- We tested the top dishwasher detergents to determine whether they made our dishware sparkling clean.
- The Finish detergent delivers the clean dishes they promise with spotless, easy use.
We all want clean dishes and we want them done with the least amount of effort. That's why automatic dishwashers are so prized in the kitchen. But sometimes, they don't produce the best results. Getting dishes clean in a dishwasher requires three components: a mechanical scrubbing action, thermal energy (hot water), and chemical energy (detergent). So even if your dishwasher is on its last leg, why not use the best dishwasher detergent on the market? You'll have a much better outcome and avoid that nearly endless and frustrating rewashing routine.
As I tested different automatic dishwasher detergent brands and formulas, I took into consideration price, ease of use, and, most importantly, the ability of the detergent to produce clean, spot-free dishes and glassware to come up with our top picks.
It's important to note that not every dishwasher detergent we recommend will work perfectly in every dishwasher or home. The type of hot water heater you have and its settings, as well as water hardness, can also play a big role in whether a detergent will work for you. A bit of trial and error may be required to find the best detergent for you, but these are the best ones we've found.
Here are the best dishwasher detergents of 2021
- Best dishwasher detergent overall: Finish Quantum Max Powerball Tablets
- Best budget dishwasher detergent: Kirkland Premium Dishwasher Pacs
- Best gel dishwasher detergent: Palmolive Eco+
- Best powder dishwasher detergent: Cascade Complete Powder
- Best eco-friendly dishwasher detergent: Seventh Generation Ultra Power Plus Dishwasher Packs
The best dishwasher detergent overall
To make your silverware and dishes shine without spots, the Finish Quantum Max Powerball Tablets are our favorite.
Note: This detergent has been discontinued by Finish. A similar product, based on our research, is the brand's Quantum Ultimate Clean & Shine Dishwasher Detergent Tablets. We will continue to update this guide with further testing.
Pros: Convenient to use, removes baked-on foods, performs well in hard water leaving no spotting, no individual wrapper to remove, mid-priced cost-per-use
Cons: Pouch packaging can overturn spilling out tablets
As I began my quest to find the best automatic dishwashing detergent, I was delighted to discover that I've been using it for years. Finish Quantum Max Powerball Tablets produced the cleanest dishes of all the ones we tried, removing even baked-on food from casserole dishes, pots, and pans.
The tablets contain a pre-treating solution, degreaser, bacteria-killing bleach, and a rinse-aid to prevent spotting on glassware.
Finish is a mid-priced cost-per-use detergent. It first hit the market in the early 1950s and is now sold in more than 40 countries around the world. Recommended by most of the leading china, glassware, and dishwasher manufacturers, Finish is manufactured by Reckitt Benckiser.
The tablets are not individually wrapped which saves time and packaging waste, but that means if you get them wet, they will start to disintegrate.
The best budget dishwasher detergent
The Kirkland Premium Dishwasher Pacs are sold in bulk at Costco to save you money while producing a bright shine for your kitchenware.
Pros: Easy to use, leaves dishes clean and spot-free, low-cost per-use
Cons: You must be a Costco member to benefit from the savings, costs more on Amazon
Saving a few pennies each time you turn on the dishwasher can add up during the year. Kirkland Premium Dishwasher Pacs provide that savings while working well in removing grease and baked-on foods.
Glasses and dishware came out clean with little spotting thanks to the product's rinse-aid. The individual pacs are simple to use and prevent waste from adding too much detergent. They come in a pleasant lemon citrus scent and stay dry in a sturdy recyclable container.
If you are not a Costco member, however, the cost of buying from a third-party vendor negates any savings.
The best gel dishwasher detergent
The Palmolive Eco+ Gel is an affordable option that's purely made without phosphates.
Pros: Cost-conscious, environmentally-friendly, easy to use, quick-dissolving
Cons: Does not work well on heavily-soiled pots and pans
If you like to use liquid dishwasher detergent, Palmolive Eco+ Gel is one of the best. Using a gel allows you to reduce the amount of dishwasher detergent used if you are washing a load of lightly soiled dishes, and it dissolves easily. You can also use it as a pre-soak for pots and pans with burned-on food.
Produced from only raw, natural materials and enhanced with environmentally-friendly enzymes, the gel does not contain artificial colorants and preservatives. It is available in a lemon or apple-citrus scent.
The gel does a good job with regular loads but does leave residue on heavily-soiled pans and some spotting on stainless-steel pieces. It seems to work best in softer water that does not contain excessive minerals.
The best powder dishwasher detergent
If you prefer powdered dishwasher detergent, Cascade Complete Powder will leave your dishes just as clean as their liquid counterparts.
Pros: Easy to find on market shelves, inexpensive cost per load, leaves glassware free of spots
Cons: Powder can absorb moisture and become lumpy if not stored properly
When it comes to powdered formulas of automatic dishwasher detergents, Cascade Complete Powder still performs well and is one of the least expensive types of cleaning agents out there.
In particular, I like the ability to determine the amount to use based on the soil-level of the load. While powdered formulas can become lumpy if stored in a humid environment, they will dissolve well in the hot water of the dishwasher. Simply transfer the powder to a sealable plastic tub for better results.
The best eco-friendly detergent
Seventh Generation's Dishwasher Detergent Packs brilliantly washes with bio-based ingredients and is ideal for septic systems.
Pros: Never tested on animals, uses only bio-based ingredients, environmentally-friendly with a recyclable outer pouch, great for septic systems
Cons: None to speak of
If you are looking for an environmentally-friendly dishwasher detergent from a company that is committed to the welfare of our planet, Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent Packs are an excellent choice.
Produced in the United States, the packs contain no chlorine, phosphates, or synthetic fragrances. And, it's never tested on animals, so the packs have the USDA biobased certification.
They're a bit more expensive to use, but they're worth it for the peace of mind they provide in cleaning your dishware. The brand also has a wonderful lemongrass citrus cleaning spray as well to make your counters sparkle just like your dishes.
Check out our other cleaning guides
- The best floor cleaners
- The best mops
- The best dish soap
- The best disinfecting cleaners
- The best stainless steel cleaners for appliances and kitchenware
- The best drain cleaners