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Best Dishwasher detergents

Which Dishwasher detergents performed best in our tests?

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We tested 29 dishwasher detergents to determine the best-performing models. Our expert lab technicians tested each Dishwasher detergent based on the following criteria:

  • Type
  • Cleans dishes
  • Resists water spots
  • Resists food deposits
  • Cleans pots
  • Resists film/discoloration
  • Size

Below lists the Dishwasher detergents that rated best in each of the tests our experts looked for. Learn about how these tests were performed and find out which Dishwasher detergent is rated best when you subscribe.

Consumer Reports Ratings for Best Dishwasher detergents

ratingsBest Dishwasher detergent for Type
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Liquids and powders generally pour easily; gels have a thicker consistency than liquids. Tablets are a dry, solid premeasured amount of detergent. Pacs have a dissolvable outer package containing a premeasured amount of liquid, gel, or powder. A dispenser product uses a cartridge that automatically dispenses a charge of detergent for 12 loads of dishes.


This Dishwasher detergent which tested best for Type has the following features: Contains bleach and Contains enzymes.

ratingsBest Dishwasher detergent for Cleans dishes
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Gauges how well a detergent removed a caked-on puree of foods from glass dishes.


This Dishwasher detergent which tested best for Cleans dishes has the following features: Contains bleach and Contains enzymes.

ratingsBest Dishwasher detergent for Resists water spots
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Shows the ability to prevent water spots on glass plates.


This Dishwasher detergent which tested best for Resists water spots has the following features: Contains bleach and Contains enzymes.

ratingsBest Dishwasher detergent for Resists food deposits
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Indicates the ability to prevent washed-off food from resettling on dishes and glasses.


This Dishwasher detergent which tested best for Resists food deposits has the following features: Contains bleach and Contains enzymes.

ratingsBest Dishwasher detergent for Cleans pots
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Indicates how well a detergent cleaned pots that were covered with baked-on macaroni and cheese.


This Dishwasher detergent which tested best for Cleans pots has the following features: Contains bleach and Contains enzymes.

ratingsBest Dishwasher detergent for Resists film/discoloration
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Ability of the detergent to prevent deposit of minerals.


This Dishwasher detergent which tested best for Resists film/discoloration has the following features: Contains enzymes.

ratingsBest Dishwasher detergent for Size
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Indicates either the net contents in ounces or the number of wash cycles you get from a tablet, pac, or dispenser product.


This Dishwasher detergent which tested best for Size has the following features: Contains bleach.