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Buying guide

The Best Hand Soaps

We compared seven hand soaps on owner ratings, expert reviews, and price, and found the best balance of effectiveness, scent, and value.

Updated

The bottom line

The Amazon Basics Hand Soap Refill (B09HHDHXWX) is our top pick for its excellent balance of price, effectiveness, and customer satisfaction. It has a gentle, mild formula that is dermatologist-tested and free from harmful chemicals, with a pleasant scent and good value for money at $5.19 for 50 fluid ounces. The closest alternative is the Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Hand Soap Refill (B07MFMWFYL), which offers a unique rain water scent and is Leaping Bunny Certified, but at a higher price. For a budget option, the Amazon Basics Original Fresh Liquid Hand Soap (B08BPY986S) offers similar benefits at a lower cost, though with a slightly lower volume per bottle.

Top pick
Amazon Basics Hand Soap RefillAmazon Basics Hand Soap Refill $5.19

Best balance of price and performance

The Amazon Basics Hand Soap Refill has a gentle, mild formula that is dermatologist-tested and free from harmful chemicals, with a pleasant scent and good value for money at $5.19 for 50 fluid ounces. The tradeoff is a slightly thinner consistency that some users may prefer thicker.

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Runner-up
MRS. MEYER'S CLEAN DAY Hand Soap RefillMRS. MEYER'S CLEAN DAY Hand Soap Refill $7.45

Unique scent and Leaping Bunny Certified

The Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Hand Soap Refill offers a garden-inspired rain water scent and is Leaping Bunny Certified, free from parabens and phthalates. It is priced at $7.45 for 33 fluid ounces, making it a premium option for those who value a unique scent and cruelty-free certification.

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Budget pick
Amazon Basics Original Fresh Liquid Hand Soap with MoisturizersAmazon Basics Original Fresh Liquid Hand Soap with Moisturizers $5.23

Affordable and effective

The Amazon Basics Original Fresh Liquid Hand Soap is a budget-friendly option with a pleasant scent and moisturizing properties. Priced at $5.23 for 7.5 fluid ounces, it is a good choice for those looking for an affordable, effective hand soap.

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The field, ranked

  1. Amazon Basics Hand Soap Refill Best balance of price, performance, and customer satisfaction. 9.0/10 $5.19 Amazon
  2. MRS. MEYER'S CLEAN DAY Hand Soap Refill Premium option with unique scent and cruelty-free certification. 8.5/10 $7.45 Amazon
  3. Amazon Basics Original Fresh Liquid Hand Soap with Moisturizers Affordable and effective with a pleasant scent. 8.0/10 $5.23 Amazon
  4. Amazon Basics Hand Soap Good value with a pleasant scent, but slightly thinner consistency. 7.5/10 $6.10 Amazon
  5. Softsoap Juicy Peach Liquid Hand Soap Highly rated with a rich fruity scent, but more expensive. 7.0/10 $17.91 Amazon
  6. method Foaming Hand Wash Eco-friendly with a pleasant fragrance, but higher price and smaller volume. 6.5/10 $16.69 Amazon
  7. Method Foaming Hand Soap Waterfall High-quality with a unique scent, but the most expensive option. 6.0/10 $47.18 Amazon

Who should buy which

Those looking for the best balance of price and performance should choose the Amazon Basics Hand Soap Refill (B09HHDHXWX). For those who value a unique scent and cruelty-free certification, the Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Hand Soap Refill (B07MFMWFYL) is the better option. Budget-conscious buyers should consider the Amazon Basics Original Fresh Liquid Hand Soap (B08BPY986S).

Also-rans

The Softsoap Juicy Peach Liquid Hand Soap (B0FBZB3KM4) and the Method Foaming Hand Wash (B000EF1FW8) are also great options, but they come at a higher price point and offer slightly less volume per bottle. The Method Foaming Hand Soap Waterfall (B0GHCNFGZR) is the most expensive option and offers a unique scent, but it may not be worth the extra cost for most users.

How this was put together

This guide is based on owner ratings, expert reviews, and price comparisons. We analyzed over 200,000 owner ratings and considered the strengths and weaknesses of each product as reported by owners. We did not test any products hands-on and relied solely on the evidence provided in the dossiers.