Are Bosch washing machines any good?
Bosch washing machines offer good performance and rank #5 in the overall ranking among all washing machine brands, with a total score of 7.8. Users rate them at 9 points, placing them #3 in the ranking of the best brands according to user reviews.
Bosch is undoubtedly one of the best brands on the market. However, if you’re looking for other great alternatives, consider checking Samsung, LG, or Siemens. Many also like to purchase Candy, Whirlpool, or Indesit washing machines, but based on our analysis, they do not achieve very high scores overall.
(The analysis included 22 brands, excluding those with fewer than 6 products.)
The table below ranks the best washing machine brands based on their overall scores.[horizontal-chart-39866564]
Here are the Bosch washing machines with the highest overall score.
- Bosch WGB256A40 Serie 8 (Total score: 8.77 points; Capacity: 10 kg)
- Bosch WAN282K3 Serie 4 (Total score: 8.42 points; Capacity: 8 kg)
What are the main advantages of Bosch washing machines?
The main advantages of Bosch washing machines are as follows.
- Higher user ratings: Bosch washing machines have an average user rating of 9, slightly above the market average of 8.9.
- Larger drum volume: Bosch washing machines have an average drum volume of 63 litres, compared to the market average of 58 litres.
- Lower energy consumption: Bosch washing machines consume an average of 51 kWh per 100 cycles, less than the market average of 54 kWh. About 50% of Bosch washing machines are energy class A, compared to only 39% of all washing machines.
- Higher maximum spin speed: 73% of Bosch machines can reach a maximum spin speed of 1400 rpm.
- Lower minimum spin speed: All Bosch washing machines can reach a minimum spin speed of 400 rpm, useful for washing delicate items. About 33% of washing machines on the market cannot achieve this minimum speed.
- Quieter operation: Bosch washing machines are approximately 4 dB quieter than the market average (71 dB vs. 75 dB for spin noise and 51 dB vs. 53 dB for washing noise). They typically have a better noise emission class (A vs. B for the average machine).
- Specialised washing cycles: Most Bosch washing machines include cycles such as AllergyPlus/HygienePlus, Shirt cycle, and Sports/Fitness cycle.
- Washing features: Bosch washing machines often come equipped with features like anti-crease function, rinse pause, stain removal function, quick wash (SpeedPerfect), extra rinse function, intensive rinse, silent wash, Intensive Plus wash, or Mini Load function.
- Multiple washing functions: Almost all Bosch washing machines include Active Water Plus, unbalanced load detection, foam control, overflow protection, add laundry function, and delay start up to 24 hours.
- Advanced features: Most Bosch models come with a drum cleaning programme and AquaStop system. Some advanced models also include pre-mix technology (4D Wash System), Wi-Fi connectivity via the Home Connect app, automatic dosing (i-DOS), Smart Dry technology, EasyStart function, memory function, and internal lighting.
- Durable motor: Almost all Bosch washing machines are equipped with the EcoSilence Drive™ inverter motor, which comes with a 10-year warranty.
- Special drum design: Bosch washing machines are often equipped with Wave or Vario drums, featuring a wavy surface and paddles designed to ensure effective cleaning while being gentle on fabrics.
What are the main disadvantages of Bosch washing machines?
Bosch washing machines have the following disadvantages compared to other brands.
- Higher cost: Bosch washing machines are £160 more expensive than the market average (£540 vs. £380) and have a slightly lower quality-price ratio (7.4 points).
- Lower popularity: Bosch models are less popular, with an average popularity score of 6.2 compared to the market average of 7 points.
- Higher water consumption: Bosch washing machines use 2 litres more water per cycle than the market average (48 L vs. 46 L per cycle).
- Limited specialised cycles: Bosch washing machines do not include a Baby Care cycle, and only some models feature a Duvet cycle.
- Lack of some advanced features: Bosch washing machines do not have features like automatic drawer cleaning and AI technology.
- Fewer models with steam technology: Only 18% of Bosch models include steam technology, a lower percentage than other brands.
Who manufactures Bosch washing machines?
Bosch washing machines are manufactured by BSH Hausgeräte GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Robert Bosch GmbH. BSH, founded in 1967 as a joint venture between Bosch and Siemens, became fully owned by Bosch in 2015 after Siemens sold its shares. BSH is one of the leading home appliance manufacturers globally, with Bosch as one of its flagship brands.
Robert Bosch GmbH, founded in Stuttgart by Robert Bosch in 1886, has grown into a major global player in engineering and technology, operating in various fields, including consumer goods, where it has a strong presence in the home appliance market. Bosch washing machines are part of this broad range of products, which also includes other appliances such as dishwashers and refrigerators.
Bosch appliances are manufactured in various locations around the world, including Germany, Spain, Poland, and China. The company places great emphasis on quality, and many of its high-end products, such as the Series 8 washing machines, are still made in Germany.
What are the different Bosch washing machine series?
Bosch washing machines are available in the following series.
Series 2
The Series 2 models are the basic option. They come with features such as foam control, unbalanced load detection, and ActiveWater Plus technology for laundry detection. They are equipped with an inverter motor (EcoSilence Drive™) and the quick function (SpeedPerfect). However, they lack features like AquaStop, extra rinse, and steam technology. They are available in energy classes from A to D, with capacities of 7-8 kg, 11 wash programmes, and a maximum spin speed of 1000-1200 rpm. Prices range from £300 to £400.
Series 4
The Series 4 builds on the features of the Series 2, with additions such as AquaStop (not all models), extra rinse, and in some models, a self-cleaning function and VarioDrum. However, they do not include anti-crease function, Wi-Fi, or steam technology. These models are available in energy classes from A to D, with capacities of 7-9 kg and 14-15 wash programmes. The spin speed reaches 1200-1400 rpm, with prices ranging from £300 to £500.
Series 6
The Series 6 includes all the features of the Series 4, with more advanced additions. Some models are equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity via the Home Connect app and steam technology (Iron Assist). Silent Wash, self-cleaning/drum cleaning function, and stain removal features are also present. These models fall into energy classes A to C, with capacities of 8-10 kg, 14-15 wash programmes, and spin speeds of 1200-1400 rpm. Prices range from £500 to £800.
Series 8
The Series 8 includes all the features of the Series 6, with further enhancements. All models come with Wi-Fi connectivity via Home Connect, smart diagnosis, memory function, easy start, voice control, and remote rinse pause. Most models include steam technology, pre-mix system (4D Wash System), automatic dosing (i-DOS), self-cleaning function, Intensive Plus function, Mini Load, and an automatic programme. All models are in energy class A, with capacities of 9-10 kg, 14-15 wash programmes, and spin speeds of 1400-1600 rpm. Prices range from £600 to £1,100.
What is the warranty period for Bosch washing machines?
Bosch appliances come with a standard legal warranty of 24 months from the date of delivery. Any conformity issues must be reported within 26 months. Bosch includes an additional year of support for large appliances and some small appliances (excluding Series 2 models). To activate this additional year, register the product within 60 days of purchase or delivery.
With Bosch Secure, you can extend the warranty by an additional three years, starting from the initial 24 months. Bosch Secure costs €99 and provides full coverage for five years.
How much do Bosch washing machines cost?
Bosch washing machines range from £300 to £1,100, with an average price of approximately £540, placing them 14th in the price ranking among 22 brands.
The most affordable models belong to the Series 2, priced between £300 and £400. Series 4 models have a maximum cost of £500, while the Series 6 and Series 8 are the most expensive, ranging between £500 and £1,100.
The chart below shows the price range of Bosch washing machines.
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In terms of value for money, Bosch washing machines rank 11th out of 22 brands, with an average score of 7.4 points.
Note: Brands with fewer than 6 products in the database were not included in the ranking.
What should you consider when choosing the best Bosch washing machine?
To choose the best Bosch washing machine, consider capacity, dimensions, energy consumption, water consumption per cycle, spin efficiency, noise level during washing, inverter motor, number of washing programs, and available features.
What capacities are available for Bosch washing machines?
Bosch washing machines have capacities ranging from 7 to 10 kg. The most common capacities are 9 kg, found in 34% of the models, and 8 kg, in 39%.
A 7 kg model is suitable for smaller households (1-2 people), while 8 or 9 kg models are ideal for medium-sized families (3-4 people). For larger families, a 10 kg washing machine is recommended.
The chart below shows the distribution of capacities for Bosch washing machines.
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The drum volume of Bosch washing machines ranges from 55 to 70 litres, with an average of 63 litres (above the market average of 58 litres).
Bosch washing machines occupy a space of 0.29 m³, slightly larger than the market average of 0.28 m³. The depth ranges from 54 to 63 cm, meaning Bosch does not offer slim models.
What is the energy efficiency of Bosch washing machines?
Bosch washing machines are highly energy efficient. Around 63% of the models belong to energy class A, the highest, while 5% are class B, 22% are class C, and 10% are class D. Bosch does not have models in classes E, F, or G. In comparison, across the entire market, only about 39% of washing machines are in class A, 17% in class B, with the rest distributed between classes C and G. This makes Bosch better than most other brands in terms of energy efficiency.
The chart below shows the distribution of energy classes among Bosch washing machines.
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Bosch washing machines consume between 40 and 69 kWh per 100 cycles, with an average of 51 kWh, placing them 4th out of 22 brands in terms of energy consumption. The average washing machine on the market consumes about 55 kWh per 100 cycles. (Class A washing machines consume less than 49 kWh per 100 cycles, while class B machines consume less than 55 kWh, though these values may vary slightly depending on capacity.)
Water consumption for Bosch washing machines ranges from 43 to 50 litres per cycle, with an average of 48 litres, placing them 14th out of 22 brands in terms of water usage.
What is the spin efficiency of Bosch washing machines?
Bosch washing machines have spin efficiency classes ranging from A to C, with class B being the most common. Around 88% of the models fall into class B, 7% into class A, and 5% into class C. Across the market, class B is also the most common, with an 85% share.
The distribution of spin efficiency classes for Bosch washing machines is presented in the chart below.
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Spin efficiency indicates how effectively a washing machine removes water during the spin cycle. This efficiency is closely related to the machine's maximum spin speed. Bosch washing machines have a maximum spin speed ranging from 1000 to 1600 rpm, with 1400 rpm being the most common (66% of Bosch washing machines). The 1200 rpm speed is found in 22% of Bosch washing machines.
All Bosch washing machines can achieve a minimum spin speed of 400 rpm (suitable for delicate items such as wool), while only 67% of washing machines on the market can drop to this minimum speed.
How noisy are Bosch washing machines?
Bosch washing machines fall into noise emission classes A and B. 71% of the models are in class A (less than 73 dB), while 29% are in class B (between 73 and 76 dB).
The chart shows the distribution of spin noise levels among Bosch washing machine models.
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How many washing programs do Bosch washing machines offer?
Bosch washing machines typically offer between 11 and 15 washing programs, with an average of 14 programs, similar to most other brands.
The most common washing programs in Bosch machines include Cotton, Eco 40-60, Intensive, Synthetics, Wool, Quick 15/30 min, Mixed, Delicate/Silk, Sports/Fitness, Jeans, Shirts, and Night Wash (designed for quiet operation during the night, with reduced spin speed and no end-of-cycle sound alerts). Advanced models, such as the Series 8, offer additional programs like Iron Assist (which uses steam to reduce wrinkles by up to 50%) and Automatic (which adjusts the wash based on dirt level and fabric type).
Some washing programs are more common in Bosch machines compared to other brands, such as AllergyPlus/Hygiene Plus, Shirts, and Sports/Fitness. However, Bosch washing machines often lack a Baby Care cycle (present in 39% of other washing machines) and rarely include a Duvet cycle (7% in Bosch vs. 46% in others).
Series 6, 8, and some models from Series 4 feature a self-cleaning program (available in 46% of Bosch washing machines). This cycle cleans the drum and reminds users to sanitize it after 20 cycles at 40°C.
The distribution of the number of washing programs among Bosch washing machines is presented in the chart below.
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The Eco cycle in Bosch washing machines lasts between 200 and 235 minutes, with an average of 220 minutes, slightly higher than the market average of 218 minutes. Bosch washing machines have two quick cycles under an hour (Quick 15/30 min and Wool).
Bosch washing machines are equipped with the following options to customize washing cycles.
- Prewash function (included in all Bosch washing machines): adds a preliminary wash phase for heavily soiled items.
- Anti-crease function (available in some Series 6 models): adjusts the spin cycle and spin speed to reduce wrinkling.
- Rinse hold function (included in all Bosch washing machines): pauses the wash cycle after the final rinse, keeping laundry in water to prevent wrinkles until spinning is complete.
- Stain removal function (in some Series 6 and Series 8 models): automatically adjusts water temperature, soaking time, and spin speed for specific stains like butter, oil, grass, red wine, and blood.
- Extra rinse function (in some Series 4 and higher models): adds an additional rinse cycle to ensure complete removal of detergent residues, ideal for sensitive skin and allergy sufferers.
- SpeedPerfect: reduces washing times by up to 65% without compromising results. This feature is standard in all Bosch washing machines, unlike 46% of other brands.
The most advanced Bosch washing machines also offer the following washing features.
- Intensive rinse function (in some Series 8 models): adds three extra rinse cycles, ideal for sensitive skin or areas with very soft water.
- Silent wash (in some Series 6 and Series 8 models)
- Stain removal function (in some Series 6 and Series 8 models): cleans four types of stubborn stains like butter, oil, grass, red wine, and blood by automatically adjusting temperature, drum movement, and soaking time.
- Intensive Plus function (in some Series 8 models): extends the program duration by up to 30 minutes.
- Mini Load function (in some Series 8 models): designed for quickly washing single items.
- SkinCare function (only in the HomeProfessional series): uses more water, recommended for sensitive skin and gentle treatment.
- Soak function (only in the HomeProfessional series)
What are the common features of Bosch washing machines?
Bosch washing machines have between 6 and 17 functions, with an average of 9 functions (close to the market average of 10).
The chart below illustrates the distribution of the number of washing programs offered by Bosch washing machines.
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All Bosch washing machines include the following features.
- Active Water Plus: automatically detects the load and adjusts water consumption for each wash.
- Unbalanced load detection system: automatically detects load imbalances inside the drum during washing.
- Foam control system: monitors and adjusts the amount of foam generated during the wash.
- Add laundry function: allows adding or removing items during the wash cycle.
- Delay start function: lets users schedule the wash to start up to 24 hours later.
- Overflow protection: monitors water levels in the drum and automatically removes excess water if needed.
Many Bosch washing machines, including all Series 8 models and some Series 4 and Series 6 models, are equipped with the AquaStop system, a safety feature designed to prevent water leaks.
(Siemens and Bosch both use the same Home Connect application)
Bosch washing machines from Series 6, 8, and some models from Series 4 are equipped with specially designed drums, such as the VarioDrum or Wave Drum, depending on the model. Both feature a wavy surface and paddles designed to ensure effective cleaning while being gentle on fabrics.
96% of Bosch washing machines are equipped with the EcoSilence Drive™ inverter motor, a brushless motor that ensures quiet operation, durability, and energy efficiency. In comparison, only 74% of washing machines on the market use an inverter motor. All Bosch models feature an anti-vibration design, minimizing noise and vibration during spinning.
Some advanced Bosch models include the following features.
- Pre-mix technology (found in 18% of Bosch washing machines; available in some Series 8 and HomeProfessional models): the 4D Wash system combines a direct water jet with extra spinning to optimize detergent and water usage.
- Wi-Fi connectivity (29% of Bosch washing machines; available in Series 8 and some Series 6 models): allows control through the Home Connect app with features like remote rinse hold, remote diagnostics, easy start, and consumption statistics.
- Automatic dosing system (11% of Bosch washing machines; available in some Series 8 models): the i-DOS system automatically dispenses the correct amount of detergent and water for each cycle.
- Steam technology (found in 18% of Bosch washing machines compared to 57% of other brands; available only in some Series 6 and Series 8 models): Iron Assist program uses steam to reduce wrinkles and odors.
- Energy consumption bar (in some Series 6 and Series 8 models): displays the estimated energy consumption for the selected program.
- Smart Dry technology (present in Series 8): allows the dryer to receive settings from the last wash program and automatically select the appropriate drying program.
- EasyStart (present in Series 8): Home Connect app helps select the optimal washing program based on the load.
- Memory function (18% of Bosch washing machines compared to 36% of other brands)
- Interior light (present in Series 8, HomeProfessional, and some Series 6 models)
Bosch washing machines do not include automatic drawer cleaning (present in 12% of all washing machines) or AI technology (present in 11% of all washing machines).
Front-loading or top-loading: which Bosch washing machine is better?
Bosch mainly produces front-loading washing machines. Top-loading models are very limited. If you prefer a top-loading washing machine, consider other brands.
