The 8 Best Dishwasher Pods, Tested Against Our Grimiest Plates

• Why We Love It: removes hard water stains, best at removing grease/grime
• Cost per Wash: 38 cents

Confession: When a recent Cascade study revealed 86 percent of dishwasher owners pre-rinse their plates, we realized we’re part of that 86 percent. Largely because we’ve been burned by washes that left us with semi-clean dishes before. Well, Cascade’s new Platinum Plus ActionPacs promised you wouldn’t need to do that, because it contains twice the Dawn grease-fighting power of previous pods and enzymes that break down starches and proteins to deep clean. We were skeptical…until it left every single dish—even a casserole pan left out for two days with baked-on cheese and marinara—sparkling.

The best feature, perhaps? It contains a rinse aid that removed hard water spots, so we don’t need to buy (and load) a separate rinse aid anymore.

• Why We Love It: low-waste packaging, unscented, climate-pledge friendly
• Cost per Wash: 43 cents

If you’ve seen one dishwasher pod, you’ve seen ‘em all, right? Not quite. These pods have been deemed Climate-Pledge Friendly, meaning that Amazon has certified that the brand does everything, meaning that Amazon has certified that the brand does everything it can to minimize its carbon footprint in the shipping and packaging process. Beyond that, though, the mineral-based ingredients wash away even the most crusted-on leftovers, without leaving a filmy residue behind (a common complaint with natural products). The brand also partnered with ocean-protection organization Oceana to educate people on the dangers of plastic pollution and make it easier to find plastic-free alternatives in your daily life.

• Why We Love It: crisp scent, bleach-free, cruelty-free
• Cost per Wash: 34 cents

OK, OK, you don’t want the plates you eat on to smell like a field of roses, but when you open the dishwasher, it’s nice to smell something other than the hot, damp remnants of washed-away dinners past. Method’s lemon mint scent is bright and refreshing, without being overpowering. Better yet, these plant- and mineral-based pods aren’t tested on animals and work well to combat hard water stains.

• Why We Love It: unscented, no harsh chemicals
• Cost per Wash: 37 cents

Another Amazon Climate-Pledge Friendly pick, Seventh Generation’s detergent packs stand out for being a plant-based formula that still cuts through grease well. Admittedly, it wasn’t quite as powerful at tackling baked-on grease as brands like Cascade, but if you’re looking for a bio-based option (which, BTW, is USDA-certified to be 83 percent bio-based) and you’re sensitive to fragrances, this is an excellent pick. Plus, we appreciate how each package includes a clear breakdown of each ingredient and what, exactly, it does.

• Why We Love It: plant-based, refreshing scent, cruelty-free, bleach free
• Cost per Wash: 40 cents

If you’re the type to let your dishes pile up for a day or two before loading the dishwasher and you're looking for a nature-based option, these are the pods for you. Grove Co. Pure Power Dishwasher Packs work better than most plant-based pods at removing caked-on food. To that end, they're 91 percent plant-based and bleach-free, using a combination of enzymes to remove bits of food from your plates, cups and bowls. We did notice it left water spots on some cutlery, prompting a quick polishing before they were stowed away.

• Why We Love It: streak-free shine, great at removing baked-on grease/marinara
• Cost per Wash: 28 cents

If a spot on your wine glass instantly turns you into Lady MacBeth, fear not: Finish Quantum Infinity Shine Dishwasher Tablets have got your back. Each pod features three chambers: one to break down bits of food, one to cut through grease and one to ensure your dishes clean evenly and without streaking. (And our editors can attest that they’re great at removing glommed-on sauces and peanut butter.) The end result is stemware that sparkles—with the occasional exception, but hey, no pod’s perfect.

• Why We Love It: compact container, no plastic, no artificial fragrances
• Cost per Wash: 42 cents

We use these tablets in our own homes, but what first got us to try them was the fact that Blueland had a third-party lab independently test their pods against other brands—and share their results. As we’ve found, the tablets are great at removing sauces and starches, though proteins—like bits of meat—can be left behind from time to time. That said, if you remove bits of food before loading your dishwasher, you’ll have pretty consistently sparkling dishes in the end (at least in our experience).

• Why We Love It: chemical-free, recyclable packaging
• Cost per Wash: 59 cents

While many brands come packaged in plastic—baggies or plastic tubs—Cleancult’s dishwasher tablets arrive in a compact cardboard box that’s easy to break down and recycle. The tablets themselves may look like they’re wrapped in plastic, but that’s actually a water-soluble casing that dissolves easily and completely. The lemongrass scent is subtle, and while the tablets did a great job of cleaning away spaghetti sauce and brownie batter, it struggled with glommed-on grime. These tablets are best suited for people who thoroughly rinse their dishes before loading the dishwasher.