Best and worst dishwasher tablets

Our tough lab tests reveal the Best Buys, Eco Buys and Great Value products that do a great job for less
Fran Roberts-ThorntonSenior Researcher/Writer
Used_tablets comp 438404

We've tested big dishwasher tablet brands including Fairy and Smol, as well as supermarket own brands from the likes of Aldi, Tesco and Sainsbury's. 

Which performed the best? You might be surprised – some of the best-performing dishwasher tablets are also among the cheapest.

No one else tests like Which? – our independent lab tests recreate the tough dried-on food and drink you put in your dishwasher. 

Read on to discover the best dishwasher tablets, or visit our dishwasher tablet reviews for the full breakdown of each product.


For more ways to keep your household running smoothly, sign up for our Home newsletter – it's free monthly.


Best and worst dishwasher tablets

Besides revealing our Best Buys, our results show how good each dishwasher tablet is at removing certain foods and drinks, keeping your glasses shiny, and preventing cloudiness and water marks from building up. 

You'll also unlock the results of our pricing research, which will help you to save money on dishwasher tablets.

Which? members can log in to unlock the table below to see the full results of our dishwasher tablet lab tests. As you can see from the test score, we found big differences between the best and worst. 

Not yet a member? Join Which? to unlock our table and all the reviews on our website.

BrandTest scorePack sizePrice per pack/Cost per washOverall cleaningFilming and cloudinessWater marksAnti-dullnessEnvironmental impact
70%
70%
66%
66%
61%
60%
60%

Using dishwasher tablets

We asked our dishwasher experts for their top tips on how to make sure your dishwasher cleans at its best.
  • You might need to add dishwasher salt to a load even if you use an all-in-one dishwasher tablet, but this will depend on how hard the water is in your area. 
  • If you use your dishwasher on a low temperature cycle, check the packaging of tablets before you buy – some are only designed to be used at 50ºC to 60ºC or above.
  • To prevent spots appearing on your glassware or a soapy film on your plates, run your dishwasher's hot water cycle once a month.

For more tips to help you get the most out of your dishwasher tablets, read our expert guide on how to load your dishwasher.

How we test dishwasher tablets

How Which? tests dishwashers

We put dishwasher tablets through rigorous tests that reflect the tough demands required of them in the outside world. How the detergents cope with everyday food and drink stains, including dried-on milk, tea stains and egg, are part of the process of determining which are the most effective at cleaning.

And it's not just how sparkling the tablets leave your crockery and cutlery. In addition, we check to see how multiple washes will affect the appearance of your dinner sets, and if your glasses could be left with annoying spots and water marks.

Sustainability also matters to Which?, which is why we look at whether these detergents contain chemicals that have any negative environmental effects, or if the packaging is recyclable or made from recycled materials. 

Find out more about how we test dishwasher tablets.

Which dishwasher tablets do we recommend?

Top-scoring dishwasher tablets that achieve 70% or higher earn our Best Buy recommendation. Dishwasher tablets that score 45% or less are highlighted as Don't Buy products to avoid.

Great Value products are a selection of the cheapest products per wash that score 60% or above. Which? recommends these as a good choice for those who want to spend less, without sacrificing too much in the way of performance.

An Eco Buy needs to be better for the environment than alternatives on the market, and it needs to perform well at its core job, so Eco Buy products must have a minimum overall score of 65% plus four stars for sustainability.

Learn more about how choosing a Which? Eco Buy can save you money and benefit the environment. 


For more ways to keep your household running smoothly, sign up for our Home newsletter – it's free monthly.