september 1st, 2023 | 12 min. read
learn how to find the perfect dishwasher with our dishwasher buying guide
the biggest and best product comparison for dishwashers and appliances is bosch versus kitchenaid.
why?
both brands have excellent dishwashers and have recently updated their features.
kitchenaid reinvented their dishwasher two years ago, while bosch recently updated theirs, particularly with the introduction of their powercontrol wash system.
bosch and kitchenaid differ in their washing and drying methods, as well as rack design.
in this article, you will learn about the differences between bosch and kitchenaid dishwashers, including their rack design, cleaning performance, and reliability based on over 33,000 service calls completed by our service team just last year.
looking for answers about dishwashers?
short on time? download our free dishwasher buying guide.
kitchenaid dishwashers
kitchenaid is an affordable luxury appliance brand owned by the whirlpool corporation and is made in the us.
their early dishwasher changed dishwashers because of its solid commercial design.
everyone wanted a kitchenaid dishwasher in the 1970s and 1980s, but hobart, a commercial manufacturer, owned it then.
kitchenaid's weakness was noise, especially when bosch and asko started importing quiet dishwashers into the us.
while it cleaned well, it was noisy.
they finally addressed that issue, dropping it to a noiseless 39 decibels (db) and changing their dishwasher to a more european design by removing the disposer and adding a filter.
kitchenaid now has three series of dishwashers: the 100 series, the 200 series, and the m series.
kitchenaid kdtm404kps
44 dba dishwasher in printshield™ finish with freeflex™ third rack
kitchenaid kdtm604kps
44 dba dishwasher in printshield™ finish with freeflex™ third rack
kitchenaid kdtm704kps
44 dba dishwasher with freeflex™ third rack and led interior lighting
kitchenaid kdtm804kps
44 dba dishwasher with freeflex™ third rack and led interior lighting
the kdfe104 is their most basic model with a silence rating of 47 decibels, starting at $748-$899.
the 200 series kdte204 at $798-$999 and the kdp304 at $1,168-$1,299 dishwashers add a third rack and are the quietest at 39 decibels.
the m series was new and improved a few years ago and starts at $948-$1,838 for their best model, the kdpm804 (not that you should buy that model).
kitchenaid dishwasher rack design
the "freeflex" racks are different. the second rack is slanted to accommodate more of all three.
however, you can't place wine glasses on the left of the middle rack because of the slanted larger top rack.
kitchenaid dishwasher cleaning performance
4-level wash system
you have three arms: one on the top, one on the basket, and below the second rack.
however, you have a fourth level from that larger second rack.
advanced clean water wash system
uses microfiltration to continuously remove food particles during the wash and rinse cycles and circulates clean water to dishes in all three racks.
wash cycles
- prowash™ cycle: this cycle uses soil sensors to determine the level of dirtiness of the dishes and adjusts the washing parameters in real-time to ensure optimal cleaning. it's essentially an automatic cycle that adapts to the current load.
- tough cycle: designed for pots, pans, and dishes with baked-on or dried-on food. it provides a more intensive wash to break down and remove tough food residues.
- normal cycle: suitable for everyday loads with moderate soil levels. this is the standard wash cycle for dishes, glasses, and silverware with typical food soil.
- quick cycle/express wash: designed for lightly soiled items and reduces the wash time. it's ideal when you need dishes cleaned in a shorter amount of time.
- rinse only cycle: this cycle rinses dishes that won't be washed immediately, preventing food residues from drying onto the dishes. no detergent is used in this cycle.
- sani-rinse option: heats the final rinse water to a high temperature, eliminating 99.999% of food soil bacteria. this is especially useful to ensure a sanitary load, like after handling raw meat.
- delicate cycle: suitable for delicate items like glassware or lightly soiled dishes. it provides a gentler wash to prevent damage to fragile items.
- extended heat dry option: increases the heat dry time, ensuring better drying results. this is particularly useful for loads with plastic items that tend to retain moisture.
drying system
prodry: the m series units utilize the prodry™ system, incorporating a heating element and a fan for the best drying results.
the fan helps circulate the warm air, enhancing drying performance. the less expensive units use the heating element without the fan.
kitchenaid dishwasher styles
you can buy kitchenaid with the towel bar kdt, pocket handle, the kdp, and a few series with panel options.
read more: best kitchenaid dishwashers
bosch dishwashers
bosch dishwashers are made in north carolina, even though the company is based in germany.
bosch has the 100, 300, 500, 800, and benchmark series. at one time, bosch marketed over 100 dishwashers before the pandemic. now it's about half.
i recently wrote a blog post on the differences between them, but that changed last week.
100 series
bosch she3aem6n
bosch® 100 series 24" black front control built in dishwasher
bosch she3aem2n
bosch® 100 series 24" white front control built in dishwasher
they changed the ascenta to a 100, 100 plus, and 100 premium.
both have a plastic bottom, lighter door, and shallow, non-adjustable top rack.
they all have "precsionwash" using intelligent sensors for better cleaning.
this year's bosch dishwashers are now wi-fi-enabled, so you can control it on your phone and even set your favorite cycle.
the 100 series is between 46 – 50 decibels. they fail to meet the quietness standard of 44 decibels.
the basic 100 series dishwashers do not have a third rack.
bosch 300 series ($949-$1,099)
the 300 series starts the regular bosch dishwasher lineup.
you have an all-stainless tub and an adjustable top rack. these models have a better silence rating of 46 decibels, yet they are still audible in an open kitchen design.
aquastop leak protection starts in the 300 series as well. it adds a second layer to the hose in case it bursts.
bosch 300 series dishwasher cycles
the 24/7 standard leak detection is excellent, using sensors to shut off the water.
- standard cycles: auto, normal, speed60, rinse.
- options: half load, sanitize, delay, extra dry.
- notables: the 300 series provides basic yet effective cleaning cycles for everyday needs. the speed60 gets dishes from dirty to dry in about an hour.
bosch 500 series ($1,099-$1,149)
bosch introduced their autoair and improved drying by opening the dishwasher after the cycle.
this will release moisture and speed up the drying process. the 500 series is quieter at 44 decibels and meets the quietness standard.
the top silverware rack is their "flexspace," so it can accommodate cups and silverware.
bosch 500 series dishwasher cycles
- standard cycles: auto, heavy, normal, speed60, rinse.
- options: half load, sanitize, delay, extra dry, extrascrub (increases pressure and temperature in the lower rack for intensive cleaning).
- notables: the 500 series introduces the extrascrub option and often has a slightly more refined design. the auto cycle uses sensors to determine soil level and adjusts the wash process accordingly.
pro tip: having a dishwasher popping open is especially effective when you wash your dishes at night. you reduce the residual moisture on the dishes in the morning because the steam has been released.
bosch 800 series ($1,199-$1,499)
this year's innovation is called powercontrol, their new wash arm and propeller.
at the bottom, you can control the amount of water pressure to be heavy, normal, or light based on the soil level on your dishes in four different zones when using their homeconnect app.
it's a brand-new design from bosch, although lg with their quadwash, samsung with their waterwall, and beko with their cornerintense wash arms have both strayed from traditional wash systems.
the 800 series features crystaldry, using the volcanic mineral zeolite to dry even plastics through three phases:
- absorption of moisture: during the washing and rinsing phases of the dishwasher's cycle, zeolite granules absorb moisture from the dishwasher's interior.
- heat release: as the zeolite absorbs moisture, it undergoes an exothermic reaction, naturally releasing heat. this heat helps in drying the dishes more effectively.
- regeneration: at the beginning of each wash cycle, residual moisture from the previous cycle is heated and driven off the zeolite, effectively "regenerating" it and preparing it for the next moisture absorption phase.
bosch 800 series dishwasher cycles
- standard cycles: auto, heavy, normal, speed60, rinse, sometimes includes additional cycles like glass, eco, and quick.
- options: half load, sanitize, delay, extra dry, extrascrub, and sometimes crystaldry (an advanced drying option that uses minerals to transform moisture into heat up to 176°f for improved drying performance).
- notables: the 800 series is one of bosch's premium lines, with more features and flexibility. the inclusion of cycles like glass ensures delicate items are washed gently. the crystaldry option, if present, offers one of the best drying performances available. in addition, the bosch 800 series features interior lighting and a better third rack with bosch's "myway" racking design.
bosch benchmark series ($1,799-$2,299)
the benchmark series is bosch's quietest dishwasher at 38 db with a much more refined control panel.
the "timelight" flashes the amount of time left in the cycle right on the floor in front of the dishwasher or the handle of the pocket handle model.
aquastop plus will pump any excess water from the dishwasher if an overflow is detected.
you can buy the bosch dishwasher with five different fronts.
pro tip: bosch dishwashers have been in short supply. pick a series, then check every type of style.
read more: best bosch dishwashers
looking for answers about dishwashers?
short on time? download our free dishwasher buying guide.
kitchenaid vs. bosch dishwashers
let's start with the most misunderstood component of this bosch and kitchenaid comparison: reliability.
reliability
both are excellent. bosch was second best in 2022 at 5.1% versus 6.2% for kitchenaid.
only lg is lower at 3.5%
dishwasher service rates for 2023
the following service rates are based on a minimum of 100 products sold and a total sample size of over 8000 units over a 12-month period.
| service rates | |
| lg | 3.5% |
| bosch | 5.1% |
| thermador | 5.9% |
| kitchenaid | 6.2% |
| miele | 6.7% |
| ge profile | 7.1% |
| signature kitchen suite | 7.5% |
| fisher & paykel | 9.0% |
| café appliances | 10.3% |
| beko | 11.2% |
| grand total | 6.8% |
every review site and blogger will talk about bosch being far more reliable.
however, the numbers don't match the opinions, but then again, none of the magazines or reviews employ a single technician or log any service calls.
you can't base your purchase on a 1.1% difference in reliability.
however, you should base your decision on the availability of repair services - go online and read reviews for technicians in your area for both brands.
read more: most reliable dishwashers
what kitchenaid and bosch dishwashers have in common
you will see the differences, but they also have much in common. below are their similarities.
- stainless-steel tub: most upscale dishwashers now have stainless on the inside. it is more hygienic than plastic because there are no seams for germs and odors to populate.
- cycles: you will see them in three comparisons, but there will be plenty of cycles for both. many perform the same function.
- third rack: they both have third racks. however, the kitchenaid dishwasher series is upgraded and different on certain models.
- quietness: both are at or below 44 decibels (db) for their best series. that number isn't an accident. it is the unofficial standard for a noiseless silence rating, meaning you won't hear a 44 db dishwasher in the next room.
pro tip: people pay too much money for a quiet dishwasher. you shouldn't make that same mistake of buying below 44 decibels unless the more expensive dishwasher has other desired features.
here is a video that demonstrates the varying sound levels and silence ratings of different dishwashers:
kitchenaid kdte204kps ($749-$999) vs. bosch shp65cp5n ($1,149)
how they wash
kitchenaid has a better spray on the top versus more of a sprinkler head for the bosch.
that said, they both will wash your dishes.
how they rack
both now have a third rack for silverware. miele designed the third rack originally. it's useful because the third rack will allow more room on the bottom rack.
how they dry
like most stainless-steel interior dishwashers, kitchenaid and bosch both use condensation drying. it's a fancy word for air drying, jet dry, and time.
bosch has autoair and pops open the door at the end of the cycle to release steam.
as i already noted, it's great before bedtime. the residual steam doesn't resettle on your glasses.
quietness
the kdte204kps is kitchenaid's least expensive available dishwasher.
this less expensive series is the quietest at 39 db. it is noiseless. you won't even hear a hum.
yet the bosch meets the quietness standard of 44 decibels.
this next comparison is far more interesting, comparing the best new features of both brands.
if the prices seem uneven, you will learn why at the end of the article.
kitchenaid kdtm604kps ($999-$1,249) vs. bosch shp78cp5n ($1,349)
how they wash
bosch has the same sprinkler head on the top and the two spray arms under the main racks.
their new powercontrol system allows you to control the intensity of the jet spray - light, normal, and heavy in different areas.
it's all easily programable on their homeconnect app, and you can program favorites right on the dishwasher or in the app.
kitchenaid has a spray arm on the top, middle, and bottom. they advertise four levels of wash action, but it's not a fourth wash arm.
it's a rod with jet holes located on the second rack in the middle of the dishwasher. you can't control the intensity of the spray for cleaning lasagna pans like you can with this new bosch dishwasher.
quietness
kitchenaid has also changed the filter system to two, so the water will be cleaner. the second filter increases the noise from a noiseless 39 db to a still quiet 44 db.
the bosch 800 series will be 42 decibels, technically quieter, but like the last comparison, they will both be quiet.
dishwasher racks
kitchenaid's third rack is more accommodating than any brand.
bosch is decent with flexspace allowing you to hold expresso cups. you can also fit wine glasses on the top left of the second rack.
you cannot place wine glasses in that location in the kitchenaid.
how they dry
both companies have made improvements.
kitchenaid uses heat and a fan to circulate the heat. however, adding heat to an already hot dishwasher improves only marginally.
bosch, however, completely changed how dishwashers dry.
their 800 and benchmark dishwashers pack a volcanic element, zeolite, to absorb moisture and emit heat for the driest dishes available. zeolite works well, even on plastics.
bosch vs. kitchenaid dishwashers: design
bosch will give you more refined options in terms of design, especially in pocket handles and other integrated styles.
have a look:
kitchenaid vs. bosch dishwashers for custom cabinet panels
bosch is better because it fits within a 24-inch cabinet.
you would think this would be a standard feature on dishwashers. however, only beko, miele, asko, and bosch fit seamlessly within the cabinets.
kitchenaid will protrude outside the cabinet.
it's the difference between a dishwasher looking like a cabinet and a dishwasher looking like a dishwasher with a panel on it.
this comparison is no contest. bosch is better for this style. bosch markets several panel-ready models.
kitchenaid changed their whole line a few years ago but missed this opportunity.
read more: best panel-ready dishwashers
kitchenaid vs. bosch dishwashers: 18-inch and ada compliant dishwashers
bosch is better in this comparison because they have a few models, while kitchenaid does not.
bosch’s ada approved dishwashers will have the controls at a wheelchair height of 32 inches instead of the normal countertop of 33-34 inches.
kitchenaid vs bosch dishwashers: wi-fi and smart functionality
both dishwashers are simple to use. bosch will have wi-fi in all their models, while kitchenaid has none.
in a quiet dishwasher, you can open it thinking the cycle is completed while it's still running.
wi-fi will show you how long is left in the cycle and send you a push notification at the end.
of course, you also have the infolight with the same information at the bottom.
kitchenaid vs. bosch dishwasher prices and promotions: very important
you see more of a price difference between kitchenaid and bosch this year at any time since 2020.
kitchenaid is more promotional, especially around the holidays like black friday, labor day, memorial day, july 4th, and presidents’ day.
the discounts on prices vary between 10% to 25%, depending on the specific model you choose.
for example, when i wrote this, the kdte604 was $1,349 and is now selling at $1,048.
bosch is still catching up from their supply shortages and is less promotional.
if you can, wait for a holiday, and then compare the two.
read more: when is the best time to buy appliances?
key takeaways
first, both are excellent choices. you should consider both because they have decent features and good reliability.
however, bosch has a clear advantage in 18-inch, ada, and panel-ready models.
bosch will dry better in their 500, 800, and benchmark series depending on the model.
their powercontrol spray arm in the 800 and benchmark series will allow you to scour and handle delicates with their completely redesigned wash system.
kitchenaid will hold more in their better series while being quieter in their less expensive series.
i would look at service for specifically in your area because the service experience changes by geography.
lastly, wait for a holiday to compare your prices.
additional resources
for more information about dishwashers, read the yale dishwasher buying guide with features, specs, and insider buying tips. well over 1.5 million people have read a yale guide.
related articles
looking for answers about dishwashers?
choosing a new dishwasher can be a confusing and time-consuming experience. we've taken the pain out of the decision process with our dishwasher buying guide.
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a note about pricing
pricing on this blog is for reference only and may include time sensitive rebates. we make every attempt to provide accurate pricing at time of publishing. please call the stores for most accurate price.
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