The 8 Top-Rated Laundry Detergents, Tested and Reviewed

Top Pick

When it comes to laundry detergents, Gain Original Liquid Laundry Detergent stands out. It excelled at removing wine stains—leaving no trace behind—and worked equally well on chocolate and foundation stains. However, it didn't quite measure up when tackling oil stains on our workout shirts.

After using this detergent, our towels felt incredibly soft and fluffy, while all our clothes were spotless. And the fragrance? Absolutely irresistible. Given its captivating scent and impressive stain-fighting ability, we were surprised that it came in below the average price range.

Type: Liquid | Scented: Yes | HE-Compatible: Yes

Top Pods

When it comes to ease of use, pod detergents are second to none. They eliminate the hassle and mess of traditional laundry—just toss in a pod and start the machine. Pods are available in packs ranging from 20 to 112, allowing you to start small if you want to test them out before committing.

After washing, most of our linens were soft with no residue or sticky feel—except for our towels, which became a bit stiffer. While these pods are very convenient, they don’t offer the strongest stain removal power, and several stains were still slightly visible. We love these for a lighter clean, but for heavily soiled clothes, pre-treatment might be necessary.

Type: Pods | Scented: Yes | HE-Compatible: Yes

Top Powder

If you're a fan of powder detergents, Molly’s Suds offers a fantastic option. Its plant-based formula is free of parabens and artificial dyes, and it contains just four simple ingredients—sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium sulfate, and sea salt—making it perfect for those with sensitive skin. We tested the unscented version, which left our linens smelling fresh and clean without any overpowering fragrance—just enough to mask stains without being too strong. If you prefer a scent, there are plenty of fragrant options available.

During testing, it completely removed chocolate and red wine stains. It had some difficulty with foundation and chlorophyll stains, but did manage to lighten jojoba oil marks. You can also use it as a pre-treatment by wetting the area and creating a paste. The amount of powder you use depends on how much laundry you’re washing.

After washing our clothes and towels, everything felt soft, especially the grey shirt. With the small scooper provided, one bag lasts for about 70 washes. Offering strong stain-fighting power and a subtle scent, it’s a great value for the price.

Type: Powder | Scented: No, but scented versions are available | HE-Compatible: Yes

Top Sheets

Although laundry detergent sheets are less common than their liquid and powder counterparts, they offer a mess-free, plastic-free, and space-saving alternative. The Bryt Laundry Detergent sheets performed just as well as liquid detergents in our tests. They effectively removed chocolate stains and got rid of red wine from a grey shirt. While some stains were still visible, they faded by at least 50%, and the fragrance was subtle, mostly a “fresh linen” scent.

Unlike liquid detergents that require precise measurements, these sheets are incredibly easy to use—just drop one in per load, and you’re set. After washing, the T-shirt felt soft, and the linen napkin was even softer. However, the terry towel felt a little rough, and both the shirt and napkin had some noticeable wrinkles. Still, we found these sheets to be effective and user-friendly. At around 30 cents per sheet, they offer great value.

Type: Sheets | Scented: Yes | HE-Compatible: Yes

Best Unscented

For those who prefer a more natural approach, All Free Clear Liquid Laundry Detergent proves that you don’t need strong fragrances to fight stains. Free of perfumes and dyes, it left our linens with a light, fresh ‘clean’ scent.

During our tests, we were impressed with its stain-removal capabilities—chocolate, mud, and wine stains vanished from our T-shirt, and the oil stain was nearly gone. Our towels were soft and fluffy, and most of our clothes felt flexible. One T-shirt came out a bit stiff, but the detergent’s overall performance made up for it.

Type: Liquid | Scented: No | HE-Compatible: Yes

Best Fragrance

One of the greatest joys of wearing freshly cleaned clothes is the clean scent, and Tide’s EVO Laundry Detergent certainly delivers in that area. After placing the box on our dining table, it practically filled the room with fragrance. For standard loads, one tile did the trick; for larger or dirtier loads, we required two. We were pleasantly surprised that even the most heavily soiled items came out smelling fresh. However, keep in mind that the potent fragrance may be too strong for those with sensitive noses.

These Tide tiles offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic pods, made with 100% concentrated ingredients sealed in soft fabric. We appreciated the convenience of no messy measuring, unlike liquid detergent, and found that it dissolved easily. After washing, our clothes felt soft, fresh, and free from any residue. Unfortunately, at about 50 cents per tile, and requiring two for some loads, the cost can add up, making it less economical for regular use.

Type: Tile | Scented: Yes | HE-Compatible: Yes

Best for Stains

When an unexpected stain appears, it can ruin your outfit, but if you're someone prone to spills, Hex Performance Laundry Detergent is a lifesaver. It fully removed chocolate and wine stains during our testing and excelled in eliminating a stubborn foundation stain—something other detergents failed to do.

After washing, our clothes were soft and airy, with no stiffness or roughness. While a faint chemical scent lingered on the fabric, it was mild enough not to be a major issue. If you're dealing with tough stains, this detergent is definitely worth trying.

Type: Liquid | Scented: Yes | HE-Compatible: Yes

Best for Sensitive Skin

Strong fragrances and harsh chemicals can cause skin irritation; however, Dropps Sensitive Skin & Baby Detergent is formulated with those sensitivities in mind. This vegan detergent is free from fragrances, dyes, parabens, phthalates, phosphates, and optical brighteners, ensuring that you don't have to worry about chemicals causing discomfort. It's even gentle enough for babies and pets, earning an A rating from the EWG.

The tradeoff with its natural ingredients is its stain-fighting power. It successfully removed chocolate and wine stains from our T-shirts, but other stains were only partially removed. However, we did appreciate that our linens didn’t feel greasy, sticky, or wrinkled after washing.

The pods are available in packs of 64, 128, or 192, with bulk purchases offering better deals. Though it is slightly expensive, if you prioritize a natural formula, the cost is justified.

Type: Pods | Scented: No | HE-Compatible: Yes

Final Conclusion

Our number one recommendation is the Gain Original Liquid Laundry Detergent, which impressed us with its outstanding ability to tackle wine, chocolate, and foundation stains. We also loved its light and refreshing scent. For those with sensitive skin, we suggest the Dropps Sensitive Skin & Baby Detergent. It’s free of fragrance, dyes, and other harsh ingredients, making it gentle enough for babies and pets.

Our Review Method

We evaluated 36 different laundry detergents—including liquids, pods, sheets, and powders—narrowing down our choices to those that were effective, easy to use, and offered a pleasant fragrance without being overwhelming.

To assess each detergent's stain-fighting ability, we intentionally stained four different types of fabric: a cotton T-shirt, a polyester athletic T-shirt, a terry cloth towel, and a linen napkin. Various stains were applied to each item to test how well the detergents could tackle them. For the cotton T-shirt, we used jojoba oil, chocolate, wine, and foundation. The gray athletic T-shirt had foundation replaced with chlorophyll for a grass stain simulation. We used foundation, mud, and chlorophyll for the terry cloth towel, and for the linen napkin, we applied chocolate, wine, and spaghetti sauce.

Each item was then washed using the detergent amount recommended by the manufacturer. We evaluated the results based on how well the stains were removed, whether the fabrics remained soft or became stiff, and if any scent lingered. Using these factors, we compiled a list of the top laundry detergents.

Expert Tips for Shopping for Laundry Detergents

Categories

Laundry detergents come in various types, and there's no one-size-fits-all solution. You can choose from liquids, pods, powders, and sheets, each offering different benefits.

When it comes to convenience, pod detergents are the easiest option. Unlike liquids and powders, which can get messy and require measuring, pods take the guesswork out of the equation—you simply toss one in. The downside is the price (pods tend to cost more) and environmental concerns due to their plastic packaging. They may also be less suited for small loads, as you can't adjust the quantity based on your laundry size.

Powder detergents are often more affordable than liquids or pods, and their concentrated formulas pack a punch. Some, like Molly’s Suds Laundry Detergent Powder, can even be used for pre-treatment by mixing them with water to create a paste. Plus, you can tailor the amount you use depending on the size of your load, making them more economical. The catch is that powder detergents must fully dissolve in water to avoid residue on your clothes. Some powders may not dissolve well in cold water, so always check the label before using them on delicate fabrics.

Because liquid detergents are pre-dissolved, there's no concern about clumps or residue. However, they tend to be the messiest to use. Most come with a transparent cap that includes markings to help measure the right amount, based on your load size. Despite this, pouring can still get messy, so it’s a good idea to keep a towel or napkins on hand.

Detergent sheets have recently gained popularity in the laundry market, offering the same convenience as pods due to their pre-measured size. They're also great for saving space, as they usually come in compact packaging. However, they can't be adjusted based on your laundry load, and they're generally not as effective on stubborn stains.

Composition

The composition of a detergent—its ingredients—directly influences how effective it is. Cohoon suggests prioritizing surfactants and enzymes when selecting a detergent, as these are the primary agents 'doing the heavy lifting.' She also recommends avoiding harsh chemicals like bleach and steering clear of overly diluted detergents, which can diminish their cleaning power.

In addition to cleaning power, skin irritation is a factor to consider. Since your detergent comes into contact with both your clothes and skin, it's important to understand its composition. For those with sensitive skin, natural formulas are recommended. These use enzymes, which are naturally present in the body and less likely to cause irritation. Unscented formulas are also a safer option for avoiding fragrance-related sensitivities.

If you're seeking a particularly gentle option, we suggest the Dropps Sensitive Skin & Baby Detergent Scent, free from fragrances, dyes, enzymes, and other ingredients that could irritate. However, in our testing, we found that natural detergents often struggle to tackle stubborn stains as effectively.

Trust Us on This

This article was crafted by Jamie Fischer, a writer for Mytour, who has nearly two years of experience covering home and cleaning products. She’s used both liquid detergents and pods, with a preference for the convenience of pods. Additionally, we consulted Kathy Cohoon, a cleaning expert from Two Maids, for her professional advice on what to consider when shopping for laundry detergents.