washing machine
A woman uses the LG SideKick top load pedestal washer placed below a washing machine – Best Buy
Since all of the aforementioned three-drum machines are front loaders, you won’t have much choice when deciding if a front-load or top-load washer is right for your home. Similar to availability, brand loyalty can also contribute to your decision. You may want to wait until your favorite company joins the three-drum trend before buying. However, if you’re considering branching out from your current laundry machine company, our expert has named the laundry appliance brands that are worth the hype to give you some ideas.
If you’re sold on the idea of multiple drums but disappointed by the lack of availability, there are some two-drum options worth considering. The LG SideKick high-efficiency, top-load pedestal washer connects to an LG front-load washing machine above it, allowing you to run a second load of laundry simultaneously with your main load. This one has a capacity of 1 cubic foot and is designed to wash delicate items and smaller loads. Alternatively, the Samsung FlexWash also allows for two simultaneous washes, and its second washing space is 1 cubic foot as well. The main difference is that it’s built into the top of the machine rather than a pedestal attachment like the LG.
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