Choosing the right dishwasher detergent can make the difference between sparkling clean dishes and frustrating residue. With countless options—pods, powders, liquids, and eco-friendly formulas—finding the best one depends on your dishwasher, water type, and cleaning needs.
Cascade Free & Clear ActionPacs: Best Overall
Of all the detergents we tried, Cascade Free & Clear ActionPacs came the closest to cleaning every dish in our test loads. These pods were able to wipe away baked-on egg and peanut butter—two stains that challenge dishwashers and detergents. They also effectively cleaned glassware and stemware, though the pods didn’t leave our pieces as shiny as some other detergents did. Cascade Free & Clear ActionPacs combine powder detergent with a top layer of liquid detergent boosters, which release as the coating dissolves. This gives the pods an edge in cleaning power over powder-only or liquid-only formulas. They’re also convenient because you don’t need to measure or pour out detergent. These pods have extra detergent boosters that help cut grease and enhance shine better than the other detergents we tried. And they forgo dyes and chlorine bleach, which some people prefer to avoid. The mild lemon scent, made with essential oils, isn’t overpowering, and it did the best job of neutralizing dishwasher odors. This detergent typically costs about 32¢ per load.
Cascade Platinum Plus ActionPacs: Best for Tough Loads
In our tests, the Cascade Platinum Plus Actionpacs excelled at removing grease from dirty dishes, effectively whisking away food particles and leaving our dishes spot-free with minimal detergent residue. The three liquids included in the pod complement each other, contributing a degreaser, water softener, and rinse aid along with the powder detergent. The phosphate-free formula claims to work with both hard and soft water. The odor doesn’t linger long if you go straight from the container to the dishwasher, but getting your face too close may make you frown. The odor may be an intentional deterrent because these pods also look like candy, so if you have toddlers in the house, be sure to store them somewhere secure. Nonetheless, if you want a grease-cutting detergent with spotless glassware, this is going to be one of the best options available.
Cascade Complete Powder: Best Budget Powder
Inexpensive doesn’t necessarily mean bad. Cascade Complete Powder costs just pennies per load and is the best powdered dishwasher detergent we’ve tested. After using this magical powder daily for months, I’m fully on board. This affordable and powerful powder detergent wipes away baked-on and greasy foods, but you may need to use more than the recommended dose to get the best results. The powdered stuff will beat preportioned pods in terms of cost-per-load every time. Though the actual figure depends on the size of the box you buy and the amount of powder your dishwasher requires, it comes out to about a nickel per load, according to our guide. Compare that with our top pick for dishwasher pods, Cascade Free & Clear ActionPacs, which costs about 32¢ per load.
Dropps UltraWash Plus Pods: Best Eco-Friendly Option
This powerful biobased dishwasher detergent pod cleans well and comes in plastic-free packaging. In tests, it fell a smidgen short of our picks in cutting grease. Dropps bills its UltraWash Plus pods as the first biobased chambered dishwasher detergent pods. The pods have a biobased certification from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which ensures that the majority of its ingredients are made from biological products instead of petroleum. The chambers in UltraWash Plus pods contain traditional enzymatic powder detergent, fast-acting liquid enzymes, and a liquid degreaser to break down oils and boost shine. After the cycles ceased, we compared the data with about two years’ worth of our dishwasher detergent testing scores. For the most part, Dropps UltraWash Plus bested the grossest stuff, eliminating egg yolk on prestained porcelain tiles and buffing crusty casserole dishes back to their formerly shiny selves. It also easily washed away our splatters of meat sauce, avocado, burnt milk, and Bloody Mary mix.
Blueland Dishwasher Tablets: Best Non-Toxic Option
These biodegradable dishwasher tablets from Blueland come recommended by cleaning expert Jill Koch, the founder of cleaning brand Jill Comes Clean, who says they’re a good option for those who want a plastic-free detergent pod. “They work well and I like that they are fragrance-free, plastic free (they have refill packs you buy and add to a tin you buy initially) and are a safer choice product with their ingredients,” she says. Rather than square-shaped pods, these tablets are small and oval-shaped, and don’t have a plastic covering. You can also get refills of the tablets, which come in a paper package.
Aldi Logix Platinum Dishwasher Capsules: Best Budget Pods
Aldi’s Logix Platinum Dishwasher Capsules are hard on stains but easy on your wallet. With a CHOICE Expert Rating of 75%, these dishwasher detergents are the equal second-highest scorers from lab tests. The Finish tablets are undeniably top-notch, but they cost more than four times per wash than the Aldi capsules and almost twice as much as the Ecostore tablets – but deliver exactly the same results. This is great news for shoppers: you can scrub dollars from your grocery bills without sacrificing cleaning power.
Why Dishwasher Detergent Matters
Dishwasher detergent has a big job to do: Power through and dissolve all types of baked-on, dried-on foods from all sizes and shapes of dinnerware, glassware, flatware, storage containers, cookware and more. And simply cleaning is not enough. The detergent must also be safe for these items, help them dry better and not damage the inside of your dishwasher. And, if you live in an area with hard water, it needs to help eliminate those spots too. It’s a tall task for a tiny tablet, pack or tablespoon or two of detergent to accomplish. But choosing and using the right dishwasher detergent can mean the difference between spotless results the first time and having to pre-wash (or, worse, re-wash!) your dishes.
The best-performing detergent packs clean better than most gels, according to our tests. That’s because they contain a wider mixture of ingredients that can boost cleaning, including enzymes, degreasers, bleach, and rinse aids. Different combinations of those substances can make a big difference. “Generally, enzymes do help,” says Larry Ciufo, the engineer overseeing Consumer Reports’ dishwasher detergent testing. “But it’s too complicated to pin it on one ingredient.” These single-dose units—also known as pacs, packets, pods, tabs, and tablets—are easy to load into the detergent tray, with no squirting or scooping required.
FAQ
What type of dishwasher detergent is best: pods, powder, or liquid?
Pods generally outperform powders and liquids due to their pre-measured doses and combination of ingredients like enzymes, degreasers, and rinse aids. They’re convenient and reduce waste. Powders are cost-effective and versatile, especially for budget-conscious households, but may require more effort to measure. Liquids are less popular, as they can leave residue and are harder to dose accurately. Your choice depends on your dishwasher’s performance, water hardness, and preference for convenience versus cost.
Are eco-friendly detergents as effective as conventional ones?
Yes, many eco-friendly detergents, like Dropps UltraWash Plus and Blueland Dishwasher Tablets, perform nearly as well as mainstream brands. They tackle tough stains and grease while using biodegradable, plant-based ingredients and plastic-free packaging. However, some may struggle with heavy grease or hard water stains compared to top conventional pods like Cascade. Testing different brands can help find the best fit for your dishwasher.
How can I prevent residue or spotting on dishes?
To minimize residue and spotting, use a rinse aid to combat hard water stains, avoid overloading the dishwasher, and ensure proper loading per your dishwasher’s manual. Choose detergents with water softeners or enzymes, like Cascade Platinum Plus, for better results in hard water. Regularly clean your dishwasher’s filter to prevent buildup, and consider using more detergent than recommended for heavily soiled loads.
Do I need to pre-rinse dishes before loading them?
Pre-rinsing is usually unnecessary with high-quality detergents like Cascade or Finish, which contain enzymes to break down food. Scraping off large food particles is sufficient. However, for very sticky or baked-on messes, a quick rinse can improve results, especially with less powerful dishwashers or eco-friendly detergents.
Are budget detergents worth it?
Budget options like Aldi Logix Platinum Capsules and Cascade Complete Powder can deliver excellent cleaning at a lower cost. While they may not match the shine or grease-cutting power of premium pods, they’re effective for most households. Testing affordable options can save money without sacrificing performance, especially if you have a high-performing dishwasher.