The Finish Powerball Quantum Dishwasher Detergent Tabs are our favorite, because they have three chambers of cleaning power that are convenient to use and effective. The tabs also leave glassware looking very shiny. Here are the best dishwasher detergents on the market so your plates, cups, bowls, mugs, and more always look sparkly and feel fresh. When it comes to the best dishwashing detergents, Finish Quantum is in a league of its own. After purchasing, you’ll receive a bag of single-use tabs. Each of these tabs has three chambers and each of those chambers has a different type of dishwasher detergent. One of the chambers has pre-portioned powder, another has gel, and the last has liquid. The powder scrubs and works on breaking down stuck-on food. The gel cuts through grease and washes away residues, and the powerhouse liquid helps your dishes dry quickly while delivering a brilliant shine. This makes the tabs a match made in heaven for glassware, too, which can be prone to cloudiness and water spots. While you can expect to pay a little extra per load, and the scent may be a little strong for some, ultimately the convenience and effectiveness of the detergent trifecta more than pays for itself. Especially when paired with the optimal dishwasher cycle, the tabs will leave little to be desired and make dishwashing straightforward. Price at time of publish: $22 Not only that, but this wallet-friendly, 75-ounce jug of detergent ultimately does more with less. Quick math will show you it costs less than half the price per load, compared to others in its category. Anyone who likes to find a single product they love and stick to it will be treated in more ways than one. Price at time of publish: $8 Now, the detergent can leave a light film on some dishes. Additionally, it can produce a good amount of foam in your dishwasher when working its magic. However, you’ll likely enjoy how it doesn’t leave behind a scent and is a greener addition to your home. When using this detergent, you should just be aware that it contains bleach. Not only can it leave stains on your dishes, but it should also not come into contact with fabric or be used for hand washing, according to the product label. Never mix bleach, or any products that contain bleach, with other cleaning products or ammonia, either. It can be very harmful to you and your family’s health. As for its effectiveness, you can count on this powder detergent to remove stuck-on food and leave your dishes sparkling. Plus, your plates, bowls, and mugs won’t have a lingering smell on them. The only “downside” to this product is you are paying quite a bit more per load. Price at time of publish: $47 These detergent packs even work overtime to clean your dishwasher, from the walls to the numerous racks. However, the pod does need to pop open and dissolve to do so. In some cases, you may find the film doesn’t dissolve, leaving your dishes dirty and ready to be put through an additional cycle. You may want to start with a smaller amount of packs to make sure they work for you, before diving completely in. Price at time of publish: $21 It also shouldn’t be overlooked that the liquid-powder formula is condensed into very convenient pre-portioned tablets. You can easily place one, wrapped tab into your dishwasher’s detergent compartment, and then select your cycle. You pay a lot more per load than you would a more basic detergent but ultimately are given energy and time washing dishes back. Price at time of publish: $13 You’ll notice that it leaves a streak-free finish behind, and that its ingredient list does not contain phosphates. Your silverware and glasses will both come out very shiny, even if the product proves to be hard to dispense. Price at time of publish: $20 Additionally, the detergent calls on essential oils and botanical extracts to deliver the delicious lemon scent to your kitchen. Now, it may be less powerful and require you to rinse your dishes well before putting them into the dishwasher. It may also cloud your glassware, causing you to want to hand-wash your wine glasses. Be prepared to put in a little extra work from time to time. Price at time of publish: $42 for Pack of 6
Amount
“Amount” refers to how many packs, tabs, or ounces of liquid or powder detergent are included with your purchase. Ideally, you want to get a higher amount at a lower price so each load of dirty dishes costs you less to run. However, if you’re trying a detergent out for the first time, you may opt for the smaller amount, so you can guarantee that you like it. Typically, detergent packs come in cases that range from 20 to 200 packs. Liquid, gel, and powder detergent can be found in bottles as small as 8 ounces or as large as 75 ounces, with the average hovering around 45 ounces.
Scent
It’s important to consider scent, and how strong it is, when picking out your detergent. Scents can make or break your experience, especially if they linger on your dishes or within your space. Scents that are commonly found on shelves include lemon, clean, and citrus. You can also find unscented options. These are particularly ideal if you’re sensitive to fragrance or don’t want to worry about the lingering smell on your dishes.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland is an experienced commerce writer specializing in cleaning products, lifestyle, and home improvement, who has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. For this story, she researched the various types of detergent, as well as the formulations, key ingredients, effectiveness, and eco-friendly nature of them. She also considered the price per load, scent, and packaging, and scoured dozens of products before making her final selections. She usually reaches for Finish Powerball or Cascade Complete when loading up her dishwasher at home.
