The Bosch 500 series dishwasher SHP865ZP5N is one of the most popular dishwashers nationally.
However, that does not mean you should buy it.
Most of the time, it means a product was highly promoted or incentivized, not because it’s that good.
In this article, you will learn all of the SHP865ZP5Ns features, price, and when to buy this dishwasher.
Then you will see the reliability of Bosch versus every major brand based on 35,256 service calls logged by our service department last year.
In the end, I'll compare Bosch’s 500 series dishwasher to Miele, Samsung, and KitchenAid as well. To be popular or “best selling,” the product has to compete favorably versus its competition. You will see if it does.
First, what’s the deal with so many "SHP865" dishwasher models?
Do a Google search on a SHP865, and you will see an array of model numbers ranging from $799 for last year’s model to $1,049 for 2020’s model.
Features:
The SHP865ZP5N is the latest and most well-featured model. It adds Bosch’s best ball-bearing racks, rack stop, and new AutoAir drying system. You will read about those features in the next few paragraphs.
You should know there is a difference in all these SHP865 model numbers.
Bosch 500 Series Dishwasher Review [VIDEO]
Before we look at cycles, this dishwasher has a third rack for silverware and Bosch's premium ball-bearing racks, so they glide out.
You don't have to tug at a rack full of dishes to force them out. You even have a rack-stop at the bottom as well.
It's a great feature if you load up your dishwasher.
Dishwasher Sound Comparison [VIDEO]
This dishwasher will also have all the main cycles you'll use. Heavy for baked-on dishes, auto sets time and temperature based on a soil sensor. You have a delay start, and a sanitize for a higher temperature boost.
The following are short descriptions:
Bosch’s drying system focuses on condensation as its main drying method. The dishwasher uses residual heat plus JetDry to dry your dishes.
Bosch's newest feature has been available in Miele and Samsung for a few years.
In AutoAir, the door pops open, releasing heat and steam to speed the drying process.
Crystal Dry is not available in this model, but it's still important to mention. Crystal Dry uses a volcanic element called zeolite to absorb moisture and increase heat in the dishwasher.
Although years in the appliance industry has caused us some skepticism, the drying does work - we tested it.
Anyway, it's available on the next better model at $200 more.
At 44 DB, Bosch will be quiet enough to place even in an open floor kitchen plan without you hearing it.
Listen to a sound clip of various dishwashers.
Most Reliable Dishwasher Brands for 2020
| Service QTY | Shipped QTY | Service Ratio | |
| Asko | 103 | 190 | 54.21% |
| Jenn-Air | 188 | 493 | 38.13% |
| Bosch Benchmark | 25 | 70 | 35.71% |
| Fisher & Paykel | 56 | 193 | 29.02% |
| Miele | 185 | 903 | 20.49% |
| Maytag | 2 | 10 | 20.00% |
| Gaggenau | 16 | 104 | 15.38% |
| Thermador | 126 | 872 | 14.45% |
| KitchenAid | 90 | 688 | 13.08% |
| Café Appliances | 3 | 25 | 12.00% |
| Bosch | 398 | 3573 | 11.14% |
| Samsung | 134 | 1297 | 10.33% |
| LG | 5 | 81 | 6.17% |
| Cove | 2 | 44 | 4.55% |
| Ge Appliances | 1 | 37 | 2.70% |
| Whirlpool | 38 | 1471 | 2.58% |
| Grand Total | 1377 | 10166 | 13.55% |
Bosch is also the most reliable premium dishwasher requiring service only 11.3% of the time within the first year.
Most of the more reliable dishwashers are either basic or builder grade.
Before we say Bosch is good or bad, let's look at its main competition Miele, Samsung, and KitchenAid.
Miele has a full wash arm on the top and bottom compared to Bosch's sprinkler.
Miele also has a smart drying system called CleanDry. Air flows through a port in the bottom to the outside of the dishwasher.
The hotter air is attracted to the cooler sides of the interior and dissipates as water.
Bosch will have more cycles, better racks, and is more reliable than Miele, at least in the previous 12 months. Miele has historically been the most reliable, just not recently.
KitchenAid has a great dishwasher at $799. It's super quiet at 39 DBs and has the bottle wash or a separate spray to remove the gunk out of the bottom of your sports or baby bottles.
Still, Bosch is a bit more reliable at 11% with KitchenAid at 13%. Bosch also has better racks and an automatic opening door for drying.
Samsung has a ton of features. Their WaterWall is an impressive idea as the “wall of water” flows back and forth instead of the more traditional wash arms. It has zones of more intense washing as well.
The pricing can be attractive as well as bouncing like a ping pong ball between $699-999, depending on the promotion.
In my opinion, revolutionary designs are good, but only if the product is inefficient or doesn’t work well.
Dishwashers wash well. Boschs’ dishwasher is more time tested, and for those outside Boston, it's easier to find service for a Bosch over a Samsung.
The key to buying Bosch, KitchenAid, Miele, or any other appliance is timing around promotions. Always buy around holidays if you can, like Presidents’ Day, July 4th, Labor Day, and Black Friday (now all of November).
You can save with rebates of 10-35% and other installation as well as package offers.
Of course, if you want a Bosch for less, their 300 series does not offer the better racks, AutoAir and some cycles for $769.
So there is a range to consider for Bosch dishwashers.
First, there is more than one SHP865. That said, this is a good dishwasher in terms of cycles, features, and racks.
Their reliability is the best for a premium dishwasher.
It is a dishwasher to consider along with some KitchenAid and Miele models, as well as the better and lesser expensive Bosch dishwashers.
Additional Resources
Want to learn more about Bosch, Miele, KitchenAid, and other dishwashers? Download the Yale Dishwasher Buying Guide with features, specs, and inside buying tips to all the major brands. Over 680,000 people have downloaded a Yale Guide.
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