Bosch vs. KitchenAid Dishwashers

Posted on May 15, 2019

Bosch and KitchenAid are some of the most well-known names when it comes to dishwashers, and for good reason. Whereas most reputable kitchen name brands started in either laundry, refrigeration or ovens and eventually migrated towards dishwashers, Bosch and KitchenAid actually made their start with dishwashers so it’s more of their specialty. When you get a Bosch or KitchenAid dishwasher, you’re not just choosing a brand that added the dishwasher as an afterthought to be able to offer a full kitchen suite – you’re getting the cream-of-the-crop. So if you’re in the market for a dishwasher with high-quality features in the $700 – $1400 price range, you should definitely consider one of these two brands.

Unfortunately, the real trouble comes in choosing between the two brands. In case you haven’t been keeping up with the appliance industry over the last few years, Bosch has always been known for its quiet-operating dishwashers and KitchenAid is most notorious for its advanced dishwasher features. However, over the years, both companies have made improvements to their dishwashers to combat the other competition; Bosch has added more features while KitchenAid now offers quieter dishwashers. Below we compare two popular dishwasher models from each brand, the Bosch 500 Series 24” Pocket Handle Dishwasher and the KitchenAid 43 dBA Dishwasher with Clean Water Wash System, to help you decide which one is best for your home.

Flexibility

Both dishwasher brands offer flexible capacity to accommodate every dish and maximize on space. The Bosch 500 Series offers the Flexible 3rd Rack above the rack to fit bulky items in space that normally wouldn’t be used. It also features the RackMatic™ adjustable upper shelf to accommodate deep and tall items. While many of the KitchenAid dishwashers do have a third rack, this particular model doesn’t have one but does offer an adjustable upper rack. With that said, Bosch’s third rack is a bit deeper than the KitchenAid’s version to maximize flexibility.

Cleaning Power

The Bosch 500 Series dishwasher’s PrecisionWash™ uses intelligent sensors to continually scan your dishes throughout every cycle while powerful, precision spray arms target every dish for a precise clean. The KitchenAid dishwasher features a Clean Water Wash System which continuously removes food particles from the wash water so your dishes aren’t being cleaned with dirty water. It also has the ProScrub™ Option with 40 targeted spray jets to remove stubborn messes and eliminate the need for soaking or pre-scrubbing.

Noise

Nothing kills a dinner party ambiance like a noisy dishwasher. For this reason, dishwasher manufacturers are enhancing their designs to include smoother-running motors and extra insulation for a quiet dishwasher. The Bosch 500 Series 24″ Pocket Handle Dishwasher offers a low 44 dBa which is quiet enough to require an InfoLight™ that shines a red light on the floor to let you know it’s still on. The KitchenAid delivers an even lower 43 dBa for an even quieter experience. While this specific KitchenAid model is about 30% quieter than the Bosch model, both are so quiet that you’ll be happy either way.

Drying

The Bosch 500 Series dishwasher’s Extra Shine option turns up the heat and extends drying time to ensure dishes and glassware come out exceptionally clean with a perfect shine. The KitchenAid dishwasher uses Advanced ProDry System uses heat and a fan to draw moisture out of the tub for the best drying performance without using a rinse-aid.