Thermador vs Bosch Dishwashers: which should you buy?
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The short answer
Thermador vs Bosch is a sibling rivalry: both brands belong to BSH, and on paper the Star Sapphire and Bosch Benchmark share 16 place settings, 240 kWh a year and a built-in water softener. The Bosch Benchmark is the better buy. It's quieter (39 vs 42 dBA) and lists for about $500 less.
Choose Thermador if you want a 2-year full warranty, Zeolite drying, Star Glow lighting and a handle that matches a Thermador range. Choose Bosch if you want the same core machine for less.
Key differences at a glance
- Bosch Benchmark 24-inch Dishwasher lists for about $500 less ($1,999 vs $2,499).
- Thermador Star Sapphire 24-inch Dishwasher rates higher for features (5/5 vs 4/5).
- Bosch Benchmark 24-inch Dishwasher rates higher for value (5/5 vs 4/5).
- Full warranty: 2-yr full vs 1-yr full.
Ratings head to head
5 vs 5
4 vs 4
5 vs 4
4 vs 5
Specs side by side
| Spec | Thermador Star Sapphire 24-inch Dishwasher | Bosch Benchmark 24-inch Dishwasher |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Thermador | Bosch |
| Category | Dishwasher (built-in) | Dishwasher (built-in) |
| Width | 24″ | 24″ |
| Fuel | - | - |
| Installation | Built-in | Built-in |
| List price (MSRP) | $2,499 | $1,999 |
| Full warranty | 2-yr full | 1-yr full |
| Made in | - | - |
| Wi-Fi / app | Yes | Yes |
| Noise (dBA) | 42 | 39 |
| Place settings | 16 | 16 |
| Annual energy kwh | 240 | 240 |
| ENERGY STAR | Yes | Yes |
| Water softener | Yes | Yes |
| Performance rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Design rating | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Features rating | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Value rating | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Where to buy | Check price | Check price |
Prices are manufacturer or retailer list prices when we last checked; luxury brands set minimum advertised prices, so savings usually come from dealer packages and rebates. Ratings are editorial estimates: see how we rate.
How Thermador and Bosch dishwashers differ
Look at the spec sheets side by side and the overlap is obvious. The Thermador Star Sapphire (about $2,499) and the Bosch Benchmark (about $1,999 for SHX9PCM5N) both hold 16 place settings, both are ENERGY STAR at 240 kWh a year, both have a water softener, zone washing and AquaStop leak protection, and both connect to Home Connect.
The differences are in drying, finish and the details you see. Thermador uses StarDry with Zeolite and Crystal Protect, adds a multi-color Star Glow interior light and an adjustable Chef's Tool Drawer. Bosch uses CrystalDry, a flexible third rack and EasyGlide Plus racks, and it's rated 3 dBA quieter. Thermador sells Professional or Masterpiece handles to match its ranges and wall ovens; Bosch comes in anti-fingerprint stainless or panel-ready.
Who should pick Bosch vs Thermador
Pick Bosch if you're buying on performance per dollar or the dishwasher sits near a living space. Pick Thermador if it's one piece of a Thermador kitchen with a Pro Harmony range or Masterpiece wall oven and you want matching handles and a longer full warranty. If budget is tight but you want the Thermador name, its step-down Sapphire DWHD660 lists at about $1,999 (44 dBA).
Thermador vs Bosch as brands
The same split runs across both lineups. Bosch Benchmark is the premium tier of a value brand: the Benchmark 36 induction cooktop lists around $3,699 versus about $6,699 for Thermador's full-surface Freedom. Thermador is BSH's luxury pro-style brand, with Star burners, Freedom refrigeration and bigger promotions. For other dishwasher matchups, see Miele vs Bosch and Cove vs Bosch.
Thermador vs Bosch price, warranty and service
Warranty is Thermador's clearest win. It covers the entire dishwasher for 2 years parts and labor; Bosch covers 1 year. After that, both cover electronics and racks parts-only through year 5 and offer lifetime parts-only rust-through coverage.
Thermador's Gift With Purchase event (January 1 to December 31, 2026) is triggered by qualifying cooking or refrigeration purchases, so ask your dealer whether a dishwasher can be one of the complimentary items. Since both brands are BSH, service often runs through the same channels; confirm with your dealer. Compare more on the dishwashers hub.
Frequently asked questions
Is Thermador just an expensive Bosch?
Not quite, but they are close relatives. Both are made by BSH, and the Star Sapphire and Bosch Benchmark dishwashers share capacity, efficiency and water softening on paper. Thermador adds Zeolite drying, Star Glow lighting, matching pro handles and a 2-year full warranty. Bosch is quieter and about $500 less at list.
Which is quieter, Thermador or Bosch?
The Bosch Benchmark is rated at 39 dBA and the Thermador Star Sapphire at 42 dBA. Thermador's step-down Sapphire model is rated at 44 dBA. Differences of a few decibels are noticeable in a quiet room but not dramatic; if the dishwasher is beside a living area, the Bosch has the edge by the specs.
Does the Thermador promotion include dishwashers?
Thermador's 2026 Gift With Purchase event (January 1 to December 31, 2026) offers up to three complimentary appliances or upgrades when you buy qualifying cooking or refrigeration products from an authorized dealer on one order. Which items count as complimentary depends on the program terms, so confirm the exact dishwasher models with your dealer before ordering.