Compare Dishwasher Detergent
Dishwasher Tablets Fragrance-Free (38 ct) scores higher on safety - here's why.
R3 scored the Zero Automatic Dishwasher Powder Fragrance-Free (48 oz, 38 loads) 9.5/10 and the Dishwasher Tablets Fragrance-Free (38 ct) 10.0/10 on the same dishwasher detergent scoring system, weighing safety, efficacy, and usability. The Dishwasher Tablets Fragrance-Free (38 ct) comes out ahead, led by its safety score (10.0/10 vs 9.5/10).
The most important dimensions, side by side.
See which one actually scores higher — and why
Free account unlocks full safety scores, spec-by-spec breakdown, and the R3 verdict on Zero Automatic Dishwasher Powder Fragrance-Free (48 oz, 38 loads) vs Dishwasher Tablets Fragrance-Free (38 ct).
Unlock the full Zero Automatic Dishwasher Powder Fragrance-Free (48 oz, 38 loads) vs Dishwasher Tablets Fragrance-Free (38 ct) breakdown
Free account unlocks all safety scores, complete spec comparison, scoring rationale, and the R3 verdict on which one to buy.
Everything you need to make the call - who each one is for, and who should skip it.
Go for it if you...
You want enzyme-powered mineral cleaning at the lowest price point per load.
EWG B-rated (vs Verified) is an acceptable certification level for your household.
You already own or plan to buy a rinse aid for your dishwasher.
You want MADE SAFE + EWG VERIFIED dual certification — the strictest available combination.
You prefer a PVA-free tablet with a mineral-dominant, non-ethoxylated formula.
You have soft or medium water, or you already use a separate rinse aid.
The main thing to know
The best-value mineral + enzyme formula in this category at $0.32/load. EWG B-rated (not Verified) is the key trade-off versus the top tier. For budget-conscious households who want clean mineral chemistry with dual enzymes, this is the top pick.
The top dual-certified (MADE SAFE + EWG VERIFIED) tablet in the category. The only deduction is a missing explicit hard-water performance claim despite the water-softening ingredient in the formula. Performance is nearly identical to Blueland; choose based on surfactant preference (mineral-only vs APG) and whether you need built-in rinse action.
Skip this if you...
You require EWG Verified or MADE SAFE certification for ingredient vetting.
You have hard water and don't want to buy a separate rinse aid.
Powder format is inconvenient — tablet or pod formats are available from other brands.
You have hard water and need a product with an explicit hard-water performance claim.
You need the absolute lowest price per load ($0.39 vs $0.30 for Earthley).
Neither of these quite what you're looking for?
I've reviewed all Dishwasher Detergent options at every price pointEvery Dishwasher Detergent in our database is scored using R3's deterministic scoring system - the same inputs always produce the same score. For this comparison, we evaluated Ecover and Branch Basics across 3 independent criteria: Safety (93%), Efficacy (5%), Usability (2%). No sponsored rankings. No paid placements.
Straight answers - no sponsored content, no filler.
I'd start with Branch Basics Dishwasher Tablets Fragrance-Free (38 ct) - it scored 10.0/10 overall in our scoring system. Safety is our top-weighted scoring pillar, followed by efficacy, and usability. Check which pillar matters most to your family and compare those specific scores.
R3 uses a deterministic scoring system - the same inputs always produce the same score. We evaluate each Dishwasher Detergent across Safety, Efficacy, Usability using independently verified data. No sponsored rankings. No paid placements. Every score is fully reproducible.
Not necessarily. The overall score reflects how we weight those three pillars, but your priorities may differ. If you care most about safety, compare the safety scores directly. If budget drives your decision, the prices tell a clearer story. The "right" pick is the one that matches what matters most to your family.
Not the right match? Explore these alternatives in the same category.
