Best dishwasher tablets that are the secret to sparkling dishes, tried and tested by us

Looking for spotless dishes? The lemon-scented Fairy Platinum All-In-1 Dishwasher Tablets may be just the pick for you. Not only do they restore and rejuvenate your crockery with a shine, but they're decent in short cycles. Plus, the de-greasing formula and pre-wash eliminates the need for rinsing beforehand. Hassle-free, indeed. Thanks to the built-in salt and rinse aid, it's easy to see why this is loved by dishwasher manufacturers.

Ellie usually buys this Fairy pack. "These dishwasher tablets have been my go-to for YEARS, and they come from a trusted recommendation - my mum. They've always expertly cut through grime (even the caked-on kind I haven't rinsed off in the sink first), and they leave a fresh lemon scent that's not too overpowering. The fact you can buy a whopping 126 tablets for less than £30 is actually insane value for money, but there are smaller bags if you don't have the storage space."

This award-winning pick will surely deliver sparkling results (for just 21p per wash!). We love the smol Dishwasher Tablets, which are eco-friendly, arrive in plastic-free packaging, are recyclable, and are compostable. Despite its gentler plant-based formula, it still packs a punch - delivering a boost of rinse aid, salt and glass protector to tackle hard water. Their regular pack contains 30 tablets, but you can start with nine free washes and subscribe to their convenient repeat service.

Piper took smol for a spin and was impressed: "Gosh - where do I start? Not only do I love smol's plastic-free, no-hassle initiative, but these tablets pack a punch. I would still recommend sending in reinforcements (in the form of rinse aid and salt) but overall, these clean my crockery well. They arrive in a letterbox-friendly parcel, so there's no need to wait around for them to arrive - and the subscription service simply couldn't be easier to use. No frills, no hassles, cancel anytime. Easy."

Boasting an all-in-one performance, this Ecover offering is great for hard water areas - with salt and rinse aid for quick, powerful, and hassle-free cleaning. Available in Lemon and Mandarin or Lemon and Lime - your beloved plates, crockery and glassware will sparkle and smell fresh. Simply remove the (recyclable) wrapper, pop in the dispenser - don't forget salt for hard water areas - and run on eco-mode to save on bills. Though made from eco-friendly and plant-based ingredients, the Ecover All-in-One Dishwasher Tablets shouldn't be underestimated. Closer tested these tablets.

Piper is a big fan of Ecover's extensive household range: "I use Ecover's non-bio, fragrance-free laundry detergent (perfect for my sensitive skin) and love lots of other things in their household range, from hand soap to washing up liquid. Safe to say, I was super excited to try the dishwasher tablets. And, I was impressed. Despite living in the Test Valley (hard water galore here), everything came out sparkling clean and smelling fresh. I was super sad when I finished my box, but, I would 100% recommend this pick for any area. I love that they're vegan and eco-friendly, too."

Need a hassle-free, budget-friendly option? We love the Morrisons All-in-1 Lemon Dishwasher Tablets. These little tablets pack a punch - removing burnt-on grease and tough stains. Leave your dishes gleaming, thanks to streak-free rinse aid and formula to protect your glassware. Your beloved crockery will shine like never before. This pick is cruelty-free and powerful, with added rinse aid and salt action for hard water areas. Mess is a breeze. It's perfect for busy households.

Amy-Mae vouches for Morrisons budget-friendly tablets: "I only use my dishwasher for crockery and cutlery as most of my glassware, and all of my pans and bakeware, are hand-wash only. For this reason, I opt for a more budget dishwasher tablet. Used in conjunction with bog standard dishwasher salt and an occasional squirt of rinse aid, these tablets work fine on a daily basis, but I can't attest to their claim to tackle burnt on grease. They don't leave a particularly strong odour, which I like, as I can't stand dishwashing products that leave the stench of lemon on everything. I generally do one dishwasher load a day, and as this pack has 30 tablets, it's a simple and affordable monthly purchase, working out to 10p per load."

Powerful cleaning action guaranteed, the M&S Dishwasher Tablets will leave dishes sparkling. M&S may not be the most budget-friendly supermarket you can think of, but their dishwasher tablets are the best on the market in our opinion. Thanks to its effective grease-removing formula (for tough stains and grime) and odour-neutralising technology, this pick is super effective - and promises long-lasting, refreshing Italian aromas. Even better, these sparkly tablets are made with essential oils, and are certified cruelty-free and vegan-friendly.

Ocado and M&S reviewers love these tablets. Not only are they fabulous value, but they're said to be as good as the big brands. One customer says they're "really good" - smelling great and leaving dishes clean. Another calls them faultless. High praise, indeed. However, we're not sure if these have any added rinse aid or salt - so, you may need to stock up on both for an effective clean. These tablets may not be widely available in all stores - but hopefully you'll be able to try them for yourself.

Completely plastic-free and made with plant and mineral-based ingredients, the OceanSaver Eco-Friendly Dishwasher Tablets are one of our favourites. Proven to clean better than many other tablets on the market, this dishwasher tablet promises no residue or marks. Even better, it's an all-in-one tablet - complete with rinse-aid and salt for optimal cleaning in hard water areas. A portion of every purchase goes back to our oceans, which we love to see. Not only that, this plant-based pick is free from nasties, packaged in recyclable cardboard and the wrapper is soluble in water.

Piper is obsessed with her OceanSaver dishwasher tablets: "If you think eco tablets are inefficient, you'd be totally wrong. With this OceanSaver product, I've never had to pop anything back in for a second wash, which is super handy. Even better, there's no plastic waste. I do try and live the most environmentally-ethical life that I can - and I feel so good about using these tablets. You can subscribe and save on the OceanSaver tablets, or buy them in quite a few stores - whatever suits you best. I've never seen cutlery and crockery sparkling quite so much since using this tablet."

Looking for a deep clean and sparkling shine? These Finish Quantum Infinity Shine Dishwasher Tablets may have your back. A powerful formula, this option eliminates the need for pre-rinsing, which can save you lots of water. Plus, with the added glass protection and tough stain removal, your precious crockery and wine glasses will look immaculate and grime-free. Thanks to the quick-release gel inside the tablet, you can expect great results and lots of pre and post-washing hassle gone for good. We'd recommend purchasing Rinse Aid and Dishwasher Salt, too.

From over 4,000 Amazon reviews, this Finish pick is well-liked - with an average rating of 4.6/5. Customers appreciate the value and performance of the detergent. One customer commented that Finish is a "top brand", which cleans well and doesn't leave any unsightly residue. A miracle, indeed. Customers say that although it's not the cheapest, it's good value - and is a "no brainer". Some customers disagreed on how effective this pick was and others didn't love the scent, either.