Whirlpool Vs Bosch Dishwasher – Which is best?

When it comes to dishwashers, both Bosch and Whirlpool are well known brands. They have both been producing electrical appliances for many years and can both be found in any top 10 rankings.

But which is better? That’s exactly what we’re going to find out in this article. We’ll be looking at many different aspects including style, noise levels, energy efficiency, cleaning performance, drying ability, usability, durability, and price to name but a few.

Bosch Or Whirlpool Which Dishwasher Is Best?

Let’s start by listing the aspects that are most important for you, the consumer. Here’s an at a glance guide to the differences between Bosch and Whirlpool dishwashers.

	Bosch Dishwasher	Whirlpool Dishwasher
Design & Style	Very sleek with an ageless design	Also sleek with more colour choices
Energy Efficiency	Overall more energy efficient	Has a level of energy efficiency but not as high as Bosch
Noise Level	Much quieter (38 to 50 decibels)	Not as quiet (47 to 64 decibels)
Model Selection	More choice	Less choice
Reliability	Reliable & trusted by buyers	Reliable
Innovation & Technology	More innovation than Whirlpool	Has made innovative & technological advancements but not as much as Bosch
Number Of Cycles	Up to 7 on average	Up to 6 on average
Ease Of Usability	Less user friendly (too many controls)	More user friendly (basic controls)
Dish Loading Arrangement	Better dish loading technology	Good dish loading technology
Drying Functionality	Better drying technology	Not as good as Bosch
Leak detection	Yes	No
Price	Better range of prices to suit all budgets but can be more expensive	Less choice but slightly cheaper

Let’s look at these aspects in more detail;

Design & Style

Both manufacturers produce sleek, stylish dishwashers. Whirlpool offers more colour choices whereas Bosch tends to offer a more limited colour range.

But when it comes to style, Bosch dishwashers are more likely to stand the test of time. Whirlpool’s budget or lower priced models don’t have that timeless quality.

The majority of Bosch dishwashers have stainless steel interiors and better lighting. Whirlpool only has stainless steel interiors on their higher priced models.

Energy Efficiency

Whirlpool and Bosch dishwashers are both energy efficient but Bosch has the edge here. With some of their models having an A rating for efficiency. Whirlpool’s range can only manage a B rating.

Neither has a poor energy rating but Bosch comes out better overall with some models achieving a gold ranking for the most energy efficiency.

Noise Level

There’s no such thing as a silent dishwasher and noise levels are expressed in decibels (dB). To give you a guide, a busy street is around 60 dB and a whisper is around 30 dB.

In dishwashers, anything below 60 dB is considered good. Whirlpool dishwashers average at between 47 to 64 dB. Bosch dishwashers average at between 38 to 50 dB.

Both of these brands are amongst the quietest dishwasher brands on the market but Bosch produces quieter models than Whirlpool.

Model Selection

Whirlpool produces a range of 13 dishwashers which include freestanding, integrated and built in models. Bosch produces a range of 47 models.

When it comes to choice Bosch has a larger scope even though both brands offer 3 different ranges from lower priced to mid priced to higher priced higher spec models.

Reliability

In independent reliability studies Bosch dishwashers almost always feature in the top 3. In fact, in the US Bosch has topped the list for reliable dishwashers from 2019 to 2023 consecutively with a 5 star rating. 

Whereas Whirlpool dishwashers could only manage a 3 star rating for reliability on the same list. Both brands are rated high on the reliability rankings with customers generally satisfied with both brands.

But when pitched head to head, Bosch comes out on top every time. This is mainly due to the better quality materials that Bosch dishwashers are made from (stainless steel). Making them more durable overall.

Plus, according to the surveys Bosch dishwashers are more technologically advanced as well.

Innovation & Technology

Both brands are ranked high in the innovation and technology ratings worldwide. They use advanced technologies which make for a great experience by customers who tend to be loyal to their particular brands.

Both Whirlpool and Bosch have introduced models with WiFi connectivity. With Whirlpool allowing users to connect via Alexa and Google Home. 

While Bosch is well known for their Home Connect App which allows the user to connect their dishwasher to their mobile phone. The ability to connect via the user’s mobile phone gives Bosch the edge when it comes to technology.

Number Of Cycles

Both Whirlpool and Bosch dishwashers have similar cycles including the sanitisation cycle, delicate cycle and intensive cycle. The main thing that differentiates the 2 is the number of cycles. 

With Whirlpool offering up to 6 cycles whereas Bosch offers up to 7 cycles. Plus some of the cycles found on all Bosch models (delicate cycle for example) is only found on higher priced Whirlpool models.

Ease of Usability

When it comes to usability, whirlpool dishwashers tend to have more basic controls which makes them easy to operate. Whereas Bosch dishwashers tend to have many more controls.

Even though the extra controls on Bosch dishwashers all have a function, they can be a tad confusing. This makes Whirlpool dishwashers come out on top when it comes to ease of use.

Dish Loading Arrangement

Loading dishes plays a huge part in the usability of a dishwasher and both brands have made great strides in their design and innovation. With both Bosch and Whirlpool offering a third rack for ease of loading.

But overall, Bosch has the more advanced designs and offers more in the way of adjustable racks.

Drying Functionality

Whirlpool and Bosch dishwashers both have good drying systems. With Whirlpool using a heating element while Bosch uses condensation dry technology which is kinder to dishes especially on the lower rack.

The main drying feature on Bosch dishwashers is the condensation dry, they also have Auto Air Dry (which opens the dishwasher door to remove moisture) and Crystal Dry (which applies heat up to 80 C/176 F.

Due to their more innovative and better choice drying technologies, Bosch offers better drying functionality overall.

Leak Detection

Of the 2 brands, only Bosch dishwashers have a leak detection system which automatically cuts the water supply to the appliance in the event of a leak. This is designed to prevent your home from becoming flooded if a leak develops in the dishwasher.

Whirlpool dishwashers have no such feature which means Bosch wins this section hands down.

Price

We would advise you to check the online offers for both types of dishwashers before deciding on buying. However as a rough guide;

• Whirlpool Dishwashers range in price from around £400 to around £900 depending on the model and options.
• Bosch Dishwashers range in price from around £400 to £1000 depending on the model and options.

Overall Bosch has a few cheaper models but Whirlpool tends to be slightly lower priced than Bosch. But it depends on which features are important to you. 

We would never advise making a decision purely based on price, you should take all of the other aspects into account before making your mind up.

Are Whirlpool Dishwashers Any Good?

Whirlpool dishwashers might not employ as many innovative features as Bosch dishwashers but overall, they’re good appliances. However, they do lack some of the finer points like quiet operation, leak detection and less drying functionality. 

On the other hand, they are reliable, easy to use, innovative and generally affordable. This means that Whirlpool dishwashers tend to be good value for money appliances.

Are Bosch Dishwashers Any Good?

Bosch dishwashers have their faults, which include; too many controls which can be confusing and they tend to be slightly more expensive to buy.

However, Bosch dishwashers are reliable, quiet, energy efficient, have a decent leak detection system, great drying technologies and are affordable (for the most part).

Overall, pound for pound you definitely get more for your money with a Bosch dishwasher compared to a Whirlpool dishwasher.

So Which Is The Better Dishwasher: Bosch Or Whirlpool?

It turns out that both are good reliable dependable appliances with much to offer in the way of cleaning technology. It really depends on your requirements and budget really.

Whirlpool dishwashers are generally more affordable, easier to use but tend to be more basic from a design point of view.

Whereas Bosch dishwashers tend to be better in many aspects including noise levels, energy efficiency, drying technology and style. But they can also be more expensive when compared to similar Whirlpool models.

SEE ALSO: Where Are Bosch Dishwashers Made?

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