Given the recent reformulations by a number of top brands, the testing organization we love to hate has updated info.
Surprises: Previously top-rated Member’s Mark (Sam’s Club) Ultimate Clean pacs plummeted. Not surprised. On strength of the previous iteration’s performance, bought two huge containers of them. Cleaning power is significantly diminished—especially on pots & pans—although they don’t produce suds in my 2017 Whirlpool full-size portable. Annoyance: The outer covering of the pacs is flimsy. Have experienced leaking pacs. The previous iteration, which was top-ranked, was powder only. After disappearing for the better part of two years at the outset of the pandemic, the reformulated version appeared, which is a liquid+powder combo. See photo below.
Tried a small bag of the new Finish Powerball Ultimate, having never tried anything from the Finish line before. Its relatively low score does not surprise me. Results were unimpressive, especially on pots & pans. Again, did not cause sudsing.
Picked up a small bag of reformulated and now top-ranked Cascade Platinum Action Pacs With Dawn. For cleaning pots & pans, it definitely takes the checkered flag. Unfortunately, as with the other Cascade pacs I’ve tried, the Whirlpool spends half the main wash period choking on suds. It sprays well for about three seconds, then three seconds of cavitation. Repeat. Can’t argue with results, though. Even though half the wash period is lost to suds-sucking, even pots & pans come out gleaming.
This is a partial list. Taking requests if you have a favorite not listed.
100 would be a perfect score. Here we go:
PACS/PODS
Cascade Platinum Action Pacs With Dawn 98
Kirkland Signature Platinum Performance Ultra Shine 96
Seventh Generation Power+ Pacs 95
Cascade Free & Clear Action Pacs 93
Amazon Basics Pacs 93
Cascade Complete Action Pacs With Dawn 89
Finish Powerball Quantum 85
Finish Max in 1 Powerball 81
Cascade Original Action Pacs With Dawn 80
Great Value (Walmart) Pacs 75
Cascade Platinum Action Pacs+Oxi 73
Finish Powerball Power 71
Member’s Mark (Sam’s Club) Ultimate Clean 71
Cascade Platinum Plus Action Pacs 70
Finish Powerball Ultimate 56
Finish Gelpacs 37
LIQUIDS
Great Value (Walmart) Dishwasher Gel 74
Cascade Gel With Dawn 68
Finish Gel 61
Cascade Complete Gel with Dawn 56
Cascade Free & Clear Gel 56
Cascade Complete Gel With The Power Of Clorox 47
[this post was last edited: 8/26/2024-15:23]

Surprises: Previously top-rated Member’s Mark (Sam’s Club) Ultimate Clean pacs plummeted. Not surprised. On strength of the previous iteration’s performance, bought two huge containers of them. Cleaning power is significantly diminished—especially on pots & pans—although they don’t produce suds in my 2017 Whirlpool full-size portable. Annoyance: The outer covering of the pacs is flimsy. Have experienced leaking pacs. The previous iteration, which was top-ranked, was powder only. After disappearing for the better part of two years at the outset of the pandemic, the reformulated version appeared, which is a liquid+powder combo. See photo below.
Tried a small bag of the new Finish Powerball Ultimate, having never tried anything from the Finish line before. Its relatively low score does not surprise me. Results were unimpressive, especially on pots & pans. Again, did not cause sudsing.
Picked up a small bag of reformulated and now top-ranked Cascade Platinum Action Pacs With Dawn. For cleaning pots & pans, it definitely takes the checkered flag. Unfortunately, as with the other Cascade pacs I’ve tried, the Whirlpool spends half the main wash period choking on suds. It sprays well for about three seconds, then three seconds of cavitation. Repeat. Can’t argue with results, though. Even though half the wash period is lost to suds-sucking, even pots & pans come out gleaming.
This is a partial list. Taking requests if you have a favorite not listed.
100 would be a perfect score. Here we go:
PACS/PODS
Cascade Platinum Action Pacs With Dawn 98
Kirkland Signature Platinum Performance Ultra Shine 96
Seventh Generation Power+ Pacs 95
Cascade Free & Clear Action Pacs 93
Amazon Basics Pacs 93
Cascade Complete Action Pacs With Dawn 89
Finish Powerball Quantum 85
Finish Max in 1 Powerball 81
Cascade Original Action Pacs With Dawn 80
Great Value (Walmart) Pacs 75
Cascade Platinum Action Pacs+Oxi 73
Finish Powerball Power 71
Member’s Mark (Sam’s Club) Ultimate Clean 71
Cascade Platinum Plus Action Pacs 70
Finish Powerball Ultimate 56
Finish Gelpacs 37
LIQUIDS
Great Value (Walmart) Dishwasher Gel 74
Cascade Gel With Dawn 68
Finish Gel 61
Cascade Complete Gel with Dawn 56
Cascade Free & Clear Gel 56
Cascade Complete Gel With The Power Of Clorox 47
[this post was last edited: 8/26/2024-15:23]
