CHOICE reveals the best and worst dishwasher detergents
Consumer group CHOICE has tested 34 dishwasher detergents to reveal which ones will leave your dishes sparkling clean – and which might leave you wondering whether you remembered to add detergent at all.
“Finish Powerball Ultimate 0% Tabs took first place, receiving a score of 77%. Close behind were Finish Powerball Ultimate Plus Tabs and Earth Choice All-in-1 Dish Tablets, both scoring 76%,” says CHOICE household expert, Chris Barnes.
“All three detergents performed well at removing stubborn stains throughout the dishwasher cycle. However, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, Earth Choice All-in-1 detergent is significantly cheaper, costing just 42 cents per wash compared with more than $1 per wash for the Finish products,” says Barnes.
“Unfortunately, not all detergents delivered sparkling results. Housebrite Dishwasher Powder was the lowest performing detergent, scoring 40% in the latest testing. Earth Choice Dishwasher Powder Lemon Fresh also disappointed, scoring 47%,” says Barnes.
“The results show that you should never assume all products from the same brand will perform equally well. Choosing the right detergent can make a big difference to your dishwasher results, saving you time and money,” says Barnes.
The best performing dishwasher detergents:
1. Finish Powerball Ultimate 0% Tabs
CHOICE Expert Rating: 77%
Cost per wash: $1.07
2. Earth Choice All-in-1 Dish Tablets
CHOICE Expert Rating: 76%
Cost per wash: $0.42
2. Finish Powerball Ultimate Plus Tabs
CHOICE Expert Rating: 76%
Cost per wash: $1.26
The worst performing dishwasher detergents:
1. Housebrite Brite Dishwasher Powder
CHOICE Expert Rating: 40%
Cost per wash: $0.08
2. Earth Choice Dishwasher Powder Lemon Fresh
CHOICE Expert Rating: 47%
Cost per wash: $0.21
