I tried M&S, Aldi, Sainsbury's and Finish dishwasher tablets — 1 was the bestI put four dishwasher tablets to the test to find out which brand offers the best cleaning results and value for money - and the winner surprised meI tried M&S, Aldi, Sainsbury's and Finish dishwasher tablets (Image: Viktorija Karasu via Getty Images)Dishwashers and dishwasher tablets are household essentials, engineered to tackle grease, food residue and stains effortlessly. But with countless brands flooding the market, it's tricky to determine which ones deliver genuine value for money. I set out to trial four different options over several months to see how they fared in real-world conditions. I put dishwasher tablets from M&S, Aldi, Sainsbury's and Finish through their paces. I assessed how effectively they cleaned plates, glasses, cutlery, and pans, and checked whether they left any residue or watermarks. I ensured my rinse aid and salt were topped up throughout each cycle. Aldi The Aldi all-in-one lemon tablets performed reasonably well and handled everyday dishes to a satisfactory standard. That said, on several occasions, they struggled with more stubborn food stains, and I spotted the occasional bit of residue. They're a solid budget choice at £2.99 for 40, but I wasn't entirely convinced they cleaned as thoroughly as another contender. Sainsbury's I'd used Sainsbury's all-in-one hard dishwasher tablets previously but had entirely forgotten how they'd performed. They cost £2.75 per pack of 30, making them slightly pricier than Aldi's. Their performance was comparable to Aldi's, managing lightly soiled dishes without issue, but they weren't quite as effective on baked-on food or larger loads. They certainly did the job, but they didn't consistently leave my dishes or cups spotless, unlike other tablets.