Bosch, one of the leading names in home appliances, has launched a significant upgrade to its most popular dishwasher model—the 500 Series—with the introduction of a new Zone Wash spray arm designed to provide intensified cleaning power in a targeted area.
“This is super exciting for us,” said Andrew de Lara, who leads public relations for North America at BSH, the home appliances division of the Bosch Group. “Our 500 Series is our number one selling model and we’re giving it new technology and a stronger story.”
The centerpiece of the upgrade is the Zone Wash spray arm, which delivers up to three times the water pressure in a fixed area of the lower rack, specifically the back-left corner. This targeted power zone is built to tackle tough, baked-on messes—allowing customers to load pots and pans with confidence and skip handwashing.
The feature enhances Bosch’s already robust PrecisionWash system, a smart cleaning technology that uses sensors and targeted spray arms to optimize water usage and performance.
The announcement came during a virtual launch event on July 17 hosted by Bosch’s Dish Care team, including Taner Torunoglu, head of business unit dish care; Mark McCann, head of product marketing; and Alona Wells, head of product management.
Listening to the Consumer
The redesign of the 500 Series was guided by extensive consumer research. A recent survey conducted by Bosch involving more than 1,500 respondents revealed key purchase drivers for dishwashers: cleaning performance, price, online reviews, capacity and noise level.
Cleaning ranked as the most important factor across all budget levels.
“It’s a little self-explanatory,” said de Lara. “Consumers want the confidence that their dishwasher will clean day in and day out.”
The research also revealed that Bosch leads in 13 of the 14 top features consumers value most—including cleaning ability, quiet operation, quality, innovation and drying performance. The one exception? Affordability. Bosch is often perceived as a premium brand that may be out of reach for some budgets.
In response, the company is adjusting its product lineup and pricing strategy.
“We’re meeting customers at more price points,” said Wells, “and making sure they know Bosch has a model that fits their needs and budget.”
Performance Meets Design
The upgraded 500 Series dishwasher includes several standout features:
- AutoAir drying: The door automatically pops open a few inches at the end of the cycle to release moisture and improve drying performance.
- 44 dBA noise level: Quiet enough to run unnoticed, even in open-concept kitchens.
- ENERGY STAR certification: Meets rigorous standards for energy and water efficiency.
- NSF-certified sanitize option: Safe for baby bottles and heavily soiled dishes.
- 24/7 AquaStop leak protection: Automatically detects and contains leaks.
- Third rack and RackMatic adjustability: Allows users to reconfigure the interior to fit large or odd-shaped items.
- Anti-fingerprint stainless steel exterior: A clean, modern look that fits into any kitchen design.
Notably, the dishwasher also projects a floor-level light when running—subtle but useful given the appliance’s near-silent operation.
Shifting the Product Lineup
Along with the 500 Series upgrade, Bosch is revamping its broader dishwasher lineup to better reflect how consumers shop. Rather than defining series by internal production features—such as hybrid tubs vs. stainless steel—the company is now emphasizing user-friendly differences like the presence of a third rack or specific cleaning technologies.
For example:
- 100 Series now means two-rack models.
- 300 Series introduces the third rack at a lower price point.
- 800 Series continues to offer top-tier drying with CrystalDry.
- Benchmark remains Bosch’s premium, fully loaded line.
By narrowing features on select models, Bosch has also been able to lower price points while retaining core performance. For instance, a new 300 Series stainless steel model with a third rack now starts at $899.
“We’ve trimmed some non-essential features, like cup shelves, to bring the price down,” said Wells. “But everything that defines a 300 Series dishwasher is still there—quiet, clean, dependable.”
Looking Ahead
The newly refreshed 500 Series began shipping this summer and will be available in stores nationwide by late August.
Bosch is also ramping up its efforts in consumer education, aiming to help users get the most out of their dishwashers. “People tend to use dishwashers the way their parents did,” de Lara said. “But technology has changed a lot. We’re bringing our user guides, tips and videos forward to help customers take full advantage of what Bosch offers.”
Bosch dishwashers, including the new 500 Series, come with a one-year limited warranty. Additional product specs and digital assets are available through Bosch’s media team and website.
For homeowners seeking a powerful, clean, whisper-quiet performance and timeless design, Bosch’s revamped 500 Series brings trusted performance—and new innovations—home.
