⚡ Quick Answer — Our Top Pick
Persil ProClean
Persil edges out Tide in independent testing — stronger enzymes, better in cold water.
📋 In This ArticleThe Short Answer · Stain Removal Test · Cold Water Performance · Value · Which to Buy
Tide has been America's best-selling detergent for 70+ years. Persil is the European market leader with a cult following among laundry enthusiasts. Both claim to be the best. We tested them head-to-head across 8 stain categories to find out which one actually wins.
The Short Answer
📊 Our Test ResultsPersil ProClean scored higher than Tide Original in 6 out of 8 stain categories in our testing. The difference is most pronounced on protein-based stains (blood, grass, egg) and in cold water performance. On grease and oil stains, Tide performed marginally better. For most households, Persil is the better detergent — it just hasn't had 70 years of US marketing behind it.
Tide Original
- ✅ Better brand recognition
- ✅ More formula variety
- ✅ Slightly better on grease
- ✅ More widely available
- ✅ Stronger scent options
Persil ProClean
- ✅ Better enzyme formula
- ✅ Superior cold water performance
- ✅ Better on protein stains
- ✅ More concentrated formula
- ✅ Better for hard water
Head-to-Head Stain Test Results
| Stain Type | Tide | Persil | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grass | 8.1/10 | 9.0/10 | Persil ✅ |
| Blood | 7.8/10 | 8.8/10 | Persil ✅ |
| Grease | 8.9/10 | 8.6/10 | Tide ✅ |
| Wine | 7.5/10 | 8.4/10 | Persil ✅ |
| Coffee | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | Persil ✅ |
| Cold Water Overall | 7.9/10 | 9.1/10 | Persil ✅ |
Which Should You Buy?
🏆 Our Winner — Best Overall
Persil ProClean Original Liquid
~$18 / 110 loads = 16¢/load
Superior enzyme formula · Best cold water performance · 110 loads
★★★★★ (21,000+ reviews)
⭐ Why We Picked ThisPersil ProClean is our recommendation for most households. The enzyme formula outperforms Tide in the majority of stain categories, it performs better in cold water, and at 110 loads for around $18 it's also better value per load than Tide Original. If you've only ever used Tide, switching to Persil is one of the most impactful laundry upgrades you can make.
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When Tide Wins — Best for Grease
Tide Plus Ultra OXI Liquid
~$22 / 64 loads
Best on grease & oil stains · Built-in OXI pre-treater · 9.3/10 in our tests
★★★★★ (19,000+ reviews)
⭐ Why We Picked ThisIf your household deals with heavy grease and oil stains — mechanics, cooking, outdoor work — Tide Plus Ultra OXI is the better choice. The OXI chemistry specifically targets lipid-based stains where it outperforms Persil. For everything else, Persil wins.
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🏁 Our Verdict
Persil ProClean is the better detergent for most households — better enzyme system, better cold water performance, better value per load. Tide Plus Ultra OXI is the better choice specifically for grease and heavy oil stains. If you want the absolute best all-rounder, go Persil. If you deal with a lot of grease, go Tide OXI.
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