Is the Bosch 500 SHP65Tl5UC the right dishwasher to tackle your mountain of dirty dishes?
Flat tires, slow computers, dropped calls, little barking dogs, and telemarketers. There are few things in life more annoying than pulling out a supposedly clean glass that’s hot and fresh just out of the dishwasher and finding nasty grains of grime. Loading and unloading the dishwasher is enough of a chore without having to wash some or perhaps all of the dishes again by hand because your dishwasher wasn’t up to the task. However, the folks at Bosch claim that an annoying experience like that will be a thing of the past with their SHP65Tl5UC model dishwasher.
Things to Consider When Buying a New Dishwasher
When buying a new dishwasher, there are several important factors to take under consideration. There are hundreds of dishwasher models on the market from which to choose. Each machine promotes itself as the ultimate dish cleaning machine. Some even have bells and whistles such as Wi-Fi or smartphone apps. While dishwashing technology has come a long way since its invention in 1850, its core function hasn’t changed. Therefore, no matter what new feature comes out, the necessary functions the machine needs to perform will always be the most important factors to consider before buying.
Dishwasher size and capacity
Your first consideration should be the size and capacity of your next dishwasher. An 18-inch dishwasher is usually adequate for between two and three people. A dishwasher that size has a capacity of six to eight place settings. A standard 24-inch model has a capacity for 12 to 14 place settings, making it more ideal for families. However, the number of place settings can be deceiving. That’s why we recommend buying a 24-inch versus an 18-inch model. It’s not only ideal for families but also for occasions such as entertaining guests. However, a single person, roommates, or a couple who don’t need added capacity may find an 18-inch model more than sufficient to meet their needs.
Size can also be important when deciding how to configure dish arrangements before washing. If you’re washing pots and pans, you may want more room at the bottom. This way, you can fit dishware like plates, saving you from having to do an extra load of dishes.
Type of dishwasher
There are a few types of dishwashers to choose from. There are built-in, portable, drawer, and countertop dishwashers available. The type of dishwasher can largely depend on if you own your home or rent. Each model offers benefits and drawbacks.
Built-in under-counter dishwashers are the most commonly used in residential homes. They are usually located next to a kitchen sink, which allows for easy transfer and multitasking chores. Built-in models do require plumbing installation.
Drawer dishwashers are generally more expensive than traditional built-in models. Drawer dishwashers are offered in two styles: double drawers and single-drawer units. They require the same type of permanent plumbing installation as traditional models. They are the best when it comes to saving money on energy because you can run more energy-efficient smaller loads when necessary. Single units are generally ideal for singles or couples without many dishes to wash, and loading does not require bending. Dishwasher drawers are also great space savers for smaller kitchens.
Portable free-standing dishwashers are most suitable for families and require no particular plumbing installation, except the appropriate faucet adapter. Portable free-standing models are an ideal option for renters or for those who relocate often. They only need a small space in your kitchen, a faucet connection, and you’re ready to wash. These models generally offer the same features that you would find in a traditional built-in model.
Countertop models are considered the most economical of all dishwasher models. They only require a counter or stable surface next to a sink to operate. Like a portable model, they utilize a faucet adapter. However, some people find that they are not as powerful as a traditional model.
Our Evaluation Process
In assessing the merits of the Bosch 500 SHP65Tl5UC dishwasher, we took consumer feedback under heavy consideration. More often, customer feedback will give you a clearer picture of how a product will perform in your home before you make a substantial investment. We also weigh the number of comments against the ratio of positive to negative responses, so we don’t overvalue a few bad experiences.
Another critical evaluation tool is comparison models from other brands. We found other dishwashers of the same size to compare against the Bosch 500 SHP65Tl5UC.
The Bosch 500 SHP65Tl5UC 24-in Stainless Steel Pocket Handle Tall Tub Dishwasher with Stainless Steel Tub and 1-Hour Cycle
Bosch was founded in 1886 by Robert Bosch who started the “Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering” in Stuttgart, Germany. The company has since grown to a globally operating company and is now one of the most trusted names in home appliances.
The Bosch 500 SHP65Tl5UC 24-in Stainless Steel Pocket Handle Tall Tub Dishwasher with Stainless Steel Tub and 1-Hour Cycle features a flexible third rack with fold-down sides for 30 percent more loading area. The unit has a pocket handle designed to integrate into a kitchen and installs flush seamlessly. At an advertised 44 dBA (decibel measurement), it promises to be super quiet. It’s EasyGlide rack moves with smooth motion for effortless loading and unloading. FlexSpace tines fold back, allowing more comfortable placement of pots and pans. Speed60 guarantees to take your dishes from dirty to clean and dry within an hour. The ExtraDry option further enhances drying results. RackMatic gives you three height levels and nine possible rack configurations. AquaStop leak protection works for you day-and-night to prevent water damage. This dishwasher also has a sensor wash system and is ENERGY STAR qualified.
Reviews
A customer mentioned that after four months, his dishes still came out completely clean. Other customers couldn’t believe how quiet it ran, noting that if not for the indicator light, they sometimes couldn’t tell if it was running. Another customer said she loved the silverware tray on top, which saved her from bending.
There was also negative feedback. Some customers complained about bad odors coming from the machine while drying, noting that leftover food particles can cause this problem. Furthermore, customers also expressed frustration over its lackluster drying. Some indicated that they had to prop the door open to air-dry their dishes. A customer complained that the prongs were too close together and left portions of their plates unclean because of this. Another customer said the rack slid off the track too easily.
The Bosch 500 SHP65Tl5UC comes with a limited one-year warranty for parts and labor.
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The Bosch 500 SHP65Tl5UC vs. Rival Dishwashers
We compared the Bosch 500 SHP65Tl5UC model to three other models from three different brands in its category and examined customer feedback for each unit.
The dishwashers we looked at were the GE 24-in Stainless Steel Hidden Control Dishwasher with Stainless Steel Interior, the KitchenAid 24-in Stainless Steel Dishwasher with Clean Water Wash System, and the LG 24-in Black Stainless Steel Built-In Dishwasher.
The GE 24-in Stainless Steel Hidden Control Dishwasher with Stainless Steel Interior
The GE 24-in Stainless Steel Hidden Control Dishwasher with Stainless Steel Interior features an exclusive clean water wash system that continuously eliminates food particles from the wash water. It has a smooth-touch adjustable upper rack with two stem-safe shelves that give you room for tall glassware and 10-inches plates. The bottom rack has fold-down tines that accommodate large dishes like platters and cookie sheets.
The dishwasher operates at 46 dBA which makes it sound like rainfall. This model provides four wash-and-dry cycles and a wash zone feature that allows you to target one rack at a time. The bottle jet cleans hard-to-reach places and inside tall items like glassware. Its hidden vent with dry fan feature extracts moisture from the unit to dry dishes fast and efficiently. A “Piranha” hard food disposer with removable filter pulverizes food and prevents large particles from jamming up the wash arms. The tub holds up to 16 place settings allowing you to clean more at a time. The Floor Protect feature detects and contains leaks for additional peace of mind. It also comes with a three-piece removable silverware basket.
Customers praised the dishwasher’s quiet operation. A customer noted that the normal and “heated dry” setting cleaned and dried his dishes perfectly. Another customer liked that the buttons were on the top and not the front, preventing her toddler from turning it on.
There were some negative reviews. One customer said his dishes came out spotty and dirty, even with the rinse aid feature. There were reports of leaks and frequent breakdowns. Others complained that GE customer service wasn’t helpful.
This GE model comes with a 1-year warranty on parts and labor.
KitchenAid 24-in Stainless Steel Dishwasher with Clean Water Wash System
The KitchenAid 24-in Stainless Steel Dishwasher with Clean Water Wash System features an exclusive clean water wash system which removes food particles from your wash water. The Fan-Enabled ProDry system delivers excellent drying performance without using rinse aid by utilizing a recessed heating element and fan to draw out moisture from the dishwasher. ProScrub eliminates the need to soak or pre-scrub dishes by using 40 targeted spray jets that help clean difficult messes like baked on food. The ProWash cycle figures out the ideal washing cycle for dishes based on the soil level, while making real-time adjustments to maximize cleaning performance. SatinGlid max rails (upper rack) ensure smooth operation, especially with heavy loads. The lower rack’s sliding tines allow you to fit deep and narrow dishes easily and customize spacing between rows. Express wash cycle handles the most soiled loads fast and effortlessly.
One customer loved this unit, stating that it ran quietly. Another customer said her dishes came out sparkling clean and she doesn’t have to rinse or pre-wash. A customer noted that the adjustable top rack was very helpful.
A few customers did voice some complaints. A customer complained that his unit did not clean thoroughly on standard setting and that the cycle times seemed too slow, up to five hours. There were a few complaints about defective units. Furthermore, another customer complained of the machine emitting a bad odor from mildew steadily growing under the door.
This KitchenAid model comes with a 1-year limited warranty on parts and labor.
LG QuadWash 24-inch Black Stainless Steel Top Control Wi-Fi Enabled Dishwasher
The LG QuadWash 24-inch Black Stainless Steel Top Control Wi-Fi Enabled Dishwasher features QuadWash with multi-motion spray arms that promise to deliver superior cleaning the first time. Adjustable racks make fitting different dish configurations easy. EasyRack Plus features a height-adjustable racking system that provides three height options, offering more space to put more dishes. This machine runs super-quiet. It offers nine cycles including dual control, allowing you to vary the intensity for the upper and lower racks accommodating different items in the same load. The three-stage self-cleaning filtration system helps fight grime. It also features Smart ThinQ which allows you to monitor your unit from your smartphone and download new cleaning cycles.
Customers loved how quiet the system ran and the convenience of the three cleaning racks. Many liked the fingerprint-resistant surface. Overall cleaning performance also received high marks from a lot of reviewers.
There were a few negative comments. There were some complaints about seemingly defective units. Furthermore, this model’s lack of a heated drying feature may be why some said that it doesn’t dry dishes as well as other dishwashers. There were a few complaints about the control panel cracking.
This LG dishwasher model has a limited 1-year warranty on parts and labor.
The Bosch 500 Shp65Tl5Uc Pros and Cons
The Bosch 5000 SHP65Tl5UC has a lot of great benefits but also a few issues.
Pros
- Quiet operation
- Flexible third-rack with fold down sides
- FlexSpace tines
- Speed60 one-hour cleaning cycle
- ExtraDry drying option
- RackMatic offers three height levels and nine possible positions
- AquaStop leak protection
Cons
- Bad odors reported
- Consistent complaints about poor drying performance
The Bosch 500 SHP65Tl5UC: Spotless Purchase or All Washed Up?
With all the fancy-named features and the flashy bells and whistles that the Bosch 500 SHP65Tl5UC and the other dishwaters offers, the most critical question is which machine cleans dishes better? After careful consideration, the answer doesn’t seem to be the Bosch 500 SHP65Tl5UC. Every dishwasher we reviewed had problems with defective units and things breaking. However, the Bosch model seemed to have two persistent problems: a horrible smell and subpar drying. These two issues knocked it out of the competition.
We recommend instead the KitchenAid 24-in Stainless Steel Dishwasher with Clean Water Wash System. While this dishwasher has its fair share of complaints, it is still our top pick because customers seem to love it overall.
