Dishwasher tabs should not only clean dishes, but ideally also care for them. In addition, no negative environmental impact is desirable. The tests of the experts show that some brands do not even meet these minimum requirements and sometimes even destroy the dishes.
Instead of cleaning the dishes, some dishwasher tabs even damage the dishes. Anyone who now thinks of cheap products is wrong. It is mainly the well-known branded products that cannot convince the experts in the test.
For 30 years, chemist Dr. Konrad Giersdorf dishwashing liquid for Stiftung Warentest. In addition to the cleaning itself, Stiftung Warentest also evaluates how gentle the tabs are on the material and what environmental properties they have. Stiftung Warentest examined a total of 14 dishwasher tabs (2/2020), including expensive branded tabs as well as inexpensive products from discounters such as Kaufland, Lidl & Co.
Our partners from AllesBeste (3/2022) proceeded differently. They subjected the 14 products to a practical test. A two-person household washed glasses, ceramics, porcelain, plastic, pots and pans with the tabs in the dishwasher for several weeks.
Below we present the winners and losers at Stiftung Warentest and AllesBeste.
Dishwasher tabs: The winners & losers in the test
Stiftung Warentest
At Stiftung Warentest, the test winners are surprisingly mainly discounter and drugstore products. You can score in almost every category. It is only when it comes to environmental properties that even the best perform only “satisfactorily”.
The overall rating is still impressive. Although no product scored “very good” (grade 1), the inexpensive test winners all secured the rating “good” (grade 2).
- K-Classic dishwashing detergent tabs all in 1 from Kaufland – (2.1)
- W5 Dishwasher Tabs Multi-Power All in 1 from Lidl – (2.1)
- Alio Dishwasher Tabs complete from Aldi south – “good” (2.2)
The expensive branded products, on the other hand, disappoint in the test. Four of the tested products concluded the test with the verdict of “poor”. They are not convincing when it comes to cleaning, nor when it comes to protecting the material. They sometimes discolour the cutlery, shiny silver becomes dull golden – the discolouration can no longer be removed. This is particularly annoying with expensive crockery. From the Tabs All-In-One of Ecover, Powerball All in 1 0% of Finish, Lime Dishwashing Tabs from frog and Domol Dishwasher Tabs 12 in 1 from Rossman you should therefore better keep your hands off.
> To the detailed test at Stiftung Warentest
All the best
At AllesBeste, the inexpensive products can also convince. First place was taken by the nature dishwasher tabs from dm for around 3 euros per pack of 30. Although the tabs have the word nature in their name, they contain ingredients that are difficult to biodegrade. On the other hand, they are free from benzotriazole (BTA), fragrances and colorings and also contain no preservatives. What also speaks for the dishwasher tabs: instead of being individually wrapped in plastic, the tabs are in a water-soluble film that dissolves in the dishwasher. That runs at number 2, the Fairy Platinum All in One unfortunately worse. Instead of being in a box, the tabs are in a plastic pack. Unfortunately, the water-soluble foil, which is also used here, no longer makes up for this. The tabs achieve a very clean washing result and leave a great shine on glasses and dishes.
> To the detailed test at AllesBeste
The best dishwashers
For a clean result, you also need a powerful dishwasher. However, the selection is large and many manufacturers cannot keep what they advertise in advertisements. Stiftung Warentest regularly tests dishwashers. We show you the best devices in the following table.
You can read more about the test in our detailed purchase advice.