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For many homeowners, the dishwasher is the most important appliance because it saves so much time. However, most people also want their dishwasher to look beautiful in the kitchen, operate without being disruptive, and effortlessly remove residue from dinnerware and silverware. If you’re like many conscientious buyers searching for a new dishwasher to put in a new build or replace a dishwasher, you may be considering Bosch due to the brand’s exceptional reputation for producing some of the best dishwashers out there.
When buying a Bosch dishwasher, you can expect to pay anywhere from $650 to $2,500 based on the model you choose. Prices vary within the product range based on loading capacity and special features. The This Old House Review Team has researched the best Bosch dishwashers carefully in order to highlight some of the top models within this brand’s lineup. Our best overall pick is the feature-rich Bosch Benchmark Series SHX89PW75N. This model impresses with adjustable rack space, excellent drying performance, and ultra-quiet operation. However, we also think that other models are worth taking a look at before you make your decision. Keep reading to see our reviews of popular Bosch dishwashers.
Best Bosch Dishwashers: Our Top 7 Picks
- Best Overall: Bosch Benchmark Series SHX89PW75N
- Best Front Control: Bosch 300 Series SHE53C86N
- Most Flexible: Bosch 500 Series SHP65CM5N
- Quietest Operation: Bosch Benchmark Series SHP9PCM5N
- Best ADA-Compliant: Bosch 300 Series SPE53B52UC
- Best Built-In: Bosch 800 Series SGV78C53UC
- Best Value: Bosch 100 Series SHE3AEE5N
Compare Top Bosch Dishwashers
| Product | Sound Level | Finish Options | Place Settings Capacity | Number of Racks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch Benchmark Series SHX89PW75N | 38 dBA | Stainless steel | 15 | 3 | |
| Bosch 300 Series SHE53C86N | 46 dBA | Stainless steel, black, white | 16 | 3 | |
| Bosch 500 Series SHP65CM5N | 44 dBA | Stainless steel, black | 16 | 3 | |
| Bosch Benchmark Series SHP9PCM5N | 38 dBA | Stainless steel, custom panel | 16 | 3 | |
| Bosch 300 Series SPE53C55UC | 46 dBA | Stainless steel, black, white | 10 | 3 | |
| Bosch 800 Series SGV78C53UC | 42 dBA | Stainless steel, custom panel | 15 | 3 | |
| Bosch 100 Series SHE3AEE5N | 50 dBA | Stainless steel | 14 | 2 | |
| Product | Sound Level | Finish Options | Place Settings Capacity | Number of Racks |
Terms To Know for Bosch Dishwashers
- Sound Level: Measured in dBA (A-weighted decibels), this tells you how loud the dishwasher is while running. Lower numbers are quieter.
- Place Settings Capacity: Refers to how many place settings can fit in the dishwasher at one time. One place setting is a plate, bowl, drinking glass, coffee cup, and silverware.
Best Overall
Bosch Benchmark Series SHX89PW75N
- $2,300
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Someone who will settle for nothing less than clean, spotless dishes.
What Are People Saying About the Bosch Benchmark Series SHX89PW75N?
Overall, this is a highly-rated Bosch dishwasher that gets nearly universal acclaim from reviewers. It earns points for its whisper-quiet performance and delivery of streak-free, perfectly cleaned items after every wash. Some reviewers have pointed out that the three-piece kickplate can make the dishwasher look different than expected after installation, and others had issues with the controls.
“Cleans dishes really well and it’s super quiet. I have to put my ear next to the door to make sure it’s on!” — America V via BestBuy
“We’ve used Bosch dishwashers since July 1999 and have been energized advocates of their product. However since our purchase of this model, I’m sorry to say that it’s been a complete letdown. We’ve had it for 10 months and it has been a very frustrating 10 months. The cleaning and noise features are outstanding but the electronic controls are woefully inadequate. I have to constantly shut down the power and hot water line to the unit so that it can reset itself. The machine will just turn on the controls by itself and lockup. The reset button does not reset the controls. I have to pull the power cord and turn off the hot water supply and let it sit for 15 mins before I can hook it back up and start the machine. Extremely frustrating!” — Frustrated Popsy via Bosch
Best Front Control
Bosch 300 Series SHE53C86N
- $950
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Someone who wants easy-to-access controls.
What Are People Saying About the Bosch 300 Series SHE53C86N?
Overall, reviewers are in love with the high-end look and easy operation of this dishwasher. A few did find that it had some quirks that needed to be worked out before they could find the right settings.
“Washes brilliantly; dishes have never come out of our previous dishwasher as clean! Glasses are spotless. The third rack for flat utensils and silverware is great. Everything feels sturdy and well built. Dishes come out totally dry and [it] handles plastics well. [It’s] quiet even on the heavy setting, [and] smart features are a nice plus; you can choose to prioritize different things (sound level, sanitization, cleanliness, etc.) with Smart Wash and even change button sound levels.” —Chris via BestBuy
“The shallow, top, third shelf I could do without. A few items fit and get clean okay, but not necessary. The other two shelves are poorly designed…the supports all at angles that make it impossible to stand flat items straight up. When in the store, I was told a smart phone was not needed to operate the dishwasher…because I asked. At home the manual had CR codes to scan for maintenance instructions…not sure what to do about that.” —FrankW via BestBuy
Most Flexible
Bosch 500 Series Dishwasher SHP65CM5N
- $1,100
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Someone who has been searching for a powerful, quiet dishwasher with a pocket handle.
What Are People Saying About the Bosch 500 Series Dishwasher SHP65CM5N?
Overall, this dishwasher gets praise for its loading capacity and ability to get after caked-on debris. However, some reviewers have been left frustrated by the controls and HomeConnect app-based features that dominate the interface.
“This unit cost more than I originally planned to spend, but I’m very happy with my choice. It does a great job cleaning my dishes despite having hard water and no water softener in my house. There is no heating element for drying. Instead, the heat retained from the hot water does most of the drying, and then the door automatically opens. […] Since there’s no heating element, there’s no “top rack only” restriction. Plastic can go anywhere. It’s Bluetooth, so my phone notifies me when the cycle is finished. And [being] a Bosch, I have confidence in the workmanship.” — Ima49 via BestBuy
“Unless you are a technology wizard, this dishwasher is impossible to set up in Home Connect.” — Joyce M via BestBuy
Quietest Operation
Bosch Benchmark Series SHP9PCM5N
- $1,800
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: A busy household where the dishwasher is always running.
What Are People Saying About the Bosch Benchmark Series SHP9PCM5N?
While reviewers are in love with the whisper-quiet performance of this dishwasher, a few did feel that the racks feel flimsy for such a high-end model.
“I can’t believe I waited so long for this upgrade! It’s so quiet you don’t even know it’s on! It was hard not to rinse the dishes before I loaded but once I tested it they came out spotless and completely dry. Even the plastic ware was dry. Takes a bit to learn to load it, but I love this machine!” —PamD via BestBuy
“Ordered Bosch after lots of research. Very disappointed — silverware holder [is] very very small, [and] silverware doesn’t always get clean. [It’s] difficult to arrange dishes/glasses; odd configuration.”— KathyT via BestBuy
Best ADA-Compliant
Bosch 300 Series SPE53B52UC
- $1,000
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Someone needing a smaller dishwasher with easy-to-reach controls and features.
What Are People Saying About the Bosch 300 Series SPE53B52UC?
Reviewers are overall very impressed by the strong performance of this compact dishwasher. While the consensus is that this design fits more than expected, some reviewers were frustrated that tall items couldn’t fit without blocking the spray arms, while others mentioned poor drying performance.
“I am very happy with my new dishwasher. Fit perfectly in my 18” opening with standard height cabinets. My husband installed without any problems. Love love love the third drawer for silverware so I can remove [the] basket from the bottom drawer and free up more space for dishes, very nice with a smaller dishwasher. The adjustable middle drawer allows you to accommodate different size dishes on either middle and bottom drawer, and is not difficult to do.” — Nanette via BestBuy
“Love the dishwasher even though it refuses to dry plastic bowls. Even with JetDry it just will not dry them. Couple of my frying pans are the same way.” — DianaP via BestBuy
Best Built-In
Bosch 800 Series Dishwasher SGV78C53UC
- $1,350
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Someone with an aesthetic kitchen who wants to hide appliances.
What Are People Saying About Bosch 800 Series Dishwasher SGV78C53UC?
The overall consensus on this Bosch model is that it’s “worth it,” citing excellent cleaning performance, quiet operation, and ease of loading. Most issues shared by reviewers had to do with the complexity of installing a built-in model, while some felt that loading dishes was not as intuitive as expected.
“I am more than thrilled with my Bosch dishwasher. It’s quiet, efficient, easy to load and adjust racks to desired positions, and performs better than any dishwasher I’ve ever owned. I especially love the CrystalDry feature and how it leaves my dishes drier and even more spot-free. Our custom panel was also very easy for our installer and the overall result is just plain beautiful! I couldn’t be happier!” —#homechef26 via Bosch
“Two main issues for us with this dishwasher. It doesn’t hold near as many dishes as our previous dishwasher. The inside tub seems much smaller. Also our previous custom cabinet front didn’t fit. Will need a new one. Bosch should make all models the same specs for the fronts.” — Walt via Bosch
Best Value
Bosch 100 Series Dishwasher SHE3AEE5N
- $670
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Someone looking for an affordable dishwasher without feeling like they’ve settled.
What Are People Saying About the Bosch 100 Series Dishwasher SHE3AEE5N?
While reviewers are pleased by the ability to get a Bosch dishwasher at such an affordable price, some reviewers were less than dazzled by the drying power and hard-to-load configuration.
“[…] I personally love [this dishwasher]. If you have done your homework, you know that there is no heating element at the lower part for drying. I found this not to be an issue at all. There is a learning curve, however, on placement of cups that have a slight depression on the bottom of a cup or mug. Be sure to place these items at a slight angle for drainage of excess water deposit. […] I have found the items all come out clean and even have a nice shine. There are several cycles to choose from; most complete cycles take about 3 [hours], similar to current other bands. The front panel is a low black [matte] finish making fingerprint clean-up easy. […]” —Dees via Bosch
“This dishwasher looks great, but I am so confused by the setup inside. On the bottom rack, the rows are too slanted and close together to put dishes in each row. I have to either put a [space] between each dish or scatter them on each side. The top row is ok, but I don’t understand the levels. I have had no issues with the washing of the dishes and the options for washing are helpful.” — JenD via Bosch
What Do You Need To Know Before Buying a Bosch Dishwasher?
A dishwasher’s design can dramatically impact the flow of your kitchen. When selecting the best Bosch dishwasher, it’s important to pay attention to a few design features that can affect just how convenient you find doing the dishes every day. Here’s what you need to know.
Type
One of the details that will impact how you interact with your dishwasher the most is its control interface. The two designs to choose from are top-control and front-control interfaces. Take a look at what each one offers.
Top-Control
A top-control interface on a dishwasher is designed to be concealed when the dishwasher door is closed. That means that you’ll need to pull down the door to interact with the control panel. The benefit of a top-control dishwasher is that you don’t have to look at the control buttons or LCD display.
Front-Control
With a front-control dishwasher, all of the controls are visible on the front panel. You don’t need to open the door of the dishwasher to access your panels. While some people prefer the ease of this design, the look can be less “sleek” compared to top-control dishwashers. There is also the risk of accidentally pressing buttons on the dishwasher while moving around the kitchen.
Built-In
A built-in dishwasher is an aesthetic option that is designed to blend in with your cabinets. Choosing this option takes special planning because you will need to either build or order a custom cabinet panel that attaches to the front of your stainless-steel dishwasher. Built-in dishwashers have top-control panels that remain hidden until the door is opened.
Noise Level
Noise levels on dishwashers are measured in A-weighted decibels, which is how loud something sounds to the human ear. With Bosch, every model offers quiet performance. However, people who are particular about sounds should focus on whisper-quiet models that make nearly undetectable sounds. Bosch’s 38-decibel dishwasher is considered the quietest in the industry.
Design
The biggest aesthetic feature of a modern dishwasher is the handle. Most dishwashers feature a classic bar handle that protrudes slightly. While a bar handle is great for easy grasping, it does visibly “bump out” from the cabinet line. A pocket handle is an indented handle that is more discreet.
Energy Efficiency
The good news is that all Bosch models are exceedingly efficient, with most of them earning the ENERGY STAR distinction. When shopping for Bosch models, be sure to look for the kilowatt hours used per year. Most models in the lineup use just 200 to 300 kilowatt hours annually.
Extra Features
One thing that makes Bosch impressive is that this manufacturer loads most of its special features into models at all price tiers. However, it’s important to know what you can or can’t live with as you look at different price points. Here’s a rundown of the big features to consider.
Smart Features
Bosch now integrates Wi-Fi and smart features into all of its dishwashers. That means that you can monitor cycles, time cleanings and control settings from your smart device. Some people do feel frustrated by their inability to select certain features from the dishwasher control panel.
Adjustable Third Rack
Many models have an adjustable third rack. All Bosch third-rack dishwashers provide extra space and flexibility for adding ramekins, measuring cups, odd-sized bowls, and flatware.
Interior Light
Don’t be alarmed if your new Bosch is displaying a red light. Bosch dishwashers are so quiet that the manufacturer decided to install something called InfoLight® in certain models. Designed to let you know that your dishwasher is actually running, this feature projects a red light on your floor. Prioritize this one if you’re worried about accidentally opening a dishwasher while it’s still cycling through.
Water Softener
If your home has hard water, selecting a dishwasher with a built-in water softener is important for getting rid of streaking and cloudiness. Many people blame streaks and mineral deposits on their dishwashers not working properly. In reality, you may just need to switch to softened water.
Tips for Setting Up a New Dishwasher
The day your new dishwasher arrives is always exciting. These tips will ensure that you can install your new dishwasher correctly.
Take Advantage of Professional Installation
Most retailers offer professional installation services with delivery. Take advantage of this option to ensure that your dishwasher performs to the manufacturer’s standards. Improper installation could result in damage to the dishwasher. It can also lead to leaks that can damage your kitchen.
Choose the Right Installation Spot for Your Dishwasher
Beyond selecting the right size for your dishwasher to ensure it will fit where you plan for it to go, dishwashers need a hot water connection. Generally, this connection comes from your kitchen sink. That’s why it’s recommended that you install your dishwasher along the same wall as your sink.
Make Plans for Necessary Electrical Work
Most dishwashers sold today come with power cords that can be plugged into outlets. That means you’ll need to have an outlet available if this is the option you’re choosing. If you select a model that needs to be hardwired, you’ll likely need an electrician to set up the connection for you. Always read the manufacturer manual closely before selecting a new dishwasher to ensure you’re getting the option you want.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bosch Dishwashers
What do place settings mean in a dishwasher?
Place settings describe a dishwasher’s capacity. A single place setting consists of a plate, bowl, drinking glass, coffee cup and silverware. A standard full-sized dishwasher should hold between 10 and 16 place settings.
How long is Bosch’s warranty on dishwashers?
Bosch dishwasher warranties for parts and labor last one year, but you can also purchase an extended warranty for your Bosch dishwasher.
How do you reset a Bosch dishwasher?
To reset most Bosch appliances, press the Start button for 3 to 5 seconds. This should clear your settings.
How does Bosch’s PureDry work?
PureDry is an energy-efficient closed drying system that dries dishes without pulling in outside air or using an exposed heating element. Moisture is instead whisked away from dishes while they cool. PureDry is much better for plastics compared to traditional drying, since they can be placed on any rack without fear of melting.
Our Methodology
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, including power tools, outdoor equipment, major appliances, kitchen gadgets, electronics, and more that focus on product quality and helpfulness to our readers.
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of Bosch dishwashers with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we compared each model’s feature set to create a final short list, selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.
Questions or Comments?
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