Bosch and Miele are the industry's two best brands, with two of the newest and most advanced dishwashers on the market.
But which is better?
That depends on a variety of factors.
We will compare both dishwashers at different price levels, including the new Bosch PowerControl wash arm, against the mostly new Miele G 7000 series with "AutoDos" dispensing system.
We will even show you which brand washed and dried better during our absurdly difficult tests.
In the end, you will learn which brand, either Miele or Bosch, might be right for you.
For 2024, one factor will be significant in your buying decision.
Let's dive in.
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Bosch is a German company that operates the largest dishwasher manufacturing facility in the world in New Bern, North Carolina.
Dishwashers are Bosch's best-known product.
Miele may have been the first importing dishwashers in the US, but Bosch was the first with affordable, quiet dishwashers.
Bosch has improved their dishwashers, especially drying, in the last year with the AutoAir and CrystalDry drying systems.
Their new PowerControl wash system is also a vast improvement.
Bosch offers the most advanced drying with their "CrystalDry, "using the volcanic element Zeolite to absorb moisture and heat.
This dishwasher has a good combination of wash and drying cycles, plus it is the most widely sold in just about every appliance store.
There are several iterations to this model number.
Make sure it has the glide-out racks and AutoAir cycle.
Read More: Best Bosch Dishwashers
Miele is the largest family-owned appliance manufacturer operating from one factory in Germany.
They are slated to open their second in the US.
Unlike every other company, Miele still manufactures most of their own components instead of outsourcing globally.
Miele also pioneered dishwashers that feature stainless steel interiors, enhanced drying capabilities via CleanDry technology, and doors that open automatically.
Their new G 7000 dishwashers employ AutoDos, an automatic detergent dispenser to wash more completely than any other brand.
Miele invented a new way to dispense soap called "AutoDos'."
It automatically releases the right amount of detergent at the right time and holds 20 loads, so you don't have to keep refilling.
Read More: Best Miele Dishwashers
Let's look at reliability first and why it should NOT be a consideration.
Dishwasher Reliability for 2024
The following service rates are based on a minimum of 100 products sold and a total sample of over 7,000 products within 12 months.
| Service Rates | |
| LG | 4% |
| Bosch | 5.9% |
| Thermador | 5.9% |
| Miele | 6.2% |
| LG Studio | 6.2% |
| Fisher & Paykel | 6.7% |
| GE Profile | 8.1% |
| Asko | 10.2% |
| Beko | 11.2% |
| Café Appliances | 19.4% |
| Grand Total | 6.9% |
You are looking at service percentages based on over 37,000 service calls for all dishwashers logged by our service team just last year.
We calculate dishwasher reliability by dividing the dishwashers we serviced by the dishwashers we sold for a service rate percentage.
While both Miele and Bosch talk about reliability and a 20-year life span, LG is the most reliable dishwasher at 4%.
That said, both are reliable, with Bosch being better at 5.9% versus Miele at 6.2% with an average of 6.9%.
A 0.3 percent difference is not statistically significant enough to convince you of Bosch over Miele.
Their low first-year service rates should convince you they are good dishwashers.
However, Google service in your area to see which company is more responsive when problems occur.
Read More: The Most Reliable Dishwashers
Although Bosch and Miele are the best-known premium brands, they only compete between $1,099-$1,799.
Bosch offers dishwashers priced from $549 to $1,799. In contrast, Miele's dishwashers start at $1,099, extending up to $6,000 for their professional models.
Two of Bosch's more popular series are the least expensive.
The 100 Series has a hybrid tub of plastic and stainless with more basic racks ranging from $549-$799, while the 300 series is $799-$999, depending on when you buy it.
Bosch 100 Series:
The Bosch 100 and 300 series dishwashers do not compete with Miele's more basic models or in that price range.
Bosch 300 Series:
Bosch and Miele dishwashers also do not compete in the professional line segment.
Miele's Professional line, available in standard and 220 volts, offers features like rapid wash times similar to those of restaurant dishwashers
1. Panel-Ready Dishwashers for Custom Cabinets
You can place a panel on either of these dishwashers seamlessly.
They will look like your cabinet, not like a dishwasher with a panel because they do not protrude past the cabinet.
It's not a given; KitchenAid and GE both protrude and look like a dishwasher with a panel stuck on it.
2. Safety
Miele has a double-insulated tub to prevent leaks.
AquaStop in featured in all of Bosch’s dishwashers shuts the dishwasher off when sensing water overflows.
This is an especially important feature if you live in a Boston condo on the 37th floor or other tower.
3. Stainless Tubs
All premium dishwashers have stainless tubs. Stainless is more hygienic than plastic and doesn't retain odors.
Note: We are comparing similar prices. Bosch has less expensive 100 series of plastic and stainless.
4. Multiple Styles
Bosch has five styles, with one panel-ready option. Miele has three styles and one panel-ready option.
Both have pocket-style handles to blend in with other appliances.
Forty-four decibels is the standard for quietness, meaning you can watch TV and not hear your dishwasher in an open kitchen.
You can buy both Miele and Bosch as low as 38 dB, but the noticeable noise difference is not that great.
People tend to overbuy for quietness. It's not necessary beyond the 44 dB.
For example, you can buy a 44 dB Bosch at $1,149, a 40 dB Bosch for $1,349, or a 38 dB Bosch at $1,799.
The more basic model for $1,149 is fine if the features suit you.
Miele dishwashers typically have a noise level ranging from 42 to 44 decibels. However, for models with a quieter 38-decibel level, the price starts at $3,000 and up.
Both are quiet. You won't hear either, even if your dishwasher is open to your living room.
However, on Miele's most expensive 38-decibel 7000 series dishwashers, the motor slows for a longer 4-hour cycle.
Read More: Quietest Dishwashers By Decibel Rating
Miele is known for drying with its CleanAir system.
It's so simple you wonder why others don't copy it (Samsung did in part while GE Profile reversed it).
In a Miele dishwasher, the port on the bottom allows air to the side of the dishwasher. Steam and heat are attracted to the cooler side and dissipate as water.
You have two ports on the better Miele models, so air infiltrates both sides.
Miele also pops the door open in their dishwashers.
It's a great feature, especially if you wash overnight (I have a Miele dishwasher, and it dries well).
The steam doesn't leave residual moisture on your dishes.
Bosch calls their dishwasher opening cycle "AutoAir," but you can buy that feature on their 500 Series for $999- $1,149.
The best drying dishwashers are Bosch's 800 series and Benchmark series with CrystalDry.
Bosch’s CrystalDry drying system uses Zeolite, a volcanic mineral, to absorb moisture and emit heat.
So if you use a lot of plastics, Bosch CrystalDry is the best dishwasher to consider.
However, don't put plastic over the Zeolite dispenser in the back. It will melt.
Miele again was the first with the third rack for silverware:
Everyone copied it to a certain extent, including Bosch.
Third, racks are a good way to add more room for plates at the bottom by moving the silverware up top.
Miele's rack is technically better if you have fine silverware because it locks it in place.
The silverware won't budge and scratch by moving into each other during the wash.
Both have adjustable top racks.
In terms of the bottom racks, Miele will improve as you progress as more will flip up or be removable to fit odd-shaped dishes.
Anything with an orange tab is movable or foldable in a Miele.
Miele has a fold-down 3D rack to fit larger items in the second rack.
Both will wash your dishes.
However, if you look closely, Miele has a better washing system.
It has a full wash arm on the top versus a sprinkler head up top for Bosch.
It may be an issue if you load up that third rack. Miele should be considered slightly better.
However, at $1,349 (or less), Bosch’s PowerControl wash arm adds the ability to be flexible.
You can control the spray to be light, medium, or heavy.
It's simple to do with Wi-Fi through Bosch's HomeConnect app and essentially divides that bottom rack into four areas.
Miele dishwashers offer fewer wash cycle options, in contrast to Bosch dishwashers, which have a wider variety of cycles.
Let's look at the control panels of both.
At $1,349, both Miele and Bosch will have five cycles, but Bosch adds five options.
The key cycles are almost identical between these two dishwashers. Miele has the QuickIntenseWash cycle at 58 minutes, whereas Bosch has the Speed60 at 60 minutes.
Both are quiet, with Miele at 44 decibels and the Bosch technically a bit quieter at 42 decibels.
The racks are identical, with an adjustable top rack.
However, the third rack in the Miele is technically superior (shown below). It holds the silverware, so it stays in place.
If you are washing fine flatware, Miele is the better choice.
Miele allows air into the sidewall of the dishwasher. The hot air is attracted to the cooler side to liquefy and drain the steam.
It's a good system.
Think of when you are watching a winter football game and see the steam from the players.
Hot air is attracted to cold air.
The door also pops open, allowing heat and residual moisture to escape.
Bosch has the same system in their less expensive 500 series.
If you run your dishwasher before bed, sometimes you may wake up and open the dishwasher to find a thin moisture coating on your glasses and dishes.
The steam converts to water, so an auto-opening door will prevent that.
CrystalDry is still the better option because it employs Zeolite to absorb moisture and increase heat to dry even plastics.
Both are excellent, but Bosch is a bit better.
I once believed that Miele's wash system couldn't be improved.
It features three full wash arms, compared to the more common setup of two arms and a sprinkler head, which is what Bosch uses.
With a third rack directly under one of the wash arms, I thought it was important.
The PowerControl system is Bosch's newest feature.
This propeller-looking object allows you to control the intensity of the wash from light, medium, or high.
The wash system can be divided, allowing you to wash two halves of the same rack at different intensities simultaneously.
So if you want to wash a dishwasher full of delicate crystal, you can do that in a Bosch.
If you want to scour a bunch of lasagna pans, the Bosch PowerControl will allow you to do that as well.
The Bosch HomeConnect App allows you to customize your cycles easily, including the washing of the PowerControl system.
Benchmark was never a good consideration until last year, but they lowered the price and added features like quietness.
However, Miele is different with their new G 7000 series and "AutoDos" dispensing system.
Quietness: Bosch will be quieter. It is 38 dB versus 43 dB for the Miele.
Remember, 44 dB is the standard for not hearing your dishwasher.
Cycles: Once again, cycles are similar. QuickIntenseWash adds water pressure to wash in 60 minutes, whereas the Bosch Express 60° doesn't.
The Miele Half Load cycle is cool as it has a special sensor to determine whether the dishwasher is full or not.
Racks: Miele has more adjustable than Bosch in the bottom rack. The 3rd cutlery tray on top, dubbed "the 3D", is also more flexible.
Wash System: The wash system is the same as the top, with Miele having three full spray arms versus two for Bosch.
You do have the PowerControl system in the Benchmark as well.
Drying: Miele is excellent with the system described above but has two ports for air instead of the one in the G 5000 series, plus the automatic door opening.
Bosch is still a bit better with the same zeolite drying system to absorb moisture and emit heat.
Miele AutoDos Dispensing: Like their incredibly successful laundry, you can load up to 20 loads with each "PowerDisk."
I used to think dispensing was not a big deal.
However, dispensing is a big deal, as anyone, after opening their dishwasher and finding a half-opened pod on their silverware, can attest.
The AutoDos does open at the right time, and people report the cleanest dishes ever.
In our absurdly unfair tests, Miele did wash the burnt egg off the pan better than every other brand.
Who burns an egg on a pan? You probably don't. But now you know, in case you ever do.
Miele will wash better throughout the dishwasher, yet it can't change intensity and isn't as flexible as the Bosch PowerControl wash system.
As for drying, Miele was good, but Bosch was better, with less water left on the plastics.
From 2020-2023, Bosch and Miele were chronically out of stock.
In 2024, however, when you buy is one of the most important considerations between these brands.
Both brands are overproducing for lesser demand.
For example, the Bosch 500 Series was $899. The $1,799 Benchmark was $1,299 during Presidents’ Day.
Miele responded with $200 off their G 5000 series and $400 off on the better G 7000 series.
So, price and promotion will play a role in your decision-making.
First, both are great brands. They both set the standard for premium dishwashers.
It depends on what features you value.
Miele has a good combination of washing and drying and the best racks. Their AutoDos dispenser works as gimmicky as it sounds.
Bosch reimagined washing and drying with Zeolite drying and now PowerControl washing.
You have better flexibility in washing in that lower rack versus better racking and dispensing in the Miele.
However, price should be considered because the differences could be huge when the difference in performance and reliability is not.
Also, look at service in your area as well.
Download our free Dishwasher Buying Guide for info on the latest trends, brands, and models. You can compare Miele and Bosch to KitchenAid, Beko, Samsung, LG, and more.
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