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- Sleek design
- Quiet operation
- Very good reliability ratings
- Excellent cleaning ability
- No heated drying cycle
- No hard-food disposer
- Smaller interior than owners expect
The Bosch Integra 500 SHX45P05UC is one of those rare dishwashers that earns a combination of very good expert reviews, high reliability ratings and strong support in more than 100 user reviews. This stainless-steel model (which also comes in black, white and titanium) has a modern, sleek look that's now fairly common among dishwashers, with a seamless door and controls hidden along the top. It's Energy Star-rated and gets top scores for efficiency, partly because it doesn't have a heated drying cycle. Rather, hot air generated from the washing process is recycled to help dry dishes. However, quite a few owners say they wish it had a heated drying feature.
This machine gets good scores for noise; in fact, many users say they can barely hear it running. Part of why the SHX45P05UC is so quiet is that it lacks a hard-food disposer. That means you'll occasionally need to empty the filter by hand, which owners say isn't a big deal. As for loading flexibility, an adjustable upper rack and flexible silverware basket are helpful, but a number of owners say loading can be awkward and the interior capacity isn't as spacious as they had hoped. Even so, Bosch as a brand gets excellent overall reviews for its low rate of repairs and good cleaning ability. This model has the best blend of positive reviews and good pricing. Opting for the black, white or titanium versions instead of stainless steel will save you about $50.
At ConsumerReports.org, the Bosch Integra 500 SHX45P05UC is compared to more than 50 other dishwashers for cleaning performance, noise and ease of use. J.D. Power and Associates rates the machine as part of a large owner survey for brand reliability and overall satisfaction. While most dishwashers don't get a groundswell of owner feedback, we found about 100 user reviews for this Bosch model, most of which are very positive.
Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
Editors test and compare the Bosch SHX45P05UC to more than 50 other dishwashers in this frequently updated report. A ratings chart shows the machine's comparative performance in cleaning ability, noise level, ease of use and energy efficiency. In addition to the editorial rating, about two dozen users post reviews.
Review: Dishwashers: Ratings, How to Choose, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, August 2010
The annual appliance survey by J.D. Power and Associates doesn't evaluate specific models, but it does rank dishwasher brands as a whole based on such factors as design, performance and ease of use. Bosch machines get above-average ratings overall, with top scores for performance and reliability.
Review: 2011 Home Appliance Study: Dishwasher, Editors of J.D. Power and Associates, Aug. 3, 2011
This Bosch dishwasher maintains a high average rating of 4.3 stars (out of 5) in more than 50 user reviews. Most owners are big fans of its sleek exterior and quiet operation, but more than one complains about the lack of a heated drying feature, and several say the interior capacity is smaller and more awkward to load than they expected.
Review: Bosch SHX45P05UC Built-In Dishwasher Reviews, Contributors to Viewpoints.com, As of Feb. 2012
4. Sears.com
In more than 30 reviews, owners give this Bosch machine 4.5 stars out of 5. Nearly all say it cleans great, and is quiet and attractive. A couple of users complain about the lack of a heated drying cycle, and a few others say its capacity is smaller than expected.
Review: Bosch 24" Built-In Dishwasher (SHX45P05UC) Energy Star, Contributors to Sears.com, As of Feb. 2012
There are just more than 10 reviews here for the Bosch SHX45P05UC, but all are positive. A couple of owners note that installation is tricky -- something we read in other comments -- but no one says specifically what's difficult about it. All say the dishwasher is exceptionally quiet.
Review: Bosch Integra 500 Series SHX45P0, Contributors to AJMadison.com, As of Feb. 2012
6. Amazon.com
There are just a handful of mixed user reviews here for this Bosch dishwasher. All say it's difficult to install for do-it-yourselfers.
Review: Bosch: SHX45P05UC 24 Integra 500 Series Fully Integrated Dishwasher, Contributors to Amazon.com, As of Feb. 2012
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