Bosch Ascenta SHE5AL02UC Review

The Bosch Ascenta SHE5AL02UC is as quiet a dishwasher as you are likely to find for the money. Consumers posting Bosch SHE5AL02UC reviews on the website of appliance retailer AJ Madison rave about the lack of noise and the squeaky-clean dishes that come out of this machine without pre-rinsing. Some users posting Bosch SHE5AL02UC reviews are also pleased with how dry the dishes are at the end of the cycle, even when using the energy-saving air dry option, as long as a rinse agent is used.

What you give up with this machine as opposed to a more expensive Bosch, as well as some of our other picks, is flexibility. A user who posted a Bosch SHE5AL02UC review on the website of retailer Abe's of Maine finds it is awkward to load. The top rack has a line of tines that fold down, but otherwise the racks are what they are. One gripe in Bosch SHE5AL02UC reviews is that the silverware basket is in the back, so you have to pull out the lower rack to load utensils. Others say the dividers are close together, which makes it difficult to fit everything in.

This machine holds 14 place settings and has five wash cycles: normal, Power Scrub Plus, auto wash, delicate, and a 30-minute quick wash. It has the ability to run a half load, saving energy and water. It features a sanitary wash and a three-, six-, or nine-hour delay start. A manual filter helps reduce noise, but you have to spend a few minutes a month cleaning it out. A stainless steel tub, typically found in more expensive models, aids in drying and noise reduction. This dishwasher comes in white, black (SHE5AL06UC), and more expensive stainless steel (SHE5AL05UC).

For the most part, even the few detractors of the Bosch Ascenta DLX SHE5AL02UC are pleased with how it performs. It offers a brand name at a (barely) budget price and the quietest operation of any dishwasher on our list.