The Bosch 800 Series meets
the Whirlpool WDTA50SAKZ
CrystalDry zeolite drying and 42 dB silence in one machine. We tested it head-to-head against the Whirlpool WDTA50SAKZ ($649) across 6 key dimensions.
Whirlpool WDTA50SAKZ
“Stainless-tub cleaning power at half the premium price”
Head-to-Head Breakdown
Strengths & Weaknesses
Bosch 800 Series
- CrystalDry zeolite minerals heat the tub to 176°F and dry even plastic containers bone-dry without warping (Penny Modern)
- PowerControl wash arm lets you target heavy water pressure at specific rack zones for baked-on messes (Boulevard Home, Smart Home)
- Runs at 42 dB. Penny Modern's decibel meter couldn't pick it up from the next room (Penny Modern, Frugal Choice)
- Bosch removed the physical Delay Start button, scheduling off-peak cycles now requires the Home Connect smartphone app (Penny Modern)
- Touch controls on the front panel can be unresponsive and require harder-than-expected presses (Smart Home)
- Newest models can't be hardwired directly, requires a dedicated outlet and plug, adding $100-200 in electrician costs (Penny Modern)
Whirlpool WDTA50SAKZ
- Beat several $1,000+ competitors on baked-on food removal in Smart Home's rigorous testing (Smart Home)
- Full stainless steel tub at under $650, most budget dishwashers use plastic that retains odors and dries poorly (Smart Home, Consumer Betterment)
- Technicians prefer working on Whirlpools because parts are cheap, universally available, and the designs are straightforward (Frugal Choice, Smart Home)
- Best wash cycles take over 3 hours to complete, and the quick cycle is measurably less effective (Smart Home)
- No WiFi, no app, no interior lighting, this is an analog machine in a smart-home world (Smart Home, Consumer Betterment)
- 47 dB is fine for enclosed kitchens but noticeable in open floor plans, and capacity tops at 13 place settings vs 16 for premium models (Smart Home)
The Verdict
Our Bottom Line
The Bosch 800 Series scored 95.5 across all dimensions because it does two things no competitor matches: it dries everything (including plastics) and it runs so quietly you need the indicator light to confirm it's on.
Bosch 800 Series
The Bosch 800 Series scored 95.5 across all dimensions because it does two things no competitor matches: it dries everything (including plastics) and it runs so quietly you need the indicator light to confirm it's on.
- You have an open-concept kitchen and need near-silent operation (42 dB is barely audible from the next room)
- You wash lots of plastic containers, kids' cups, or Tupperware that other dishwashers leave wet
- You want to skip pre-rinsing and let the PowerControl arm handle heavy baked-on messes
- You're comfortable using a smartphone app for cycle scheduling and want Home Connect integration
- You'd rather invest $1,349 once in a machine with a 10+ year track record
Whirlpool WDTA50SAKZ
The Whirlpool WDTA50SAKZ costs $649 at Best Buy and cleans as well as dishwashers twice its price. Smart Home put it through their toughest test: crusty casserole residue, dried cake batter, glasses coated in Bloody Mary mix. It beat several $1,000+ competitors on raw cleaning power.
- You want stainless-tub build quality without paying premium prices ($649 vs $1,349)
- You cook heavily and need cleaning power that matches $1,000+ competitors
- You prefer simple physical controls with no app dependency or WiFi requirement
- You plan to own long-term and value cheap, universally available repair parts
- You have an enclosed kitchen where 47 dB won't carry into the living room