Every dishwasher owner knows the frustration. The cycle finishes, you open the door, and there they are: plastic containers covered in water droplets. Even after running the heated dry option, those meal prep containers and kids’ cups need a hand towel before they can go back in the cabinet. The Bosch SHX78CM5N uses something called CrystalDry technology to fix this problem for good, and in our testing, it works as advertised. This Bosch 800 Series review covers what makes this model different, how it performs in real kitchens, and whether the $1,399 price tag makes sense.
Quick Verdict: Who Should Buy the SHX78CM5N
The Bosch SHX78CM5N earns our recommendation for anyone tired of hand-drying plastics or running a dishwasher they can hear from the next room. At 42 dBA, it runs quieter than a library conversation. Consumer Reports ranked it #2 out of 130 dishwashers tested, and independent lab testing measured 99.97% cleaning performance. For households with open floor plans or plastic-heavy dish loads, this is the model to beat.
Best for: Families with lots of plastic containers, open-concept kitchens, anyone upgrading from a loud older dishwasher.
Skip if: Budget is under $1,000 or you rarely wash plastics (the CrystalDry premium matters less).
Price and Availability at Masters
The Bosch SHX78CM5N is currently available at Masters Wholesale for $1,399, which is $150 off the $1,549 MSRP. That puts it in premium territory, running about 82% higher than the average dishwasher, but the technology and reliability justify the investment for the right buyer.
If you prefer a sleeker look, the SHP78CM5N offers identical internals with a pocket handle instead of the bar handle. Same cleaning, same drying, same noise level. It comes down to which handle style matches your kitchen.
Key Specifications at a Glance
Specification | Details |
|---|---|
Noise Level | 42 dBA (Quietest rating) |
Capacity | 16 place settings |
Dimensions | 23.56″W x 33.88″H x 23.75″D |
Tub Material | Stainless Steel |
Drying Technology | CrystalDry (zeolite) |
Key Features | PrecisionWash, PowerControl, InfoLight |
WiFi/App | Home Connect enabled |
Energy Star | Certified |
Wash Cycles | 8 |
CrystalDry: Solving the Wet Plastic Problem
Standard dishwashers dry dishes through condensation. Hot water heats the dishes during the final rinse, and moisture evaporates onto the cooler stainless steel walls. This works well for ceramics and glass, which retain heat. Plastics are the problem. They cool down quickly and never get hot enough to shed water efficiently.
Bosch’s CrystalDry system takes a different approach. Natural zeolite minerals sit in a compartment at the base of the dishwasher. These minerals absorb moisture from the humid air inside the tub. As they absorb water, they release heat, pushing temperatures up to 176 degrees Fahrenheit. The result is 60% drier dishes compared to standard condensation drying.
How Zeolite Technology Actually Works
Zeolite is a volcanic mineral with a honeycomb structure that loves water. When humid air passes through the zeolite compartment, the minerals trap moisture and convert it to heat. This heat circulates back into the dishwasher, speeding evaporation from every surface, including plastics.
The zeolite regenerates during each wash cycle. Hot water from the wash phase drives out the stored moisture, resetting the minerals for the drying phase. Bosch says the zeolite lasts the life of the dishwasher, so there is nothing to replace or maintain.
Real Results in the Warehouse
In our warehouse tests, we ran loads heavy with Tupperware-style containers, kids’ sippy cups, and meal prep containers. On the Heavy cycle with CrystalDry engaged, plastics came out ready for the cabinet with no towel needed. Ceramic plates and glasses were bone dry.
We also tested against a Miele G7166SCVISF at nearly twice the price. The Bosch matched or beat the Miele on plastic drying, which surprised us. Miele has excellent overall drying, but their system relies more on condensation and does not address the plastic problem as directly.
The one limitation: extremely deep or concave plastic items sometimes held small puddles where water collected during the rinse. This happens with any dishwasher, including models with heated dry elements. Loading matters, and positioning items at an angle helps water run off.
Cleaning Performance: 99.97% Lab-Tested Results
Reviewed.com’s lab testing produced some of the highest cleaning scores they have ever recorded. The Bosch SHX78CM5N achieved 99.97% stain removal on the Heavy cycle, cleaning baked-on spinach, egg, and oatmeal without pre-rinsing.
Other cycles performed nearly as well:
- Auto cycle: 99.38% stain removal
- Normal cycle: 98.48% stain removal
- Express cycle: 98.29% in just 30 minutes
Real-world testing with baked-on lasagna, notoriously difficult to clean without soaking first, confirms the lab results hold up. The Bosch handled it without pre-rinsing.
PrecisionWash Sensors
The PrecisionWash system uses sensors that scan throughout the cycle for food particles. When it detects soil, the system adjusts water pressure and temperature to target problem areas. This adaptive cleaning means the dishwasher works harder when dishes are dirtier and saves water and energy on lighter loads.
PowerControl takes this further by letting you direct extra cleaning power to specific rack zones through the Home Connect app. Heavy pots on the bottom rack? Activate the PowerControl zone for that section. It adds flexibility for mixed loads where some items need more attention than others.
Noise Level: What 42 dBA Actually Sounds Like
At 42 dBA, the SHX78CM5N falls into the “Quietest” rating category. For context, that is softer than a refrigerator hum (45 dBA) and closer to a library environment (40 dBA). Most conversations happen around 60 dBA.
In practical terms, we could not hear this dishwasher from the next room with the door open. Standing directly in front of it, we heard a faint swooshing during the wash cycle. The drain pump is the loudest part, and even that barely registers.
Budget dishwashers often run at 55-60 dBA. At that level, you know when the dishwasher is running because you can hear it over the television. The Bosch 800 Series eliminates that distraction, making it ideal for open floor plans where the kitchen flows into living spaces.
The InfoLight Solution
Because the SHX78CM5N runs so quietly, Bosch added InfoLight. This feature projects a red light onto the floor in front of the dishwasher while a cycle is running. When the cycle finishes, the light disappears.
Without InfoLight, the dishwasher is so silent that it is easy to forget a cycle is running. Customers tell us they used to open the door mid-cycle before noticing the red glow. It seems like a small feature, but it solves a real problem created by the ultra-quiet operation.
Design and Build Quality
The Bosch SHX78CM5N features a full stainless steel tub, not plastic. Stainless steel tubs conduct heat better than plastic, which helps with drying performance. They also resist staining and odors over years of use.
The bar handle on this model provides a solid grip and matches most kitchen hardware styles. For a more integrated look where the handle sits flush with the door, the SHP78CM5N pocket handle variant uses the same internal components.
Rack Flexibility
Three racks provide versatile loading options. The Flexible 3rd Rack at the top handles cutlery, cooking utensils, and small items. Expandable wings fold down to accommodate deeper items like ladles or spatulas. Adjustable tines customize the loading space for whatever your household uses most.
The RackMatic system on the middle rack adjusts to three different heights and nine positions. This helps when loading tall wine glasses or oversized bowls that need more clearance.
The EasyGlide rack system uses quality ball bearings that roll smoothly even when fully loaded. In our testing, we loaded heavy cast iron skillets and ceramic casserole dishes without any binding or resistance when sliding the racks.
One complaint we have seen from customers involves tall tumblers. When maximizing dinner plate capacity on the lower rack, some tall cups on the upper rack may not fit. Loading takes some experimentation to find the arrangement that works for your specific dishes.
Reliability and Longevity
Industry reliability studies tracking thousands of dishwashers show Bosch with a 7.8% service rate, compared to 8.8% for the industry average. That one percentage point difference means roughly 10% fewer service calls over the ownership period.
Bosch dishwashers typically last 10-15 years with normal use. That is shorter than Miele’s advertised 20-year lifespan, but Miele also costs $600-2,400 more depending on the model. For most households, 10-15 years covers one or two kitchen remodels.
Bosch has earned the America’s Most Trusted Dishwasher title for seven consecutive years. This third-party recognition reflects both initial quality and long-term owner satisfaction.
The 24/7 AquaStop leak protection monitors water levels even when the unit is off. If water rises too high, sensors trigger the drain pump and close the water inlet. This prevents flooding from a failed component or hose, protecting kitchen floors and the cabinetry around the dishwasher.
Who Should Skip the SHX78CM5N
At $1,399, the Bosch SHX78CM5N is not the right choice for everyone.
Budget-conscious buyers can get excellent cleaning from the Bosch 500 Series at $300-400 less. The 500 Series lacks CrystalDry, so plastics will come out wet, but the cleaning performance remains strong. KitchenAid’s KDTM404KPS at $869 offers solid performance at a significantly lower price point.
Households that rarely use plastics may not get full value from CrystalDry. If your dishwasher mostly handles ceramic plates and glass cups, standard condensation drying works fine. The CrystalDry premium makes less sense when the problem it solves does not affect you.
App connectivity concerns: About 12% of customer reviews mention issues with the Home Connect app. Problems include the dishwasher forgetting the WiFi connection and Android devices having trouble pairing initially. The core wash and dry functions work perfectly without the app, but if you specifically want app-controlled features like PowerControl zones, be aware that setup can frustrate some owners. The WiFi also requires a 2.4GHz network and will not connect to 5GHz.
Quality control reports: A small percentage of customers (about 4%) have reported quality control issues like misaligned doors or day-one failures. This appears to be a manufacturing variance issue rather than a design flaw. Inspect the unit on delivery and test immediately to catch any problems while returns are straightforward.
Compared to Similar Models
vs Bosch 500 Series
The 500 Series shares the same PrecisionWash cleaning technology and quiet operation in the mid-40 dBA range. What you lose is CrystalDry drying. If wet plastics do not bother you, the 500 Series saves $300-400 and still cleans as well as almost any dishwasher on the market.
vs Miele G7166SCVISF
Miele sits at $1,999 or higher, adding $600+ to the Bosch price. Miele offers a 5-year warranty versus Bosch’s 1-year, a built-in water softener for hard water areas, and an expected 20-year lifespan. For plastic drying specifically, our testing showed the Bosch matches or beats Miele despite costing nearly half as much. If longevity is the priority and budget allows, Miele wins. For best value in drying performance, the Bosch takes it.
vs KitchenAid KDTM404KPS
At $869 at Masters, the KitchenAid KDTM404KPS costs $530 less than the Bosch. It offers solid cleaning with 50+ wash jets and a PrintShield finish that resists fingerprints. The tradeoff: louder operation at 44 dBA, fewer cycles (5 vs 8), and no equivalent to CrystalDry. For open kitchens where noise matters or households with lots of plastics, the Bosch justifies the premium.
vs SHP78CM5N Pocket Handle
Same dishwasher, different handle. The SHP78CM5N uses a pocket handle that sits flush with the door instead of the protruding bar handle. Choose based on your kitchen aesthetic. All performance specifications, features, and pricing remain identical.
Final Verdict: Is the Bosch SHX78CM5N Worth It?
For households frustrated by wet plastics and loud dishwashers, the Bosch SHX78CM5N solves both problems. CrystalDry delivers on its promise, drying plastics 60% better than condensation drying. The 42 dBA operation disappears into the background. And 99.97% cleaning performance means no pre-rinsing required.
The $1,399 price at Masters represents a meaningful investment, but the technology, reliability, and seven-year track record as America’s most trusted dishwasher justify the cost for buyers who will use what it offers. If wet plastics do not bother you and noise is not a concern, look at the Bosch 500 Series or KitchenAid alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does CrystalDry actually dry plastics?
Yes. In our testing and independent lab results, CrystalDry delivers 60% drier results than standard condensation drying. Plastics come out ready for the cabinet without hand-drying. Some concave items may still hold small puddles, but that is a loading issue more than a technology limitation.
How loud is 42 dBA really?
Quieter than a refrigerator hum. We could not hear the SHX78CM5N from an adjacent room. Standing directly in front, there is a faint swoosh during wash cycles. The InfoLight floor projection helps you know when it is running because you certainly will not hear it.
What is the difference between SHX78CM5N and SHP78CM5N?
Handle style only. The SHX has a bar handle that protrudes from the door. The SHP has a pocket handle that sits flush. Same internals, same performance, same price. Choose based on your kitchen design preference.
How long do Bosch dishwashers last?
Typically 10-15 years with normal use. Industry data shows Bosch has a 7.8% service rate, below the 8.8% industry average. The 24/7 leak protection adds peace of mind for long-term reliability.
Is the 800 Series worth the upgrade from 500 Series?
If drying plastics matters to your household, yes. CrystalDry is the primary difference, and it works. If you primarily wash ceramics and glass, the 500 Series cleans just as well for $300-400 less.
Will the Home Connect app work with my phone?
Home Connect supports iOS and Android, but the dishwasher requires a 2.4GHz WiFi network. It will not connect to 5GHz bands. About 12% of owners report connectivity issues, particularly with Android devices. The dishwasher works perfectly without the app, so this is only a concern if you specifically want app-controlled features like PowerControl zones.
