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Best and worst dishwasher tablets
Our tough lab tests reveal which tabs are fab and which ones struggle against everyday stains
We've tested big-brand dishwasher tablets including Ecover, Fairy and Finish, and supermarket own-brands from Aldi, Sainsbury's and Waitrose.
We found big differences between the best and worst. Surprisingly, 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 on items 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.
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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 save money on dishwasher tablets.
Which? members can log in to reveal the results of our dishwasher tablet lab tests.
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| Brand (link to review) | Test score | Price per pack | Pack size | Overall cleaning | Filming and cloudiness | Water marks | Anti-dullness | Sustainability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aldi: Magnum All in One Lemon Zest Dishwasher Tablets | ||||||||
| Co-op: Ultimate All in One Lemon Dishwasher Tablets | ||||||||
| Ecover: All in One Lemon & Mandarin Dishwasher Tablets | ||||||||
| Fairy: Platinum Plus Anti-dull | ||||||||
| Fairy: Platinum Plus Deep Clean | ||||||||
| Finish: Power All in One Lemon Sparkle Dishwasher Tablets | ||||||||
| Finish: Quantum All in One Regular Dishwasher Tablets |
Where to buy dishwasher tablets
- Kit & Kin dishwasher tablets are available to buy direct from Kit & Kin (£7.49).
Where to buy the supermarket own-brand dishwasher tablets we tested:
- Aldi: Magnum All in One Lemon Zest Dishwasher Tablets – available from Aldi (£3.29)
- Co-op: Ultimate All in One Lemon Dishwasher Tablets – available from Co-op (£3)
- Sainsbury's: Ultimate All in One Lemon Dishwasher Tablets – available from Sainsbury's (£3.25)
- Waitrose Essential All in One Lemon Dishwasher Tablets – available from Waitrose (£4.25).
Using dishwasher tablets
- 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.
Don't miss our popular – and free to read – advice guide: 5 things I'd never do as a dishwasher expert. Or watch the viral video on Instagram
How we test dishwasher tablets
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 burnt-on milk, tea stains and egg, is part of determining which are the most effective at cleaning. We test using the main wash cycle at 45ºC.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Interested in green cleaning brands? We've dug into the sustainability details of brands including Bio-D, Ecover, Method and Smol.
Find out more about how we test dishwasher tablets and discover how choosing a Which? Eco Buy can save you money and benefit the environment
View dishwasher tablets reviews
