Best Bosch Dishwasher for Your Kitchen

This popular brand dominates the top of our dishwasher ratings. Here's how to find the best model for your budget and needs.

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Bosch is one of the leading brands for dishwashers, with more than 50 models and machines that perform exceptionally well when it comes to cleaning dishes and reliability, among other factors. That's exactly what can make choosing a Bosch dishwasher so daunting: How do you choose the right one for you?

Bosch's dishwashers are organized into six tiers, which differ in the features they offer and, accordingly, their prices. But first, we can establish what all Bosch dishwashers have in common: They carry the Energy Star certification, which means they meet certain standards of water and energy efficiency that can save up to 3,800 gallons of water over their lifetime and save you up to $35 a year on your electricity bill. All of Bosch's dishwashers have what's called PrecisionWash, which allows sensors to scan and check dishes throughout the cycle to make sure they’re getting clean.

You also won't find a Bosch dishwasher with a fully plastic interior. Plastic is more susceptible to stains and wear than stainless steel, but a plastic tub can make a dishwasher more affordable. Dishwashers in Bosch's two entry-level tiers have stainless steel walls and ceilings with a plastic base, while the dishwashers in all tiers above those have fully stainless steel tubs. And all of the dishwashers allow some amount of upper rack adjustment.

As you’ll see below, the main differences between the dishwashers are the nice-to-have features—quieter overall performance, better drying technology, roomier and more adjustable racks—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 costs $549, while its priciest model comes in at $2,299.

Below, we’ve put together a detailed but easy-to-scan overview of the important features you’ll get as you step up through each tier.

We’ve included a rundown of Thermador dishwashers, too, because they’re manufactured by the same parent company as Bosch (BSH). Thermador dishwashers put a greater emphasis on high-end looks than practical features and cost much more than many Bosch models. But the two brands have a lot in common otherwise.

Consumer Reports has tested at least one model from each Bosch and Thermador tier. Each dishwasher that comes through our labs undergoes at least 28 hours of tough testing. We’ve also collected reliability and owner satisfaction data on more than 100,000 individual dishwashers in use in real homes through our member surveys.

CR members can read detailed ratings for performance, predicted reliability, and owner satisfaction for all of the Bosch dishwashers we’ve tested, along with ratings for dozens of other machines from more than 20 brands in our dishwasher ratings. And check out our dishwasher buying guide before you shop. There, we explain how we test and rate dishwashers and include questions you should ask before deciding on a model.

This is Bosch's entry-level dishwasher. The Ascenta washes nearly as well as any of the pricier Bosch models and should be just as reliable, too. But we found that its drying performance is mediocre, probably due to its partly plastic tub. Its feature set is also relatively sparse compared with the rest of the Bosch lineup. Here's what to expect:

We mentioned above that Bosch's tiers are mostly well organized. The 100 Series is the exception.

A couple of the 100 Series models are barely different from the Ascenta series. We haven't tested these, so we’re not sure if they perform more like the Ascenta or more like the other 100 Series models (and up). These dishwashers have a "3" in their model name, and the minor upgrades over the Ascenta include:

But other 100 Series models include some substantial upgrades. And we know for sure that they outperform the basic Ascenta line, particularly when it comes to drying plastic. These dishwashers have a "4" in their model numbers and add the following features:

The 300 Series has a long list of useful upgrades over the lower-end models, including:

Within the 300 Series, there's also the DLX line, available through certain retailers. Models include small differences in the silverware baskets and cycle selections that aren't very meaningful. The 300 Series also includes several models in a compact 18-inch width. There's also a standard 24-inch model that's compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), though this one doesn't include a third rack. All of these "specialty" models (as Bosch calls them) include a tray that can hold water-softening salts.

The short (but mighty) list of improvements in the 500 Series includes:

The 800 Series has more handle styles and finishes available than the 500 Series and a few other upgraded features. They include:

There's also the 800 Series Premium, with a few noteworthy upgrades, including:

800 Series models are also available in a compact 18-inch width. Several ADA-compliant models—machines that meet the standards of the Americans With Disabilities Act—are available as well, including a 24-inch-wide option. Each of these specialty models includes a tray for water-softening salts.

In the Benchmark series, the upgrades are mainly about a premium look and feel. You really need to check out these dishwashers in person to appreciate how refined the fit and finish are. Here's what's different compared with the 800 Series, beyond aesthetics:

The most affordable option in the Thermador lineup is the Emerald series. The feature set is a bit of a mishmash of perks you’d get from the Bosch lineup. But like the Benchmark series, the style is the point of the upgrade here. Thermador models also earn a slightly lower owner satisfaction rating than Bosch models, based on responses to our member surveys. Here's what you’ll get:

This is the top-of-the-line series from the Bosch and Thermador brands. (Their parent company BSH also manufactures Gaggenau dishwashers, but they’re substantially different and quite expensive, and CR hasn't tested them.) The Sapphire is stuffed with just about every feature that BSH has up its sleeve. It's like a combination of the features in the standard Bosch 800 Series with the looks of the Emerald. Here are the important differences compared with the Emerald: