As dishwashing product prices skyrocket, Choice tests reveal which brands are actually worth it

Dishwashing tablets have seen some of the sharpest price increases of any supermarket product category, with some versions of the household staple priced at $50 or more per bag.

They are also more expensive than humble dishwashing powder, which still exists but has fallen out favour compared to the perceived quality and effectiveness of a dishwashing tablet.

But are the pricier ones really as effective as they claim to be?

Consumer group Choice tested out the most popular brands of dishwashing tablets on the market, with surprising results. While some of the pricier brands tested well, a budget buy held its own.

Thirty-four dishwashing tablets and detergents were tested as part of the study – and Finish Powerball Ultimate 0% Tabs took out the top spot.

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These were awarded an expert rating of 77 per cent. This product is priced at $44 for a packet of 46, which costs $1.07 per tablet.

In second place was budget buy Earth Choice All-in-1 Dish Tablets, with a 76 per cent expert rating. This product costs much less, at $17.80 for a packet of 42 tablets, equating to 42c per tablet.

Finish Powerball Ultimate Plus Tabs landed in third with a 76 per cent expert rating. This is one of the most expensive on the list at $58 for a packet of 46 tablets, or $1.26 each.

In fourth place was Bosisto’s Supreme Plus Dishwasher Capsules (not tablets) Eucalyptus Oil with an expert score of 75 per cent and at a cost of 83c per tablet.

Coles’ home brand came in fifth spot, with a 75 per cent Choice expert rating. This is one of the most affordable products, at $5.40 for a packet of 40, or 14c each.

Ecostore Ultra Power Dishwasher Tablets Lemon Fresh came sixth, with a 75 per cent expert rating. Shoppers will may $24.50 for a packet of 36, at a cost of 68c each.

Another Finish product, Finish Powerball Ultimate Tabs, was named in seventh place and costs $49 for a packet of 46, which is $1.07 per tablet.

A dishwashing powder product doesn’t feature on the list until 20th place, in the form of Eco Planet Automatic Dishwasher Powder Tarata and Kaffir Lime.

Choice experts awarded it a 71 per cent rating, and it costs just $7.70 for a 50-wash container at 23c per wash.

Woolworths and Coles’ home brand dishwashing powders took out 26th and 27th place on the list respectively.

The Woolworths product was given a 65 per cent expert rating and costs $3.90 for a 1kg packet at 8c per wash, while Coles’ earned a 61 per cent product rating and is priced at $3.70 for a 1kg container, which is just 9c per wash.