What's the Best Bosch Dishwasher for Your Kitchen?
The popular brand offers many options, grouped in five tiers, that vary in price and features. Here's how to find the right one for you.
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Bosch consistently makes great dishwashers, earning it the best brand score among the dishwasher brands in our ratings. Bosch models typically perform well in our lab tests and also rank among the highest for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction in CR’s member surveys.
But once you’ve landed on Bosch as the brand, you still need to consider which Bosch series and model are most suitable for your kitchen. Below, we cover the features and technology of different Bosch series and how models from each series performed in our lab tests.
- Bosch's Dishwasher Lineup
- Series Summary: 100 Series 300 Series 500 Series 800 Series Benchmark Series
Bosch's Dishwasher Lineup
Bosch’s dishwashers are organized into five tiers: the 100 Series, the 300 Series, the 500 Series, the 800 Series, and the Benchmark Series. The five tiers of dishwashers share some similarities:
- They all include WiFi connectivity, which allows you to connect to your dishwasher from a phone app to customize cycles, monitor their progress, and start or stop your dishwasher remotely.
- All Bosch dishwashers have a system of sensors that scan and check dishes throughout the cycle to make sure they’re getting clean. There are sensors to detect leaks, too, and, once detected, the machine can shut off the water and drain the tub.
- Most of them feature hidden controls—located on the top of the dishwasher door so that you can’t see the controls when the door is closed—and they’re digital touch controls rather than mechanical buttons.
But the tiers also differ in the features they offer and, accordingly, their prices. For example:
- Not all of the dishwashers are Energy Star certified—a designation from the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency that means they meet stricter standards for water and energy efficiency. Many of the models from the 100 Series and 300 Series aren’t Energy Star certified, so if you’re looking for an Energy Star machine, you’ll find one more easily from the 800 Series and the Benchmark Series.
- As you can see in more detail below, the main differences between the dishwasher tiers are the nice-to-have features—quieter performance, better drying technology, roomier and more flexible rack design—and aesthetics, like the dishwashers’ exterior finishes, handle styles, and displays.
- As you ascend in the tiers, the price also increases: Bosch’s least expensive dishwasher in our ratings costs less than $700, while its priciest model comes in at close to $2,000.
Bosch 100 Series: Basic Features and Solid Performance
The 100 Series is what Bosch calls its “core” dishwashers. These models wash well but lack the bells and whistles of models in the higher series, so they’re priced accordingly.
Tub: Stainless steel
Washing technology: PrecisionWash, in which sensors detect levels of soil throughout the cycle and wash accordingly.
Drying technology: PureDry relies on the heat of the wash cycle. When the water stops, the stainless steel walls cool down and pull heat and moisture away from the dishes.
Racks: Two nonadjustable racks
Cycle indicator light: The SHV41DB3N only
Noise: 48 decibels
Energy Star certified: The SHV41DB3N only
Finishes: Stainless steel, white, or black
Below, see more details on the Bosch 100 Series model in our ratings:
Bosch 300 Series: Small Upgrades
The 300 Series introduces some small design upgrades that allow the racks to roll out more smoothly and a third rack. It also has more exterior finish and handle options.
Tub: Stainless steel
Washing technology: PrecisionWash or Zone Wash, depending on the model. Zone Wash delivers more intensive cleaning power to deep-clean dishes in the lower rack.
Drying technology: PureDry
Racks: Three racks, and the middle rack is height-adjustable. Some models feature the RackMatic system, which allows you to raise and lower the middle rack to three heights to accommodate larger items on the lower rack.
Cycle indicator light: InfoLight, depending on the model
Noise: 46-48 decibels
Energy Star certified: Depends on the model
Finishes: Stainless steel, white, and black; three handle styles; option for front controls; custom panel option
If you’re interested in a Bosch 300 Series model, check out the ratings on this option we tested:
Bosch 500 Series: Quieter Operation and a Drying Upgrade
The 500 Series operates more quietly and has an extra drying feature.
Tub: Stainless steel
Washing technology: PrecisionWash or Zone Wash, depending on the model.
Drying technology: In addition to the natural benefits of the stainless steel walls, the 500 Series introduces AutoAir, which automatically pops the door open at the end of the cycle to allow steam to escape and fresh air to enter the dishwasher, helping dry dishes.
Racks: Three racks, middle rack height-adjustable with RockMatic system
Cycle indicator light: InfoLight, depending on the model
Noise: 44 decibels
Energy Star certified: Depends on the model
Finishes: Stainless steel, white, and black; two handle styles
We currently have one 500 Series model in our ratings. See more details here:
Bosch 800 Series: Advanced Wash Technology
The 800 Series introduces PowerControl, a motorized spray arm on the bottom of the dishwasher that can be programmed via a phone app to wash more heavily or lightly in four different quadrants of the bottom rack. Our lab testers experimented with this feature and found that when they programmed the wash arm to run a heavy wash, it got the dishes 5 percent cleaner than a standard cycle that made use of the automatic soil sensors.
Tub: Stainless steel
Washing technology: PrecisionWash or PowerControl, which uses the motorized spray arm, depending on the model.
Drying technology: CrystalDry, which uses a mineral called Zeolite to transform moisture into heat without a heating element.
Racks: RockMatic middle rack, flexible third rack with adjustable height and tines
Cycle indicator light: InfoLight
Noise: 42 decibels—close to the noise level of a quiet library
Energy Star certified: Yes
Finishes: Stainless steel, black stainless steel, white, and black; two handle styles; custom panel option
For recommendations on 800 Series models, check out this model, one of the highest-scoring dishwashers in our ratings:
Bosch Benchmark Series: Refined Design and Tech Perks
The Benchmark Series is Bosch’s top-of-the-line “premium” category, with all the features of the 800 series and then some. The main differences are subtle—even quieter operations and a cycle indicator light that not only shows that a cycle is running but also projects the time left in the cycle. The Benchmark series is also the only one to include interior lighting in the dishwasher.
Tub: Stainless steel
Washing technology: PowerControl
Drying technology: CrystalDry
Racks: RockMatic middle rack, flexible third rack with adjustable height and tines
Cycle indicator light: TimeLight
Noise: 38-39 decibels
Energy Star certified: Yes
Finishes: Stainless steel; two handle styles; custom panel option
See below for more details on the Bosch Benchmark SHP9PCM5N, another high scorer:
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