In the appliance arena, Samsung and LG are fierce competitors. And the punches and counterpunches keep coming as the companies try to outdo each other by increasing the capacity of their washers and adding innovative features. The latest foray involves dual washers that allow you to do two loads of laundry at once.
LG swooped in first with the LG TwinWash, introduced in 2015. Not to be outdone, Samsung recently struck back with a washer that does the same but with a much a different design.
"To find out whether these multitasking machines deliver, we bought and tested the Samsung FlexWash WV60M9900AV washer," says Emilio Gonzalez, the engineer who runs Consumer Reports' tests of laundry appliances. "We then pitted the Samsung against the LG TwinWash. It pairs a washer with a mini washer known as SideKick, which we tested when it first came out."
So who wins the dual washer duel? Read on for the results of our head-to-head test.
Design
Samsung FlexWash
The mini top-loading washer sits atop the front-loader. It's one machine, two washers, and they can run at the same time. They use the same water source, so you can get by with one water line for hot and another for cold, which is the usual washer setup.
LG TwinWash
In a space the size of a pedestal, a drawer under the main washer houses a mini top-loading washer known as SideKick. It can be installed below most LG front-loaders made since 2009. As with Samsung, the front-loader and mini washer can run at the same time, and the washer setup is the same as usual—one water line for hot and one for cold. You can also install the mini washer under any LG front-control dryer made since 2017.
Claims, Costs, and Capacity
Samsung FlexWash
The claim: "FlexWash lets you do two types of laundry at the same time, so you can keep all your clothes in great condition," says the manufacturer.
Cost: $1,600
Claimed capacity: 1 cubic foot for the mini washer, 5 cubic feet for the front-loader. The mini washer can fit about four T-shirts, three pairs of yoga pants, or around 30 small delicate items, such as undies, bras, and slips. The front-loader is big enough to fit a king-size comforter.
LG TwinWash and SideKick pedestal
The claim: "For small loads that are a big deal," says the manufacturer.
Cost: $1,450 and up. You'll spend around $700 for the mini washer, plus the cost of an LG front-loader. LG models in our washer ratings sell for $750 to $1,800.
Claimed capacity: 1 cubic foot for the mini washer. Capacity of the compatible LG front-loaders we tested range from 4.3 to 5.8 cubic feet. LG notes which front-loaders are compatible with the mini washer on its website.
Features
Samsung FlexWash
The front-loader has 12 wash cycles, a steam option to boost stain removal, and WiFi connectivity, allowing you to receive alerts on your phone when the cycle is done. The mini washer has four cycles, and you can use cold or warm water. There's also an extra rinse option, which is useful if your skin is sensitive to detergent residue. The washer is available in black stainless, which we tested, and white. The matching electric dryer is the Samsung FlexDry DVE60M9900V, which has a small nontumbling dryer above the main dryer. We'll be testing it soon.
LG TwinWash
Depending on which model you pair with the small washer, the front-loader's features and finish will vary. The SideKick mini washer has six cycles, and you can wash your clothes using cold or warm water. There's an extra rinse option, too.
Performance
Samsung FlexWash
The mini washer is fast and gentle but not very water efficient, and it can't match the cleaning power of the front-loader below. That makes the mini washer ideal for quickly cleaning delicates and lightly soiled items. The front-loader scored Excellent overall in our tests. That, along with the brand's front-loader brand reliability, puts it on our recommended list.
LG TwinWash
The mini washer's performance is similar to the Samsung's and is best for cleaning delicates and lightly soiled items quickly. LG front-loaders we tested score Excellent overall in our ratings, and most make the recommended list. LG is tops in front-loader reliability, according to our member survey.
The Verdict
Well, it's a wash. Although these dual washers differ in configuration, performance is similar. We found Samsung's design to be more convenient to use because the mini washer is on top. With the LG, you have to bend down to load and unload the mini washer. But here's a heads-up for our taller readers. As with a pedestal, the LG washer drawer raises the height of the front-loader by 14 inches or so, making it easier to load and unload laundry from the front-loader. That might boost the appeal of the LG washer drawer.
