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What is the best dishwasher for you? Dishwasher buying guide.

Bosch integrated dishwasher in a modern white kitchen.

What to look for when buying a dishwasher.

Which dishwasher fits your kitchen? Which dishwasher is best for your needs? Our dishwasher buying guide answers your questions, and provides helpful tips and advice, so you can easily choose the best-fit appliance.

You might also be interested to discover:

Which dishwasher should I buy? The Dishwasher Finder.

What to look for when buying a dishwasher? After choosing between a freestanding dishwasher and a built-in dishwasher, also known as an integrated dishwasher, carefully check the right dishwasher dimensions of your space. Then decide what else is important to you: Do you want a highly eco-friendly dishwasher? Quick wash programme? A model with a cutlery tray? Or perhaps a smart dishwasher or the quietest dishwasher.

Below you'll find our dishwasher buying guide. It clearly outlines what to keep in mind when choosing a new dishwasher. When you are ready to make a decision, use the Dishwasher Finder to quickly find the right series and appliance for your needs.

White freestanding dishwasher from Bosch in a bright, white space.
Underbench dishwasher stainless steel finish in a modern white kitchen.
Fully-integrated dishwasher in a modern white kitchen with the door slightly ajar.
Semi-integrated Bosch dishwasher with a stainless steel control panel, in a modern white kitchen.

1. A freestanding dishwasher or an integrated dishwasher?

Which dishwasher type to buy? In terms of cleaning performance, cycle options and number of place settings, a freestanding dishwasher and an integrated dishwasher, also known as a built-in dishwasher, are near equals. Their main differences lie in their placement options.

A freestanding model can be flexibly placed as space allows in your kitchen. Some also work as an undercounter dishwasher or under bench dishwasher: the appliance can be fitted in a niche under the kitchen worktop. 

The main advantage: as a portable dishwasher, it's easy to take with you if you move.

A fully-integrated dishwasher is built into your kitchen. The main advantage: it's essentially hidden, for a seamless and attractive appearance.

A semi-integrated dishwasher is built in, but the control panel remains visible on the front.

Built-in standard sized 60 by 81 cm Bosch dishwasher next to taller 86-cm-high model.
Freestanding 60 cm dishwasher on a wood floor against a white wall.
Built-in 45 cm wide slimline dishwasher in modern white kitchen with controls on door's top.
Mini Bosch dishwasher in white on countertop of a white kitchen.

2. Which dishwasher size fits my kitchen?

Standard, taller, slimline, compact, or countertop: the size of dishwasher you need depends on the space available in your kitchen as well as your household size. All deliver exceptional cleaning performance.

Standard dishwasher
A standard-size dishwasher is the right choice if your kitchen has a standard-size appliance cutout (60 cm wide). As a full-sized model, it suits families with plenty of washing up to do, as well as singles or couples who like to entertain. A standard-size dishwasher can be integrated or freestanding.

Slimline dishwasher
Narrower than standard models, a 45 cm dishwasher typically comes with all the bells and whistles of full-size versions. The main difference: it takes up less cupboard space. Only available in the standard 81 cm height.

Countertop dishwasher
Also known as a mini dishwasher, a dishwasher for the countertop is flexible, portable, and functional in small households with very limited space (45 cm high, 55 cm wide).

Pro tip: Always carefully measure from the floor to the bottom edge of your worktop before buying!

Ready to choose a dishwasher?

 Stainless steel freestanding dishwasher from Bosch in a white kitchen.
Freestanding white Bosch dishwasher in a white kitchen.

3. What finishes are available?

Freestanding dishwashers come in a range of high-end finishes to suit your personal preferences and the look of your kitchen. 

  • Match other appliances: A stainless steel freestanding dishwasher perfectly pairs with a stainless steel fridge. Fingerprint-resistant versions are also available.
  • Match your kitchen: A white freestanding dishwasher fits your white kitchen.

A look inside an empty Bosch dishwasher with two rack system and cutlery basket.
A bottom dishwasher rack with a cutlery basket full of a pot and tableware.
Open Bosch dishwasher shows three rack system for dishes, pots and cutlery.
Shallow upper tray of a Bosch dishwasher, perfect for cutlery, spatulas and small cups.
Full Bosch PerfectDry dishwasher with door open and three racks pulled out.
Closer look at new deeper top rack with space for small bowls and cups.
Knife tray on third rack has been moved to allow space for wine glasses.
Video shows how to best load a Bosch dishwasher by adjusting the racks.

4. Which rack option suits my tableware?

Let's peak inside the dishwasher. Things might have changed a little since you last bought one – at least when it comes to the racks and cutlery options.

Today you have the choice of:

  • A 2-rack dishwasher with a separate cutlery basket in the bottom rack for forks, knives, and spoons.
  • 3-rack dishwasher with a cutlery tray for cutlery, large utensils and espresso cups.

Pro tip: Our latest, innovative third-rack dishwasher range comes with a deeper, cleverly designed top rack – perfect for coffee machine parts, small cups, water bottle lids and other hard-to-place items. Slide the knife tray to the side for more space in the middle rack below. These models also have a cutlery basket.

The rescaled EU energy label for appliances showing the efficiency rating B. 
The new simplified EU energy label 

5. What energy rating should my dishwasher have?

An energy efficient dishwasher not only lowers your energy costs, but also reduces your carbon footprint. Because our dishwasher series are made to last, choosing a high-efficiency dishwasher can pay off in the long run. A dishwasher's energy rating provides helpful guidance.

New EU energy label
In March 2021, the European Union introduced a simplified energy label with rescaled energy ratings. The ratings now range from A to G, with A being the most energy efficient.

Example: A dishwasher with a C rating under the new label corresponds to an A+++ rating under the old label.

Video showing the innovative features on PerfectDry dishwashers from Bosch.
Zoom in on Zeolith, written on the interior of a Bosch dishwasher door.

6. Is having the best drying dishwasher a priority?

Looking for our best drying dishwasher? Meet our dishwashers with PerfectDry based on Zeolith technology.

They deliver perfect drying results with less energy consumption* – even on hard-to-dry dishes. So you can go directly from rack to cupboard every time – even plastic dishes, cups, and co. 

*Bosch PerfectDry dishwashers with Zeolith technology compared to conventional Bosch dishwashers without Zeolith technology.

 Person quietly reads on sofa while a Bosch dishwasher runs nearby. 
Enjoy time for some peace and quiet

7. How important to me is the dishwasher noise level?

If you have an eat-in kitchen or open floor plan, a quiet dishwasher probably makes your must-have list. Closed-off kitchen? Noise is perhaps less of a priority. The right noise level for you comes down to personal preferences and the floor plan of your home.

What is the quietest dishwasher from Bosch?
Our Silence Plus dishwashers clock in at around 40 decibels during the wash cycle – the equivalent of soft background music. Many of our dishwasher types have a low noise rating, which is listed on the energy label.

Tablet on a countertop shows Home Connect app and status of all connected appliances.
Stay connected – a smart dishwasher

8. What about a smart dishwasher?

Did you know all our standard-size dishwashers are Wi-Fi-enabled? Pair one with the Home Connect app and tap into convenient smart dishwasher features, such as silence on demand, which reduces the noise level to a minimum, or the Favourite button for easy access to the dishwasher cycles you use most. In addition to the control panel, you can also manage your Wi-Fi dishwasher from anywhere via the app.

How long should a dishwasher last?

How long does a dishwasher last? High in quality and engineered in Germany, our dishwashers are made to serve you for many, many years. Before an appliance leaves our factory, we verify it meets our very high quality standards. Every Bosch dishwasher also comes with a 2-year manufacturer warranty in addition to a 10-year anti-rust warranty on the interior.

Freestanding dishwashers

Integrated dishwashers

Slimline dishwashers

Countertop dishwashers

Map with location and search icons symbolise Bosch dealer locator. 

Where can I find a dishwasher near me?

Our online dealer finder shows you Bosch dishwasher stockists in your area. Experience our high-quality products first hand. Get tips and advice on our series. When you're ready, buy the dishwasher of your choice.

Need help? Dishwasher Finder.

Our online Dishwasher Finder helps you choose the right model in a few clicks.

Compare our series.

How does a Series 8 dishwasher differ from a Series 6 dishwasher? Find out now!

Online support for dishwashers.

From cleaning and maintenance to troubleshooting support, get answers to questions and other tips.

Shop our dishwashers.

View our full range of dishwashers. Filter according to your wants and needs. Buy online.

Free extended warranty.

Our dishwashers come with a free extended warranty on certain parts. Register yours to MyBosch to activate.

Home Connect.

Stay in control of your smart dishwasher –anytime, anywhere. Simply pair with the mobile app to access the possibilities.

Wash dishes #LikeABosch.

With our PerfectDry dishwashers. Perfect drying results and less energy consumption.

MyBosch

Register for free and enjoy many benefits!

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