Comparison Bosch SPV 4XMX16 vs Whirlpool WSBC 3M17 X

— Fully integrated -in. Fully integrated dishwashers are devices in which, with the door closed, the control panel is hidden inside. The controls are usually mounted on the top end of the door for this. The main advantage of such devices is a neat appearance: in the closed position, only a solid door is outside (on which sometimes there is even no handle, see “Opening without a handle”). Another thing is that the control panel is less prone to contamination. At the same time, you inevitably have to open the machine to access it; this can create inconvenience if the programme needs to be changed right in the process of work. The indicators are also hidden inside; this disadvantage can be partly corrected by the “beam on the floor” system (see the relevant paragraph), but it is not available in all such models.

— With an open control panel. Dishwashers in which the control panel is located outside, above the door. Thanks to this, the user has constant access to the controls, and to the display and other indicators; in this sense, such units are noticeably more convenient than fully integrated ones. Their disadvantage is primarily related to the design: the control panel will not fit into every kitchen interior, especially if the owner of the kitchen appreciates minimalism and the absence of unnecessary details on the kitchen set.

The amount of water used by the dishwasher in one washing cycle. Usually, it is indicated for a standard cycle — at full load, without pre-rinsing, etc. Accordingly, in special modes, the consumption may differ from the indicated one.

The lower the consumption — it better; this is especially true for those who consume water by metres or who have a limited supply of water (for example, it is drawn from a well with a low productivity). On the other hand, a reduction in consumption can have a negative effect on the quality of the wash. So, choosing an economical dishwasher, you should pay attention to the washing class (see below). In addition, only models of the same capacity can be compared in terms of consumption — after all, the more dishes, the more water is required to wash them.

The dishwasher has a drying function. Drying can occur both due to the natural evaporation of water from the surface of the dishes (condensation drying), and due to its blowing with heated air; the first option is more economical, since it does not require energy and there is also an improved one — with a heat exchanger; the second, in turn, provides faster drying. The recently introduced new type of Zeolith drying combines two methods, as it first collects residual moisture and then converts it into heat, which dries the dishes and belongs to premium segment models. Note that not all dishwashers are capable of drying dishes to dryness; see drying class for details.

Separate cutlery tray for loading (spoons, forks, knives, etc.) into the dishwasher. Such a device is more convenient than a common basket: it allows you to load cutlery separately from the rest of the dishes, while the contents of the tray are compactly located in the “seats” specially designed for this. And the quality of washing is often higher than when using a common basket.

The presence of an inverter motor in the design of the dishwasher.

Inverter motors are brushless and have higher efficiency, lower noise levels, and improved safety due to the absence of brushes. However, they are more expensive compared to conventional motors.

The approximate noise level produced by the dishwasher during operation. In modern models, this parameter can range from 37 – 39 dB (muffled human voice) to 59 – 60 dB (loud conversation); more detailed decoding of what sound corresponds to a particular number of decibels can be found in special tables. Anyway, the low noise level contributes to the comfortable use of the device. It is especially important if the dishwasher is to be used at night (for example, if there are reduced electricity rates at night).

— Own programme. Possibility to create and save a custom programme by setting the parameters to your liking. This function is convenient because instead of setting the washing settings manually each time, it is enough to save them once in the device’s memory and then simply select a user programme from the list.

— Half load. A special programme for cases when the dishwasher is loaded with only half of its regular capacity. Running a full-fledged wash in such cases would be too wasteful; so in the half load mode, the dishwasher reduces the consumption of water, detergents and electricity, focus on a reduced amount of dishes. Such a programme is relevant mainly for roomy models (from 8 sets).

— Pre-rinsing. The "soaking" mode is a program that rinses dishes with cold water and keeps them from drying for a long time, preventing food residues from sticking to the plates. It's useful for storing unwashed dishes for a long time, and for washing heavily soiled dishes without using intensive washing programs.

— Quick wash. A quick wash programme that saves time. Designed mainly for lightly soiled dishes that do not require particularly intensive exposure; for cope with serious pollution is not suitable.

— Automatic. This program allows the dishwasher to monitor the washing proc...ess using sensors that evaluate the water composition during rinsing. The washing process ends when the water is free of impurities, ensuring optimal resource consumption. The washing mode varies by model, with some offering only standard automatic programs and others allowing users to choose the water temperature.

— Economical. A programme that reduces the consumption of water, detergents and electricity compared to a normal washing cycle. Usually, it is intended for dishes without heavy soiling and dried food residues, although individual models may have their own features of the economy mode.

— Delicate (for glass). Special programme for washing delicate dishes, especially that are made of thin glass (goblets, wine glasses, etc.). Washing is carried out at low temperatures (to avoid drops) and with minimal mechanical actions, which allows you to keep delicate dishes intact.

— Hygienic. This program is designed to destroy pathogenic bacteria and viruses effectively. It uses elevated water temperatures (around 68...70°C) that can provide a bactericidal effect without special detergents. This mode is useful for washing children's dishes and can be helpful when someone in the family is sick.

— Intensive. Special programme for washing heavily soiled dishes, such as pans with dried-on food residues. Usually, it provides increased pressure and elevated water temperature.

— Night(quiet). This program is designed for use at night or in situations where excessive noise is undesirable. It reduces the noise produced by the dishwasher by decreasing water temperature, pressure, and using other techniques depending on the model. The necessary washing efficiency is maintained by increasing the operating time, making it suitable for use at night.

— Steam treatment. Hot steam treatment can be used to soften dried food residues and sterilize jars and utensils for home canning. The process consumes a lot of energy.

In addition to the above, other types of programs may be indicated in the specs of dishwashers, in particular:

— Normal. Standard programme for washing lightly soiled dishes with a full load at temperatures around 65 °C. Available in almost all modern dishwashers, but sometimes manufacturers specify its availability separately.

— Plastic utensils. The programme is designed for washing reusable plastic dishes at lower temperatures and intensity than the standard programme to avoid scratches and damage caused by high heat. Not all plastic dishes are compatible with dishwashers, so compatibility should be checked separately. Washing disposable dishes is not recommended.

— Mixed. This category includes all programs that combine several washing modes at once — for example, the normal mode in the compartment for cups and glasses, and the intensive one in the lower part, where you can put a pot or frying pan. Options for such combinations may be different, depending on the model.

— Self-cleaning. Special programme to remove deposits and disinfect the dishwasher. Self-cleaning mode heats water with detergents to remove moderate pollution, and can be run multiple times for tough deposits.

The light indicator of work of the dishwasher. During the operation of the device, a special light mark is projected onto the floor in front of it; at the end of the programme, this mark goes out. Thus, one glance in the direction of the device is enough to determine its current state. And for fully integrated models (see "Type of installation"), this function is also convenient because it is no need to open the door to check the status of the device. Actually, the vast majority of units with a "beam on the floor" are fully integrated.

Also note that in high-end dishwashers, not just a light mark in the form of a dot can be used, but a miniature projector, which is a beam on the floor with a time indication or with other auxiliary information.

The presence of an door closer in the design of the dishwasher.

An auto-closer is a device that helps close or open a door smoothly to the fully closed or open position, preventing the door from remaining in an intermediate position. It has two functions: ensuring the door is fully closed to prevent splashes and damage, and providing soft closing/opening to prevent shock and damage.