Best dishwasher detergents from Cascade and more that can clean and wash your dishes. Buy pre-filled gels, powders, and tablets to cut through grease and food residue
Whether you are looking for liquid or powder detergent, you will want the best. Some people prefer natural dishwasher detergents and others certain brands like Seventh Generation or even certain types like dishwasher pods.
All in all, the dishwasher can only be as efficient as the soap you buy. There are numerous brands that offer options like super concentrated, low foaming, pods, or old brands like Cascade. You will want a brand that showcases specialized formulas that can prevent complications.
Here are the top 10 dishwasher detergents that will give you everything you need from dishwasher detergent boosters, powder, additives, liquid, and more.
Pick the Best Dishwasher Detergent for You?
There are a number of different types of detergents to help you clean completely. First, for any water soluble cleaner, you need to determine what is the form and type of detergent.
The main dishwasher detergent types that are common and found in most supermarkets include the following; tablets, powders, and gels.
Use the best dishwasher detergent that works for you and cleans your dishes quickly, effectively, and makes everything spotless.
Top 10 Dishwasher Detergents Highlights
- Best Overall Dishwasher Detergent: Cascade Complete Dishwasher Pods “The ultimate dishwasher option and best overall for ease, cleanliness, and ever so popular among everyone alike.“
- Best Value Dishwasher Detergent: Amazon Brand – Solimo Dishwasher Detergent Pacs, Fresh Scent, 54 Count “Affordable and easy to get from Amazon; this is a great detergent for removal on stainless pots.”
- Best Advanced Dishwasher Detergent: Finish Quantum Dishwasher Detergent Tabs “The most advanced three part cleaner for dishwashing efficiency; leaving dishes spotless.”
- Best Powder Dishwasher Detergent: Seventh Generation Fragrance Free Dishwasher Detergent Pack “One of the most natural detergents showcasing an enzyme rich clean powder with strong cleaning potency and advanced design.”
- Best for Fighting Stains Dishwasher Detergent: Lemi Shine, Dishwater Detergent Additive “A long time top seller and renowned for fighting hard water stains; this is an additive detergent that deodorizes the dishwasher.”
- Best Gel Dishwasher Detergent: Cascade Advanced Power liquid machine dishwasher detergent “The best gel form detergent that is able to cut through water stains and certain stains; affordably priced.”
- Best Versatile Dishwasher Detergent: Miele Dishwasher Tabs “The most versatile detergent in the market with 3 layer tablets for maximum clean and top quality silverware and stainless steel protection.”
- Best Organic Dishwasher Detergent: Grab Green Natural Automatic Dishwashing Detergent “Safest and most sustainable detergent with raw and organic ingredients that will make your dishes clean and sparkly.”
- Best Powerful Dishwasher Detergent: Cascade Platinum Plus Dishwasher Pods “The most powerful and strongest detergent on the market; guaranteed to clean and leave your dishes spotless.”
- Best Gel Dishwasher Detergent: Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent Gel Soap “A gel that is free of synthetic fragrances and made of essential oil; leaving dishes streak free and spotless.”
Different Types of Dishwasher Detergents To Use
Dishwasher detergents come in a variety of forms, so how do you know what is best to buy and use? Well, for one, not every person will need or use the same detergent. Why?
Overall, dishwasher detergents are most commonly coming in three separate forms in the market. When you are shopping in various stores, supermarkets, and even online you will see tablets, powders, and gels, What is best to buy?
The differences between gels, powders, and tablets are significant enough to review so read below about each to know what is best for your dishwashing needs.
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Dishwasher Tablets
Packaged in small bricks and filled with concentrated dishwashing powder; also at times consisting of dishwashing gel.Tablets are conveniently just placed in a dispenser area or even thrown in a main area for washing. Tablets are more expensive but more effective and full of cleaning power.
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Dishwasher Powder
A powder similar to laundry powder that is used simply by putting or pouring a fine powder into a dishwasher dispenser in your dishwasher. Dishwasher powder is the most affordable form of detergent. Some disadvantages are that powder detergents can be messy and leave residue on plates.
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Dishwashing Gel
A gel is more like a washing up liquid that you would use for washing dishes manually. The gel is poured into a dispenser in your dishwasher and more depends on your preference. Gels are usually mid priced compared to powders and tablets and generally successful with not having too many washing problems.
Our Picks: Top 10 Dishwasher Detergents Reviews
Best Overall Dishwasher Detergent
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Cascade Complete Dishwasher Pods
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The ultimate dishwasher option and best overall for ease, cleanliness, and ever so popular among everyone alike. This is the very best for numerous reasons like name recognition,
This is the ideal in terms of dishwasher detergents because Cascade Platinum is popular and effective. Why? Whenever anything gets popular you know there will be a good sense of reliability and guarantee. There is a lot of action and cleaning power in these pods. These compact and small pods get through nearly everything quickly and with ease.
The Cascade pods will ultimately do the job of making your dishes cleaner than you ever imagined possible without a pre-wash. In terms of flexibility and usage, always check your dishwasher for exact specifications. The pods are known to dissolve quickly while in wash and are tough and effective for messy stains in regards to baking and cooking.
The Cascade pods are easy to use, popular, and full of cleaning power. You will not be frustrated with the results of this dishwasher detergent at all.
Read Customer Reviews on Amazon!Why We Recommend It:
- Easy to use and convenient pod for dishwasher cleaning
- Affordable for your value and budget
- More tough for messy stains in regards to baking and cooking
- Name brand recognition and popular with customers
You need to pay attention to It:
- Dishwasher pods are difficult to open
- Complaints about Pods leaking in package
- DIfficult to open package containing Dishwasher detergent pods
Best Value Dishwasher Detergent
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Amazon Brand – Solimo Dishwasher Detergent Pacs, Fresh Scent, 54 Count
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A very affordable and easy to get from Amazon; this is a great detergent for removal on stainless pots. Amazon is in the business to make detergent that is easy to buy and quickly get online and use right away to clean your dishes.
This detergent is justified to get a wonderful praise from reviewers for cleaning stainless pots. The Amazon detergent is especially geared towards stain removal from pots and dishes messied and smothered with baked and crusted macaroni and cheese. You also get 2 in 1 grease fighting capacity with rinse aid for dish cleaning. This is an ideal detergent for stuck on food and even stainless pots and pans. The best thing about this detergent is that it is very affordable and easy to order online from Amazon.
All in all, this brand is a very affordable and high value detergent for sticky food situations on pots and pans as well as convenience. Please note, the Amazon detergent packages have 54 pacs.
Read Customer Reviews on Amazon!Why We Recommend It:
- Strong 2 in 1 fighting power against many stains
- Comes in packs of 54 for large and bulk purchases
- Amazon.com friendly and fast to order online
You need to pay attention to It:
- There is a drying agent missing from the detergent
- Design and pac design seems cheap and inferior to other dishwasher detergents
Best Advanced Dishwasher Detergent
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Finish Quantum Dishwasher Detergent Tabs
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This detergent scrubs, degreases, and make your plates, cups, and silverware shine. Finish Quantum is popular and as well very effective in making your dishware look spotless and clean.
Finish has offered an interesting effective detergent with 3 levels of cleaning. There are detergents that offer 3 different power actions to be able to combat and clean your dishes. There is the option of having power scrubbing to be able to remove tough stains in one wash, so this is an ideal and powerful dishwasher detergent. The gel component of the detergent has the ability to cut through grease and strongly power through the thickest and most sticky stains and messes. Finish makes a reliable detergent that is able to work well on normal and heavy settings for washing. You can also expect to decrease water spots, residue, and other stains.
Overall, Finish makes a strong product that works well for heavy stain and usage as well as normal washing and cleaning cycles. Be prepared to pay a little more for this detergent but you will be happy with the power and options to clean your dishes.
Read Customer Reviews on Amazon!Why We Recommend It:
- Offered 3 different Cleaning modes for power washing to normal mode
- Decreased Hard water and tough stains on dishware and pans
- Gel component is great to combat grease
You need to pay attention to It:
- The packaging was difficult to open
- Pricing for this dishwasher detergent is higher than other similar detergents
Best Powder Dishwasher Detergent
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Seventh Generation Fragrance Free Dishwasher Detergent Pack
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Seventh Generation detergent offers a powerful detergent powder that is able to clean through residue to transform your dishes. One of the few natural detergent powders with an enzyme rich formula that is able to deliver streak free dishes and more!
Seventh Generation offers a plant based detergent alternative that works and is good for the environment. The dishwasher detergent is considered a USDA certified biobased product. It comes with dissolvable single doses that are meant for one time use during washing. All in all, the detergent is fuss free and different from the competition in a variety of ways.
The detergent packs come equipped with packs free of fragrances, dyes, phosphates, and of course bleach. This is the safe alternative that outperforms among the better performing and more chemical based detergents. Be assured to get rid of some tough stains from eggs, grease, and other starches that would not be easy to remove or clean. Seventh Generation offers a detergent that works like a charm by just throwing into the dishwasher.
This brand offers a natural alternative that nurtures the environment and cleans your dishware. The only detergent on the market that will not leave your plates as cleanly and naturally.
Read Customer Reviews on Amazon!Why We Recommend It:
- Enzyme rich detergent with a unique cleaning power
- One of the few natural and fragrance free detergents that is plant based
- Strong cleaning power to cut through stains
- Free of fragrances, dyes, phosphates, and bleach
You need to pay attention to It:
- Some complaints that there is residue leftover during cleaning
- Price is a little more costly compared to other budget brands
Best for Fighting Stains Dishwasher Detergent
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Lemi Shine, Dishwater Detergent Additive
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A long time top seller and renowned for fighting hard water stains; the Lemi Shine is an additive detergent. This detergent is a powerful deodorizer that uses citric elements for adding that extra clean and spotless result.
This is a specialized detergent for combating special issues with stains. Trying to remove stains you need to utilize this Lemi Shine that helps limit and hinder calcium build up. The buildup can be resolved with the proper care of a strong and specific detergent for a special situation.
Therefore, this is a strongly recommended detergent for improving your cleanliness as well as your washing machine in particular if you have a build up problem. Most detergents lack phosphates that are needed to be able to combat some stains especially for dishes and the dishwasher.
Any type of build up needs to be removed and lessened and so the Lemi cleaner is quite effective in getting the job done. Please be forewarned that the Lemi Shine is not a stand alone detergent but a specialized stain remover for the best in strength and intensity.
All in all, this is a natural and environmentally friendly detergent that is able to do the difficult job cutting down on stains. Moreover, the Lemi Shine is able to deodorize your dishwasher and provide specialized care and a high level of cleanliness unmatched in the marketplace.
Read Customer Reviews on Amazon!Why We Recommend It:
- Specialized stain remover especially for water and calcium buildups
- Environmentally conscious and beneficial
- The ability to deodorize your dishwasher
You need to pay attention to It:
- Not a normal detergent because it is targeted
- Strong citrus smell may turn off some consumers
- Some complaints on effectiveness in making dishes spotless
Best Gel Dishwasher Detergent
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Cascade Advanced Power liquid machine dishwasher detergent
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Cascade also sells the best gel detergent in the market, which gives maximum results. You will not be disappointed with these gels because they are advanced power and ability to cut through a lot of the grime, dirt, and stains of other detergents.
The Cascade Advanced power gel comes equipped with a rinse aid that is designed to deal with hard water stains and issues. Moreover, if you want your dishes sparkling clean and spotless then this is the best option for you.
This Cascade gel dishwasher detergent is considered the best of its type because of its critically acclaimed reviews for leaving things looking better. However, please note that gel detergents do leave residue, so keep this in mind. This is the best performing gel detergent for its performance, ease of use, and high performing cleanliness standards.
In conclusion, Cascade makes the best performing gel that is great on cutting through stains and water spots. Be aware of some challenges as with all gel caps but Cascade delivers the best of its category in dishwasher detergents.
Read Customer Reviews on Amazon!Why We Recommend It:
- Best performing Gel Dishwasher detergent
- Very good for cutting through stains especially water spots
- Affordably priced compared to other detergents
You need to pay attention to It:
- Gel detergent caps are known for leaving residue
- Not the best for certains stains like burnt food on plates/pans
- You can’t avoid a pre-rinse with these gel caps in dishwasher
Best Versatile Dishwasher Detergent
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Miele Dishwasher Tabs
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Miele makes the best multi-use detergent in the market. You can’t find a more flexible dishwasher detergent because it works with most machines; and better yet the detergent is high performing.
Miele makes a highly concentrated formula for cleaning your dishes and leaving them sparkling clean. Each tablet contains a formula with a 3 layer punch to maximize your wash. You will love the detergent for its flexibility and high performing clean power. The biggest thing to remember is that you can use this with any dishwasher machine.
The tabs are phosphate free and are aimed at the environmental market looking to get rid of toxic phosphate products all together. The tabs that are packaged come wrapped and shrink wrapped in a self dissolving wrapper. So, the tabs are mess free and easy to use. Overall, expect sparkling clean dishes with less effort and more convenience.
Miele Care collection multi dishwasher tabs are one of the few detergents to be truly flexible for any machine. Furthermore, it is considered one of the more powerful and versatile detergents on the market.
Read Customer Reviews on Amazon!Why We Recommend It:
- Multi-versatile and flexible for any dishwasher in the market
- Easy and quick to use and faster for better results
- Three layer and Enzyme Formula tablets for maximum wash
- Expect excellent silverware and stainless protection
You need to pay attention to It:
- Expensive and costly for average German product
- Not transparent with not showing complete ingredient list
- Limited product availability
- Miele is neither top quality or the most natural
Best Organic Dishwasher Detergent
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Grab Green Natural Automatic Dishwashing Detergent
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Grab Green makes the safest and most sustainable detergent with raw and organic ingredients that will make your dishes clean and sparkly. If you are seeking organic ingredients that will not harm your family then this is best for you.
This detergent features pouches that are used as automatic detergent pods. Some of the more interesting flavors include tangerine and lemongrass that make this detergent stand out from the pack. The detergent pods are of course easy and convenient in usage; even including an velcro closure. This is a nice addition because it prevents the challenges of using zip closures.
In terms of washing, expect an organic blend detergent to combat but without the use of harsh chemicals. Another great feature is that this detergent pod works well in many temperatures so you can get the results in a variety of settings. Another way to enjoy this detergent is by appreciating how it is Hypoallergenic, wrapped in recyclable film, and has zero phosphates, GMOs, dyes and chlorine.
All in all, Grab Green is the best choice for anyone looking into organic and environmentally sustainable products. There are some issues with residue on some cycle and wash settings.
Read Customer Reviews on Amazon!Why We Recommend It:
- Free of harsh chemicals and organic
- Incredible grease removal and glossy finish
- Features unique tangerine and lemongrass flavor
- Pods with velcro closures for ultimate convenience
You need to pay attention to It:
- Problems with leaving residue behind on some wash and cycle settings
- Some complaints of defective or leaky packaging of pods
Best Powerful Dishwasher Detergent
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Cascade Platinum Plus Dishwasher Pods
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Cascade makes a lot of top quality detergents with popular appeal, incredible results, and power and might to the punch. This particular Cascade detergent comes with a special formulated power booster to give your dishes an extra shine.
Cascade is one of the most popular brands for a reason because it has a good track record of reliability. Moreover, Cascade is the most reasonably priced and effective to fight real hard stains and burnt and stuck on food. The power of this detergent is that it has the potential to add a more potent and intense wash and formula to make your dishes shine and look cleaner.
The detergent works well with hard and soft water to avoid pesky water stains, so this powerful mixture will give a shine and sparkle all its own. The detergent is the plus version, which dissolves, lifts, and battles to remove away any food. This is the ultimate detergent that will do the job with the action packed pods. These pods are able to cut through a lot of different food and stains; even to be done without a prewash.
All in all, this is the most powerfully formulated detergent on the market, so it costs a little more than the regular Cascade variety. Expect clean dishes without a pre-wash and more convenience.
Read Customer Reviews on Amazon!Why We Recommend It:
- Most powerful formula for dishwasher detergent
- Reputable and popular dishwasher detergent brand
- Effective stain remover in many varieties
You need to pay attention to It:
- Heavy and overwhelming smell after washing could be a turn off
- Bad taste is left on some dishes after some wash cycles or settings
Best Gel Dishwasher Detergent
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Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent Gel Soap
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Seventh Generation makes a gel that is free of synthetic fragrances and made of essential oil; leaving dishes streak free and spotless. Gels are less used in some ways, but effective because of the control and dishwasher cycle variance.
This is a dishwasher detergent with a safe and efficient combination that guarantees to clean your plates naturally. The power plus dish detergent goes against grease, encrusted food, and more with a power and punch. The detergent is a dual-action gel that is able to cut through grease and other hard to clean grime.
There are no synthetic fragrances, dyes, chlorine bleach, and more harsh additives. Seventh Generation has made an effective cleaner made partially by plant based ingredients. A gel detergent that is a dual action formula that is designed to fight and battle grease, food stains, food crud, and dirt. The lemon flavor scent is from essential oils and botanical extract.
In general, this gel is a popular option because it utilizes an advanced blend to leave your dishes streak free and spotless. The dishwasher detergent is renowned for its bio record being USDA certified.
Read Customer Reviews on Amazon!Why We Recommend It:
- Lemon scented gel made from essential oils and botanical extract
- Effective gel detergent to fight streaks in plates
- Dual action formula with enzymes and plant based that cuts through stains and grease
You need to pay attention to It:
- Complaints about lack of stain and grime removal
- Gel is not as powerful as powder or tablet types
- Cost is more expensive than other detergents on marketplace