Popular Laundry Detergents Ranked From Worst To Best, Based On Reviews

Laundry. It probably is not your favorite chore, but it is one that you must do if you want to continue to have clean clothes, fresh linen, and fluffy towels. In order to get garments clean and bust stains it is important to choose the right laundry detergent. However, making that decision about what to use isn't always the easiest undertaking.

With so many different brands and formulations, like powders and liquids, not to mention pods and liquidless detergent sheets, walking down the cleaning aisle or browsing online can quickly become overwhelming. To help you simplify your decision, we researched some of the most popular laundry detergents and ranked them from worst to best based on customer reviews. In addition to paying attention to the overall product rating, we also considered the number of product reviews. To help us finalize our rankings, we evaluated other key factors, such as the cost per load and ease of use. For a more detailed explanation of our methodology, please see the end of the article. Below, you can find our rankings, starting with some of the worst options and then unveiling the most promising picks.

These Laundry Detergent Sheets for Men from Savage for Him might seem like a great idea at first glance. For those looking for an alternative to the floral and sweeter fragrances of many detergents, the citrus, sandalwood, and musky "Warrior Scent" may sound appealing. This option is also easy to use since all you have to do is toss one sheet in with each load. 

So, why are they ranked as the "worst" option on our list? Well, despite how appealing the laundry sheets may sound based on the manufacturer's description, actual customers don't seem to think very highly of them. They have a bleak 3.5-star rating, which is based on feedback from more than 450 customers. And, 30% of those reviewers gave these a 1- or 2-star rating, indicating how disappointed many users were. 

A 1-star reviewer wrote, "Extremely expensive for what you get, and the math doesn't math regarding the amount of loads they claim this box will last for. To get the number of loads advertised would require half of a sheet to a load. Yet they tell you to use an entire sheet per load or 'two for more scent and three for heavily soiled.'" Even with the assumption that you're using only one sheet per load, these are quite pricey, costing about $0.60 per load and over a dollar per load if you want a heavier scent. If you're looking for a detergent without any floral-like fragrance and at a lower price point, HEX Performance Laundry Detergent costs around $0.40 per load and has a 4.5-star rating. 

The Originally Yellow Plant-Based Ultra-Concentrated Laundry Detergent might sound appealing to those looking to discontinue the use of harsher chemicals. It is made without any volatile organic compounds (VOCs), bleach, or alcohol, promising peace of mind for anyone seeking a safer alternative. The manufacturer also states that this option is designed for use when hand-washing clothes or in a washing machine. 

Despite its resume, the majority of customers are not impressed with its performance, only giving this Originally Yellow detergent a 3.6-star rating. Possibly even more concerning is that more than 40% of customers only gave it a 1-, 2-, or 3-star rating. The manufacturer recommends using one capful for regular loads and two capfuls for larger or heavily soiled loads. However, some customers found that even this wasn't enough cleaning power for their needs – especially when dealing with stains. One wrote, "This laundry detergent works well on regular laundry with no stains, but I do have to use 2.5 cups versus 2 cups like it says. Since I have to use more, I'll only get 43 loads versus the advertised 64 loads." Another reviewer was so disappointed in the performance that they simply wrote, "This product should not even be made for sale ... terrible." One point in this detergent's favor, however, is that even if you wind up using 2.5 capfuls, the price per load works out to around $0.19.

The Liquid Laundry Dedtergent from DedCool is another one that sounds great until you take a deeper look at what real users have to say. Its formula combines organic and natural plant extracts, making it a safer alternative to many other products on the market. In addition to being non-toxic, it is also biodegradable, dye-free, cruelty-free, and vegan. DedCool boasts about the "luxurious fragrance" it imparts on clothing, with Milk, Red Dakota, Spring, Taunt, and Xtra Milk fragrances available.

However, when it comes to delivering on these claims, customers are not in agreement about whether the detergent actually provides a pleasant fragrance to their garments. One disappointed user shared, "Poured the recommended amount on a small batch of laundry and picked up the *slightest* scent when they were out the wash that was immediately gone once my clothes went through the dryer. I tried again with another batch of laundry with even more detergent and still nothing." The detergent has only a 3.8-star average, with more than one in three users giving it a 1-, 2-, or 3-star rating. However, unhappy reviews seem mostly to stem from the scent being faint, and there are very few complaints about the actual performance of the detergent. What's more, a high portion of the happy reviews list the light scent as a positive. So, if you're someone who doesn't like strong detergent fragrances competing with your perfume, this could still be a potential pick (although pricey, at $0.58 per load).

The Insogreen Dissolvable Laundry Detergent Sheets are an eco-friendly alternative to liquid detergents and pods which create a lot of plastic waste with their packaging. Each detergent sheet dissolves fully during a wash cycle and the packaging is entirely recyclable. The sheets feature a linen scent to keep your fabrics fresh and are easy to use.

Unfortunately, not all buyers have had a great experience with this product. Despite its 4.4-star rating, many have experienced the sheets failing to dissolve in their washers. In their review, one customer said, "I had issues washing in cold water as the sheet did not dissolve completely and required cleanup and rewashing of the load..." Another reviewer explained, "Today I washed a load three times because they just wouldn't dissolve. I've even tried tearing them into smaller pieces but all that happens is chunks of goo on my clothing and stuck to the inside of the washer."

To be fair, this is one of the common downsides to laundry detergent sheets, often caused by large loads, using the cold cycle, or failing to place the sheet in the machine correctly. Other reviewers who experienced issues with the sheets not dissolving reported that cutting them up or pre-dissolving them seemed to solve the problem. However, having to snip up laundry sheets kind of cancels out their convenience, and being forced to use the hot cycle isn't ideal from an energy-savings standpoint. That said, some buyers didn't have any issues with the sheets dissolving, and this product is one of the best eco-friendly laundry detergent sheets in terms of affordability, clocking in at $0.09 per load. 

Parents with babies or young children who are looking for a safe detergent might be considering the Noodle & Boo Ultra-Safe Laundry Detergent. The plant-based formula is hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested, and non-toxic. It is also vegan, soy-free, and cruelty-free, giving you confidence that you aren't introducing any harmful chemicals onto your little one's clothing and linens. This detergent also comes backed by high reviews from customers. It has an overall rating of 4.5 stars, with 80% of reviewers giving it a 5-star rating. Many customers rave about the detergent's quality, smell, and suitability for those with sensitive skin. 

So, with such rave reviews, why isn't this detergent even higher on our list? Well, unfortunately, it is one of the most expensive options we evaluated. It works out to be about $0.75 per load even for the larger bottles, which can quickly add up. If you do decide to give it a try, you'll definitely want to learn some tricks for getting every last drop of detergent out of the bottle to avoid letting any of it go to waste. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly alternative: While it's not a plant-based formula, Tide Free & Gentle liquid detergent is very well-reviewed by shoppers, costs much less ($0.20 per load if you buy the 84 fluid ounce bottle), and is dermatologist-recommended for babies. If you want to learn more about choosing a sensitive skin laundry detergent, here's what to look for on the label.

The Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Laundry Detergent is the highest-ranking plant-based laundry detergent on our list. It features a concentrated formula with enzymes designed to get rid of stains and leave clothing and linens clean and fresh. The formula is also fully biodegradable, making this an environmentally friendly option.

Overall, this product is highly regarded by customers. Of over 20,000 reviewers, 83% gave it a 5-star rating and it has an overall 4.7-star average. Here is what one satisfied customer had to say: "I've been using it for years. It is natural and environmentally friendly. My clothes always come out clean, soft, and smelling so good. It dissolves well, and easy to follow instructions for use." 

There were two main reasons why this didn't rank smack at the top of our overall ratings. First, despite the high percentage of 5-star reviews, some of the other detergents below had even more positive ratings from customers. Second, at about a quarter per load, the Mrs. Meyer's detergent — while reasonable — is a little more expensive than some of the other options we evaluated. However, this biodegradable formulation ranks as the best pick if you're looking for a plant-based product. 

The Persil Everyday Clean Liquid Laundry Detergent is a top pick to consider, especially if you are tired of watching your favorite clothing items become faded and discolored the more you wash them. The formula is specially designed with fabric protection technology that works to keep whites white and colors bright as well as preventing dark clothing from fading. The formula is also concentrated, reducing the amount of detergent that you'll need to use in each load to effectively clean garments and linens.

Customers have a lot of positive things to say about this detergent. It has an impressive overall rating of 4.8 stars, with 86% of reviewers giving it a 5-star rating and an additional 8% giving it a 4-star rating. At $0.24 per load, it is reasonably priced, but still more expensive than some of the other detergents that rank a bit higher in our list. "I trust in the gentle, yet deep clean this detergent provides. Persil protects my clothing from color fade and fabric damage and has a subtle yet fresh and enjoyable scent," shared one customer who called this their "go-to detergent."

The Free & Gentle Tide PODS might be the best choice for you if you or someone else in your home has sensitive skin. The hypoallergenic formula contains no dyes, perfumes, or residues that can irritate skin. In addition to being safer for those with sensitive skin, these Tide pods are also convenient to use. You just need to toss one in with each load, and its 3-in-1 design will work to clean clothing and linens, remove stains, and protect colors from fading.

More than 30,000 customers have reviewed this detergent option, giving it an average rating of 4.8 stars with 86% of reviewers giving it 5 stars. Many reviewers commented on its cleaning ability, scent, and safety for their sensitive skin. "My husband is very sensitive to contact allergens ... I struggled to find a laundry detergent that didn't cause irritation for him. Once we started using this, I never looked back. These pods are gentle on the skin, but they are tough on stains!" wrote one happy user. 

Everyone's heard of Tide Original Laundry Detergent. Many rely on its ability to give a deep clean to fabrics while also leaving behind a fresh scent. The liquid detergent's formula also promises to brighten clothing and keep it looking its best, even after multiple washes.

With an average rating of 4.8 stars based on more than 53,000 reviews, Tide Original is one of the most highly-reviewed detergents on our list. Just over 87% of reviewers gave it a 5-star rating and many of these reviews rave about its quality, scent, and reliable performance. One reviewer shared, "This isn't some fancy, boutique cleaner; it's the workhorse of the laundry room. It's the reliable, go-to detergent that's been a staple in households for generations, and for good reason. There aren't any bells and whistles here, just consistent, effective cleaning power. It tackles everyday grime, food stains, and those mysterious... well, laundry stains, with ease."

It was a tough call on where to place this detergent in the rankings due to the high reviews it has. However, our second-place pick squeaked by with a higher percentage of 5-star reviews. And, our top detergent offers a lower per-load cost while still maintaining top-notch ratings.

The Gain + Odor Defense Laundry Pods are our top pick for those looking for the convenience of laundry pods. Each pod features three different fillings to help clean laundry items, eliminate odors, and deliver a fresh scent to each load. The container is even convenient, featuring a pop top that's quicker to open and close than the zippered bags some other pod brands use.

With a high 4.8-star rating from nearly 9,000 customers, these earn the second spot in our roundup. Nearly 90% of reviewers gave these pods a 5-star rating, with an additional 8% of reviewers giving them 4 stars. Customers like the scent, quality, and overall ease of use of these pods. One reviewer shared, "Each pod is easy to toss in — no mess, no measuring, just fresh-smelling clothes that stay soft and vibrant."

The Gain Original + Aroma Boost Original Detergent earns the top spot in our roundup. This liquid detergent, which is compatible with all washing machine types, features a pleasant scent to help freshen each load of laundry. It can keep clothing and linens smelling fresh for up to six weeks, helping ensure they'll be ready whenever you want to use them. Its formula also works to remove dirt and stains to keep your clothes looking their best too.

There are a few reasons this detergent earns the top spot on our list. First, it has an impressive 4.8-star rating, which is based on more than 100,000 reviews, with many raving about the detergent's cleaning performance, scent, and ease of use. Here's what one satisfied user shared: "This has to be by far the best detergent. Smells amazing. Cleans clothes well. Great value for money. Highly recommend." Beyond its performance, this detergent is also affordable, costing just $0.15 per load.

Several factors were evaluated when compiling this ranking of popular laundry detergents. We looked at the overall product rating and the number of reviews that were averaged to calculate it and went beyond this basic statistic by considering the number of 4- and 5-star reviews too. Additionally, we also compared the cost per load and other features of the various detergents on our list and used this information to help us finalize the rankings.