Choosing the right laundry detergent can make a huge difference to how fresh, soft and stain-free your clothes feel — but with so many options on the market, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. From trusted supermarket brands to emerging eco contenders, today’s detergents promise everything from tough stain removal to skin-friendly, fragrance-free formulas.
In this updated 2025 ranking, we tested and reviewed dozens of detergents available in the UK — liquids, pods, powders and capsules — to find the best-performing products for everyday use. Each contender was scored on cleaning power, user experience, and customer feedback, with price and eco impact also factored in for a full picture.
🧼 Whether you prioritise deep cleaning at 30°C, sensitive skin formulas, or refillable, planet-friendly packaging — there’s a detergent here for you.
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#10 – Almat Bio (Aldi)
- ✨ Cleaning Power: 4.1 – Outperforms many budget powders, good for daily use.
- 💷 Cost: £3.79 (40 washes) – 10p per wash
- 🫧 User Experience: Basic but easy, a little harsh on colours and sensitive skin.
- ⭐ Customer Feedback: Rated 4.6 ⭐ based on 1000+ reviews.
- ♻️ Eco Rating: 1.0 / 5
- Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.3 / 5
#9 – Bio-D Laundry Liquid
- ✨ Cleaning Power: 4.2 -Excellent for everyday clothing and light stains
- 💷 Cost: £6.12 (25 Washes) – 24p per wash
- 🫧 User Experience: Gentle, non-irritating, only everyday use nothing more.
- ⭐ Customer Feedback: Rated 4.5 ⭐ Based on 800+ reviews.
- ♻️ Eco Rating: 4.5 / 5
- Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.3 / 5
#8 – Bold 2-in-1 Gel
- ✨ Cleaning Power: 4.3 – Outstanding on synthetic fibre. Marks lost on grease.
- 💷 Cost: £6.00 (26 Washes) – 23p per wash
- 🫧 User Experience: Easy-dose cap, strong scent gives mixed reviews.
- ⭐ Customer Feedback: Rated 4.4⭐from over 1,100 reviews.
- ♻️ Eco Rating: 1.1 / 5
- Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.3 / 5
#7 – Ecover Non-Bio Laundry Liquid
- ✨ Cleaning Power: 4.2 – Effective on everyday laundry, struggle with deep stains.
- 💷 Cost: £10.00 (40 Washes) – 25p per wash
- 🫧 User Experience: Mild scent and great for sensitive skin.
- ⭐ Customer Feedback: Rated 4.6⭐ from 250 reviews.
- ♻️ Eco Rating: 3.5 / 5
- Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.3 / 5
#6 – Daz Washing Powder
- ✨ Cleaning Power: 4.5 – Effective at low temperatures, great results on whites.
- 💷 Cost per Wash: £6.00 (44 Washes) – 14p per wash
- 🫧 User Experience: Easy to use classic powder.
- ⭐ Customer Feedback: Rated 4.4 ⭐ from 150 reviews. Praised for good value.
- ♻️ Eco Rating: 1.3 / 5
- Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.4 / 5
#5 – Smol Laundry Capsules
- ✨ Cleaning Power: 4.2 – Capsule cleaning high quality, great for storage.
- 🫧 User Experience: Subscription model, plastic free, letterbox friendly
- ⭐ Customer Feedback: Rated 4.8⭐from over 27,000 reviews.
- ♻️ Eco Rating: 4.2 / 5
- 💷 Cost: £6.00 (24 Capsules) – 26p per wash
- Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.4 / 5
#4 – Surf Tropical Lily Liquid
- ✨ Cleaning Power: 4.4 – Strong performer, delivers a bright fresh finish.
- 💷 Cost: £2.98 (24 washes) – 12p per wash
- 🫧 User Experience: Highly fragranced long lasting scent. Easy-pour.
- ⭐ Customer Feedback: Rated 4.7⭐ based on 50+ reviews.
- ♻️ Eco Rating: 1.1 / 5
- Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5 / 5
#3 – Fairy Non-Bio Pods
- ✨ Cleaning Power: 4.6 – Gentle on fabrics, suitable for sensitive skin
- 💷 Cost per Wash: £6.48 (25 Washes) – 26p per wash
- 🫧 User Experience: Easy to use, nice scent. dissolving issue at lower temps.
- ⭐ Customer Feedback: Rated 4.7⭐from over 6,600 reviews.
- ♻️ Eco Rating: 0.8 / 5
- Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✰ 4.5 / 5
#2 – Persil Bio Liquid
- ✨ Cleaning Power: 4.6 – Strong cleaning, performs well on tougher stains
- 💷 Cost: £8.98 (53 washes) – 17p per wash
- 🫧 User Experience: Familiar scent, easy to measure good at low temps.
- ⭐ Customer Feedback: Rated 4.5 ⭐ over 2700+ reviews.
- ♻️ Eco Rating: 1.7 / 5
- Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✰ 4.5 / 5
#1 – Ariel All-in-1 Pods
- ✨ Cleaning Power: 4.8 Exceptional stain removal even in cold or short cycles.
- 💷 Cost: £7.58 (33 Washes) – 23p per wash
- 🫧 User Experience: Simple to use with no mess; Pods stick together if stored wrong.
- ⭐ Customer Feedback: Over 10,000 reviews averaging 4.6⭐.
- ♻️ Eco Rating: 1.3 / 5
- Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✰ 4.6 / 5
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Verdict: Ariel Leads, But All-Round Performance Is Rising
Ariel All-in-1 Pods take the top spot this year — delivering outstanding stain removal, consistent results, and effortless use. But they’re not alone. Persil’s bio liquid, Fairy’s skin-friendly pods, and Daz’s classic powder all push close behind, showing there’s no single format that dominates.
This top 10 features a genuine mix: pods, powders, gels, and liquids, with each one excelling in different areas — scent, skin sensitivity, cost, or convenience. And while this ranking focuses purely on performance, it’s worth noting that products like Smol, Ecover, and Bio-D have broken into the top tier by matching mainstream results while also offering a more sustainable approach.
It’s a reminder that today’s best detergents don’t all look or work the same — but they’re all here on merit. For a deeper look at environmental impact or ingredient choices, check out our Eco vs Non-Eco comparisons, or head to the Top 5 Eco Laundry list.
FAQ – Choosing the Best Laundry Detergent
Q: What format is best — pods, powder, or liquid?
There’s no one-size-fits-all. Pods are convenient but can be pricier. Liquids are great for quick dosing and cold washes. Powders often give the best value and deep-cleaning results, especially for whites.
Q: Are any of these suitable for sensitive skin?
Yes — Fairy Non-Bio Pods, Ecover, and Bio-D are particularly well-reviewed for sensitive skin or baby clothes. Always check for “non-bio” and avoid strong fragrance if irritation is a concern.
Q: Where can I find the most eco-friendly options?
See our Top 5 Eco Laundry Detergents for a dedicated ranking that includes sustainability, ingredients, and refill options — ideal if that’s your top priority.
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Consumers Lens 