Consumer Reports Names The Top-Rated Brand For Powder Laundry Detergent In 2026

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While they perform the same task, there are quite a few differences between powder and liquid laundry detergents. Thanks to their variations in formulation, liquid options are usually better for pre-treating, won't clump up in cold water, and have more grease fighting power. Powdered products, however, are great for taking care of outdoor stains and are often less expensive per load. If you're planning to make the switch to keep the sports wardrobe clean or cut down on expenses, Consumer Reports has done the research necessary to get you started with a quality product.

According to Consumer Reports' list of the best laundry detergents of 2026, one brand comes out on top in the powdered detergent category: Tide. This shouldn't come as much of a surprise (after all, we even placed Tide near the top of our list when we ranked laundry detergents worst to best), but the fact that both powdered products recommended by Consumer Reports were from the same source speaks to the brand's quality.

The listed detergents — Tide Original Powder and Tide Ultra OXI Powder — both performed quite well in hands-on testing done by the organization. Each detergent was used to wash pieces of cloth that had been stained or soiled by a variety of substances, from blood to salad dressing. The fabric pieces were inspected, and while the Ultra OXI powder was deemed more effective overall, the original formulation was a budget-friendly choice that still packed a powerful punch.

During Consumer Reports' testing, Tide Original Powder was found to be fantastic at removing body oils from clothing, good for use on grass, dirt, and blood, and somewhat lackluster for food-based stains like coffee, chocolate, and salad dressing. It's biggest pro, however, was the value for the price. If you were to purchase the 143 ounce box for $27.65 from Amazon, your price per load would come out to just 22 cents.

Customers seem to agree with this assessment of the product, giving it a shining 4.8-star rating across nearly 16,000 reviews on Amazon. The few unsatisfied reviews focus on the packaging and scent rather than the cleaning power itself, and many happy customers state that this has been their go-to for years. "A household stand-by. Wouldn't wash bath towels, hand towels, dish towels, gym clothes, work uniforms, and underclothing without it. Sanitizes, addresses odors, & no negative impact, such as causing colors to bleed or the rapid breakdown certain materials," one five-star reviewer shared on Amazon.

While Tide's Ultra OXI Powder doesn't have quite as much feedback to work with, it's still managed to rack up a 4.8-star rating across over 1,600 reviews on Amazon, placing it firmly in the realm of customer satisfaction. Many positive reviews note that this product is especially helpful for banishing stubborn smells and stripping laundry of existing buildup. Consumer Reports echoed these sentiments, noting that the product performed well on every stain it was put up against. While it is slightly more expensive — 29 cents per load for the $41.99, 250 ounce package from Amazon — it could be worth the cost if you've noticed that your clothes aren't coming out clean.