Bosch 500 Series Dishwashers vs. Bosch 800 Series

I thought this was a worthy blog post because I had 3 different couples in the showroom today asking me the same question – What is the difference between these Bosch dw’s?
I can see the points of confusion because the 500 series is a really beautiful line and when they are just compared visually you say to yourself, “these look so similarly high-end, what’s up the price difference?”

I think the easiest way to chunk this down is like so:

800 and 800 Plus Series
Quietest dishwashers in the US.
More energy efficient than 500 series (200kw per year vs 259kw )
Offer third rack on top for cutlery (warning – you need to snap each piece in)
Offers China cycle
Offers water softener
Offer more wash cycles (6 as opposed to 4)
Slightly larger (15 place setting vs. 14)

500 Series
The 500 series is the VALUE move.
I particularly sweat the SHX55Rl55UC.
It is still a very quiet dishwasher.
It offers nearly the same place setting as an 800 and offers the same type
of adjustable rack as the 800 series (not the 3rd tray, I ‘m talking about the rack where glasses would go). In particular the SHX55RL5UC which is sold for under $1000 and with rebates you are usually netting out somewhere between $750 – $850.
I like the above model because I own its last iteration – the SHX45L15UC (this was replaced in Summer 2011) and my wife and I love it. It provides badass cleaning, is extremely quiet and looks sleek. No complaints here.

The bottom line is that you won’t go wrong with either the 800 Plus, 800 or 500 series.
It all depends on what you want to spend and whether the particular add-ons in the 800 Series speak to you.

Email me if you have any questions.