• Every automatic dishwasher detergent promises to leave your dishes sparkling clean, but do they live up to that promise?
  • Finish Quantum Max Powerball Tablets deliver the clean dishes they promise at a reasonable cost per 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:

Prices and links are current as of 3/12/20. We also added a product showcase at the top of the page and section of related guides.

The best overall

If you are looking for a reasonably-priced, easy-to-use automatic dishwasher detergent that leaves dishes and glassware clean and spot-free, Finish Quantum Max Powerball Tablets are your best bet.

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.

Consumer Reports also recommends Finish Quantum Max Powerball Tablets as one of the top dishwasher detergents.

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

The best on a budget

Foto: Source: Kirkland

If you are a Costco member, Kirkland Premium Dishwasher Pacs offer excellent cleaning results and save money.

Saving a few pennies each time you turn on the dishwasher can add up during the year. Kirkland Premium Dishwasher Pacs provide that savings, and according to Consumer Reports, perform as well as our top overall pick. This budget-friendly detergent works amazingly 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.

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, cost more on Amazon

The best gel detergent

Foto: Source: Palmolive

Environmentally-friendly with no phosphates, Palmolive Eco+ Gel is also easy on your budget.

If you like to use liquid dishwasher detergent, Palmolive Eco+ Gel 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.

Pros: Cost-conscious, environmentally-friendly, easy-to-use, quick-dissolving

Cons: Does not work well on heavily-soiled pots and pans

The best powder detergent

Foto: Source: Amazon

If you prefer powdered dishwasher detergent, Cascade Complete Powder will leave your dishes clean and streak-free.

When it comes to powdered formulas of automatic dishwasher detergents, Good Housekeeping has not only ranked Cascade Complete Powder as one of the best, the site's experts have awarded it a Good Housekeeping Seal. According to GH, it left virtually no water spots on glassware after a load is complete.

Definitely one of the oldest brands on market shelves, Cascade Complete Powder still performs well and is one of the least expensive types of dishwasher detergents. 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.

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

The best eco-friendly detergent

Foto: Source: Seventh Generation

Perfect for septic-systems and from a company committed to improving the Earth, Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent Packs also leave your dishes clean and spot-free.

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. Never tested on animals, the packs have the USDA bio-based 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.

Pros: Never tested on animals, produced in the United States, uses only bio-based ingredients, environmentally-friendly with recyclable outer pouch

Cons: More expensive to use than some brands

Check out our other cleaning guides

Foto: Source: Shutterstock

The best floor cleaners

Taking care of hard surface floors is a never-ending job. Just think about what gets dropped and spilled on your floors and what comes into your home on the bottom of shoes. Sweeping or vacuuming can capture much of the loose dirt and hair, but eventually, some of the mess will stick and the floor is going to need to be cleaned with a mop and a good cleaner. These are the best floor cleaners.

The best mops

For regular upkeep of hard surfaces - wood, laminate, concrete, stone, etc. - a mop is an effective tool, even if it's basic. But mopping is also a dreaded chore. We're here to tell you that, from years of research and testing, mopping doesn't have to be difficult. Here are the best mops you can buy.

The best dish soap

If you want your favorite cookware, cutlery, dishes, and other kitchen items to last, your best bet is to hand wash them. Therefore, a high-quality dish soap is indispensable. These are the best dish soaps you can buy.

The best disinfecting cleaners

The world can be a germy place and as we interact with others, we share bacteria. Some bacteria are actually good for our body systems but other, viral strains like measles, flu, and colds can be dangerous. To help combat against them, there are products available that do a great job of killing bacteria. These are the best disinfecting cleaners.

The best stainless steel cleaners

Stainless steel is extremely durable and resistant to water damage and rust. But it can also show every fingerprint and smudge left my hands and every water spot that is not properly wiped away. If you use the wrong type of cleaner, there is no way to restore the finish. These are our top picks for the best stainless steel cleaners.

The best drain cleaners

Most of us take plumbing systems for granted until there is a problem. Drain care should really be something we attend to every day. While we can't control the rate a pipe joint disintegrates, we can help prevent clogs. These are the best drain cleaners for keeping your pipes in top shape.