The 10 Best Laundry Detergents of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Gain Original Liquid Laundry Detergent + Aroma Boost

4.9

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Feel
  5/5
• Scent
  4.9/5
• Effectiveness
  4.8/5
• Value
  5/5

Our tester, who has used the same brand of detergent for her entire adult life, was wowed by the Gain Laundry Detergent Liquid Soap Plus Aroma Boost results. "The smell is phenomenal and the stain removing power was competitive ... I am considering switching laundry detergents," she raved. "For anyone looking for a dependable time-test detergent that smells awesome, I could easily and happily recommend this detergent."

During the testing process, Gain outperformed a number of other detergents on multiple stains, including chocolate and liquid foundation, and on the red wine stain, too. It also lightened grass stains and tomato sauce. While it didn't display the same stain-fighting capabilities as a targeted stain remover, it handled some of the stains "impressively well." The feel of materials washed with Gain was also pleasant. "All the clothes felt clean, lightweight, and washed ... There was no stiffness or stickiness," our tester reported.

And, that smell! Our tester described it as "incredible ... slightly sweet and fruity, but it also has a nice floral scent mixed into it." For the record, we tried the original scent, but discerning noses will be pleased to know that additional scents like Apple Mango Tango and Spring Lavender are available, too.

As with many detergents, you'll want to be sure to measure carefully so you don't add too much to your loads. Still, "I think [it's] a great value as long as you can resist going overboard with the measurements," our tester said, noting that the average price per load ($0.19) was less than our calculated median price of the group of detergents tested ($0.25).

Price at time of publish: $17 for 2 bottles

_{Type: Liquid | Size: 65 ounces | Number of Loads: 45 | Scent: Original}

Best Budget

Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin Free & Clear Liquid Laundry Detergent

4.3

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Feel
  4.3/5
• Scent
  4/5
• Effectiveness
  3/5
• Value
  5/5

We appreciate that the Sensitive Skin Free & Clear Liquid Laundry Detergent from Arm & Hammer not only comes at a wallet-friendly price point (and in a big bottle!), but also has a gentle, hypoallergenic formula free of preservatives, dyes, and perfumes. The formula features—you guessed it—Arm & Hammer baking soda, drawing on the legacy brand's well-known staple product.

When our tester put it up to his nose, he found that the detergent had a light chemical smell to it. After washing, everything smelled clean. The bottle's design features an easy handle, plus measured markings on the lid to make for easy pouring and portioning.

The one area where this option fell short was on targeted stain removal. "All of the boxes still had traces of stain," our tester reported. Though, it's worth noting that "[t]he chocolate came out the best." If your household is prone to lots of spills or stains, you may want to keep an extra stain remover on hand, or consider one of the picks that proved more effective in this area. But if you're seeking a budget-friendly choice with gentle cleaning capabilities, it's definitely worth your consideration.

Price at time of publish: $10

_{Type: Liquid | Size: 144.5 fluid ounces | Number of Loads: 107 | Scent: Unscented}

Best Pods

Tide Pods Spring Meadow Laundry Detergent

4.9

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Feel
  4.8/5
• Scent
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4.5/5
• Value
  5/5

Pods have many advantages over traditional liquid detergents. For starters, pods eliminate the need to measure and pour detergent—you’ll always use just the right amount. There’s also no need to worry about spills or drips or leaving the bottle precariously perched upside-down to get just one more load out of the bottle.

They’re just as effective, too. During our testing in The Lab, the Tide Pods rivaled the dozens of other competitors in their stain-fighting prowess. "I would recommend this product," our tester said. "I like the way it cleaned compared to the other soap I used. " He noted that items were "less stiff and smelled better" after they were washed with Tide pods, and that the smell was clean and "not overpowering."

The pods did calculate to be right at the median price of $0.25 per load, and given the overall convenience and pre-measured ease of use, our tester felt like the value was there. "I don't feel like it was overpriced for the better results." The one area of caution with pods is that wet hands can ruin your supply, but this isn't unique to Tide by any means.

Price at time of publish: $21

_{Type: Pods | Size: 81 pods | Number of Loads: up to 81 | Scent: Spring Meadow}

Best Powder

Gain Original Powder Laundry Detergent

4.6

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Feel
  5/5
• Scent
  4/5
• Effectiveness
  4.3/5
• Value
  4.8/5

Marking Gain's second appearance on our list, the powder also received rave reviews for its "excellent" fragrance and reasonable price per load. Our savvy tester also noted that it did a "decent job" of fading the majority of stains and removing the chocolate stain, adding, "I would never expect a detergent to remove 100 percent of the stains in this test." In our eyes, Gain Original Powder Detergent is a good staple to keep on hand for regular washes, or to pair with a trusted stain remover when it comes to heavily soiled items.

The package is designed to include a plastic handle for carrying. Our tester said, "It was easy to use the measuring cup (included in the detergent box) to scoop out the needed amount of detergent. There were five marks on the measuring cup for small to extra large." With the exception of the linen napkin, tested items also "were soft to the touch and easily pliable when removed from the dryer."

The fragrance earned high marks too, just as it did in its Gain liquid counterpart. After opening the box, our tester said, "the odor burst from the container and standing next to it with the box on a table I could easily smell it ... After drying the fragrance was less, but it definitely had a positive clean odor which was pleasing." If you want your clothes to feel soft and smell fresh, it's a great choice.

Price at time of publish: $21

_{Type: Powder | Size: 172 ounces | Number of Loads: 150 | Scent: Original}

Best Sheets

Grove Co. Laundry Detergent Sheets

4.6

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Feel
  5/5
• Scent
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4.5/5
• Value
  3.5/5

Laundry detergent sheets are, perhaps, the newest, trendy laundry products out there, but they shouldn’t be overlooked. They’re lightweight and compact, plus they’re free of plastic, dyes, fragrances, and optical brighteners. They also have the added bonus of being easy to store, making them perfect for cramped laundry rooms. In the case of these Grove Co. sheets, they've also shown to be effective at caring for your clothes, too. Post washing and drying, "items were less stiff. The towel was noticeably softer and fluffier than before it was washed," our tester said. Plus, thanks to the 100 percent natural essential oils and plant extracts, they have a lavender and bloom scent, and "all of the laundry smelled clean after being washed and dried."

It's worth noting that, consistent with a number of our picks, these are not a one-size-fits all choice that can handle heavy stain removal. Our testing showed them to be better suited for small and medium loads without heavy stains. They're also above the median price per load that we calculated ($0.40 versus the $0.25 median), but with the overall convenience and sustainability, we still felt they earned their Best Sheets title.

Price at time of publish: $13

_{Type: Sheets | Size: 32 sheets | Number of Loads: 32 | Scent: Lavender}

Best Eco-Friendly

ECOS Plastic-Free Liquidless Laundry Detergent Sheets

4.6

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  4.8/5
• Feel
  5/5
• Scent
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4.2/5
• Value
  4/5

Not to be confused with fabric softeners, these sheets are a very eco-friendly laundry detergent. They come tucked in recyclable cardboard boxes, and they're formulated without dyes, phthalates, or formaldehyde—only eco-friendly ingredients. They're a cinch to use, too. Just add one to each load of wash and you're good to go. "The sheet was easy to use and the box would be easy to store," our tester confirmed.

When it comes to spot removal, our tester observed, "There is a difference in all of the stains to different degrees." Like many of our picks, you'll want to supplement with a targeted stain remover for your most soiled clothes, but you can still expect comfy results, as most of the tested items "were less stiff and smelled better." Speaking of the smell, our tester reported that when the sheets were in the box, "the scent was very light of chemicals," but that after washing, clothes "smelled clean and the scent of chemicals was gone."

At roughly $0.25 per load, they come in under the median price per load, too, making them an overall easy-to-use, eco-friendly, and cost-efficient choice.

Price at time of publish: $29 for 2 boxes

_{Type: Sheets | Size: 57 count | Number of Loads: 114 | Scent: Free & Clear}

Best for Sensitive Skin

All Free Clear Liquid Laundry Detergent

4.9

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  4.8/5
• Feel
  4.8/5
• Scent
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

For those with sensitive skin, safety and efficacy are of high importance. This liquid detergent by All expertly fits the bill. It's made without any dyes or perfumes and comes recommended by dermatologists, pediatricians, and allergists. This is why we ranked it as our Best for Sensitive Skin. And, in our experience, you can be sure it’ll remove those tough stains and odors. "The detergent does a great job against stains, the best I've seen," our tester summarized.

It's fragrance-free, but still leaves "a very subtle and light clean scent on the fabrics." With the exception of the white shirt feeling a bit stiff, our tester said that the rest of the clothes were soft and pliable, and the towel came out fluffy, too.

"I would definitely recommend this product," she said. "It performs well, has easy-to-carry and easy-to-dispense packaging, and comes at a low cost." On the subject of cost, it's $0.15 a load, well below the median price of $0.25. "I feel that this product outperforms all the other detergents I tested ... I would even pay more for this product than what it goes for," our tester said.

Price at time of publish: $18

_{Type: Liquid | Size: 80.1 ounces | Number of Loads: 110 | Scent: Unscented}

Best Liquid

HEX Performance Laundry Detergent

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  4.8/5
• Feel
  5/5
• Scent
  4.5/5
• Effectiveness
  4.9/5
• Value
  5/5

In a competitive category, this Hex liquid detergent squeaked out ahead of its peers. "All laundered items feel light and not stiff. The washcloth came out light and fluffy," our tester observed. Plus, "this detergent seemed slightly above average in removing stains."

Here's what we love about it: The bottle isn't hard to use to use because it's "small, as the detergent is concentrated. Therefore it is light and easy to lift. It is easy to pour from, as well." It did leave a light chemical smell, but our tester was quick to note that it "wasn't obnoxious at all." One area of potential improvement is the clarity between the packaging and the measurements on the cap. "It's not unclear, but it is odd that ounces are the primary measurement listed, but ounces are not listed on the measurement cap," our tester noted.

Overall, our tester would recommend HEX, noting, "It fights stains relatively well, it is in lightweight and compact packaging, and does not cost much more than average." At $0.34 per load, it's above the $0.25 median, but our tester summarized, "I do think that this price is reflective of the product's value and all of its features, considering it is an above-average stain fighter [and] is relatively scent-free, lightweight, and compact."

Price at time of publish: $24 for 2 bottles

_{Type: Liquid | Size: 2 32-ounce bottles | Number of Loads: 64 | Scent: Fresh & Clean}

Best Scented

Gain Original Flings Laundry Detergent

4.9

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Feel
  5/5
• Scent
  4.9/5
• Effectiveness
  4.7/5
• Value
  5/5

Another contender that comes as pods, perhaps it not a surprise that another Gain product made it to the top of the list for scented detergents. Our tester, who confirmed that they wouldn't change a thing about this product, said, "The items smelled clean and the scent wasn't overpowering at all ... I would recommend this product. I like the way it cleaned compared to the other soaps I used."

In the case of Gain Flings, even the packaging earned a thumbs-up. "The plastic container was light and easy to use and lift," our tester observed, adding that the pod itself was "easy to use and not messy." Usually one pod will do, but if you're ever distracted or find yourself wanting to double-check instructions, they're right on the container, so you won't need to go searching for them. When it came to stain removal, like many of the detergents we tested, a marked difference was made in the stains but they were still visible, so these pods won't fully replace your favorite stain remover. But for a regular wash, our tester confirmed that the whites came out brighter and the towel felt fluffier, too.

These pods are priced right at the median of our tested products too, ($0.25 per load), but provided "better results" than many others. They're available in multiple scents, and we also like that refill packs are sold, so you can reuse the plastic container to your heart's content.

Price at time of publish: $21

_{Type: Pods | Size: 81 pods | Number of Loads: up to 81 | Scent: Original}