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

Very demure, very mindful, and very affordable ✨

Dishwasher Tablets

by Piper Huxley |
Published on

There’s nothing quite like popping on a dishwasher. Let’s be honest, we’ve all been there: stood over the sink until late, scrubbing pots and pans; when we’d much rather be snuggling up on our boucle sofa, watching a true crime documentary. Not to worry, dear readers. Our pick of the best dishwasher tablets will help your appliance tackle even the toughest of dirty dishes. For sparkling plates (that even Mrs Hinch would approve of), keep reading our guide, thanks to the help of Catherine Green at smol.

Before you ask: aren't dishwashers a luxury appliance? Well, maybe. Haier's game-changing smart appliance is quite something - but there are many budget-friendly models for you to get your teeth into. And, if you have children, school runs and bedtime routines can mean you simply haven't got time to tackle a ceiling-high pile of pots and pans. Not only do you have to find the right appliance to suit your home, but the best dishwasher tablets to save yourself a job.

Closer's pick of the best dishwasher tablets, at a glance:

Best dishwasher tablets

Fairy Platinum All-In-1 Dishwasher Tablets

Best value dishwasher tablets

smol Dishwasher Tablets

Best for hard water areas

Ecover All-in-One Dishwasher Tablets

Budget dishwasher tablets

Morrisons All-in-1 Lemon Dishwasher Tablets

After you've broken the bank (a little) on a dishwasher, the last thing you want is to be shelling out too much for your upkeep. Some dishwasher tablets will have you handwashing dishes after a disappointing cycle. Not to fear, we've hand-picked the very best (and the most affordable). Don't believe us? We've done the maths and worked on how much you pay per wash. You're welcome.

How did we test out the best dishwasher tablets?

Lots of our dishwasher tablet picks (below) have been tested by someone on our team, with many of them being long-term favourites that have been used for more than a year after sparkling success. We tested a variety of tablets, capsules and pods, judging them on their fragrance, how long a pack lasts, and how effective they are in tackling your burnt-on baking dishes. Take our picks for a spin.

SHOP: Best dishwasher tablets (and they won't break the bank)

For busy households, you can always rely on a decent dishwasher tablet to cut down on chores.

Tried and Tested by our Commercial Content Editor, Ellie Weaver

Best dishwasher tablets

Fairy Platinum Lemon All-In-1 Dishwasher Tablets Bulk, Fairy Dishwasher Tablets Platinum, 51 TabletsCloser / Ellie

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."

Pros

  • With salt and rinse aid, to aid beloved glass and silver protection
  • Removes dullness and restores shine thanks to its formula
  • Ultra-soluble pouch dissolves fast and works well in short cycles

Cons

  • May not be the best choice if you're looking for something sustainable or plant-based
Quantity51 Tablets
Rinse AidYes
SaltYes
Price per wash16 - 19p

Tried and tested by our home writer, Piper Huxley

Best value dishwasher tablets

smol Dishwasher TabletsCloser / Piper

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."

Pros

  • All-in-one - no need for lots of salt, rinse aid or glass protector
  • Packaging is 100% plastic-free, recyclable and compostable
  • Affordable - costs just 21p per wash, making it budget-friendly

Cons

  • We'd recommend getting additional rinse aid and salt for hard water areas
Quantity30
Rinse AidYes
SaltYes
Price per wash21 p

Tried and tested by our home writer, Piper Huxley

Best for hard water areas

Ecover All in One Dishwasher Tablets, Pack of 22Closer / Piper
Price: £25.15

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."

Pros

  • Leaping Bunny-approved, vegan-friendly, and safe for sensitive skin
  • Biodegradable, plant-based and comes in recyclable packaging
  • With rinse aid, salt, and powerful degreasing for sparkling results

Cons

  • While recyclable, the individual wrappers aren't my favourite feature!
Quantity22 or 68
Rinse AidYes
SaltYes
Price per wash22 - 35 p

Tried and tested by our garden writer, Amy-Mae Turner

Budget dishwasher tablets

Morrisons All in 1 Lemon Dishwasher TabletsCloser / Amy-Mae
Price: £10.93

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."

Pros

  • Powerful cleaning and approved by Cruelty-Free International
  • Removes burnt-on grease and brings back a sparkling shine
  • Complete with a glass protection and stain-removing formula

Cons

  • Customers have mixed reviews on performance
Quantity30
Rinse AidYes
SaltUnsure!
Price per wash11 - 13p

Our favourite supermarket pick

M&S Dishwasher Tablets 30 per packM&S / Ocado

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.

Pros

  • Removes grease and tough stains, leaves dishes and glasses sparkling
  • Pleasant fragrance of Italian lemon and ginger scent for lasting freshness
  • Certified cruelty-free and vegan - with odour-neutralising technology

Cons

  • May not be widely available in all stores - hopefully, you'll be able to try it!
Quantity30
Rinse AidUnspecified.
SaltUnspecified.
Price per wash14 p

Tried and tested by home writer, Piper Huxley

Writer’s pick

OceanSaver Eco-Friendly Dishwasher TabletsCloser / Piper

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."

Pros

  • Plastic-free, phosphate-free, and made with plant-based ingredients
  • Every purchase goes towards OceanSaver's UK ocean conservation efforts
  • Powerful and effective, leaving dishes spotless with no residue or marks
  • Dissolvable, biodegradable wrapper means - no need to unwrap the tablet

Cons

  • The lack of fragrance might not appeal to those who prefer a scented dishwasher product
Quantity30
Rinse AidYes
SaltYes
Price per wash29 p

Big brand, reliable results

Finish Quantum Infinity Shine Dishwasher TabletsFinish / Amazon

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.

Pros

  • Deep clean and sparkling clean - thorough and brilliant results
  • Includes glass protection - preventing any corrosion of shiny glasses
  • Quick-release, powerful gel formula with no pre-rinse required

Cons

  • Some users found the scent overpowering
Quantity83
Rinse AidWe think so!
SaltUnsure.
Price per wash14 - 37p

Which is our favourite?

You can't go wrong with the Fairy Platinum Plus All-In-1 Dishwasher Tablets for reliable results. The bulk pack from Fairy is of great value and is powerfully tough in short cycles. Lifesaver.

We also love Ocean Saver's Tablets. I audibly gasped when I saw my precious cutlery sparkling like never before. I could see my face in them. Literally.

Best dishwasher tablet FAQs

Are dishwasher tablets safe for all types of dishwashers?

In most cases - yes, says Catherine Green, smol's sustainable cleaning guru. However, she suggests checking your machine manufacturer's manual to ensure you use the right dishwasher detergent.

Do dishwasher tablets work well in short wash cycles?

Quick wash cycles are a lifesaver, especially when you've neglected the kitchen just in time for dinner or are even hosting a Come Dine With Me-style party with guests. They're great for refreshing lightly soiled dishes, but they aren't the best for really thorough cleans, says Catherine. Your chosen tablet will be fine, as long as the temperature is relatively hot and you have enough water to rinse off your dirty dishes.

Catherine suggests checking the manual to be sure.

Can dishwasher tablets damage glassware or delicate dishes?

We all know the (earth-shattering) feeling when you open up your dishwasher and your favourite heart-shaped wine glasses haven't survived a wash. This won't be due to your dishwasher tablet, though, says Catherine at smol. As long as your tablet is good quality and well-tested, and you don't overfill your dishwasher, your precious crockery will be fine. If you're still a little worried, you can always hand-wash.

Delicate items become damaged from using too much detergent, water temperatures being too high and adding too much dishwasher salt. Those of us in a hard water area know the struggle of limescale. But, did you know that very soft water can cause scratches on your glassware? Read more below.

Luckily, our round-up is full of pre-measured tablets, so you shouldn't have any problems.

Are there dishwasher tablets specifically for hard water areas?

Dishwasher performance can be negatively affected by hard water. Thankfully, there are ways to help. After all, many of us desire spotlessly sparkling glasses. We spoke to Catherine about hard water.

Dishwasher salt softens water and, therefore, will prevent limescale build-up, she explains. Limescale is ever-present in hard water areas, from your shower to your cups of tea. Luckily, dishwasher salt can soften your home's water supply, which helps the detergent dissolve better. Thankfully, this can reduce "water spots on dishes and glasses". Let's not forget rinse aid, either. Rinse aid can also assist in hard water areas as it prevents "water droplets from clinging to dishes and leaving behind spots", Catherine adds.

She suggests using a dishwasher tablet which includes salt and rinse aid, like smol's offering.

Piper Huxley is a Homes, Gardens and Wellness Product Writer for Closer, specialising in interior design and wellness. When she’s not writing about homeware trends or mindfulness, she’s at yoga or tending to her houseplants.

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