Dishwasher Tablets vs Powder vs Gel in Australia: What Works Best
CHOICE tested dishwasher detergents again in October 2026, and the results back up what its testers have said for years. This page sets out what the tests show for tablets, powder and gel, what each costs per wash, and what Fisher & Paykel says about tablets in a DishDrawer. All figures are as at November 2026.
Are dishwasher tablets better than powder?
Yes, in CHOICE's testing. CHOICE says tablets and pods "invariably outperform powder", that every product it recommends is a tablet or pod, and that the lowest-ranked products are all powders, sheets and gels.
CHOICE's comparison of tablets, pods and powders explains part of the gap. Pods and most tablets are all-in-one products that usually contain dishwasher salt, rinsing agent and detergent in one dose. Powder is just detergent, with no salt or rinsing agent. Tablets cost more per wash in general, and they make up over two-thirds of dishwasher detergent sales, according to CHOICE's dishwasher detergent buying guide.
| Type | CHOICE verdict | Cost per wash (CHOICE examples) | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tablets and pods | Invariably outperform powder. All recommended products are tablets or pods | $0.14 (Coles Ultra, 75%) to $1.26 (Finish Powerball Ultimate Plus, 76%) | The best cleaning results, with salt and rinse aid in the same dose | Generally dearer per wash than powder. Some dish drawer models cannot use them |
| Powder | Generally less effective. The lowest-ranked products include powders | $0.08 (Housebrite, 40%) to $0.23 (Eco Planet, 71%) | Keeping the cost per wash down and choosing your own dose | Results vary a lot between products. No salt or rinse aid in the dose |
| Gel | Generally not as effective as tablets or pods | Not published in the examples we checked | Can be cheaper than some tablets | May contain a higher quantity of surfactants than tablets or powder |
The examples come from CHOICE's best and worst dishwasher detergents article, updated 20 October 2026. The percentage is CHOICE's expert rating for that product. The figures are examples and not a full list, so the table does not show the cheapest or dearest product in each type.
Is gel dishwasher detergent any good?
Not as good as a tablet or pod, according to CHOICE. It says gels can be cheaper than some tablets, but they are generally not as effective as tablets or pods, and they can contain a higher quantity of surfactants than tablets or powder.
We have not quoted a cost per wash for gel, because the CHOICE pages we checked do not publish one. If you use a Fisher & Paykel DishDrawer, see the next section, because its user guides list liquid detergents as unsuitable.
Can you use tablets in a Fisher & Paykel DishDrawer?
Usually yes in a current DishDrawer, but not in the detergent dispenser. Fisher & Paykel's user guides tell you to put the tablet directly in the tub or on a tablet tray in the cutlery basket, and to use powder in the dispenser.
The user guide for the DD60D2NX9 DishDrawer says not to place tablets or pouches in the dispenser. It says tablets could improve wash performance in hard water areas, and that the tablet should go between the racking at the side of the tub or on the tablet tray in the cutlery basket, never on the base of the drawer where it could interfere with the spray arm. The same guide lists liquid detergents as unsuitable and says they may damage the DishDrawer and lead to a service call that is not covered by warranty.
Older models differ. The guide for the DS605 and DD605 DishDrawer says to use only powdered detergent in the dispenser and not to place dishwasher tablets in the dispenser. It also says liquid detergents are not suitable. Find the user guide for your own model number before you switch detergent. We repair Fisher & Paykel appliances as an authorised repairer, and you can read about our Fisher & Paykel repairs.
Which dishwasher detergents did best in CHOICE's 2026 test?
Finish Powerball Ultimate 0% Tabs took first place with a score of 77%. Earth Choice All-in-1 Dish Tablets and Finish Powerball Ultimate Plus Tabs were equal second on 76%, according to CHOICE's media release of 20 October 2026.
| Place | Product | CHOICE expert rating | Cost per wash |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Finish Powerball Ultimate 0% Tabs | 77% | $1.07 |
| Equal 2nd | Earth Choice All-in-1 Dish Tablets | 76% | $0.42 |
| Equal 2nd | Finish Powerball Ultimate Plus Tabs | 76% | $1.26 |
The cost per wash differs a lot for almost the same score. Coles Ultra Dishwasher Tablets scored 75% at 14 cents a wash, which CHOICE singles out as virtually the same result for far less money.
Is cheap powder worth it?
Sometimes, but the product matters more than the type. In the same test the cheapest powder, Housebrite, scored 40% at 8 cents a wash and was the lowest performing detergent overall. Earth Choice Dishwasher Powder Lemon Fresh scored 47% at 21 cents.
A powder can do far better than that. Eco Planet Automatic Dishwasher Powder scored 71% at 23 cents a wash. CHOICE also says that most powder packs state a recommended dose regardless of the dishwasher, and that using a larger dose will tend to give slightly better results but pushes the cost per wash up. If you buy powder, check the score before the price. CHOICE also warns that you should not assume every product from the same brand performs equally well.
What do we see when the wrong detergent is used?
The faults we see tied to detergent are film on glasses and dishes that come out dirty. Both have causes other than the detergent type, so check those first.
Too much detergent, or a tablet that lands in a blocked compartment or on a cycle too short to dissolve it, can leave a film or chalky deposit. Our guide to cloudy glasses and white film explains how to tell film from permanent etching. If the dishes are coming out dirty, work through the checks in why a dishwasher is not cleaning dishes before you change brands. For the washing machine side of the detergent question, our note on powder versus liquid detergent covers both appliances.
If a good detergent, a clean filter and clear spray arms still give you dirty dishes, the fault may be in the machine. We repair dishwashers across the Illawarra and South Coast. The assessment fee is $125 across the Illawarra and $145 further out, and you get the quote before any work starts. Book a repair or call 02 4229 3777.
