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Reviewed
Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
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The Bosch 800 Series SHP78CM5N is a near-perfect dishwasher. It scrubbed out every stain we threw at it, in record time, and has great smart features. Read More
The Bosch 100 Series SHE3AEM2N is an excellent entry-point into owning a Bosch. Its good cleaning and drying performance make it a nice value. Read More
4.8
This Bosch is one of the best dishwashers we've ever tested. It gets dishes clean and dry, quickly, and is ADA-compliant. Read More
If you're thinking of getting a Bosch, the 300 Series SHE53C85N is a great entry point. It cleans well, has adjustable racks, and can use HomeConnect. Read More
This feature-filled Bosch dishwasher offers a quiet cleaning experience with a lot of adjustabilities to ensure dishes of all sizes can get clean. Read More
Bosch has built and maintained a great reputation for high-end performance and design as a refrigerator, cooktop, and dishwasher brand. Bosch dishwashers come at a high price because they were some of the first to offer quiet operation.
Bosch’s modern models also boast resource-efficient dishwashing, great features, and a sleek look that can bring a sense of elegance to any kitchen. In real estate ads, the words "Bosch dishwasher" are often used as a point of pride and a selling point.
In our lab tests, we've found that Bosch models offer great cleaning performance, consistently ranking amongst our top-scoring dishwashers. After numerous tests and Bosch dishwasher reviews in the controlled environment of our labs, we've named the Bosch 800 Series SHP78CM5N (available at Wayfair) the best Bosch dishwasher you can buy. In fact, it's currently ranking as our best overall dishwasher.
Editor's Note: Appliances purchases are a large investment of both money and time. We’ve not only compiled lists of the best dishwashers to shop, but also the best places to buy in-stock appliances right now and the best times of year to buy appliances to take advantage of sales and new releases.
It cleans even stubborn stains completely
Fast cycle times
It dries dishes
Controls can be finicky
Some options only available on app
Appropriate cleaning power
Gets most dishes dry
Smart features
Some features only accessible via app
Lacks some common rack features
Great cleaning quality
Customizable racks
Smart features via HomeConnect
Some features only accessible via app
Good cleaning power
Customizable racks
Smart features via Home Connect
Normal cycle can be inconsistent
Hello! We're Reviewed's appliance testing team, and we've spent many years testing major appliances in the lab and using them practically in our everyday lives.
This combination helps give us a good sense for which appliances have truly useful features, as opposed to features that just sound exciting. Our years of experience and data also gives us insight into how much performance you should expect for your money, helping us find great bargains. Bosch runs more expensive than other brands, but in our experience, typically gives you what you pay for.
At Reviewed, all our lab testing occurs in-house in our Cambridge-based labs. Here we have setups for testing refrigerators, washers and dryers, and, of course, dishwashers.
Our chief scientist and staff have developed and refined our standardized testing process over the course of a decade. This consistent methodology ensures all our test results are directly comparable, allowing us to definitively state which dishwashers excel in any given area and which ones disappoint.
In order to test how well a dishwasher cleans away stains, we need a constant supply of dirty dishes. This involves us manually dirtying up dishes with a standardized and consistent set of stains, so each dishwasher faces the same challenge. These stains include cheese-crusted casserole pans, milk-stained glasses, and spinach puree-painted plates.
After a wash cycle completes, we examine each dish and measure how much stain is remaining.
While the ideal result is each dish getting completely cleaned, our test stains are deliberately designed to make this task difficult. It's incredibly rare for a dishwasher to actually clean away everything we throw at it.
Because we load the same stained dishes into each dishwasher in the same way, we're also able to easily spot evidence of redeposit. Redeposit is when a dishwasher washes away food particles, doesn't filter them out properly, and then sprays those bits onto another, otherwise clean dish.
We also examine each dish to note how dry they are after a wash cycle. Customers expect dry dishes and don't want to manually towel them off before putting them away.
Learn more about how we test dishwashers.
Bosch occupies an enviable location in the dishwasher market—in the sweet spot for four different facets of a dishwasher: performance, noise, aesthetics, and price.
We're always impressed by how well Bosch's dishwashers clean our test dishes; almost every dishwasher on this list removed over 99% of stains on all three of the cycles we test: Quick, Normal, and Heavy.
While you may be thinking, "Well, obviously a dishwasher should be able to get my dishes 100% clean," it doesn’t always work that way, especially when it comes to the Quick cycle. We use the same dirty dishes for both the Quick and Normal cycle, and the Quick’s shorter cycle time means it doesn’t always get the job done.
Also, since we deliberately bake food stains onto our dishes, they’re way harder to remove than most real-life food stains. We give our test dishwashers a "worst-case scenario" to see if they will rise to the occasion. A brand with multiple dishwashers that can remove over 99% of our food stains is no small feat.
Bosch was one of the first companies to really push the quiet dishwasher trend. This is especially helpful in open floor plan homes, where kitchen noise can flow straight into entertainment spaces like the living room or the dining room and overpower conversations.
The more expensive a Bosch-made dishwasher is, the quieter it is. The Bosch 800 series dishwasher we tested, with its stainless steel tub, has a sound rating of 39 dBA, which is similar to the average noise level in a library.
Bosch prides itself on its streamlined but functional design. Most dishwashers offer pocket handles and top-mounted hidden controls so that, from the front, there's nothing to break up the clean lines of the dishwasher's stainless steel finish. Unsurprisingly, though, Bosch tends to favor function over form at lower price tiers, and front-mounted controls with handles become more prevalent.
As you might expect, the price of a top-of-the-line dishwasher from Bosch is probably going to come in at four figures. At this price tier, you'll get great cleaning performance, quiet operation, neat extra features, and magazine-level design and finishes. However, if your budget is smaller, Bosch has a number of different options at a variety of price points.
Even better, we don't see a major performance drop-off at lower price tiers. The Bosch 100 series dishwasher, while not our favorite affordable dishwasher, still removed more than 90% of our food stains on the Quick cycle and did even better on the Normal and Heavy cycles.
Yes, the 100 series is louder, has a front-mounted control panel, and has a matte stainless steel finish) instead of a metal one, but the essential Bosch flavor and performance level is still there. If you have a relatively healthy budget, you should be able to easily pick the Bosch model that fits your kitchen, floor plan, and demand for dish cleanliness.
Note: If the cost of the most affordable Bosch dishwasher models are still not in your price range, check out our list of the most affordable dishwashers.
With the exception of some Benchmark models which are manufactured in Germany, Bosch dishwashers are made in the U.S.
Bosch’s dishwashers include a warranty to cover the entire appliance for a year, then a parts-only limited warranty covers the microprocessor or printed circuit board and the racks. They also offer a lifetime limited warranty for rust-through on the inner tub liner.
This warranty is significantly better than the industry standard, which is just a single year.
A common issue with Bosch dishwashers is that they can get stuck in a mode where the power button turns red and the dishwasher doesn't react to most commands. This primarily happens when a cycle has been interrupted, but can also occur when there's an actual issue.
If your Bosch dishwasher isn't responding, the first step is to firmly press the Start button, release it after a second or so, and then wait a few seconds to see if the cycle resumes. If it doesn't, you may need to actually reset the device.
Most modern Bosch dishwashers can be reset by holding the Start button for three to five seconds. Older models will require a combination of buttons specific to the model but should be indicated on the machine and spelled out clearly in the instruction manual.
A common misconception about both dishwashers and washing machines is that you don't need to clean them because they're always cleaning things. Unfortunately, soap scum and food particles can build up that promote bacterial growth and cause unwanted odors.
Fortunately, it's incredibly easy to clean your dishwasher. All you need is two ingredients: white vinegar and baking soda.
First, empty all the dishes out your dishwasher, then pour a cup of white vinegar into it and run a heavy wash cycle. After the cycle finishes, sprinkle baking soda over the bottom of the dishwasher and let it sit overnight. The next morning, run one last wash cycle while the dishwasher is still empty.
Congratulations! You've successfully cleaned your dishwasher!
Clean clothes and your washing machine at the same time with vinegar.
Keep things clean and odorless by cleaning with baking soda.
In addition to normal cleaning, which is thankfully pretty hands-off, you'll also need to periodically roll up your sleeves and dig out your dishwasher's filter for a quick rinse.
This can be a gross task at the best of times, but it's best to not put it off: It'll only get grosser the longer you wait.
To clean your dishwasher filter, all you need is dish soap and a scrub brush.
The hard part is finding your filter and figuring out how to remove it. Your manual should have instructions for this.
Once you've gotten the filter out, scrub it with the brush and soap under the tap, then rinse it clean.
Easy, right? Now for the bad news: You ideally need to do this on a weekly basis.
A clean filter will not only help your dishwasher function better for longer, it will also prevent any built-up gunk from breaking loose and getting sprayed all over your clean dishes.
We have a guide available on how to install a dishwasher, where we go over how you can DIY the project yourself and the circumstances when it makes more sense to call in a professional.
Before attempting the task yourself, it's important to assess what level of plumbing and electrical skills you possess. Setting up a new dishwasher can be complex, needs to adhere to legal standards, and mistakes can run the gamut from electrocution to flooding your entire home. You'll also need to figure out how to get rid of your old appliance once it's disconnected.
In most cases, it just makes more sense for a professional to do it.
Fortunately, this should be an option if you're buying an appliance from most big box stores. Many retailers will
Most big box stores will have an option available to install a new dishwasher and cart away the old one. Sometimes this will be built into the price of the machine and sometimes you'll have to pay an additional fee for the service.
The average dishwasher lasts roughly nine years, according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. We recommend checking out this InterNACHI chart on standard estimated life expectancies for all types of home products. It has information on dishwashsers and other major appliances.
When we spoke to appliance repair experts, they had a slightly more optimistic estimate, claiming a good dishwasher should last 10-to-13 years.
We currently don't perform any long-term testing for durability or operational lifespan. Based on what we've seen from user reviews, though, the lifespan of a dishwasher can vary dramatically by brand and model.
You can find budget models like Hotpoint, Amana, and Beko available for under $600. More midrange models typically range from $600 to about $1,000, with most options clustered around the $800 price point.
Once you get over $1,000, you'll start to see higher-end models that are packed with special features that boast near-perfect cleaning performance available from brands like Bosch, Café, Samsung, Frigidaire Pro, and GE Profile.
Over $1,600 and you're looking at more luxe models, which often have more of an emphasis on aesthetics in addition to superb performance and features. This is where you'll start seeing brands like Miele, Fisher & Paykel, Bertazzoni, and Viking.
In many cases? Yes. But it depends.
You should expect the average dishwasher to last about 10 years. A replacement will typically cost you about $800, assuming you aren't looking for a budget model or something particularly fancy.
If your current dishwasher is towards the end of that decade-long lifecycle, then yes, it probably is cheaper to just buy a new dishwasher. Newer models are often a lot more efficient in terms of electricity and water usage, which can add up to lots of savings on your utility bills over time.
If you do decide to buy a new dishwasher, make sure you have a plan for how to dispose of your old appliance. Many stores can cart away your older model for an additional fee, but there are also other options available if you'd rather do it yourself.
All built-in dishwashers are either 24 or 18 inches wide and connect directly to the water intake in your kitchen. Make sure to measure the width of your available space to make sure you're buying the right size.
If you want a dishwasher that sits flush with your cabinetry, you'll also need to measure the available depth.
Double-check all measurements before purchasing—taking a few minutes to get these right will save you a huge headache when later, when there's an ill-fitting appliance sitting in your home.
That being said, there really isn't much to a dishwasher's size. This is partially why they're so easy to shop for online.
Fun fact: Dishwashers use less water than hand-washing.
According to Jonathan Chan, Reviewed's lab operations manager, "The amount of water a dishwasher uses varies greatly on type and cycle selected. Normal cycles on compact models can use as little as 2.5 gallons, but larger entry-level models can use up to 5 gallons."
Part of our lab testing involves measuring exactly how much water and electricity are used during wash cycles. Under the assumption of 208 cycles per year (4 per week), of which 25% are fast, 50% are normal, and 25% are heavy, we're able to approximate a dishwasher's annual resource usage.
The Bosch 800 Series SHP78CM5N, our current pick for best dishwasher, uses 750 gallons per year. Our current Best Value winner, the Beko DUT25401X, uses slightly less: 731 gallons per year. Interestingly, our upgrade pick, the Miele G 5266 SCVi uses the least amount of water: just 626 gallons per year.
New dishwashers come out each year, each with its own set of unique features and engineering improvements. Rarely these improvements will become a new standard—more often than not, though, they end just being a gimmick and a waste of money.
Because every brand has produced models that are overpriced for their performance and features, it's difficult to definitively say that any one is better than any other: It all comes down to the performance of individual models.
That being said, there are a few brands that tend to perennially occupy our lists of top performers. Brands like Bosch, Miele, KitchenAid, Thermador, LG, and Samsung all tend to be capable of producing models that out-perform the competition. Bosch in particular is remarkably consistent in their quality.
We don't perform any long-term tests that gauge a product's reliability over time. As such, we don't have any data that indicates which brands produce more durable, long-lived products.
Based on the data we do have, we suspect longevity likely differs on a model-to-model basis, rather than a brand-to-brand basis. Most brands typically offer dishwashers across the whole spectrum, from budget to high-end, and the latter will almost certainly prove more reliable than the former.
A dishwasher's warranty is one of the better stand-ins for a dishwasher's reliability. The industry standard warranty is 1 year of coverage for parts and service, though many manufacturers often go above and beyond that minimum. Bosch, for example, will cover racks and circuitry for up to 5 years and will replace rusted stainless-steel fixtures for the life of the product. LG covers the control board and rack for up to 5 years, the motor for up to 10 years, and the stainless steel door liner has lifetime coverage.
Be cautious about claims that aren't backed up by a warranty. For example, Miele claims their products last for 20 years, but doesn't offer a warranty to match: Their 2-year warranty, though longer than the industry standard, falls far short of their marketing claims.
There is a correlation between a dishwasher's price and its overall quality, but we've tested a ton of models that are overpriced and underperform. Paying more is no guarantee that the produce will perform better.
As a general rule, though, a higher price should indicate at least one of the following:
The answer to this depends on your available budget and individual needs.
In general, a higher-end dishwasher is going to last longer than a budget model, it's going to offer more consistent cleaning, and it's going to have more helpful features.
If you're used to a lower-end dishwasher, you may not have any problem with its eccentricities, but moving from a high-end model to a lower-end one may be a frustrating experience. The user experience may provide more friction, the machine may not accommodate all your dishes, and you may find dishes aren't as clean after a wash cycle. It can be difficult to put a price to all these different sources of friction.
If you're looking at it from a purely price-based perspective, assuming a budget model costs about $500 and a higher-end model costs about $1,000, that means the higher-end model has to last twice as long as the cheaper model.
Unfortunately, because we don't test for reliability over time, we don't have a body of data about reliance over time to draw from.
According to our body of test results, the current #1 dishwasher is the Bosch 800 Series SHP78CM5N dishwasher. It can scrub out even difficult stains consistently, it has a ton of helpful extra features, its well-designed, and it's backed by an excellent warranty.
Of course, it's only our current #1 dishwasher. New dishwashers come out each year and old winners are eventually discontinued. The #1 dishwasher is a constantly-changing title.
Mark Brezinski works on the Home Team, reviewing refrigerators, minifridges, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, air conditioners, air purifiers, and fans.
Michael Garrett Steele has been writing and editing professionally since 2013, and has been a part of Reviewed since 2020. An MFA in music composition, Garrett has lent audio expertise to everyone from Independence Community College to Bethesda Softworks, informing reviews of audio equipment and services. Garrett also covers tech, drawing on experience working everywhere from IT helpdesks to enterprise architecture sales. Steele has also become a go-to reviewer for minor plumbing fixtures since covering bidets for Reviewed in early 2020.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
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