Can you tell if your dishwasher is running? At 38 dBA, most people genuinely cannot hear the Bosch Benchmark SHP9PCM5N. This is the quietest dishwasher on the market today, and we have put it through its paces to see if that silence comes with any trade-offs.
Consumer Reports ranked this model their number one dishwasher with an 85/100 overall score and an exceptional 98/100 reliability rating. Good Housekeeping gave it their 2023 Award. The praise is well-earned, but this dishwasher is not perfect for everyone. We break down exactly when the Benchmark premium makes sense and when the 800 Series is the smarter buy.
Quick Verdict: Is the Bosch Benchmark Worth It?
Yes, if quiet operation is your top priority. The SHP9PCM5N delivers the quietest dishwashing experience available, backed by the best reliability scores in the industry.
What We Like | What We Would Change |
|---|---|
38 dBA silence (quietest available) | Longer cycle times |
Consumer Reports #1 rating | Rack quality could be better at this price |
CrystalDry dries plastics | No sanitize cycle |
98/100 reliability score | Premium pricing |
Built-in water softener |
Best for: Open-concept homes, night washing, noise-sensitive households, premium kitchen builds
Consider the 800 Series if: Budget matters more than ultimate silence, or 42 dBA is quiet enough for your space
Price and Availability at Masters
The Bosch Benchmark SHP9PCM5N is available at Masters Wholesale for $1,849, saving $150 from the $1,999 MSRP. At 135% above the category average price, this is firmly in luxury territory.
For comparison, the Bosch 800 Series typically runs $400-500 less. That price gap buys you 4 decibels of additional silence and some design refinements. Whether that premium is worth it depends entirely on how much you value quiet and how open your floor plan is.
Key Specifications at a Glance
Specification | Details |
|---|---|
Noise Level | 38 dBA (Quietest rating) |
Capacity | 16 place settings |
Drying System | CrystalDry with zeolite technology |
Control Type | Top control with pocket handle |
Tub Material | Stainless steel |
Dimensions | 23.56″W x 33.88″H x 23.75″D |
Rack System | 3 racks with RackMatic adjustment |
Smart Features | Wi-Fi enabled, Home Connect app |
Energy Star | Certified |
Water Softener | Built-in |
The 38 dBA Difference: Why Silence Matters
At 38 decibels, the Bosch Benchmark SHP9PCM5N produces less sound than a library. For reference, leaves rustling measure around 30 dBA and normal conversation hits 60 dBA. Most dishwashers operate between 45-55 dBA, making the Benchmark nearly half as loud as typical models.
Customers who test this machine with decibel meter apps consistently confirm the rating. When customers tell us they cannot hear the dishwasher from the next room, they mean it literally. The motor technology and insulation in the Benchmark line creates genuine silence that cheaper models simply cannot match.
That 4 dBA gap between the Benchmark (38 dBA) and the 800 Series (42 dBA) might seem small on paper. In practice, every 3 dBA represents a perceived halving of volume to human ears. The difference is noticeable in quiet environments.
Perfect for Open-Concept Homes
Open floor plans have become standard in modern homes, but they create a problem: kitchen noise travels everywhere. Running a typical dishwasher means raising your voice in the living room or pausing the TV.
The Benchmark changes that equation. We have seen families run this dishwasher during dinner parties without guests noticing. Living room conversations happen at normal volume. Movie night continues without interruption.
If your kitchen opens directly to living spaces, the 38 dBA rating is not a luxury specification. It is a quality-of-life feature.
Night Washing Without the Guilt
Running the dishwasher after a dinner party used to mean waking up early to unload before guests see the mess. With the SHP9PCM5N, the cycle can start after everyone goes to bed.
Light sleepers in bedrooms near the kitchen will not notice it running. Some utility companies offer lower rates during off-peak hours, making night washing both convenient and economical. The combination of silence and the Home Connect app means starting a cycle from bed at the cheapest electricity rate.
CrystalDry Technology: Finally, Dry Plastics
Condensation drying has always struggled with plastics. Traditional dishwashers use residual heat to evaporate water, but plastic does not retain heat like ceramic or glass. This leaves Tupperware and baby bottles wet when everything else is dry.
Bosch solved this with CrystalDry, which uses zeolite minerals to absorb moisture and convert it into heat up to 176 degrees Fahrenheit. The result is dishes that are 60% drier than standard condensation methods, according to Bosch testing.
Reviewed.com gave this model a 100% dry rating in their testing. Plastics come out ready for the cupboard instead of needing a towel dry. For households with young children going through multiple bottles daily, or anyone who stores food in reusable containers, this feature alone can justify the upgrade.
The technology does add time to the cycle. Zeolite drying works through absorption rather than blasting heat, so patience is required. We address this trade-off in detail below.
Cleaning Performance: Consumer Reports #1
The SHP9PCM5N earned an 85/100 overall score from Consumer Reports, making it their top-rated dishwasher. More impressive is the 98/100 reliability rating, meaning this model almost never requires service calls or repairs.
Good Housekeeping reinforced these findings with their 2023 Award. Independent testing consistently shows excellent stain removal and sanitization performance.
The PrecisionWash spray arms use intelligent sensors to monitor soil levels and adjust water pressure accordingly. Heavily soiled pots get more attention while delicate glassware receives gentler treatment. Every Bosch dishwasher passes 485 quality checks before leaving the factory, including a water test run. This attention to manufacturing quality shows up in long-term reliability data.
Design and Build Quality
The top control panel with pocket handle keeps controls hidden for a seamless kitchen look. Interior lighting makes loading and unloading easier, especially in dim kitchens.
The stainless steel tub resists odors and staining better than plastic alternatives. At 16 place settings, the SHP9PCM5N offers extra-large capacity, measuring 14% above the category average. Large families and frequent entertainers will appreciate the extra room.
The Flexible 3rd Rack features expandable wings that lower to accommodate deeper items like measuring cups and spatulas. Adjustable tines customize the loading space for bulky utensils. The RackMatic system provides nine different rack positions across three height settings, making room for tall stemware in the middle rack while keeping space for pots below.
EasyGlide Plus ball-bearing wheels create smooth rack movement on all three levels. Racks glide out and push in without the sticking that plagues cheaper models.
The Honest Trade-Offs
No dishwasher is perfect, and at $1,849, the Benchmark should be held to high standards. We have identified three areas where this model falls short of expectations.
Cycle Times: Patience for Perfection
Quiet operation requires slower motor speeds and gentler water movement. The CrystalDry technology adds absorption time. Combined, these factors push cycle times beyond what many buyers expect from a premium dishwasher.
A standard cycle can run well over two hours. For households accustomed to running multiple loads daily, this time investment adds up.
The express wash option helps when speed matters more than perfection. It cuts time significantly but sacrifices some of the drying performance. Running the express cycle on lightly soiled lunch dishes, then saving the full cycle for dinner cookware, represents a practical compromise.
Rack Quality at This Price Point
At nearly $1,900, we expect every component to feel premium. The racks themselves are functional and adjust well, but the build quality does not quite match competitors like Miele dishwashers at similar price points.
Tines are sturdy enough for daily use, and the ball-bearing wheels work smoothly. But some customers have noted that rack materials feel more appropriate for the $1,200 price tier than the $1,800 tier. This is a minor complaint in the context of overall performance, but worth noting for buyers who expect luxury at every touchpoint.
The third rack is genuinely useful for silverware and small items. It frees up the utensil basket in the lower rack for larger items or eliminates the basket entirely.
Missing Features
The SHP9PCM5N lacks a sanitize cycle, which some competitors offer. For households with strict hygiene requirements, this may be a deciding factor. The high-temperature wash options provide excellent cleaning, but the dedicated sanitize certification is absent.
Pre-rinsing is recommended for heavily soiled items. The sensor wash technology handles most situations, but caked-on food may require attention before loading. This is standard for most dishwashers, but some premium competitors claim true food-disposal capability.
Bosch Benchmark vs 800 Series: When to Upgrade
The question we hear most often: is the Benchmark worth it over the 800 Series? Check our Best Bosch Dishwashers guide for a full comparison across the lineup.
Feature | Benchmark SHP9PCM5N | 800 Series |
|---|---|---|
Noise Level | 38 dBA | 42 dBA |
CrystalDry | Yes | Available on some models |
Price Range | $1,849 at Masters | $1,200-1,400 typical |
Rack System | EasyGlide Plus | Standard EasyGlide |
Interior Lighting | Yes | Model dependent |
Water Softener | Built-in | Some models |
The 4 dBA difference is the primary distinction. In an enclosed kitchen with the door closed, most people will not notice. In an open-concept layout where the kitchen connects to living spaces, the difference becomes meaningful.
Both lines share excellent reliability ratings and cleaning performance. The 800 Series with CrystalDry delivers nearly identical drying results. Premium materials and interior refinements favor the Benchmark, but the core dishwashing experience is comparable.
Upgrade to Benchmark if: Your kitchen opens to living spaces, you run the dishwasher at night near bedrooms, or you are building a premium kitchen where every appliance should represent the best available.
Stay with 800 Series if: Your kitchen has a door that closes, noise is not a primary concern, or you prefer to allocate budget to other appliances.
Who Should Buy the Bosch Benchmark SHP9PCM5N
Ideal buyers:
The SHP9PCM5N fits best in homes where quiet matters most. Open-concept floor plans, loft apartments with visible kitchens, or any space where dishwasher noise intrudes on daily life will benefit from the 38 dBA operation.
Night washers who want to run cycles after bedtime without disturbing family members will appreciate the silence. Customers with home offices near the kitchen can work during cycle runs.
Premium kitchen builds seeking the best available dishwasher for a high-end renovation should consider this model. The Consumer Reports #1 rating provides peace of mind, and the reliability scores suggest minimal service needs over the appliance lifespan.
Skip this model if:
Budget flexibility is limited. The 800 Series delivers 90% of the Benchmark experience for $400-500 less. Allocating that savings to other kitchen upgrades often makes more practical sense.
Noise is not a concern for your household. If the kitchen has a door, or the home layout keeps kitchen sounds contained, the premium for silence loses its value proposition.
Sanitize cycles are required. Households with immunocompromised members or specific hygiene needs may prefer competitors offering dedicated sanitize certifications.
Consider instead:
The Bosch 800 Series for excellent performance at a lower price point. Miele dishwashers for buyers who want even higher build quality and are willing to pay accordingly.
Final Verdict
The Bosch Benchmark SHP9PCM5N earns its Consumer Reports #1 rating through genuine engineering excellence. At 38 dBA, nothing else on the market runs this quietly. CrystalDry technology solves the wet plastics problem that frustrates owners of lesser dishwashers. The 98/100 reliability score means this appliance should serve without issue for years.
The trade-offs are real but manageable. Longer cycle times require planning ahead. Rack materials could feel more premium at this price. The absence of a dedicated sanitize cycle limits appeal for some households.
For open-concept homes and noise-sensitive buyers, the Benchmark delivers on its premium positioning. At $1,849 with a $150 savings from MSRP, this represents strong value within the luxury dishwasher segment. The 800 Series remains the better value pick for most households, but for those who prioritize silence above all else, the Benchmark stands alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
How loud is 38 dBA really?
Quieter than a library and barely louder than leaves rustling. Most customers cannot tell the dishwasher is running when standing in the next room. Decibel meter apps on smartphones consistently confirm the 38 dBA rating in real-world testing.
Does the Bosch Benchmark dry plastics completely?
Yes. CrystalDry technology uses zeolite minerals to absorb moisture and generate heat up to 176 degrees Fahrenheit. Reviewed.com gave this model a 100% dry rating. Plastics come out ready for storage without towel drying.
Is the Benchmark worth the upgrade from the 800 Series?
For open-concept homes and noise-sensitive households, yes. The 4 dBA reduction from 42 to 38 is perceptible in quiet environments. For enclosed kitchens or buyers who are less sensitive to noise, the 800 Series with CrystalDry offers comparable cleaning and drying at $400-500 less.
How long are the cycle times?
Standard cycles run over two hours. The combination of quiet motor operation and zeolite drying technology requires patience. Express wash options cut time significantly for lightly soiled loads.
Does it have a sanitize cycle?
No. The SHP9PCM5N does not include a dedicated sanitize cycle with NSF certification. High-temperature wash options provide excellent cleaning, but buyers requiring certified sanitization should consider alternatives.
Can you hear it from another room?
In most homes, no. The 38 dBA rating produces less sound than typical ambient room noise. Open floor plans may allow very faint sound to travel, but normal conversation completely masks any dishwasher noise.
Is pre-rinsing required?
Light rinsing is recommended for heavily soiled dishes with caked-on food. The sensor wash system handles typical meal residue without pre-rinsing, but dried-on or baked-on food benefits from a quick rinse before loading.
Is the water softener worth it?
In hard water areas, absolutely. The built-in water softener prevents spots and film that plague dishwashers in areas with mineral-heavy water. Glasses come out clear and dishes stay shiny without adding rinse aid for every load.
