The best laundry detergents for 2026, tested and reviewed
After trying two dozen, we found the powders, pods and liquids that'll bust food, dirt, ink and other stubborn stains.
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There's nothing like splurging on a new piece of clothing, only to find it splattered with sauce, covered in coffee drips or marred with mystery stains at the end of the day. We've all been there — and we also know what it's like to toss your stuff into the washing machine expecting it to come out clean, only to find remnants of the mess still in place. That's why we tested 24 top laundry detergents to see how they fared.
I'm on the cleaning beat at Yahoo and have interviewed dozens of experts throughout my career. For this guide, I consulted one of my favorite laundry pros, The Laundry Book
author and fourth-generation dry cleaner, Zachary Pozniak
. With his advice, I pitted some of the most popular pods, powders, and liquids against common stain culprits, including makeup, dirt, grass, and ink, to find the very best laundry detergents for 2026. This story includes scent-free formulas, but if you're all about fragrance, check out our list of the best scented laundry detergents
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Best laundry detergents for 2026
Volume:84 fl. oz. | Number of loads:64 | Cost per load:20 cents
My overall top pick is Tide Free & Gentle, a ... well, gentle giant of a formula that hit the sweet spot in testing for performance, ingredients and cost-efficiency. The liquid formula made olive oil, ketchup, chocolate ice cream and even red wine completely disappear from the stain swatches I prepped (more on our testing protocols further down below). It also greatly reduced the appearance of dirt, grass, sauce, mustard, foundation, lipstick and pen ink.
I gave Free & Gentle top honors because it's made without dyes and perfumes, so it's a better choice for babies, kids and anyone with sensitive skin. The fact that the liquid is clear versus blue like some detergents also makes it less prone to staining when it comes to pre-treating.
Another pro: For being so efficient, Tide's Free & Gentle is easy on the budget. At only 20 cents per load, it's one of the most affordable Tide products of the two dozen I tested. It also comes in pod form for those who prefer the convenience, and for 4 cents more per load.
- Budget-friendly
- Free of dyes and perfumes
- HE machine-compatible
- Some might not like that it's fragrance-free
Count:42 | Number of loads:42 | Cost per load:29 cents
Detergent pods have become increasingly popular for their practicality: Each represents one dose, so you don't need to worry about measuring anything, they're easier to carry than a big bottle, and some experts like Pozniak have found them to pack more potency in general.
When it came to efficacy, it was Persil Everyday Clean Ultra Pacs for the win. A single pod removed olive oil, ketchup, chocolate ice cream and red wine (and just about all the pen ink) with ease.
The "stubborn six" in my testing — grass, clay, liquid foundation, lipstick, mustard and tomato sauce — were still visible, but much less so. In fact, this detergent worked just as well as another top performer, Tide's Oxi Boost Power Pods , but at a more accessible price point (29 cents versus 44 cents per load). And while the main performance metric here was stain removal, these pods also have a clean scent that left my swatches and towels smelling oh-so-fresh.
- Budget-friendly
- Fresh scent
- HE machine-compatible
- Can't customize dosage with pods
Volume:114 oz. | Number of loads:73 | Cost per load:27 cents
If you're looking for, or at least open to, a good powder laundry detergent, Tide's Ultra Oxi proved the one to beat. I tossed in half a scoop (there's a mini scooper in the box) with varying stain swatches, along with a dirty towel, and this magic powder wiped the slate (at least mostly) clean.
Ultra Oxi removed the same stains as the detergents above, with the addition of the red sauce. It left only light traces of grass, dirt/clay, liquid foundation, mustard and pen ink. It also got out more red lipstick than any other detergent in testing.
Pozniak says that "powdered detergents work best for whitening and brightening because they are the only form that includes powdered oxygen bleach, or sodium percarbonate." He also notes that their cardboard boxes make them a good option for those looking to avoid plastic. Plus, you can easily pretreat fabrics with powder: "Just mix a bit with water to create a paste," he says.
- Includes oxi brightener
- Removed the most stains
- Can be used as a paste for pre-treating
- HE machine-compatible
- Powders can be messy
Volume:63 fl. oz. | Number of loads:48 | Cost per load:27 cents
If a good-smelling laundry detergent is a priority, Tide's PurClean collection came out at the top of our scented laundry detergent testing for its impressive performance and sweet fragrance, described by testers as "clean" and "delicious."
The formula eliminated olive oil, red wine and chocolate ice cream from our stain swatches without leaving a trace. None of the scented detergents we tested completely removed pen ink, lipstick or mustard entirely but, like the Tide detergents above, this one got most of them.
Fabrics washed in this detergent and then put through a dryer cycle retained a good amount of the scent's sweetness and freshness, even if it wasn't as strong as it smelled in the bottle.
As another pro, the Environmental Protection Agency has labeled this detergent a "Safer Choice " for people and the environment, meaning every ingredient has been evaluated by EPA scientists. And despite its thoughtful formulation — made without any chlorine or dyes — the cost is pretty competitive (at only 27 cents per load, one of the more budget-friendly on our list).
- "Safer Choice" certified
- Smells (subtly) sweet and clean
- Free of chlorine and dyes
- Scent isn't as strong as some others post-washing and drying
Pod, liquid or powder? Keep scrolling to discover which laundry detergent formula is right for you. (Kristin Granero/Yahoo)
Factors to consider when choosing a laundry detergent
So many detergents, so little time! Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping.
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Detergent type:
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Liquidsare often cheaper than other formulas, and because you can use as much or as little as you like, easily adjustable depending on the severity of the mess and size of the load.
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Powders,like liquids, allow you to customize your dosage depending on the size (or dirt level) of your laundry.
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Podseliminate the need for measuring and are less messy to use than liquid (no drips!). However, you may not want to keep them around if you have kids, as there have been cases of children ingesting them by accident. They also often come at a higher cost than liquid detergents.
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Sheets:Detergent sheets have grown in popularity as a more sustainable alternative to plastic laundry tubs and pods. We have not yet included sheets in our testing because our research has shown that they don't perform as well as other formulations and don't always dissolve properly, particularly in cold water.
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Stain type:If you or someone in your household is prone to messes, look for a detergent with "oxi" in the name, which means it contains oxygen bleach or a cleaning agent with oxygen-based stain-fighting properties, to help tackle tough stains. For sweat (and its accompanying stink), try a formula that contains baking soda or other deodorizers that can help neutralize odors.
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Fragrance type and intensity:Laundry detergent scents usually fall into one of these categories: fresh, floral or fruity. How do you know if a fragrance will last long? The stronger it is at first whiff, the stronger it will often be post-wash. Naturally scented formulas seem to be the exception to this rule, though.
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Skin sensitivity:The most long-lasting scents are often synthetic, so if you're someone with allergies or sensitive skin, you may need to forgo fragrance in exchange for a gentler formula. Look for detergents that are hypoallergenic and free of harsh dyes and overly heavy fragrances.
Swatch party: We stained pieces of cloth with ketchup, mustard, sauce, ice cream, dirt, grass and more in an attempt to assess which laundry detergents were best. (Kristin Granero/Yahoo)
How we tested laundry detergents
We scoured the internet, sorting through thousands of shopper comments on brand and retail sites for top-rated detergents. We also consulted with experts — including scientists and a fourth-generation dry cleaner who's tested more than 100 detergents — on high-performing formulas, as well as the types of stains we should pit them up against.
We narrowed our testing pool to 10 popular liquids, pods and sheets, plus 14 fragrance-forward detergents, taking each for a spin along with various stain swatches. We then checked how well each detergent fared in these common stain scenarios:
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"Office hours" test:We drew lines with black pen and permanent marker on the white cotton to test how the detergents could tackle ink.
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"Kiss and tell" test:We applied red lipstick and liquid foundation to test how the detergents could handle smeared cosmetics.
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"Wine and dine" test:We spilled red table wine, olive oil and sauce to test how the detergents could eliminate saturated liquids.
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"BBQ bust" test:We dripped mustard, ketchup and ice cream on the swatches to test how the detergents fared against common foods.
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"Sliding home" test:We soiled the cotton with dirt and grass to test how the detergents could stand up to sports and outdoor adventures.
Tide's Free & Gentle reduced the appearance of (clockwise, from top left) red sauce, yellow mustard, foundation, pen ink, grass, dirt/clay and lipstick. (Kristin Granero/Yahoo)
Other laundry detergents we tested
There's more laundry (and top laundry detergents) where that came from! These formulas deserve a mention, even though they didn't make our best list.
Tide Oxi Boost Power Pods : These detergent pods performed on par with our top Persil pick, wiping the ketchup, olive oil, red wine and chocolate ice cream clean and significantly reducing the appearance of every other stain but the permanent marker. Because there was a nominal difference, if any, we went with Persil because of its lower price tag.
Gain Flings! Pods : Gain Flings! did almost as well as the Persil and Tide pods — plus, they're cheaper and smell amazing — but the others performed a little better at removing foundation, which gave them a slight edge.
Dropps 4-in-1 Oxi Pods : Dropps' pods didn't appear as effective at removing makeup, such as red lipstick and foundation. But if you're willing to pretreat cosmetic stains in the name of a bio-based, dye-free laundry detergent, they're a good choice.
Gain Ultra Original Powder : Gain's powder detergent was able to nab ketchup, olive oil, red wine and chocolate ice cream — and greatly reduce the other stains. In the end, Tide's Oxi powder proved more effective at removing red sauce and lipstick, taking the win.
Persil Original Liquid : Persil's liquid performed similar to the pods in our top picks, but the brand's pods and the winning Tide detergents appeared slightly better at removing, or at least reducing, red lipstick.
Arm & Hammer Deep Clean Stain Formula Liquid : Arm & Hammer's formula cleared ketchup, olive oil, red wine and chocolate ice cream and got most of the "stubborn six," also greatly reducing the ink. Though from what we could see, our overall pick proved a slightly better match for makeup.
(Clockwise, from top left) yellow mustard, pen ink, liquid foundation, lipstick and dirt are reduced significantly by Tide's Ultra Oxi Powder, with permanent marker the only true outlier. (Kristin Granero/Yahoo)
Laundry detergent FAQs
What's the difference between unscented and scented laundry detergent?
Scented laundry detergents contain naturally derived and/or synthetic fragrances, whereas scent-free detergent does not. Keep in mind that "unscented" detergent is not the same thing as scent- or odor-free detergent, which is often labeled "free and clear." Unscented detergents can still contain fragrances to mask certain ingredients or reach neutrality.
What's better: liquid or pod detergent?
You can more easily adjust the amount you're using with liquid detergents, and they tend to cost less than pods. With pods, you avoid drips, and they're more convenient for carrying, ideal if you go to a laundromat. Ultimately, it depends on what's most important to you.
What's the best way to remove a stain?
Pozniak recommends pretreating clothes for best results, especially when it comes to more difficult stains like pen, ink, glue, dye and very soiled garments, as well as anything that's designed to be permanent (i.e. why he anticipated we'd have trouble removing Sharpie marker in our test). "Take a small amount of liquid detergent — a few drops will do — and work it into the stain," he advises. "Let it sit for about an hour before washing if possible for best results. In general, the longer it sits on a stain the better, up to a week."
Meet the expert
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Zachary Pozniak , The Laundry Book author and fourth-generation dry cleaner
Update, Jan. 16, 2026: We checked pricing and availability for all products. Our No. 1 laundry detergent remains unchanged.
We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.
