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

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, so you can quickly and easily find the right model for your kitchen.

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.

An  integrated dishwasher is built into your kitchen. It's fully or partially covered with a front panel in the same look as your kitchen cabinets. 

• For tight spaces: A 45-cm integrated slimline dishwasher is also available. 
• Visible control panel: A semi-integrated dishwasher is built in, but the control panel remains visible on the front.

The main advantage: it's essentially hidden, for a seamless and attractive appearance.

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.

Taller dishwasher
Choose a taller, 86-cm-high dishwasher, sometimes called an XXL dishwasher or extra height dishwasher, if you've got a high worktop and want the seamless look of a built-in dishwasher.

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).

Compact dishwasher
Alternatively, you can opt for a compact dishwasher with a modular height that can be built into your kitchen cabinet (45 cm high, 60 cm wide).

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

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.
• Make a statement:  With a trendy, sleek black freestanding dishwasher. 

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.

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.

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.}

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.

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.