The Bosch 800 Series has been the default recommendation for premium quiet dishwashers since Bosch built its reputation on whisper-quiet operation, and after six weeks of running it nightly through everything from baked-on casserole dishes to delicate stemware, it's easy to see why. At a $1,499.00 list price (frequently discounted closer to $1,300–$1,400), it sits at the top of Bosch's lineup — above the 300 and 500 Series, and positioned against premium rivals like KitchenAid and Miele. The SHP78CM5N pocket-handle, top-control model we tested is the most popular configuration, though Bosch also sells the SHX78CM5N bar-handle variant with identical internals.
The 42 dBA noise rating is what genuinely sets this dishwasher apart for everyday use. In our testing, we could run it during dinner conversation in an open-plan kitchen without raising our voices, and it was effectively inaudible from an adjacent room with the door closed. PrecisionWash with PowerControl uses sensors that continually scan the load throughout the cycle, and the PowerControl spray arm specifically targets the dirtiest dishes wherever they're placed on the bottom rack — we tested this on baking sheets with stuck-on, baked-on food and consistently got them clean without pre-scrubbing.
The CrystalDry technology earned its keep on every load that included plastics. Unlike older condensation-drying dishwashers that leave plastic storage containers damp, CrystalDry uses a zeolite mineral that absorbs moisture and converts it to heat up to 176°F, and in our testing plastic tupperware came out genuinely dry enough to put away immediately rather than air-drying on the counter. The Flexible 3rd Rack gave us a dedicated, V-shaped spot for flatware and utensils that freed up real space in the lower rack, and RackMatic let us adjust the middle rack height to fit a stockpot on the bottom without removing tines.
The honest caveats: the dishwasher requires a separate power cord (model SMZPC002UC) that isn't included in the box, something installers should budget for ahead of time. We also found the InfoLight floor projection — while a clever touch given how quiet the unit is — easy to miss in a brightly lit kitchen, so it's not a substitute for a visible display if you want to glance and check cycle status. At 16 place settings, capacity is generous for a standard 24" dishwasher but won't match XL-capacity rivals designed for very large households. And like most premium dishwashers, full cycles with CrystalDry drying run noticeably longer than budget models — typically 2.5 to 3.5 hours depending on the soil level selected. Browse our full kitchen appliance reviews or the dishwasher category.
