Laundry detergent and washing powders
small cup of laundry powder

Laundry detergent reviews

Brand

Top filters (5)

Washing machine type

Type of detergent

Shop Ethical rating

Product reviews

Last updated: 13 October 2025
Fact-checked
Fact-checked
Checked for accuracy by our qualified fact-checkers and verifiers. Find out more about fact-checking at CHOICE
Rebecca By Rebecca

The best laundry detergents will remove spills like oils, makeup and starches from your clothes. Detergent also amounts to at least half the running cost of your washing machine so it pays to pick the right one.

We’ve tested popular laundry detergents in a lab setting to tell you which ones:

  • work best in your machine type
  • work well on nine difficult-to-remove stains
  • are good value for money
  • are best for specific stains.

We’ve also partnered with Shop Ethical on this update to show the ratings the Ethical Consumer Group gives to each company.

Our interactive comparison tool helps you find out which detergents claim to contain enzymes, which ones claim to be phosphate-free, and even how they compare to washing your clothes in plain water. Just like our washing machine reviews, our Recommended list will show you at a glance which products come out on top.

Be the first to know about more free test results like this one, sign up for our newsletter.

Did you know detergent formulas change?

Detergent manufacturers are changing formulas on a constant basis, sometimes at least once a year. If you like to buy in bulk, it could be worthwhile only buying a year’s worth of detergent rather enough to last you five years. You can check our test results the following year to make sure the detergent you bought is just as good as it was the previous year.

Why is each detergent listed twice?

Almost all laundry detergents claim to be suitable for use in both front and top loader washing machines, and also perform differently in both types. So we’ve tested them in each type of washing machine and listed the scores for the detergent when used in a top loader, and when used in a front loader. Selecting the type of washing machine you have at home using the filters on the left of this page will show you the results that are most relevant to you.

View table View table
Displaying all 188 products
Choose a field
Price (Low-High)
Brand (A-Z)
CHOICE Expert Rating (High-Low)
Recommended (Z-A)
Cost per wash (Low-High)
Pack size (g or mL) (High-Low)
General detergency score (High-Low)
Olive oil stains score (High-Low)
Blood stains score (High-Low)
Perspiration stains score (High-Low)
Shop Ethical rating (Best-Worst)
Sorry, no products meet the criteria for the filters you've applied.
Omo Ultimate Front Loader
Rating locked - membership required
Unlock this by becoming a member
Join CHOICE
Recommended

Omo Ultimate Front Loader

Washing machine type Front loader
Pack size (g or mL) 2000
General detergency score 80
Cost per wash 0.8
Shop Ethical rating C
$32
Omo Ultimate Top Loader
Rating locked - membership required
Unlock this by becoming a member
Join CHOICE

Omo Ultimate Top Loader

Washing machine type Top loader
Pack size (g or mL) 2000
General detergency score 51
Cost per wash 0.8
Shop Ethical rating C
$32
Omo Sensitive Top Loader
Rating locked - membership required
Unlock this by becoming a member
Join CHOICE

Omo Sensitive Top Loader

Washing machine type Top loader
Pack size (g or mL) 2000
General detergency score 48
Cost per wash 0.7
Shop Ethical rating C
$28
Water Only Front Loader
Rating locked - membership required
Unlock this by becoming a member
Join CHOICE

Water Only Front Loader

Washing machine type Front loader
Pack size (g or mL) N/A
General detergency score 47
Cost per wash N/A
Shop Ethical rating N/A
$N/A
Water Only Top Loader
Rating locked - membership required
Unlock this by becoming a member
Join CHOICE

Water Only Top Loader

Washing machine type Top loader
Pack size (g or mL) N/A
General detergency score 43
Cost per wash N/A
Shop Ethical rating N/A
$N/A
Rebecca

I joined CHOICE in 2008 as a work experience student while studying my Bachelor of Science (Nutrition and Food) at the University of Western Sydney. I've been with CHOICE ever since.  My first job was in a room full of muesli, collecting all their nutritional data. When I completed my course, CHOICE offered me a full-time position as a Test Officer in the Kitchen Lab. In 2009, I moved into the role of household content producer. I write about a wide range of children's and household products, ranging from cots and strollers to ovens, BBQs, espresso machines and electric blankets. I even write about grocery items such as nappies, sanitary pads and laundry detergents. I love my job and the extremely talented and passionate group of people I work with. I love knowing that our research, testing and results go a long way to helping consumers with their buying decisions by highlighting great products – and singling out poorly performing ones. You can find me on LinkedIn.

I joined CHOICE in 2008 as a work experience student while studying my Bachelor of Science (Nutrition and Food) at the University of Western Sydney. I've been with CHOICE ever since.  My first job was in a room full of muesli, collecting all their nutritional data. When I completed my course, CHOICE offered me a full-time position as a Test Officer in the Kitchen Lab. In 2009, I moved into the role of household content producer. I write about a wide range of children's and household products, ranging from cots and strollers to ovens, BBQs, espresso machines and electric blankets. I even write about grocery items such as nappies, sanitary pads and laundry detergents. I love my job and the extremely talented and passionate group of people I work with. I love knowing that our research, testing and results go a long way to helping consumers with their buying decisions by highlighting great products – and singling out poorly performing ones. You can find me on LinkedIn.