In most cases, yes, dishwasher pods or pacs — as they are sometimes called — work better than traditional powders or gel. The reason for this is because pods and even tablets include pre-configured solutions designed to clean, rinse and dry adequately. Inside the pod, you’ll find a cleaning solution, degreaser, bleach and sometimes rinse-aid. Because pods contain all of these different cleaning solutions in one, they tend to clean better and they’re also much more convenient to use.