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Buying guide

The Best Liquid Laundry Detergents

We compared eight liquid laundry detergents on owner ratings, expert reviews, and price. Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent excels in powerful cleaning and long-lasting freshness.

Updated

The bottom line

Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent (asin B01C47HTVE) is our top pick for its high-powered, grease-cutting formula and positive owner sentiment. It scores high on effectiveness and scent, with 73,020 owners rating it 4.8/5. The closest alternative is Gain Liquid Laundry Detergent (asin B0CQKT1TVK), which provides a fresh scent and odor defense at a lower price, rated 4.8/5 by 51,511 owners. For budget shoppers, Gain Liquid Laundry Detergent (asin B0BCCQXPPG) offers similar performance at $13.55 for 132 fl oz, making it a good value.

Top pick
Tide Liquid Laundry DetergentTide Liquid Laundry Detergent $66.05

Best overall liquid laundry detergent

Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent excels in stain removal and scent, backed by 73,020 owner ratings averaging 4.8/5. Priced at $66.05 for 25oz, it offers great value despite some leakage issues noted by owners. Skip if you prioritize scent-free options.

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Runner-up
Gain Liquid Laundry DetergentGain Liquid Laundry Detergent $15.94

Best budget liquid laundry detergent

Gain Liquid Laundry Detergent provides effective odor defense and freshness at $15.94 for 132 fl oz, with 51,511 owners rating it 4.8/5. It's a strong choice for those seeking a balance of performance and price. Consider another option if you need a scent-free detergent.

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Budget pick
Gain Liquid Laundry DetergentGain Liquid Laundry Detergent $13.55

Best value liquid laundry detergent

Gain Liquid Laundry Detergent offers a tropical scent and odor defense at $13.55 for 132 fl oz, with 51,355 owners rating it 4.8/5. It's an excellent choice for budget-conscious shoppers. Skip if you need a detergent without fragrance.

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The field, ranked

  1. Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent Best for powerful cleaning and long-lasting freshness. 9.0/10 $66.05 Amazon
  2. Gain Liquid Laundry Detergent Best budget option with effective odor defense. 8.0/10 $15.94 Amazon
  3. Gain Liquid Laundry Detergent Best value with a tropical scent and odor defense. 8.0/10 $13.55 Amazon
  4. Tide Laundry Detergent Liquid, Original Scent Effective grease cleaning and odor removal. 8.0/10 $24.94 Amazon
  5. Tide Advance Power Good for whitening and brightening fabrics. 7.0/10 $14.63 Amazon
  6. Tide Original Scent Laundry Detergent Suitable for all machine washable fabrics and cycles. 7.0/10 $15.94 Amazon
  7. Gain Liquid Laundry Detergent Relaxing scent with effective odor defense. 7.0/10 $13.80 Amazon
  8. Gain Liquid Laundry Detergent with Odor Defense, Moonlight Breeze Scent Moonlight Breeze scent with odor defense. 7.0/10 $16.95 Amazon

Where the differences show up in daily use

Owners consistently report that Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent (asin B01C47HTVE) excels in removing tough stains and maintaining whiteness, even in cold water. Gain Liquid Laundry Detergent (asin B0CQKT1TVK) is praised for its fresh scent and effective odor defense, making it a popular choice for those who prioritize fragrance. Tide Advance Power (asin B07P3R8JB5) is noted for its ability to whiten and brighten fabrics after one wash, which is a unique selling point for users looking for that extra sparkle.

Who should buy which

For those who need a detergent that can handle the toughest stains and odors, Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent (asin B01C47HTVE) is the best choice. If you're on a budget but still want effective cleaning and a pleasant scent, Gain Liquid Laundry Detergent (asin B0BCCQXPPG) offers great value. Users who want a detergent that can whiten and brighten fabrics should consider Tide Advance Power (asin B07P3R8JB5).

What owners complain about after buying

Some owners of Tide Liquid Laundry Detergent (asin B01C47HTVE) have reported issues with leakage, which can make handling the product messy. A few users of Gain Liquid Laundry Detergent (asin B0CQKT1TVK) mentioned that the scent might be too strong for some, particularly for baby clothes. Tide Advance Power (asin B07P3R8JB5) has received some feedback about its effectiveness on certain types of stains, suggesting it might not be the best choice for every laundry need.

The also-rans

Tide Original Scent Laundry Detergent (asin B0BXSM3Y92) and Tide Laundry Detergent Liquid, Original Scent (asin B0FGL1ZPP6) are solid choices but don't offer significant advantages over the top picks. Gain Liquid Laundry Detergent with Odor Defense, Moonlight Breeze Scent (asin B0DTJ93FFJ) is a good option for those who prefer a specific scent but doesn't stand out in performance. Tide Advance Power (asin B07P3R8JB5) is best for those specifically looking for whitening and brightening effects.

How this was put together

This guide is based on 237,864 owner ratings, expert reviews, and price comparisons. We did not test any products hands-on. The evidence is thinnest on Tide Advance Power (asin B07P3R8JB5) and Tide Original Scent Laundry Detergent (asin B0BXSM3Y92), where owner feedback is less detailed.