Washing machines haven't changed much visually over the years. But, there's something happening amongst the big home appliance brands. Increasingly, we're seeing multi-drum machines being unveiled which offer a whole new approach to how we do laundry.
Take the Hoover Multi-Wash, for example, which is quite possibly the weirdest washing machine I've ever seen, but it solves a major problem. With three drums, it offers you the change to wash and dry at the same time. But, Hoover isn't the only one making waves. At CES 2026, Hisense led the washing machine innovation with its newest model, which has an unusual name.
What's better than one drum?
Called the X-Zone Master, Hisense has called its latest innovation "the world's first infinitely scalable modular washer-dryer system." We're talking the a multi-drum design that starts off with one main unit and can be expanded over and over again with matching mini-modules to suit your needs.
If you want, you could have a home full of mini drums washing everything you need at the same time from baby clothes, to delicates, sports gear, pet bedding and more. Though I'm not sure I'd like to see my water bill after I get my multi-drum cleaning on rotation.
Apart from the name sounding like a spaceship straight out of sci-fi movie, I'm not entirely sure how I feel about the way Hisense's newest innovation looks and I'd be a little worried that my home would quickly turn into a laundromat.
But, no-one's asking me to put in all the mini-drums, instead the X-Zone Master could simply be the main drum and two additional mini-modules – and that's an idea I can get fully on board with. Running separate loads simultaneously is a bit of a dream, especially with two small kids, and when I discovered that the entire system operates at under 46dB, I was even more impressed.
Hisense and Hoover aren't the only companies revolutionizing the washer-dryer though. Back in September 2025, Xiaomi also unveiled the Xiaomi Mijia Three-Zone Washing Machine Pro Drum 10kg, capable of three loads at the same time, which apparently is the magic number. Or five, or seven, or nine, if Hisense has anything to say about it...
The future of laundry?
It's certainly hard to innovate on a tried-and-tested method that's worked for years. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? But, with the new washer-dryer machines from Hoover, Xiaomi and now Hisense, I'm starting to become pretty convinced that multi-washing could be the staple in homes of the future. Or, a lot sooner than we think.
With these three huge companies all entering the market with the unique configuration of separate washer-dryer zones (akin to one big shocked mouth and two smaller eyes), there's certainly competition already emerging. But, are they competitively priced?
Well, it's pretty hard to say since they're not quite available to buy yet. In China, you can pick up the Xiaomi Mijia Washing Machine Pro for CNY 4,699, which is around $670/£500. Compared to some of the best washing machines, that's actually a surprisingly affordable price, but we'll have to wait and see what these prices actually look like when these models hit the global market.
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