Finding a dishwasher tablet that lives up to its promises is no mean feat. Single dose, all-in-one capsules that combine detergent, rinse aid and salt are now the market favourite, yet results are often disappointing.
If you’re pressed for time, pre-rinsing (or worse, post scrubbing) the dishes to ensure they return to the cupboard without dried-on food or smears isn’t an appealing prospect. That’s why choosing a reliable tablet that works with your machine and water hardness is essential.
While the best dishwashers have a plethora of programmes, it’s the tablet that does much of the hard work. Advances in formulation mean that many clean effectively at cooler temperatures and on shorter cycles, but testing remains the only true way to know which ones deliver genuinely spotless dishes. So, I tried 13 leading brands to find the most reliable performers. Here are the best in a quick list.
The best dishwasher tablets: At a glance
How we test dishwasher tablets
I used five different metrics to test each tablet, rating the formula, packaging, value, cleaning performance and finish. I tested 13 tablets, and would recommend nine.
For consistency, each tablet was tested on an eco, standard and quick dishwasher setting without pre-rinsing. I ran each test with a full load that included the same type of dishes as a control variable. These were baking dishes, tea-stained mugs and glasses.
The tablets were all stored in their original packaging in the cupboard under my sink for at least a week. I have since made intermittent spot checks to monitor how well they store.
Finally, it’s worth noting that I live in a soft water area, which naturally influences the final finish. To balance this, I sent samples of each tablet to family members in harder-water regions to find out how the formulas performed under different conditions.