Head-to-head · Best Dishwashers

Bosch 800 Series SHX78CM5N vs KitchenAid KDTM604KPS

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Bosch 800 Series SHX78CM5N comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.8 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about Buyers who want the quietest possible 42 dBA cabinet, the best drying on plastics, and a US-supported build-quality story without paying Miele money. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Dishwashers

Bosch 800 Series SHX78CM5N

4.8

$1,349

The Bosch 800 Series SHX78CM5N is the dishwasher most worth buying if you can spend around $1,300. It pairs the best wash and drying performance in its class with one of the quietest cabinets you can put in an open-plan kitchen, and Bosch's reliability record continues to put it near the top of any service-rate chart that includes the major US brands.

Strengths

— 42 dBA noise level is among the quietest in any built-in dishwasher under $1,500
— CrystalDry zeolite system delivers genuinely dry plastics that most competitors leave wet
— PrecisionWash with PowerControl spray arm targets dirtier zones without a full Heavy cycle

Watch-outs

— Touch controls can feel finicky and several useful options live only in the Home Connect app
— Normal cycle runs around 2 hours, which feels slow if you only run one load a day
— Bar-handle SHX variant ships only in stainless; no panel-ready option at this price

$1,349 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #2 in Best Dishwashers

KitchenAid KDTM604KPS

4.5

$1,199

The KitchenAid KDTM604KPS is the dishwasher to buy when third-rack capacity matters most. KitchenAid's FreeFlex Third Rack is the deepest in the market, with its own wash jets and a stemware drying bar that genuinely help, and the rest of the machine is a competent 44 dBA performer with the brand's usual better-than-average reliability.

Strengths

— FreeFlex Third Rack is the deepest third rack on the market with its own rotating wash jets and stemware drying bar
— 44 dBA operation is quiet enough for open-plan kitchens
— ProWash sensor cycle scales wash time and water temperature to actual soil load

Watch-outs

— Only 5 wash cycles, fewer than the Bosch 800's 8 or the LG LDTH7972S's 10
— 44 dBA is competitive but loses to the Bosch 800's 42 dBA
— No app-based smart features; not Wi-Fi connected

$1,199 · Buy at kitchenaid.com Full review →

How they stack up

Bosch 800 Series SHX78CM5N

Cleans as well as the Miele G 7266 SCVi and the KitchenAid KDTM604KPS at a noticeably lower price than the Miele. Drying is a real step above the LG LDTH7972S because of CrystalDry, especially on plastic containers. Quieter than the KitchenAid KDTM604KPS by 2 dBA, and much quieter than the Farberware FCD06ABBWHA countertop unit. Lacks the AutoOpen door of the Miele but the zeolite drying largely compensates.

KitchenAid KDTM604KPS

Best third rack of anything in this comparison — bigger, deeper, and with its own wash jets that the Bosch 800 SHX78CM5N rack does not have. Slightly louder than the Bosch SHX78CM5N (44 vs 42 dBA) and noticeably louder than the Miele G 7266 SCVi. Cleans well but does not match the Bosch SHX78CM5N's 99.97% Heavy-cycle figure. Drying with the Fan-Enabled ProDry is good but loses to the Bosch's zeolite CrystalDry on plastics. Quieter and far more capable than the LG LDTH7972S on rack flexibility; the LG counters with TrueSteam and Wi-Fi.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Bosch 800 Series SHX78CM5N	KitchenAid KDTM604KPS
Width	24 inches	24 inches
Noise Level	42 dBA	44 dBA
Place Settings	16	16
Wash Cycles	8 (Auto, Heavy, Normal, Speed60, Eco, Rinse, Glass, Express)	5 (Auto, Heavy, Normal, ProWash, Express)
Third Rack	Yes, flexible 3D MyWay	Yes, FreeFlex with rotating wash jets and stemware drying bar
Energy Star	Yes, certified	Yes, certified
Smart Features	Home Connect Wi-Fi app + voice (Alexa, Google)	—
Warranty	1-year full parts and labor	1-year full parts and labor
Drying System	—	Fan-Enabled ProDry

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