Nobody likes doing the dishes. It’s kind of gross, it takes a while, and it can be tricky to remove stubborn sticky food. That’s where a dishwasher comes in handy!
If you’re lucky enough to have a dishwasher, you’ll know the challenge of finding the best dishwasher detergent. For instance, some appliances require certain types of detergent. If you have hard water, that can also affect the detergent’s efficacy.
We’re here to recommend you the best dishwasher detergents for various uses. After hours of research into real customer reviews, dozens of products, and our own experience, we found seven super options. You’ll find something that works in your dishwasher — every time.
- Removes caked-on dried food
- No need to unwrap the pods
- Leaves a good shine
- Scrubs through grease
- Dries & shines without residue
- Cleans on the first wash
- Uses power of Dawn soap
- Protects glassware
- Works on 24-hr stuck-on food
- Best value for money
- Great for hard water areas
- Removes tough stains
- Four scent options, including tangerine lemongrass
- Leaves zero spots on dishes
- Naturally-derived ingredients
- Dissolves in all temperatures
- Great for dried & greasy food
- Easy to use — no need to unwrap pods
- Safe on septic systems
- No need to pre-rinse dishes
- Vegan & biodegradable formula
Product Reviews
We’ve spent hours researching expert advice, ingredient lists, customer reviews, as well as applying our own insight. We looked at each product’s formula, cleaning ability, and extra features to ensure we only recommend powerful detergents.
Are you ready to meet seven splendid dishwasher detergents? It’s time!
Cascade Complete Fresh Scent
Best Pods
Pods are our favorite dishwasher detergent type, and nothing can beat the Cascade Complete fresh scent pods.
For maximum power at removing tough, dried, sticky messes, try these pods out for yourself. Customers love that they’re super easy to use.
You don’t need to unwrap any pods. Just pop the pod into the detergent drawer, add your rinse aid (if necessary), and let the detergent do the hard work.
You’ll also enjoy the fact that you don’t need to pre-rinse your dishes. This detergent can clean 24-hour stuck-on food, so you can save water by skipping the pre-rinse. That saves you money, water, energy, and time!
Something To Note
Pros
- Removes caked-on dried food.
- Contains Dawn dish soap for grease removal.
- No need to unwrap the pods.
- Leaves a good shine.
- They dissolve quickly to clean throughout the entire cycle.
- No need to pre-rinse dishes.
Cons
- Overwhelming scent for some customers.
- Pods easily stick together in the box.
Product Specs
Type | Gel pods |
Water Type | Soft and hard |
Extra Features | Dawn grease-fighting power |
Eco-Friendly | No |
Quantity | 78 tablets |
Our Ratings
Finish Quantum Dishwasher Detergent
Best for Hard Water
Many live in hard water areas and struggle with the yucky residue left on all our dishes. While we could always use a rinse aid, that’s another step and another product to buy. But with the Finish Quantum detergent, you don’t need a rinse aid.
This detergent is super effective in hard water, leaving you with sparkling clean and residue-free dishes. It’s made with three different features for three different purposes. So, your dishes will come out of the dishwashing cycle absolutely spotless every time.
First, the powder scrubs and breaks down tough food. Then, the gel uses grease-cutting power to wipe clean the toughest messes. Finally, the liquid Powerball dries and shines your dishes.
We know it’s a little bit more of an expensive product. But you don’t need a rinse aid (which saves you money), and you get consistent results.
Pros
- Great for hard water areas.
- Scrubs dishes clean and cuts grease.
- Dries and shines dishes without residue.
- Cleans dishes on the first wash.
- No need to pre-rinse dishes.
- Tackles 24-hour dried stains.
Cons
- Pricier than other options.
- Pods at the bottom may stick together.
Product Specs
Type | Pods |
Water Type | Soft and hard |
Extra Features | Powder, gel, and Powerball |
Eco-Friendly | No |
Quantity | 82 tablets |
Our Ratings
Cascade Platinum Dishwasher Detergent
Best With Rinse Aid
The Cascade Platinum pacs are another great option if you live in a hard water area and want to cut down on adding a separate rinse aid. These pacs have five main benefits: they work as a rinse aid, remove residue, protect glasses, cut through grease, and generally clean your dishes.
This product is formulated with the grease-fighting power of Dawn dish soap. The pacs can quickly dissolve to kick start their cleaning abilities early in the cycles. They can even remove 24-hour stuck-on food, so you can skip the pre-wash.
Customers also love that these pacs keep their silverware and the dishwasher spotless. You’ll find your forks, knives, and spoons are sparkling clean!
Pros
- Works as a rinse aid.
- Protects glassware.
- Works on 24-hour stuck-on food.
- More powerful than other detergents.
- Removes burnt-on food.
- Uses power of Dawn for grease-fighting power.
Cons
- It might discolor aluminum.
- Expensive price per pod.
Product Specs
Type | Tablets |
Water Type | Soft and hard |
Extra Features | Rinse aid included |
Eco-Friendly | No |
Quantity | 92 tablets |
Our Ratings
Finish All in 1 Tablets
Best Budget Dishwasher Detergent
The Finish All in 1 Tablets are a budget-friendly but high-quality choice. For a fair price, you get 94 dishwasher tablets, giving you months of clean dishes!
These tablets have eight power actions. This includes, but isn’t limited to, cutting through greasy messes, scrubbing dried food off dishes, and removing tough stains. It’s no wonder Finish is the worldwide leader in dishwashing products.
Each tablet comes with a supercharged Powerball. This helps the tablet work at maximum effect. It aids grease-cutting power, helps with scrubbing and stain removal, as well as attacking burnt and sticky bits of food.
We also love that these tablets have rinse-aid ingredients. These help with hard water deposits, spots, and residue, leaving you with sparkling and shiny dishes.
Pros
- Best value for money.
- Great for hard water areas.
- Cuts through grease and stubborn foods.
- Removes tough stains.
- No need to pre-rinse dishes.
- Removes spots and film from hard water.
Cons
- Each tablet is individually wrapped in foil.
- Tablets are often broken inside the foil, making it quite messy.
Product Specs
Type | Powdered tablets |
Water Type | Soft or hard |
Extra Features | Supercharged Powerball |
Eco-Friendly | No |
Quantity | 94 tablets |
Our Ratings
Grab Green Natural Dishwasher Detergent Pods
Best Scented Dishwasher Detergent
If you want something scented, look no further than the Grab Green natural pods. These come in four different scent options:
- Tangerine and lemongrass.
- Red pear and magnolia.
- Thyme and fig leaf.
- Unscented.
Grab Green prioritizes natural products that are safe for you, the whole family, and the environment. Each pod is scented with naturally occurring essential oils, so these pods have no synthetic fragrances.
With conscious ingredients, these pods are still effective in the dishwasher. They’re designed to clean dishes, remove grease and grime and leave zero spots. If you live in a hard water area, test these out!
Pros
- Four scent options, including tangerine lemongrass.
- Cuts through grease and dried-on food.
- Leaves zero spots on dishes.
- Naturally-derived ingredients.
- Easy velcro close bag.
- Products are made in the USA.
Cons
- Scent lingers on dishes.
- Don’t always fully dissolve.
Product Specs
Type | Powdered tablets |
Water Type | Soft and hard |
Extra Features | Four scent options, natural ingredients |
Eco-Friendly | Yes |
Quantity | 60 tablets |
Our Ratings
Finish All in 1 Gelpacs
Best Gel Detergent
Many people prefer gel because it dissolves easily in all-cycle temperatures. Our top recommendation for a gel dishwasher detergent is the Finish All in 1 Gelpacs.
They have 4x power actions, so they can cut grease, scrub away dried food and remove burnt bits. If you hate pre-rinsing and tend to leave dishes for a while before turning on the dishwasher, these are the pacs for you!
There is no need to unwrap these individual pacs either. Just slot them in the detergent drawer, and they will get to work in the cycle immediately.
These also have a fresh orange scent, so every time you open your dishwasher, you’ll be greeted by the citrusy aroma.
Customers love that these gels clean their dishes without leaving behind any residue, which can often be the case with powdered tablets.
Pros
- Dissolves in all temperatures.
- Pleasant citrus scent.
- Great for dried-on and greasy food.
- Easy to use — no need to unwrap the pods.
Cons
- Pacs stick together and may burst when pulled apart.
Product Specs
Type | Gel tablets |
Water Type | Soft |
Extra Features | Citrus scent |
Eco-Friendly | No |
Quantity | 32 tablets |
Our Ratings
Ecover Automatic Dishwashing Powder
Best Powder
This Ecover detergent is an excellent option if you want to try out a powder for your dishwasher. The ingredients are plant-based and mineral, biodegradable, and safe for aquatic life. This phosphate-free formula is definitely a more eco-friendly option.
What can it do for your dishes? It can attack stuck-on and stubborn food, leaving your dishes sparkling clean. It can remove dried food and tough stains without leaving behind a nasty residue. You’ll love that it has a pleasant fragrance derived from 100 percent natural ingredients.
Customers love that this powder works super effectively. If you’re the kind who hates pre-rinsing dishes, this is the detergent for you! Even if you put the dirtiest plates in the dishwasher, this detergent ensures they come out spotless.
Ecover never tests its products on animals, and this detergent is safe on septic systems.
Pros
- Eco-friendly ingredients.
- Attacks stubborn foods.
- No need to pre-rinse dishes.
- Vegan and biodegradable formula.
- Safe for septic tanks.
Cons
- Strong smell.
- Not great in hard water areas.
Product Specs
Type | Powder |
Water Type | Soft |
Extra Features | Scent |
Eco-Friendly | Yes |
Quantity | 48 ounces |
Our Ratings
Product | Best | Type | Water Type | Extra Features | Eco-Friendly |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cascade Complete Fresh Scent | Pods | Gel tablets | Soft & hard | Dawn grease-fighting power | No |
Finish Quantum Dishwasher Detergent | For Hard Water | Pods | Soft & hard | Powder, gel & Powerball | No |
Cascade Platinum Dishwasher Detergent | With Rinse Aid | Tablets | Soft & hard | Rinse aid included | No |
Finish All in 1 Tablets | Budget Dishwasher Detergent | Powdered tablets | Soft or hard | Supercharged Powerball | No |
Grab Green Natural Dishwasher Detergent Pods | Scented Dishwasher Detergent | Powdered tablets | Soft & hard | Four scent options, natural ingredients | Yes |
Finish All in 1 Gelpacs | Gel Detergent | Gel tablets | Soft | Citrus scent | No |
Ecover Automatic Dishwashing Powder | Powder | Powder | Soft | Scent | Yes |
Types of Dishwasher Detergents
When it comes to dishwasher detergents, there are three main types: powder, gel, and pods.
Powder
While powder isn’t the most popular choice, it might be just right for you. We love it because it usually contains more eco-friendly and sustainable ingredients and packaging. You’ll also find it easy to adjust the quantities, which is handy if you’re doing a smaller load.
Pros
- Most affordable price point.
- Best for hard water.
- Easy to adjust the quantity.
- Less packaging waste.
- More likely to use sustainable ingredients.
Cons
- Can be messy to use.
- You need to measure it out individually.
Gel
Gel detergent either comes pre-packaged or as a liquid, so you can choose your preferred type. This is popular because it offers a super deep clean. The gel dissolves, distributes well, and might even contain enzymes to effectively clean your dishes.
Pros
- Dissolves easily in various water temperatures.
- Comes pre-measured or as a liquid.
- Powerful cleaning ability.
- Less abrasive on delicate dishes.
Cons
- More costly.
- Not suitable for hard water.
- Messy if the bottle bursts.
Pods and Tablets
Pods and tablets are the most common dishwasher detergent. We use these because they are so simple to use. They come pre-measured, so you just have to open them up, pop them in the detergent drawer, and start the cycle.
Pros
- Prepackaged for convenience.
- Great cleaning power.
- Scented options available.
- Cost-effective, especially when you buy in bulk.
- Saves storage space.
- May include a Powerball for added cleaning power.
Cons
- May not dissolve fully, especially in cold water.
- May contain harsh chemicals, including bleach.
- Sometimes individually wrapped, which contributes to more waste.
Are Dishwasher Pods Bad for Your Dishwasher?
Dishwasher pods are totally safe for your dishwasher. However, the pods may have trouble dissolving well — so make sure you find a pod that is good for your dishwasher.
Secondly, we don’t recommend something with bleach if you have a stainless steel interior on your dishwasher. It can cause damage (1).
What to Look For
Considering this information on dishwasher detergents, considering these criteria can make it straightforward when choosing your detergent.