Dishwashers – what to consider when buying a new one.
A dishwasher makes each day a little easier and more enjoyable. But honestly, selecting a new one can feel overwhelming. Type, size, finish – what's really important? Explore below the list of 8 questions to ask yourself before you buy.
Top advantages of a Bosch dishwasher:
- The right style and size for your kitchen
- Perfectly clean and dry – load after load
- Super silent and smart
8 key questions to ask when buying a dishwasher.
1. A built-in or freestanding dishwasher?
In terms of features and functions, a dishwasher that's integrated and a freestanding dishwasher are near equals. The main differences are on a visual level.
An integrated dishwasher is built in to your kitchen. It's fully or partially covered with a front panel in the same look as your kitchen cabinets.
The plus: A built-in dishwasher is essentially hidden, for a seamless, attractive look.
A freestanding dishwasher is an appliance that can be flexibly placed wherever you've space. Built-under models can also be installed in a niche under the kitchen worktop.
The plus: If you move homes, it's easier to take with you than an integrated dishwasher.
2. Which size fits my kitchen?
Standard, taller, slimline or mini: the size of dishwasher you need depends on the space available in your kitchen as well as your household size.
Standard dishwasher
Plenty of space for plates, pots, cups and co. The right choice if you've a standard-size niche (60 cm wide, 81 cm high) in your kitchen. Suits families with plenty of washing up to do, as well as singles or couples who like to entertain.
Taller dishwasher
A taller-than-standard, 86-cm-high dishwasher, sometimes called an XXL dishwasher or extra height dishwasher, is a must 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-wide dishwasher typically comes with all the bells and whistles of full-size versions. The main difference: a small dishwasher has all the features and technology, but takes up less space. Only available in the standard 81 cm height.
Mini dishwasher
Also known as a dishwasher for the countertop, a mini dishwasher is flexible, portable and functional in small households with very limited space (45 cm high, 55 cm wide). Alternatively, you can opt for a compact dishwasher that's built in to your kitchen cabinet (45 cm high, 60 cm wide).
Always carefully measure from the floor to the bottom edge of your worktop before buying!
3. Finishes – what's available?
Maybe your heart is set on a stainless steel dishwasher to match your stainless steel fridge. Or perhaps you want a white dishwasher to fit your white kitchen. Dream of sleek black?
Freestanding dishwashers come in a range of finishes to suit your personal preferences and the look of your kitchen.
4. What's an eco-friendly choice?
An energy-efficient dishwasher with an A+++ rating reduces your energy and water consumption. The bottom line: you save money long term. And do something good for the planet.
Here's a quick guide to navigating the energy labels:
- A+++ The highest efficiency rating. Choose a dishwasher with this label to reduce your electricity bill, and your carbon footprint.
- A++ These appliances consume less water and electricity than A+ models, but they are not the most energy-efficient choice. Invest in an A+++ dishwasher – it'll likely pay off long term.
- A+ dishwashers can consume significantly more electricity and water than an A+++ one.
5. What about dishwasher installation?
When selecting a new dishwasher, you want to know that installation will go off without a hitch. Installing it yourself is certainly doable. For ultimate peace of mind, you can always leave the task to a professional. So you can start using your appliance in next to no time.
Pro tip: Curious how much it costs to hire an installer to do the work? Avoid unpleasant surprises: ask for a quote first. Reach out to the Bosch customer service team anytime with installation questions.
6. How important is noise level to me?
Which dishwasher is quiet? A glance at the energy label reveals the answer – in decibels. However, the right noise level for you comes down to personal preferences and the floor plan of your home.
Pro tip: If you have an eat-in kitchen or open floor plan, carefully consider a dishwasher's noise level. A very quiet dishwasher clocks in at around 40 decibels – like soft music playing in the background. Closed-off kitchen? Noise is perhaps lower on your priority list.
7. Racks – what suits my dishes & cutlery?
Let's peak inside the dishwasher. Things might have changed a little since you last bought one – at least when it comes to racks and space for cutlery.
Today you have the choice of:
- Two racks plus a separate cutlery basket for forks, knives, and spoons
- Three racks with a shallow top rack for cutlery, large utensils and espresso cups
Pro tip: Our latest three-rack dishwashers come 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. They also have a cutlery basket.
8. Any useful innovations I need?
If you're looking for a big upgrade from your old dishwasher, take a closer look at some of the latest innovations on the market.
Goodbye, wet dishes. Hello, PerfectDry
Bosch dishwashers with PerfectDry based on Zeolith technology 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. Heavily soiled dishes? No problem thanks to the Extra Clean Zone.
Plan for the future.
All standard-size Bosch dishwashers are now Wi-Fi-enabled. And for good reason! Apps like Home Connect let you can easily control and manage your smart home appliance from anywhere. So not only do you get a cutting-edge high performer today, but you can also enjoy life-improving features tomorrow.
*Bosch PerfectDry dishwashers with Zeolith technology compared to conventional Bosch dishwashers without Zeolith technology.
Ready for the next step? Use the Dishwasher Finder to find the best-fit appliance. Answer a few questions about what you'd like and need from a dishwasher. See in an instant which Bosch dishwashers match best.
