Bosch SHE53C82N

Whoever thought it was a good idea to limit key functions like delay start and rinse cycle to the app clearly didn’t consider convenience. It’s baffling that the control panel lacks those options. That said, it does clean well, but the design decision is frustratingly short-sighted.

Ah, a dishwasher—one might think it a mundane subject to critique, but they certainly have their quirks. To start, if you stick with the automatic mode as designed, it performs admirably. Dishes come out spotless, and what more can one ask? However, dare to experiment with the app, and you may find yourself in a labyrinth of poor documentation, limited options, and subpar results. Perhaps, with enough trials, you could achieve the perfect outcome, but frankly, it hardly seems worth the effort.

Now, to the points that cost this machine a star. First, if you run it overnight, by morning the machine is completely off—no “Clean” light to indicate the cycle is finished. This is hardly ideal in a household with multiple occupants. Who thought it wise for the “Clean” status to disappear in under an hour? It’s hardly a stretch to remember washing dishes within that time, but come morning, the ambiguity is real.

Second, the lower rack has these handy tines that fold down, allowing versatile loading. Yet, this comes at the cost of raising the rack slightly. Why does this matter? Try loading a tall glass or water bottle after filling the top rack—it will topple over. My last Bosch had similar flexibility without the unnecessary elevation, so I’m baffled as to why it was added here. A curious design flaw in an otherwise competent machine.

Our old dishwasher had a faulty heating element for months, leaving us to manually dry the wet dishes on the rack. This new one not only dries everything perfectly but also excels at thoroughly cleaning the dishes, making a world of difference.

Even with all settings maxed and the rinse aid on, the drying performance is still lacking. Unlike other models, it lacks a door vent or a feature to pop open at the end of the cycle, causing steam to condense inside the unit. On the plus side, it’s incredibly quiet, which I appreciate. The top third cutlery rack is a great feature and really saves strain on my back. However, a second plastic tray for the bottom rack would have been useful. The app is a bit clunky, but the remote configuration feature is handy. I also miss having a manual drain button on the front control panel.

I’m delighted with my new Bosch 300 dishwasher. It stands out as the quietest I’ve ever owned. The clever design of the upper rack, which accommodates silverware, frees up ample space in the lower racks for additional items. I rely on Consumer Reports for appliance recommendations, and Bosch consistently ranks at the top. My only quibble is that the delay start function is app-only, which would be more convenient if it were accessible directly on the machine.

This is undoubtedly the finest dishwasher I’ve ever owned. It operates in complete silence, so much so that its running is almost imperceptible. With the Home Connect feature and a variety of cycles to choose from, it offers exceptional versatility. The standout feature, however, is the extra drying cycle, which truly enhances its performance.