With so many different styles, brands, and features to choose from, dishwashers are challenging to shop for. They all appear roughly the same, and they all do the one thing: Clean your dirty dishes. But there’s a lot more to dishwashers than meets the eye, and that’s where we come in.
We’re going to focus on two of our favorite models from two of our highest-rated brands: Bosch and Miele.
At a Glance:
Related Article: Shopping for Home Dishwashers [Buying Guide 2020]
Bosch
Bosch dishwashers are known to sanitize for the ultimate clean, delivering exceptional performance time and time again. No longer will you have to wash your dishes before you wash your dishes! Handwashing is a thing of the past thanks to PrecisionWash, allowing you to start your dishwasher and get on with your day. Intelligent sensors continually scan and check the inside of your washer throughout the wash cycle to ensure consistent cleaning results. Large-capacity wash bin and a high-pressure cleaning mechanism have come together to form one sleek dishwashing design. The compact structure and innovative features bring a sense of luxury to your culinary space.
Some models even include an adjustable third rack to maximize your cleaning capacity, whether you’re cleaning large utensils or heavy dishware.
The best part is, Bosch dishwashers are so quiet you shouldn’t hear much sound. Select models make very little noise and operate so quietly that a light has been added to the bottom of the machine to let you know a cycle is running. And while clean dishes are imperative, dry dishes are equally important. That’s why Bosch dishwashers feature a new drying technology called CrystalDry™. If you’re tired of wiping away all those remaining water spots by hand, CrystalDry™ technology increases your drying power by 60%. It transforms the moisture inside the dishwasher into heat to provide the ultimate dry for your cookware, glassware, and even your plastics. It’s a great new option that will simplify your drying process so dinner and dishes are nothing but a breeze.
The manufacturer’s passion for quality is what translates to the biggest difference in your everyday life: Bosch’s attention to detail, attention to results, and attention to thoroughly cleaning and drying your dishes is what allows you to conclude mealtimes with a whole new air of confidence.
Related Article: Bosch vs KitchenAid Dishwashers | Reviews & Top Picks
Miele
Miele dishwashers take a similar approach to performance, offering a construction type that provides optimum convenience and succinct harmony in your kitchen design.
Miele built-in dishwashers are available in different heights, widths, and finishes, offering the perfect solution for your cleaning needs regardless of your kitchen layout.
For perfectly dry dishware, the dishwasher door automatically opens at the end of each cycle to let out any remaining steam or moisture.
The center rack of your Miele dishwasher can be lowered and equipped with a row of spikes for cutlery items and bulky utensils. Excellent cleaning performance and unique versatility come together for shorter wash and dry cycles so you can finish dinner quickly and move onto dessert.
Once every item is properly washed, the job isn’t complete until the drying is done. Another innovative drying feature from Miele is the Auto Open Drying setting that automatically opens the dishwasher door and leaves a small gap at the conclusion of the wash cycle. This allows for fresh airflow to filter into your appliance and reach your dishware. It protects your dishwasher from a buildup of moisture and ensures every dish from glass to plastic comes out perfectly dry.
You might be asking yourself, “Can delicate, expensive wine glasses be washed in a dishwasher?” The answer is a resounding yes if you’re washing them in a Miele dishwasher!
Any function or feature you desire to get your dishes clean can be matched. And if you want a seamless kitchen design, don’t forget about custom panels to match your cabinetry and perfectly integrate your dishwasher into the design of your kitchen.
Bosch & Miele Dishwasher Comparison
To help you get down to the nitty-gritty, here is a side-by-side comparison chart laying out specifications of two of our favorite models for an easy overview.
| Product Attributes | Bosch Built-in Dishwasher (SHP865ZP5N) | Miele Built-in Dishwasher (G 6665 SCVi SF AM) |
|---|---|---|
| Certifications | Energy Star qualified: Total annual energy consumption: 269 kWh | Energy Star qualified: Total annual energy consumption: 220 kWh |
| Construction | Stainless steel with pocket handle type | Stainless steel/professional-grade handles |
| Dimensions |
Height: 33.88” Width: 23.56” Depth (door closed): 23.75” |
Height: 33.75” Width: 23.63” Depth (door closed): 22.5” Depth (door open): 47.5” |
| Display | Digital button controls, digital display | Cycle status light, cycle countdown, rinse aid dispenser, digital controls |
| Features | Sanitize option, cutlery holder, detergent dispenser | Cutlery holder, detergent dispenser |
| Number of Wash Cycles | 5 wash cycles | 6 wash cycles |
| Performance | Concealed water heating element, delay wash cycle (up to 24 hrs.) | Fits large pots & pans |
| Specifications | Rack adjustability; Flexible third rack | Settings for glassware & normal wash cycles |
| Miscellaneous | Adjustable feet, 44 dB noise level, 16 interior settings, electrical requirements: 120 V; 60 Hz; 12 A | Electrical requirements: 120 V; 15 A |
| Brand-specific Features | InfoLight®, AutoAir™, AquaStop®, RackMatic®, EcoSilence™, PrecisionWash™ | AutoOpen drying, 3D+ cutlery tray, hot water connection, half-load water adjustment |
Bosch 500 Series 24” Stainless Steel Built-in Dishwasher
The Bosch 500 Series 24" Built-in Dishwasher (SHP865ZP5N) in stainless steel is designed to be whisper quiet, with 18 noise-reducing features, some of which include multiple insulation layers, grindless food filtration, Bosch’s EcoSilence™ motor system, and a sound-absorbing base.
And because your dishwasher operates so quietly, sometimes you might not be aware it’s running. This is why Bosch designed this dishwasher with an LED time-remaining countdown display and the InfoLight—a light that turns on and projects a red glare onto the floor to tell you when your washer is running. With all these features working in unison, you can truly revel in the hush.
Bosch built-in dishwashers are made with more than dishes in mind; they are engineered to the highest standards, undergoing 485 quality checks so that you can depend on the quality you’re investing in.
The Flexible Third Rack has expandable wings that lower to accommodate more of your deeper or taller items, and adjustable tines let you customize the rack to fit awkward, bulky items.
When your dishes are done, you can be too, with Bosch’s PrecisionWash feature. This wash cycle uses intelligent sensors to continually scan and check the progress of dishes throughout the cycle, and every item of every load gets attention from powerful, precision spray arms.
Whether you’re tidying up after the largest dinner party or the quaintest family dinner, you’ll never have to handwash dishes with a 16-place-setting capacity and RackMatic upper-rack height adjustment. This means you get three height tweaks for a total of nine possible rack positions.
But it isn’t just about unique features; kitchen appliances are all about enhancing convenience. This model features a super-handy 24-hour delay start timer if you know you’re heading out of the house and won’t have time to start the dishwasher. And, the self-latching door and AquaStop leak protection prevent any water or food particles from spilling out during the wash cycle.
It’s complete peace of mind while your dishes come out completely spotless.
If you’re looking to narrow down the top features of your potential next built-in dishwasher, consider the summary of features of this Bosch model:
- Five wash cycles and sanitizing options for a complete and thorough clean
- Sanitize option increases temperature to eliminate bacteria and enhance drying results
- Quietest dishwasher brand on the market + InfoLight signal and LED countdown timer
- Flexible loading options with a third rack, PrecisionWash, and large place setting capacity
- Tested, reliable product with an emphasis on quality
- Space-saving, time-saving, and modern, energy-efficient design
- Leak Protection, vivid LED display, and 24-hour delay start timer
Miele 24” Stainless Steel Built-in Dishwasher
The Miele 24” Built-in Dishwasher (G 6665 SCVi SF AM) in stainless steel adds versatility to every wash.
If you’ve never heard of a 3D+ cutlery tray in a dishwasher before, you’re about to!
With Miele’s exclusive 3D+ cutlery tray, the you can lower the center section to make room for larger items amidst the hinged row of spikes used to hold your cutlery items. The best part of that is no matter which cooking utensils you’re washing; every item comes out perfectly clean and dry every single time.
There’s nothing worse than opening the drawer at the end of the cycle to find a buildup of moisture inside the appliance, leading you to reach for the towel and dry by hand. That’s where the patented AutoOpen drying feature comes in—the door opens automatically at the end of the washing cycle so whatever steam remains inside the machine can be released to prevent any buildup of water or mildew smell.
Miele built-in dishwashers have a new basket design to maximize your space, making more options for dish placement and better cleaning results.
This includes FlexAssist Markers; a color identification system that allows you to designate and label certain areas of the basket to contain specific kitchen items. This feature is ideal for anyone who wants a hand with household chores but also prefers the dishwasher gets loaded in a particular way.
If you want to wash all your glassware together but aren’t the one to load the dishwasher, you can choose a FlexAssist marker to convey where the wine glasses and champagne flutes should be placed for optimal cleaning. And speaking of glassware, Miele’s Perfect GlassCare technology ensures your delicates and stemware are gently cleaned.
Cleaning is only one aspect of a built-in dishwasher; The drying performance is just as important in this household appliance.
This Miele dishwasher comes with Sensor Dry, a program that optimizes the dry times to fully dry every dish, pot, and pan. Even if your washer is full of large bakeware and serving trays, the sensors will apply a customized amount of heat to each specific area to ensure your items come out dry.
If you need even more sanitizing capabilities, every Miele dishwasher can connect to hot water. So, if you want a little more heat to kill off any bacteria or remove stuck-on food particles, a blast of hot water should do the trick.
This is also helpful if you just need to run a half load and don’t want to use up all the water that you would on a full cleaning cycle. When your washer is not completely full, the automatic load recognition system adjusts water and electricity consumption. With this model, Miele makes it effortless to introduce an energy-efficient appliance into your home to save time, energy and money on your dishes.
To summarize what we just explored, this Miele built-in dishwasher has:
- 3D+ adjustable cutlery tray
- AutoOpen drying and SensorDry to reduce residue and dry completely
- A versatile and convenient basket design
- FlexAssist markers for dishwasher-loading specificity
- Perfect GlassCare to gently and completely clean delicate items
- Hot water connection for fully sanitized dishes
- Half-load recognition to adjust water and electricity consumption
Our Expert Recommendations
Whether you decide upon a Bosch built-in dishwasher or a Miele built-in dishwasher, you’re making a solid investment.
After comparing the differences and similarities of each appliance, it comes down to which product will better adapt to your needs.
If you value quiet operation above anything else, we’d suggest the Bosch 500 Series 24” Stainless Steel Built-in Dishwasher (SHP865ZP5N). If you’re looking for greater wash cycles and more dry settings, the Miele 24” Stainless Steel Built-in Dishwasher (G 6665 SCVi SF AM) will be a great fit for you. Whichever model you choose, you’re sure to get great performance from an energy-efficient household appliance that is luxurious, dependable, and manufactured by a proven brand.
For appliance needs and questions big or small, contact our appliance experts here at Albert Lee—we're happy to help in any way we can. Give us a call or chat with us today!