Bosch dishwashers are known for their exceptional cleaning capabilities, solid drying performance, flexible storage, and quiet operations. A great example of such commitment to quality and excellence is the 500 dishwasher series.
Offering a strong balance between price and performance, we recommend the Bosch 500 series to households looking for a high-capacity and efficient dishwasher at a reasonable price.
Although these aren’t luxury dishwashers, they do cost over $1,000, so they aren’t ideal for budget-conscious households. There are more affordable alternatives from Bosch like the 300 series that can deliver nearly identical cleaning performance.
Miele has similar-priced models that are as reliable, powerful, and long-lasting as Bosch’s 500 dishwashers. You might, however, prefer the latter because they are more widely available than Miele dishwashers.
Keep reading to know more about the Bosch 500 series.
How We Reviewed the Bosch 500
The Bosch 500 series is a solid mid-range line-up of dishwashers with intuitive features and strong cleaning performance. Since it requires quite an investment, we’re here to help you decide if such a dishwasher is the right choice for your household.
We came up with this comprehensive guide so you can make a confident, well-informed decision. We rated the 500 series based on cleaning power, drying performance, range of operations, loading flexibility, and reliability.
We do not own a Bosch 500 dishwasher, and we did not perform actual tests on it for our evaluation. Instead, we did extensive research on its features and functionality, then we compared it to the competition.
In our research, we gathered data from thousands of reviews and ratings from Bosch, Best Buy, and other major appliance retailers to gauge customer satisfaction.
We also looked at reliable data from independent reviews conducted by Wirecutter, USA Today, and Designer Appliances to understand how the Bosch 500 series compares to other dishwashers.
Bosch 500 Series Dishwasher Specs
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Bosch |
| Series | 500 Series |
| Dimensions | 33.88″ (H) x 23.56” (W) x 23.75″ (D) |
| Weight | 92 lbs. |
| Noise Level | 44 dBA |
| Control Panel | Control Button |
| Programs | Heavy, Auto, Normal, Speed60, and Rinse |
| Cycle Options | Sanitize, Delay, AutoAir, SpeedPerfect, Half Load, Delicate, and Extra Scrub |
| Special Features | EasyGlide rack system, flexible third rack, and adjustable tines |
| Tub Material | Stainless steel |
| Number of Place Settings | 16 |
| Installation Type | Built-Under |
| Energy Star Certification | Yes |
Bosch’s 500 dishwasher series is a scaled-down version of the premium 800 series. Although its cleaning and drying power parallels that of the higher-end models, it has fewer bells and whistles, which is why it’s more affordable.
The series, however, is a worthwhile upgrade from the entry-level models. Overall, it has a stronger build, a more intuitive design, and better drying power.
Instead of the plastic tub, this mid-range series has a stainless steel interior. It makes the dishwasher quieter and more effective when it comes to drying.
Aside from the stainless steel tub, the AutoAir system, which is far superior to the standard condensation drying system, promotes better drying results.
By automatically opening the dishwasher door after cycles, it releases the hot air and moisture inside to thoroughly dry the dishes, including plastic items.
There is even an optional Extra Dry program, which 300 dishwasher models lack. It combines AutoAir drying with high temperatures to get plastic items and other hard-to-dry without melting or warping them.
Our Overall Rating: 9/10
The Bosch 500 series has the brand’s signature sleek, stainless-steel look. Compared to the entry-level models, it ticks all our boxes in terms of cleaning power, flexibility, and user-friendliness, which is why it’s worth spending a little extra money on.
Here’s a summary of how we evaluated the Bosch 500 series.
Cleaning performance
We looked into the dishwashers’ ability to clean a wide range of cookware and tableware, including utensils, bowls, plates, and plastic containers.
Additionally, we checked how the different cycles on the dishwashers were able to handle various stains, such as pureed spinach, baked-on oatmeal, greasy sauces, and more.
Drying performance
To get a better understanding of the drying performance of the 500 series, we assessed its ability to dry metal, glass, ceramic, and plastic items.
We also compared its drying performance to other Bosch dishwasher line-ups like the 300 and 800 series, as well as with other models within the same price range.
Reliability
We examined thousands of customer reviews and ratings to gauge how well the dishwashers have held up in the first few years of its life.
We took note of the frequency of malfunctions, the challenges, and the frustrations that customers have experienced in operating and having their dishwashers serviced. Such data helped guide our assessment.
Features
As Bosch’s mid-range dishwasher series, we rated its features by comparing them to the brand’s higher-end and more affordable models. We wanted to determine if it offers good value for its price.
Additionally, we relied on data from independent reviews conducted by USA Today, Wirecutter, Designer Appliances, and more to understand how the series compares to similar-priced dishwashers from other brands.
Loading flexibility
In assessing the loading flexibility of the series, we scrutinized the interior layout of the dishwashers. We rated it based on the number of racks and their adjustability.
We reviewed customer testimonials to determine the ease, speed, and flexibility of loading, as well as unloading dishes. Also, we checked the space and the variety of dishes that can fit in the racks in a single load.
What do experts say?
Its Normal cycles can remove stubborn stains well.
Generally, the Bosch 500 dishwasher series has a pretty solid cleaning performance. From its Normal to Heavy cycles, the dishwashers can easily get rid of the toughest stains on the plates.
The Normal wash cycle may have inconsistent results. It might be a flaw but it’s not a dealbreaker as other programs like the Auto cycle can deliver a more reliable cleaning performance no matter the dishwasher model.
Out of all the models in the series, the Bosch SHPM65Z55N has the most powerful cleaning performance. It can get rid of leafy vegetables, which most dishwashers struggle to clean without redistributing a few specks of green onto the dishes.
Like we’ve said in previous Bosch reviews, the Speed60 cycle never disappoints. It’s as effective as the Auto cycle, but it can get all the work done in less than half the time, making it ideal for busy households.
It’s quieter than the Bosch 300 series.
Bosch’s 500 dishwashers are a lot quieter than the entry-level models. Since they all have stainless steel tubs instead of plastic, they don’t make as much noise during operations.
Tests conducted by other independent reviewers show that the dishwashers have the same noise level as the ambient noise from a library.
Thus, it’s a great option if you live in an apartment. Even with a small space, this dishwasher shouldn’t wake you or your neighbors up at night.
It can fully dry the dishes.
If you don’t like hand-drying the dishes as much as washing them, the 500 series can be your saving grace. It outperforms the 300 and 100 series when it comes to drying.
Unlike the entry-level models, the dishwashers in this series have stainless steel tubs, which makes a big difference in the drying performance.
Compared to plastic, stainless steel can retain heat from the cycles. Then, it can cool much faster than a plastic tub, allowing moisture to condense on the walls of the tub instead of the dishes.
Not only that, these dishwashers have an AutoAir system that automatically pops the door open after wash cycles. This releases steam and allows the residual heat from the drum to remove the remaining moisture.
Even plasticware can get fully dry, which is a common problem in dishwashing. Plus, with a concealed heating element, there’s no need to worry about the plastic containers melting or warping due to extreme heat.
Its racks are spacious and adjustable.
All of the three racks are spacious. In terms of adjustability, the design is quite simple with mostly just adjustable tines that flip down to allow larger items such as pots and pans to fit inside.
The middle rack can be adjusted vertically to accommodate oddly shaped items. It also has stem holders to keep glassware safe during wash cycles.
On the third rack, there are adjustable tines that provide more loading space. This flexible rack even has expandable edges that can be lowered to fit bulkier items like cereal bowls, ramekins, and all kinds of flatware.
Although the Bosch 500 is great for households of all sizes, we would highly recommend it to larger families as it can fit a wider range of dishes per load. It would help save a lot of time and energy.
What do customers say?
- The Bosch 500 dishwashers are whisper-quiet. They clean very efficiently and effectively without waking up the entire household, making them an ideal choice for families with little kids.
- The buttons on the control panel can be finicky. They don’t always respond to the inputs of the users, requiring them to press the buttons again to register the commands.
- In terms of drying, the 500 series is leagues better than Bosch’s entry-level models. Even plastic containers can come out bone dry of the dishwashers, especially using the Extra Dry function.
- As with other Bosch dishwashers, the 500 series is user-friendly. Its controls, as well as its app, are easy to navigate.
Summary of Reviews
The Bosch 500 dishwasher series has high cleaning and drying performance ratings from its users across the globe.
One feature that has received much praise is the AutoAir system, which is capable of thoroughly drying glass, metal, ceramic, and even hard-to-dry plastics. Just this feature alone makes it worth the upgrade from the 300 series.
Other than its reliable performance, the looks, capacity, and noise level of the Bosch 500 dishwashers have received much praise from customers.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Excellent cleaning performance
- Strong drying performance
- User-friendly and flexible racks
Cons
- Normal cycle has inconsistent performance
- Lacks a water softener compartment
- Lacks a ChildLock feature
Comparison
Sources:
- https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-dishwasher/
- https://www.designerappliances.com/blog/bosch-dishwasher-review-100-vs-300-vs-500-vs-800-series/
- https://reviewed.usatoday.com/dishwashers/content/bosch-500-series-shpm65z55n-dishwasher-review
