Bosch and KitchenAid are two of the best dishwasher brands on the market, but which one is right for you?
Both brands offer excellent dishwashers and have recently updated their features.
KitchenAid reinvented its dishwashers several years ago, while Bosch introduced notable upgrades more recently, particularly with its new PowerControl wash system.
While both brands are top-tier, your decision may come down to two crucial but almost unrelated factors:
Let’s dive in.
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KitchenAid is an affordable luxury appliance brand owned by the Whirlpool Corporation and manufactured in the U.S.
Its early dishwashers revolutionized the industry with a solid commercial design.
Fun Fact: In the 1970s and 1980s, everyone wanted a KitchenAid dishwasher. At the time, Hobart, a commercial manufacturer, built the original KitchenAid models, making them highly sought after.
However, KitchenAid's biggest weakness was noise, especially as Bosch and Asko began importing quieter dishwashers into the U.S.
While KitchenAid dishwashers cleaned well, they were loud. Noise became a major issue in the 1990s as open-concept kitchens became more popular.
KitchenAid eventually addressed this, reducing noise levels to a nearly silent 39 decibels (dB).
They also shifted to a more European-style design by removing the disposer and adding a filter.
Today, KitchenAid offers three series of dishwashers: the 100 Series, the 200 Series, and the M Series.
The M Series includes three models, with prices ranging from $900 to $2,000, depending on when you buy.
For the first time, KitchenAid offers a dishwasher designed to sit seamlessly flush with cabinetry.
The KDTF924PPS won’t protrude like previous models, giving your kitchen a cleaner, built-in look.
Unfortunately, it comes with a steep price tag - $1,799 at the time of writing.
For comparison, you can buy a panel-ready Bosch dishwasher for around $1,000.
Among KitchenAid’s offerings, the 200 Series and the 400 models in the M Series are their most popular.
Below are the most popular KitchenAid dishwasher models, along with their standout features and pricing.
The 200 Series KDTE204, priced between $798 and $999, has a more basic third rack but operates at an ultra-quiet 39 dBA.
The M Series KDPM405, ranging from $899 to $1,250, is slightly louder at 41 dBA but features a larger, more functional third rack, allowing for bigger bowls and up to 10 extra glasses compared to the KDTE204.
The M Series also includes a better filtration system and more jets spraying the third rack, improving overall cleaning performance.
The M Series was redesigned a few years ago and starts at $900, with its highest-end model, the KDPM804, priced up to $1,934 - not that you should buy that model.
The "FREEFLEX" racks are different. The second rack is slanted to accommodate more of all three.
However, you can't place wine glasses on the left of the middle rack because of the slanted larger top rack.
4-Level Wash System:KitchenAid dishwashers have three wash arms: one on the top, one on the basket, and one below the second rack.
However, there’s also a fourth level of cleaning from the larger second rack. It’s not an actual wash arm, but rather spray holes built into the rack itself.
The M Series dishwashers feature additional spray jets, allowing bowls and larger mugs to be thoroughly cleaned on the expanded top rack.
Advanced Clean Water Wash System: Uses microfiltration to continuously remove food particles during the wash and rinse cycles and circulates clean water to dishes in all three racks.
ProDry: The M series units utilize the ProDry system, incorporating a heating element and a fan for the best drying results.
The fan helps circulate the warm air, enhancing drying performance. The less expensive units use the heating element without the fan.
You can buy KitchenAid with the towel bar KDT, pocket handle, the KDP, and a few series with panel options.
🔎Read More: Best KitchenAid Dishwashers
Bosch dishwashers are made in North Carolina, even though the company is based in Germany.
Bosch has the 100, 300, 500, 800, and Benchmark series. I recently wrote a blog post on the differences between them.
At one time, Bosch marketed over 100 dishwashers before the pandemic.
Now it's about half.
Offering three different drying technologies, PureDry, AutoAir, and CrystalDry, Bosch lets you choose which drying feature would best suit your needs.
With the PrecisionWash feature, you can confidently load your dishes as the dishwasher will continuously scan and check the progress of your dishes throughout the wash cycle.
It also has powerful precision spray arms that target areas that need extra cleaning attention to give your dishes the ultimate cleaning every time.
They replaced the old "Ascenta" line with the 100, 100 Plus, and 100 Premium series.
All models in the 100 Series have a plastic bottom, a lighter door, and a shallow, non-adjustable top rack.
They all feature PrecisionWash, which uses intelligent sensors for better cleaning.
All Bosch dishwashers are now Wi-Fi-enabled, allowing you to control them from your phone and even set your favorite cycle.
Quick Note: You don’t need Wi-Fi for a dishwasher. However, it can be useful for checking cycle progress - especially since some of these dishwashers are so quiet, you might open them mid-cycle without realizing they're running.
The 100 Series operates between 46 and 50 decibels, which does not meet the 44 dB quietness standard.
The basic 100 Series models do not include a third rack.
The 300 Series starts the regular Bosch dishwasher lineup.
The 300 series has an all-stainless tub and an adjustable top rack.
These models have a better silence rating of 46 decibels, yet they are still audible in an open kitchen design.
AquaStop leak protection starts in the 300 series as well. It adds a second layer to the hose in case it bursts.
The 24/7 standard leak detection is excellent, using sensors to shut off the water.
Bosch introduced the AutoAir feature, which improves drying by automatically cracking the dishwasher door open at the end of the cycle to release steam.
This system works better than condensation drying alone because it releases moisture and speeds up the drying process.
The 500 Series is quieter at 44 decibels and meets the quietness standard.
The top silverware rack is their "FlexSpace," so it can accommodate small cups and silverware.
💡Pro Tip: Having a dishwasher popping open is especially effective when you wash your dishes at night. You reduce the residual moisture on the dishes in the morning because the steam has been released.
This year’s big innovation from Bosch is PrecisionWash with PowerControl.
PowerControl divides the bottom of the dishwasher into four quadrants, allowing you to adjust the spray intensity in each area based on how dirty the dishes are.
It’s a brand-new design from Bosch, though other brands have taken different approaches - LG with QuadWash, Samsung with WaterWall, and Beko with CornerIntense wash arms, all of which move away from traditional wash systems.
The 800 Series also features CrystalDry, which uses the volcanic mineral Zeolite to absorb moisture and dry even plastics in a three-phase process.
The 800 series features CrystalDry, using the volcanic mineral Zeolite to dry even plastics through three phaseThe Benchmark Series is Bosch's quietest dishwasher, operating at just 38 dB. It also features a more refined control panel and upgraded slide-out racks for easier loading.
The TimeLight projects the remaining cycle time onto the floor in front of the dishwasher or onto the handle for pocket-handle models.
Bosch offers this dishwasher in five different front panel options to match various kitchen styles.
💡Pro Tip: Bosch dishwashers have been in short supply. Pick a series, then check every type of style.
🔎Read More: Best Bosch Dishwashers
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Let's start with the most misunderstood component of this Bosch and KitchenAid comparison: Reliability.
Both brands are excellent with below-average service rates. Only LG (4.7%) and Thermador (6.9%) have lower service rates.
To give you a clearer picture, here’s a breakdown of dishwasher service rates for 2025, based on real service calls:
The following service rates are based on a minimum of 100 products sold and a total sample of over 5,000 products within 12 months.
| Service Rates | |
| LG | 4.7% |
| Thermador | 6.9% |
| KitchenAid | 7.4% |
| Bosch | 9.5% |
| Miele | 10.1% |
| Bosch Benchmark | 10.9% |
| GE Profile | 11.6% |
| Beko | 17.7% |
| Café Appliances | 20.3% |
| Fisher & Paykel | 21.5% |
| Grand Total | 9.9% |
Every review site and blogger claims Bosch is far more reliable, but the numbers don’t fully support that opinion.
However, keep in mind that magazines and reviews don’t employ technicians or track actual service calls.
A 0.3% difference in reliability isn’t a reason to choose one brand over the other, but access to repair services should be.
Before making a decision, check local reviews for technicians who service both brands in your area.
🔎 Read More: Most Reliable Dishwashers
You will see the differences, but they also have much in common. Below are their similarities.
📌Quick Note: People pay too much money for a quiet dishwasher. You shouldn't make that same mistake of buying below 44 decibels unless the more expensive dishwasher has other desired features.
Here is a video that demonstrates the varying sound levels and silence ratings of different dishwashers:
What’s the difference between the KDTM804KS at $1,939 and the KDTM405 at $1,250?
Not much. Both have slanted racks, the same quiet operation, and most of the same wash cycles.
For $700 more, you're paying for:
For Bosch, the 800 Series and Benchmark Series are mainly separated by sound level - 38 dB vs. 42 dB.
You can’t hear either one, plus Benchmark models add better racks and interior lighting for a $300–$500 difference.
If you want the best value, stick with the KitchenAid 400 Series or Bosch 800 Series (or below). You'll save money and still get an excellent dishwasher.
But which model is actually the best fit for you?
Let’s break down specific KitchenAid and Bosch models side by side to see how they compare in features, performance, and value.
| KitchenAid KDTE204KPS | Bosch SHP65CP5N | |
| Noise Level | 39 dB | 44 dB |
| Third Rack | Yes | Yes |
| Drying System | Heated Dry | AutoAir Dry |
| Tub Material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Wash Cycles | Multiple, including ProWash | Multiple, including PrecisionWash |
| Rack Adjustability | Adjustable Middle Rack | RackMatic, Adjustable Upper Rack |
| Leak Protection | Yes | AquaStop |
| Wi-Fi Connectivity | No | Yes |
| Price | $999 | $1,149 |
KitchenAid has a better spray system on the top rack, while Bosch relies more on a sprinkler head design.
That said, both dishwashers clean well.
Both models include a third rack for silverware, originally designed by Miele. The third rack is useful because it frees up space on the bottom rack for larger items.
Like most stainless-steel interior dishwashers, both brands use condensation drying, which relies on air drying, JetDry, and time.
Bosch improves drying with AutoAir, which pops the door open at the end of the cycle to release steam.
This feature is particularly great before bedtime, as it prevents residual steam from resettling on your dishes.
The KitchenAid KDTE204KPS is the quietest option at 39 dB - you won’t even hear a hum.
Bosch, at 44 dB, meets the quietness standard but is slightly louder.
The Bosch 500 Series might be a better dishwasher overall, but the KitchenAid KDTE204KPS is bigger and quieter than a similarly priced Bosch 300 Series and is better built than the Bosch 100 Series.
When you buy matters - prices fluctuate throughout the year, so timing your purchase is key.
| KitchenAid KDTE405PPS | Bosch SHX78CM5N | |
| Noise Level | 44 dB | 42 dB |
| Third Rack | Yes, FreeFlex Third Rack | Yes, Flexible Third Rack |
| Drying System | Fan-Enabled ProDry System | CrystalDry Technology |
| Tub Material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Wash Cycles | Multiple, including ProWash | Multiple, including PrecisionWash |
| Rack Adjustability | Adjustable Middle Rack | RackMatic Adjustable Upper Rack |
| Leak Protection | Yes | AquaStop Leak Protection |
| Wi-Fi Connectivity | No | Yes |
| Price | $1,149 | $1,399 |
Both dishwashers introduce key innovations for their brands.
KitchenAid features a four-level wash system with spray arms on the top, middle, below the bottom rack, and built into the rack itself.
Bosch uses the PowerControl spray arm, which lets you adjust the spray intensity in different sections of the lower rack - meaning you can wash delicate china and baked-on lasagna pans in the same load.
Beyond that, the Bosch 800 Series is similar to the 500 Series, with a sprinkler head and two spray arms under each basket.
Bosch offers a nine-position RackMatic system and a third rack for silverware.
KitchenAid's racks are slanted to fit more dishes, making them slightly more flexible, though the difference isn’t huge.
Bosch wins for drying.
If only we could combine KitchenAid’s better racks with Bosch’s superior drying - but we can’t.
So, which one is better?
It depends on what you value.
💡Pro Tip: Bring your odd-shaped pans when shopping to see how they fit in each model - way better than realizing they don’t fit after installation!
Bosch will give you more refined options in terms of design, especially in pocket handles and other integrated styles.
Have a look:
Bosch is the better choice if you want a dishwasher that fits seamlessly within a 24-inch cabinet, as all their models are designed for this.
KitchenAid offers only one flush-fitting model, the KDTF924, which costs $1,799.
You’d think this would be a standard feature on dishwashers, but in reality, only Beko, Miele, Asko, and Bosch offer models that fit perfectly within cabinetry.
The difference? A true panel-ready dishwasher blends in like a cabinet, while others still look like dishwashers with a panel on them.
Bosch is the better choice for this style at a lower price, with several affordable panel-ready models on the market.
🔎Read More: Best Panel-Ready Dishwashers
Bosch is better in this comparison because they have a few models, while KitchenAid does not.
Bosch’s ADA approved dishwashers will have the controls at a wheelchair height of 32 inches instead of the normal countertop of 33-34 inches.
Over the past six months, KitchenAid has been more promotional, especially in 2023 and 2024 - but not as much in 2025.
The KDTE204 is now $999 on KitchenAid’s website, after dropping as low as $749 in 2024.
At that price, it’s a better value than a lower-priced Bosch 100 Series model.
Bosch responded by cutting prices too, dropping some models by 33% for Presidents Day.
For example, the $1,799 Benchmark Series was reduced to $1,299 during promotions.
So, as good as these dishwashers are, price may be one of the most important deciding factors.
🔎Read More: When Is the Best Time to Buy Appliances?
KitchenAid relies on A&E Factory Service, which is notoriously inconsistent. Bosch, on the other hand, depends on a network of independent service providers, which can be equally hit or miss.
Since both brands will likely need repairs at some point, the best way to decide is to check which brand has better service availability in your area.
💡 Pro Tip: Google service reviews for both KitchenAid and Bosch in your location before making a purchase. At Yale Appliance, service is our largest department, handling over 33,000 service calls just last year - and trust us, having reliable local service can make all the difference.
Both KitchenAid and Bosch are excellent choices, offering strong features and solid reliability.
That said, Bosch has a clear advantage if you're looking for 18-inch models, ADA-compliant dishwashers, or panel-ready designs.
Bosch also excels in drying performance, particularly in the 500, 800, and Benchmark Series.
The PowerControl spray arm in the 800 and Benchmark Series allows for better cleaning flexibility, letting you target heavily soiled dishes while being gentle on delicate items.
On the other hand, KitchenAid’s M Series offers more interior space, and their lower-priced models tend to be quieter than Bosch’s entry-level options.
However, price is a major deciding factor between these two brands.
Service availability is another key issue - it varies widely depending on your location.
Before choosing a brand, check local service reviews to see which company has better support in your area.
💡 Final Tip: Wait for holiday promotions to get the best deal. In 2025, price and service are the two most important factors when choosing between KitchenAid and Bosch.
For more information about dishwashers, read the Yale Dishwasher Buying Guide with features, specs, and insider buying tips. Well over 1.5 million people have read a Yale Guide.