Bosch 300 Series Dishwasher Review: Is it worth it?

The Bosch 300 dishwasher series is a step up from the Bosch 100. 

Its features are nearly identical to the entry-level models, but its cleaning and drying performance are far superior—without the hefty price tag. It’s great for households looking for a much-needed upgrade that won’t break the bank.

Built with an all-steel interior, spacious racks, adjustable tines, and low-noise operations, the 300 series just adds a few extra features to make dishwashing faster, easier, and hassle-free.

One of its drawbacks is its drying power, which isn’t quite up to par with its cleaning power. If you prefer having bone-dry dishes, especially for plastic items, the Bosch 300 isn’t for you, but Maytag’s similar-priced dishwashers might suit your needs more.

Although the Bosch 300 lags behind in terms of drying power, it’s still a great dishwasher. Its strong cleaning performance, sturdy construction, and useful programs make it worth the investment.

Keep reading to know more about the Bosch 300 series.

How We Reviewed the Bosch 300

Dinner parties are always fun, but the clean up after? Not so much—unless you have a dishwasher like the Bosch 300 that can do heavy-duty cleaning.

The Bosch 300 dishwashers are popular for a good reason. To help you better understand why, despite its minimal features, many customers love this series, we created this comprehensive guide.

We evaluated the series based on loading flexibility, cleaning and drying results, range of programs, and reliability. 

In our assessment, we didn’t perform actual tests on the dishwashers. We spent weeks researching and reviewing different models using customer testimonials, ratings, and independent reviews from various experts.

We perused thousands of reviews and ratings from Bosch, Best Buy, and other major appliance retailers to gauge the average user experience, understand their frustrations, and determine the dependability of the dishwashers. 

Such data contributed to our own ratings for the series.

Not only that but we looked at reliable data from independent reviews conducted by Wirecutter, USA Today, Designer Appliances, and Top Ten Reviews in order to understand how the 300 series compares to similarly-priced dishwashers. 

Bosch 300 Dishwasher Specs

Category	Details
Brand	Bosch
Series	300 Series
Dimensions	33 7/8” x 23 9/16” x 23 3/4”
Weight	89 lbs.
Noise Level	44 dBA to 48 dBA
Control Type	Touch-sensitive buttons (newer models)
Programs	Favorite, Heavy, Normal, Speed 60
Special Functions	Extra Dry, Remote Start, and Sanitize
Tub Material	Stainless steel
Number of Place Settings	16
Installation Type	Built-Under
Connectivity	Remote Monitoring and Control

Bosch’s 300 series is one of the more extensive line-ups under the brand with 25 different dishwasher models. 

The dishwashers come in various styles and finishes, including black, white, and stainless steel, but all of which have a sleek and modern look that fits every type of kitchen. 

There isn’t much about their features that make the dishwashers stand out. With only four cycle options, Favorite, Normal, Heavy, and Speed 60, their programs are standard on entry-level models. 

They do offer more space and flexibility thanks to the RackMatic, an adjustable upper rack with three height options. They also have adjustable tines for easier loading of larger dishes, pots, and pans.

Despite their limited features, their ability to perform their cleaning and drying functions set them apart from the rest of the dishwashers in the same price range. Just from those core functions alone, we believe that the 300 series offers good value for its price.

Our Overall Rating: 8.6/10

The Bosch 300 series has such impressive cleaning and drying performance that it makes up for it having minimal features compared to similar-priced dishwashers on the market.

It isn’t the best at drying plastics, but its performance can get better with a bit of Rinse Aid. However, if you prefer to have bone-dry dishes, this could be a dealbreaker. 

Here’s a summary of how we evaluated the Bosch 300 series.

Cleaning performance

To get a better sense of the dishwashers’ cleaning performance, we evaluated their ability to clean different tableware, including plates, bowls, glasses, and utensils. 

We also considered other items that are used almost daily, such as pots, pans, pitchers, and plastic containers.

More importantly, we assessed the dishwashers’ ability to clean a wide variety of foods off the dishes—from greasy sauces and stubborn starches to baked-on and dried-on stains.

Drying performance

We assessed the drying performance of the dishwashers based on their ability to dry metal, glass, ceramics, and plastics. 

In particular, we checked how well the 300 series dries different plastic items, which most dishwashers struggle with. We compared its drying performance with other models within the same price range.

Reliability

We mulled over thousands of customer reviews and ratings from Bosch and other online retailers to gauge how dependable the 300 series is.

We took note of the challenges and frustrations they experienced in operating the dishwashers. Such data helped guide our evaluation.

Features

We looked at the cycle options available on the 300 series and compared them to similar-priced models on the market.

Loading flexibility

Aside from cleaning and drying, loading flexibility is one factor that influences purchasing decisions because it has a significant effect on the dishwasher’s core functions, the user’s time, and convenience.

We looked at the rack design in determining the comfort, speed, and flexibility of loading. In our assessment, we considered not just plates and bowls, but also large items like casserole dishes, pots, and pans.

What do experts say?

It has excellent cleaning and drying power.

Like every other Bosch dishwasher, the 300 series features PrecisionWash technology, which uses smart sensors to monitor the wash water and adjust the settings for a more efficient cycle.

As CNET cleverly puts it, Bosch has a method to its madness. These dishwashers can handle the greasiest and toughest stains, leaving little to nothing behind.

Even its Speed60 cycle is very impressive. It’s as effective as the auto wash program as it can get rid of baked-on stains, but it can finish in less than half the time.

Bosch only recommends the 60-minute cycle for freshly stained dishes, but we’ve learned that it can handle dried-on stains, too. However, you’ll have to put up with wet dishes because Bosch 300 dishwashers can’t dry plastics very well.

Its drying power is so much better compared to the 100 series, but it does struggle to dry plastic items. To be fair, most dishwashers on the market do.

We don’t think it’s a dealbreaker because it does dry glass, ceramic, and metal items thoroughly. You can also use Rinse Aid to boost its performance and achieve better results.

It’s very quiet.

Bosch labels the 300 dishwasher series with a 44 dBA noise level. However, in our research, we found that the operating noise can range from 44 dBA to 48 dBA, but it never goes beyond that mark.

They are much quieter than their entry-level counterparts because they are made with stainless steel tubs, which help dampen the sounds emitted during operations.

Take note that the noise level may vary depending on the chosen cycle, whether it’s heavy-duty or normal. It will also vary throughout the cycle as it’s usually louder when it’s draining and quieter while it’s drying the dishes.

For some context, 50 dBA is equivalent to typing on a keyboard. Even if you don’t have an open kitchen, you won’t be losing any sleep while this dishwasher is running. 

The dishwashers are so quiet that they have an InfoLight, which is a red beam of light that reflects on the floor to let you know a cycle is running.

Its racks offer more flexibility and adjustability.

Equipped with a new and improved third rack, which can now accommodate more than silverware, the Bosch 300 dishwasher series delivers better flexibility and adjustability than ever before.

They also have a RackMatic now, which was only available in Bosch’s mid-range 500 dishwasher series. This upper rack design can be readjusted to three different positions.

To readjust the rack, one has to press the buttons on the sides and pull it down to return it to its original position. Although it does sound very simple, it can be quite cumbersome for new owners.

In terms of ease of use, the reviews and ratings vary greatly among customers and experts. Due to the specific layout of the racks, we’ve learned that it may take a while to get used to loading the dishes.

If that is a concern, you can go to showrooms to get familiar with the rack designs and loading opportunities. Seeing the layout in person with the assistance of sales personnel will help you better understand the ins and outs of the dishwasher.

It will also make loading and unloading much easier once you’ve decided to purchase the dishwasher.

What do customers say?

• The 300 series has very minimal features and cycle options compared to similar-priced dishwashers on the market.
• The lack of extra features can be overlooked because of the exceptional cleaning and drying ability of the dishwashers.
• The series has Wi-Fi-enabled models, allowing users to monitor and control their dishwashers remotely via Bosch’s Home Connect app.
• Despite its one-year warranty for parts and labor, the 300 series has high customer satisfaction rates. It also has an average customer rating of 4.6 stars.

Summary of Reviews 

The Bosch 300 dishwasher series has minimal features but it makes up for it with its incredible cleaning and drying power. Its limited features can be overlooked because it’s so good at its core functions.

Compared to previous iterations, newer models feature improved rack designs that allow greater flexibility and adjustability. At first, it might take a little effort to load all the dishes, but over time, it will be easier once you’re familiar with the rack layout.

Pros and Cons 

Comparison 

Sources: 

• https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-dishwasher/ 
• https://www.toptenreviews.com/bosch-300-series-shem63w55n-dishwasher-review 
• https://www.designerappliances.com/blog/bosch-dishwasher-review-100-vs-300-vs-500-vs-800-series/ 
• https://reviewed.usatoday.com/dishwashers/content/bosch-dishwashers-2017-300-series-shxm63ws5n-all-new-third-racks-review