The best automatic dishwasher detergents you can buy

Why you'll love them: If you are a Costco member, Kirkland Premium Dishwasher Pacs offer excellent cleaning results and save money.

Saving a few pennies each time you turn on the dishwasher can add up during the year. Kirkland Premium Dishwasher Pacs provide that savings, and according to Consumer Reports, perform as well as our top overall pick. At around 11 cents per use, this budget-friendly detergent works amazingly well in removing grease and baked-on foods.

Glasses and dishware came out clean with little spotting thanks to the product's rinse-aid. The individual pacs are simple to use and prevent waste from adding too much detergent. They come in a pleasant lemon citrus scent and stay dry in a sturdy recyclable container.

More than 60% of the reviews for Kirkland Premium Dishwasher Pacs on Amazon are five-star reviews. One buyer was thrilled with the results and the convenience of getting it without being a Costco member.

That's the downside of the product. If you are not a Costco member, the cost of buying from a third-party vendor negates any savings.

Pros: Easy to use, leaves dishes clean and spot-free, low-cost per-use

Cons: You must be a Costco member to benefit from the savings, cost more on Amazon

Buy Kirkland Premium Dishwasher Pacs at Costco for $11.79 Buy Kirkland Premium Dishwasher Pacs in a 115-count tub on Amazon for $22.39 — third-party sellers only

Why you'll love it: Environmentally-friendly with no phosphates, Palmolive Eco+ Gel is also easy on your budget.

If you like to use liquid dishwasher detergent, Palmolive Eco+ Gel is ranked as a leader by The Olive and other experts. Using a gel allows you to reduce the amount of dishwasher detergent used if you are washing a load of lightly soiled dishes and it dissolves easily. You can also use it as a pre-soak for pots and pans with burned-on food.

At a cost of only seven cents per load, Consumer Reports selected the gel as a best buy. Produced from only raw, natural materials and enhanced with environmentally-friendly enzymes, the gel does not contain artificial colorants and preservatives. It is available in a lemon or apple-citrus scent.

The gel does a good job with regular loads but does leave residue on heavily-soiled pans and some spotting on stainless-steel pieces and seems to work best in softer water that does not contain excessive minerals.

Pros: Cost-conscious, environmentally-friendly, easy-to-use, quick-dissolving

Cons: Does not work well on heavily-soiled pots and pans

Buy Palmolive Eco+ Gel in a 75-ounce bottle on Amazon for $13.89

Why you'll love it: If you prefer powdered dishwasher detergent, Cascade Complete Powder will leave your dishes clean and streak-free.

When it comes to powdered formulas of automatic dishwasher detergents, Good Housekeeping has not only ranked Cascade Complete Powder as one of the best, the site's experts have awarded it a Good Housekeeping Seal. According to GH, it left virtually no water spots on glassware after a load is complete.

Definitely one of the oldest brands on market shelves, Cascade Complete Powder still performs well and is one of the least expensive types of dishwasher detergents. I like the ability to determine the amount to use based on the soil-level of the load.

While powdered formulas can become lumpy if stored in a humid environment, they will dissolve well in the hot water of the dishwasher. Simply transfer the powder to a sealable plastic tub for better results.

With one of the largest collections of customer reviews for dishwasher detergents on Amazon, 81% gave it four or five stars.

Pros: Easy to find on market shelves, inexpensive cost per load, leaves glassware free of spots

Cons: Powder can absorb moisture and become lumpy if not stored properly

Buy Cascade Complete Powder 2-pack 75-ounce box on Amazon for $23.29

Why you'll love it: Perfect for septic-systems and from a company committed to improving the Earth, Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent Packs also leave your dishes clean and spot-free.

If you are looking for an environmentally-friendly dishwasher detergent from a company who is committed to the welfare of our planet, Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent Packs are an excellent choice.

Produced in the United States, the packs contain no chlorine, phosphates, or synthetic fragrances. Never tested on animals, the packs have the USDA bio-based certification.

A bit more expensive to use at 22 cents per load, the packs have loyal customers. One reviewer on Amazon states that they pass the baby bottle test. Her last try with an eco-friendly brand left a film on bottle nipples but Seventh Generation did not, and she was left squeaky clean bottle parts.

More than 66% of the reviewers on Amazon rated the packs with five stars and Consumer Reports ranks it as one of the best dishwasher detergents.

Pros: Never tested on animals, produced in the United States, uses only bio-based ingredients, environmentally-friendly with recyclable outer pouch

Cons: More expensive to use than some brands

Buy Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent Packs in an 86-count pouch on Amazon for $22.78