Best dishwasher tablets 2025, recommended by parents

But with shelves stacked full of options – from best eco dishwasher tablets that promise green cleaning power, to best non-toxic dishwasher tablets that are gentler on your family and the planet – where do you start? And what about getting good value for money?

To help you find the best value dishwasher tablets that truly deliver, we turned to the people who really know: parents.

We asked mums and dads in the MadeForMums community to share the dishwasher tablets they rely on daily – the ones that power through family mess and actually work the first time.

So, whether you want something kinder to the environment, safer for sensitive skin, or just something that gets the job done without breaking the bank, here are the best dishwasher tablets UK parents recommend for family life.

Best dishwasher tablets at a glance

• Best dishwasher tablet subscription service: Smol Dishwasher Tablets, £6.50 for 30 tablets at Smol
• Best dishwasher tablets for use on eco cycles: Ecover All-in-One Dishwasher Tablets, from £5.50 for 24 tablets at Amazon
• Best dishwasher tablets for stubborn stains: Finish Ultimate All in 1 Dishwasher Tablets, from £6.79 for 39 tablets at Wilko
• Best dishwasher tablets for shiny dishes: Fairy Platinum All in One Dishwasher Tablets, £22.31 for 120 tablets at Amazon
• Best dishwasher tablets for a fresh scent: Fabulosa All in One Ultimate Dishwasher Tablets, £11.39 for 108 tablets at Amazon
• Best vegan dishwasher tablets: Astonish All in 1 Dishwasher Tablets, £8.07 for 100 at Amazon
• Best value dishwasher tablets: Tesco All-in-One Dishwasher Tablets, £3.56 for 40 tablets

1. Smol Dishwasher Tablets, £6.50 for 30 tablets

— Best dishwasher tablet subscription service

Available from: Smol

Extremely effective, eco-friendly and delivered straight to your door — Smol have seemingly revolutionised the subscription service cleaning product market. Their dishwasher tablets are only available via subscription, but are incredibly easy to order and use, plus you can get a free trial of 9 tablets, just pay the £1 postage fee.

Smol's eco dishwasher tablets are all-in-one and contain rinse aid, salt and glass protector and will leave your dishes sparkling and clean. They're also delivered in 100% plastic-free packaging, use a lower level of added chemicals per wash compared to competitors and are cruelty-free and vegan.

Our testers were absolutely full of praise not only for the tablets themselves, but the ease of the subscription service. Parent tester Carrie said she uses Smol dishwasher tablets because "they're eco friendly and it's great getting them delivered to your door. You can easily change the schedule if you need them sooner or pushed back" and parent tester Lauren said "we really like the Smol tablets because they seem to clean everything properly and also shines up the pans. I didn't think I'd get on with the subscription service but it's generally cheaper and I don't have to worry about running out as it usually lands right with the deliveries."

Having them delivered is so convenient so we never run out or have to remember them on the weekly shop. They bring everything up lovely and clean and being eco friendly is always a bonus. We have most Smol things on subscription, so getting it all delivered together is really handy.

Available from: Smol

2. Ecover All-in-One Dishwasher Tablets, from £7.50 for 24 tablets

— Best dishwasher tablets for use on eco cycles

These eco dishwasher tablets are made from plant-based, biodegradable ingredients and come packaged in a 100% recycled cardboard box, making them a great eco-friendly choice that will also work wonders on your dirty dishes. They contain rinse aid and salt action, and their eco formula should cut through tough grease.

We love that each tablet contains an innovative coating that eliminates the use of plastic wrappers. They're also specifically formulated to work on eco cycles, so they should save you time and energy.

We use Ecover dishwasher tablets because we try to be environmentally friendly where we can and they do a decent job.

Available from: Amazon

3. Finish Ultimate All in 1 Dishwasher Tablets, from £18.50 for 50 tablets

— Best dishwasher pods for stubborn stains

The Finish Ultimate All in 1 dishwasher pods are fantastic for families due to their advanced formula that works well on tough grease and grime, as well as their effectiveness on short and eco cycles, meaning you can save time and energy when doing the dishes.

Our parent testers were also full of praise for the effectiveness of the Finish pods. Parent tester Sophie reported "no issues and great results," parent tester Lorne said "they do a good job at cleaning", and parent tester Emma told us "we use Finish Platinum as they are easy to use and clean the crockery well!"

The pods should leave your dishes gleaming once washed, and you can choose between a Lemon or Regular scent. They also come in packs of 50, 85, 92 or 100.

We use Finish Ultimate All in 1. We’ve tried them all and these come out on top. We save energy as there’s no need for a pre wash or soak and no need to re-wash.

Available from: Wilko, Amazon

4. Fairy Platinum All in One Dishwasher Tablets, £23.48 for 120 tablets

— Best dishwasher tablets for shiny dishes

Fairy is a well-trusted and well-known brand for a reason, you can be safe in the knowledge that their products are reliable and effective. Parent tester Amy told us that she uses these dishwasher tablets as well as the brand's "washing pods, fabric softener, scent boosters and washing up liquid — we just stick to a brand we know works well".

Parent tester Krupa agreed with how effective Fairy dishwasher pods are and told us that they "work really well and we've never had any issues with them." They're ready to use from the bag with no need to unwrap, and they have built-in salt and rinse action to keep your dishes sparkling. They even clean your greasy filter and have an anti-limescale technology to preserve the shine on your dishes.

We use Fairy tablets. Never need to do a repeat wash and no marks on glasses.

Available from: Amazon, Wilko

5. Fabulosa All in One Ultimate Dishwasher Tablets, £5.49 for 54 pack

— Best dishwasher tablets for scent

Want your dishwasher and dishes smelling ultra fresh after washing? Then these Fabulosa All-in-One dishwasher tablets are an excellent choice.

They only come in one scent — Lemon — but our tester loved it and told us they leave the machine smelling super zesty fresh. Not only that, but they work very effectively too, removing burnt-on grease and leaving your dishes streak-free thanks to the rinse aid. The dishwasher tablets are also vegan and come in a pack of 54.

We use Fabulosa, they clean well and leave the machine smelling lovely and fresh.

Available from: Amazon

6. Astonish All in 1 Dishwasher Tablets, from £8.49 for 100

— Best phosphate-free dishwasher tablets

These dishwasher tablets aren't just powerful and great at removing tough stains, they're also phosphate-free, so kind to the environment, as well as vegan and certified cruelty-free.

They have a built-in salt and rinse aid that will leave your dishes sparkling clean, and are suitable for hard water areas too. The only scent to choose from is 'Lemon Fresh', and you can buy a bag of 42 or 100 tablets.

We use Astonish. They are not tested on animals which we opt for when buying products. They also come in a really big bag and it's good value for money

Available from: Amazon and The Range

7. Tesco All-in-One Dishwasher Tablets, £3.56 for 40 tablets

— Best value dishwasher tablets

Available from: Tesco

Perfect for picking up during your weekly shop, these dishwasher tablets from Tesco are a really great option if you're looking for a sparkling clean at a budget price. Parent tester Cat said that the Tesco All-in-One dishwasher tablets work "perfectly", and other parents told us that they work just as well as the more expensive brands, despite their lower price point.

You can choose from an Original or Lemon scent, and they come in a 1 pack size of 40 tablets.

I use Tesco All-In-One — I find them just as good as the more expensive options but at a much more affordable price.

Available from: Tesco

What to consider when buying dishwasher tablets

Fragrance — If you have any sensitivities or allergies in your family, you may need to double-check the composition of the tablets, and it may be best to choose fragrance-free or hypoallergenic options.

Water hardness level — In hard water areas, it is recommended that you look for dishwasher tablets that have built-in water softeners, or use additional rinse aid, as this will help to prevent limescale buildup and water spots on your clean dishes.

All-in-one vs standard tablets — 'All-in-one' tablets tend to include detergent, rinse aid and salt to make things easier and quicker for you, meaning that you don't have to worry about any extras — just pop in the tablet and you're good to go.

Eco-friendliness — If you're trying to be more sustainable, then consider buying eco dishwasher tablets. There are many on the market now that have plant-based, biodegradable formulas and plastic-free packaging to help you be more environmentally friendly.

Your dishwasher — Although most dishwasher tablets are compatible with most dishwashers, do check first. Also, make sure that the tablets you choose are compatible with your settings — if you use your dishwasher on its eco setting or short cycle options, for example, make sure you choose dishwasher tablets that will accommodate this and still do the job.

Subscription — Many brands now offer subscriptions to make things hassle-free and easier for you, especially when dealing with a busy family life. This may be a bonus to you as it will mean that you won't have to worry about running out or picking them up with your weekly shop, and the tablets will be delivered straight to your door as often as you need them. Most brands also make it easy to amend your schedule if needed.

Do you need to use salt and rinse aid with dishwasher tablets?

It really depends on whether you need to use salt and rinse aid with dishwasher tablets. Some options — especially 'all-in-one' dishwasher tablets — include salt and rinse aid in their formulation.

Using rinse aid will not enhance the cleaning capacity of your chosen tablet, but if you want shinier and drier dishes quicker, rinse aid will help. It acts as an extra barrier to prevent food and drink particles from sticking to your dishes at the end of the dishwashing cycle, as well as preventing water spots from staining your dishes and the dishwasher itself. Rinse aid should also make your dishes come out sparkly without water streaks or grime, and will save you time as you won't have to either clean them again, dry them, or wipe away the streaks. Rinse aid is also more useful in areas with hard water or if you're using an older dishwasher.

Salt softens water, so it will help to prevent limescale in your machine, and is particularly useful in areas with hard water. It also contributes to your dishes looking shinier and cleaner.

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