Once dishes start piling up after a get together, or an intense new recipe you’ve decided to try, there is no better relief than having a dishwasher on hand. Being able to put dirty plates, cups and glasses in your dishwasher and then having clean dishes just minutes later is the ultimate convenience. That said, not all dishwasher detergents are equally effective when it comes to getting rid of residue, hard water stains and odors.
While it takes some trial and error, finding the best dishwasher detergents to use is key to making your cloudy glasses and crud-covered plates look brand new. I spoke with cleaning experts and NBC Select editors for their favorite dishwasher and most-trusted dishwasher detergents.
SKIP AHEAD How I picked the best dishwasher detergents | The best dishwasher detergents | How to shop for dishwasher detergent | Why trust NBC Select?
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How I picked the best dishwasher detergent pods
There are a few important aspects when it comes to choosing a great dishwasher detergent. Here’s what our experts recommended I keep in mind when curating this list:
- Tough on grease and food: Many dishwasher detergent pods have multifunctional ingredients built into them. For example, many pods have both powder and liquid detergent, which help clean and scrub food and grease from dishes. Additionally, the surfactants in the soap decrease the surface tension of water and further help remove residue, grime and bacteria, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In making this list, I prioritized pods that have both liquid and powder ingredients that are effective on food residue.
- Sustainability: Dishwasher detergent pods come in either dissolvable plastic coatings or no coating at all. Some of our experts recommend using plastic-free dishwasher detergent pods with biodegradable ingredients and packaging, especially if sustainability is a major priority for you. Ee included both dishwasher detergent pods that may use plastic and ones that are plastic free, according to the brand.
- Tough on hard water stains: Hard water stains come from potable water that is high in minerals. They sometimes appear as cloudy or dusty spots on glass and ceramic dishes. When choosing dishwasher detergents, we prioritized ones that mention the product’s effectiveness on hard water stains, sometimes referred to as limescale. When I wrote our explainer on how to clean a dishwasher, our experts also recommended pairing your dishwasher detergent with a rinse aid, which helps prevent hard water stains from developing.
The best dishwasher detergent pods in 2024
All of the products below are either direct recommendations from our experts or editors and/or ones that have at least a 4-star average rating from 500 reviews or more on Amazon.
Best overall: Finish Quantum Powerball Dishwasher Pods
Of all the dishwasher detergent pods I’ve tried over the years, I can easily say that Finish delivers some of the best results. I rarely have to do a pre-rinse on dishes in the sink, even dirty baking dishes, before I put them in the dishwasher when I use these pods. It also does an excellent job of not only cleaning dishes and glasses, but it leaves almost zero hard water stains. Every dissolvable pod has three main ingredients, each formulated to tackle things like grease, sticky food residue and increase the shine of dishes, according to the brand. NBC Select associate reporter Bianca Alvarez also uses Finish detergent pods for thoroughly cleaning dishes. For even better results, you can consider combining these pods with the Finish Jet-Dry Rinse Aid, especially if you have hard water in your home.
Plastic-free? No | Scented? No
Best plastic-free: Blueland Dishwasher Detergent Tablets
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.
Best unscented: Dropps Dishwasher Detergent Pods
These dishwasher pods from Dropps have simple ingredients, including food enzymes, which helps to lift and remove grease and tough food residue on plates, bakeware and cups, according to the brand. With a 4.5-star average rating from 8,889 reviews on Amazon, the pods are free of phosphates, dyes and parabens, according to the brand. NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin uses these pods and loves how effective they are. “I never have to worry about the food or grime staying stuck on my plates or glasses, and they leave everything sparkling every time,” she says. “I also like the small size because the pods fit in any dishwasher. I think these would be great for a portable dishwasher too since it’s smaller overall.” The brand also sells unscented, lemon and fresh scented versions of the pods.
Plastic-free? Yes | Scented? No
Best plant-based: Molly’s Suds Dishwasher Pods
Molly’s Suds Dishwasher Pods have a 4.4-star average rating from 3,480 reviews on Amazon and are made of plant-based ingredients such as sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate and sodium percarbonate. This particular option is citrus scented, though the brand sells other fragrances and an unscented version. It is safe to use on stainless steel, glassware and porcelain, according to the brand.
Plastic-free? No | Scented? Yes
Best budget: Cascade Complete Dishwasher Pods
NBC Select commerce editor Lindsay Schneider and I regularly use these dishwasher pods from Cascade because they do a thorough job at cleaning grease and food residue, but they’re also quite affordable. I also like that you can get these pods in different quantities and scents. They don’t get clumped together in the packaging and they fit perfectly in the tiny compartment within my dishwasher. It also dissolves easily and I never see any residual soap from the pod after my dishes are finished being cleaned.
Plastic-free? No | Scented? Yes
Plastic-free? Yes | Scented? Yes (unscented option)
Most sustainable packaging: Dirty Labs Dishwasher Detergent
The Dirty Labs Dishwasher Detergent comes in powder form and is packaged in a cylindrical container made from recyclable cardboard. It has a 4.5-star average rating from 975 reviews on Amazon, and it comes with a small scoop, so you can easily measure how much you use, depending on how dirty your dishes are. The enzyme-based detergent powder is made from biodegradable ingredients, according to the brand. You can also get up to 48 loads of dishes with one container and you can get a lemon-scented version, too.
Plastic-free? Yes | Scented? No
Best scented: Grab Green Automatic Dishwashing Detergent Pods
These dishwashing detergent pods are made of plant- and mineral-based ingredients and are available in multiple scents. Free of phosphates and dyes, the detergent easily removes embedded food residue, cleans dishes and doesn’t leave behind lingering smells or deposits, according to the brand. You can either place the pod in the dishwasher’s detergent compartment or simply add it to the base of the dishwasher. They have a 4.2-star average rating from 4,236 reviews on Amazon.
Plastic-free? No | Scented? Yes
Best dye-free: Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent Packs
These dishwasher detergent packs from Seventh Generation, which have a 4.6-star average rating from 10,741 reviews on Amazon, come in a recyclable paper box and the pods are made from 90% plastic-free packaging according to the brand. The pods are free of fragrances and dyes, so they’re a fit for people who are sensitive to strong smells.
Plastic-free? No | Scented? Yes
Best lemon-scented: Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Lemon Verbena Dishwasher Pods
I love Mrs. Meyer’s hand soaps and multi-surface cleaners, especially because they come in such whimsical scents. These dishwasher detergent pods are a good option to consider, especially if you love a citrus-based cleaner. With a 4.5-star average rating from 902 reviews on Amazon, these lemon verbena-scented pods are free of parabens, phthalates and dyes, according to the brand. For best results, the brand recommends always handling the pods with dry hands and making sure to reseal the packaging between each use.
Plastic-free? No | Scented? Yes
Best for hard water: Puracy Dishwasher Pods
The Puracy dishwasher pods are great for cleaning dishes without having to worry about hard water stains showing up once a cycle is done. The detergent has water-softening agents, such as sodium citrate, which help to release food and stains from plates and other dishes. It also has a 4.4-star average rating from 6,376 reviews on Amazon, and according to the brand, it is so thorough on food that you don’t have to rinse dirty dishes before placing them in the dishwasher.
Plastic-free? No | Scented? Yes
Best dual-power: Lemi Shine Dishwasher Pods
These dishwasher detergent pods from Lemi Shine come recommended by Delah Gomasi, the CEO of cleaning site Maid for You, who says it’s great for preventing hard water stains and isn’t as caustic as other brands. “Firstly, it’s probably the only product I’ve come across that is marketed as eco-friendly and actually removes hard water stains (better than any other product range I’ve come across) and cleans dishes efficiently,” he says. The pods have a fresh lemon scent and include two different cleaning agents: a powder and a gel detergent, both of which help to remove baked-on food from pots and pans. This means you’re less likely to have to pre-rinse the dishes before adding them to the dishwasher.
Plastic free? No | Scented? Yes
Best value: AmazonBasics Dishwasher Detergent Pods
These fresh-scented dishwasher pods from AmazonBasics come with 85 pods, so it’s an affordable option for those who clean a lot of dishes very frequently, such as large families. The detergent contains both ingredients that cut through grease and acts as a rinse aid to help prevent water stains from forming, and you can avoid having to run dishes through the dishwasher multiple times, according to the brand.
Plastic-free? No | Scented? Yes
Best rinse aid: Cascade Rinse Aid Platinum
When working on our guide on how to clean a dishwasher, Will Cotter, the owner of cleaning company FreshSpace Cleaning, recommended using this rinse aid for cleaning dishes to prevent hard water, limescale and soap scum from forming on the inside. It prevents limescale buildup (which makes sure your dishwasher keeps running smoothly) but also helps clean your dishes more thoroughly and blocks water stains from forming. All you have to do is add it to the dishwasher once a month to help your dishes achieve a shiny and spotless appearance, according to the brand.
Plastic-free? No | Scented? Yes
How to shop for a dishwasher detergent
There are several aspects to keep in mind when looking for the right dishwasher detergent for your home and personal preferences. Here are a few more factors to prioritize when shopping:
Consider fragrances and allergens
It’s extremely common for dishwasher detergents to come with distinct scents and fragrances. This is because we often associate certain smells like citrus or lavender with cleanliness. As pleasant as those scents are, however, they aren’t always compatible with everyone’s sense of smell, especially those who get nauseous or feel sick when working with scented dish products. If this is your situation, be particularly cautious with scented options, even ones labeled as “free & clear” which are sometimes still fragranced.
Use durable dishes and flatware
In addition to a powerful dishwashing detergent pod, you’ll likely have to use hot water to clean extremely tough food messes and stains on your dishes. As effective as some pods are, they may benefit from being used with a hot water cycle to more easily remove baked-on residue. With that in mind, be sure to stock up on durable dishware that won’t be susceptible to damage from the detergent or the hot water.
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Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Jill Koch is a cleaning expert at home cleaning site Jill Comes Clean.
- Will Cotter is a cleaning expert and founder of home cleaning services company FreshSpace Cleaning.
- Delah Gomasi is a cleaning expert and CEO of cleaning company Maid For You.
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m a commerce editor at NBC Select, where I regularly cover cleaning content. I’ve written guides on how to clean a mattress, dishwasher and a window air conditioner. I spoke with cleaning experts and got recommendations from staff for guidance and product recommendations.
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