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.
1
Best Overall
Cascade Platinum Plus Dishwasher Detergent
Pros
- Leaves glassware shiny and spot-free
- Removes 24-hour stuck-on grime
- Cuts grease
- Helps with drying
Cons
- Among the most expensive per load
We didn’t think Cascade could get any better, but we were wrong. Our cleaning pros say the new Platinum Plus Pacs are as good as it gets, and our consumer testers agree. These packs now deliver more grease cutters and grime fighters to even remove stuff that’s been sitting on the dishes for 24 hours — no pre-rinsing required. They also contain upgraded enzymes and ingredients that minimize spotting and protect glassware from harmful etching so glasses stay crystal clear.
Most impressive — and something we haven’t seen with other detergents we’ve tested — is this new Cascade’s ability to help items dry better and eliminate some of the annoying puddling that remains in the bottoms of glasses and cups at the end of the cycle. Even though it is among the most expensive per load, we think GH Seal star Cascade Platinum Plus works so well that we use it not only in the Cleaning Lab but also in other GH kitchens to clean up after all the testing we do.
| Form | Packs |
|---|---|
| Price per load | 36 cents |
2
Best Value
Cascade Complete Powder Dishwasher Detergent
Pros
- Only costs about 8 cents per load
- No spotting on glassware
- Works great overall on normal and heavy-duty cycles
Cons
- Struggled with tough jobs like a greasy frying pan
- Can be messy to dispense
If you’re budget-minded and looking for great cleaning at a great price, powdered dishwasher detergents are generally the least expensive form. And, once again, GH Seal star Cascade impressed us with their Complete powder detergent. At just about 8 cents per load, it offers exceptional value, especially considering its cleaning prowess.
In tests, it did an excellent cleaning job overall on normal and heavy-duty cycles, plus left virtually no spotting on glassware. The sacrifice you make for the price is most evident with the toughest jobs — the formula struggled a bit with our greasy frying pan. And, like other powders, dispensing the powder from a full package can be a bit messy.
| Form | Powder |
|---|---|
| Price per load | 8 cents |
3
Best Powdered Tablets
Miele UltraTabs Multi Dishwasher Detergent
Pros
- Works in all dishwashers
- Won’t dissolve in your hands or burst in the package
- Neat and compact to store
Cons
- High cost per load
Miele makes our top-rated dishwasher, so we weren’t surprised by the super-effective formula in Miele UltraTabs Multi, which work in Miele dishwashers (and other brands’ dishwashers too). The solid tablet of powder detergent is easy to use, tidy to store and dissolves completely — including its water-soluble wrapper — once it’s dispensed. Each tablet contains three layers of cleaning ingredients that erased stuck-on grime and left stainless steel cookware and flatware shiny and glassware squeaky clean in our tests.
And because they are perfectly shaped little blocks of powder detergent, you won’t find any burst packs like you often get with liquid-containing pods, and they won’t dissolve in your hands either. They fit neatly in all dispensers. However, they do have a high cost per load at 58 cents.
If you own a Miele dishwasher, try this detergent on the QuickIntense cycle to get incredibly clean and dry dishes in under one hour. It blew us away.
| Form | Tablet |
|---|---|
| Price per load | 58 cents |
4
Best for Hard Water
Finish Ultimate Dishwasher Detergent
Pros
- Doubles as a rinse aid
- Leaves everything shiny and spotless
- Suitable for hard water
Cons
- May still need a separate rinse aid
Finish is another top-performing brand in our tests, and its Ultimate three-chamber packs operate with a special proprietary technology that the brand says releases the right ingredient at the right time, including Finish’s trademark red ball center that works like a rinse aid to minimize spotting and filming. (We still recommend using a dedicated rinse aid, particularly if you have very hard water.)
In Cleaning Lab tests, we were highly impressed by the new enzyme-based formula. It effectively cleaned stuck-on foods and rinsed away residue, leaving everything exceptionally shiny and spotless. And it does it all at a very middle-of-the-road cost per load.
| Form | Tablet |
|---|---|
| Price per load | 31 cents |
5
Best Plant-Based
Method Dishwasher Packs
Pros
- Container is easy to store
- Effective on even 48-hour buildup
- Comes lemon-scented and unscented
Cons
- Pricier than some on our list
Until now, it’s been hard to find an eco-friendly cleaning product brand that does a stellar job in the dishwasher, mostly because they’ve lacked the powerful chemistry needed to achieve effective cleaning. Method has changed all that.
In our tests, the brand’s formula — containing enzymes and plant- and mineral-based ingredients — cleaned very well and even removed foods that had been dried onto dishes for 48 hours. Some of our consumer testers said they were switching to these from their regular packs after testing them. Though the packs are on the pricey side, we are also fans of Method’s slim, snap-top container, which saves space in under-sink storage. It comes in two versions: lemon scented and unscented.
| Form | Pack |
|---|---|
| Price per load | 38 cents |
6
Best Gel
Cascade Complete Gel + Oxi Dishwasher Detergent
Pros
- Bleaches stains
- Contains enzymes to break down messes
- Pours well
Cons
- May separate over time
Cascade’s hard-working gel contains enzymes to dissolve starchy oatmeal, dried egg and melted cheese. This formula also contains oxi bleach, to help remove stains like tea and coffee.
Gels can be a bit drippy to pour and may separate if left unused for extended periods of time, but in our most recent Cleaning Lab dishwasher detergent test, Cascade Complete + Oxi was our top-tested gel formula — and the only one to sport a child-resistant cap for safety. Bravo! Gels also cost less per load to use than packs, making this another great value pick.
| Form | Gel |
|---|---|
| Price per load | 22 cents |
7
Best Plastic-Free
Blueland Dishwasher Starter Set
Pros
- No plastic packaging and comes with a reusable tin
- Leaves glasses and flatware clean and shiny
- Easy and neat to store
Cons
- Some tablets may arrive broken
- One of the more expensive options
Blueland’s Dishwasher Starter Set offers a good option for those trying to eliminate plastic packaging from their cleaning products. The unwrapped solid powder dishwasher tablets are shipped in a compostable paper pouch along with an aluminum “forever” tin. Simply transfer the tablets to the tin and recycle the pouch. Once you have the tin, you’ll need to order only a refill pouch.
Blueland is a pricier pick, but in Cleaning Lab tests, the tablets delivered impressive results, leaving clean and shiny glasses and flatware. Plus, they were easy to use and store. Some of the tablets may arrive broken, but Blueland makes up for the loss by including extra tablets in the pouch. Signing up to receive these with a subscription saves money too.
| Form | Tablet |
|---|---|
| Price per load | 42 cents |
