I doubt the difference in db will be noticeable except to your pets :)

I love the cutlery rack. I like organization and it soothes my OCD tendencies, lol. I load it throughout the day, so taking the time to align the cutlery isn't a big deal. Putting it all away is super fast and accomplished one-handed. I feel like the pieces have a better chance of getting clean this way rather than piled into the holder if it's loaded. I can fit a lot more in the rack, too.
For some reason, I have family members who load knives blade up. I don't have to worry about stabbing myself while unloading with the rack because of my "help".

I can't help you on the differences between those two models. I say, if it's in the budget, get what you really want. You won't spend the next several years lamenting the lack of a third rack :)

42db is plenty quiet, in our opinions. Hubby and I have to put our hands on the door to feel vibrations, in order to know it is running. Depending on the type of load, I can sometimes hear the water hitting the door. No motor sounds.
I doubt you or anyone would notice a difference of 2db.

I splurged on a Bosch that has a third rack/cutlery tray (SHE7ER55UC in the 800 Plus series). It's really quite nice for spatulas and other things. I even put shallow things up there like custard cups, and anything else that will fit and leave me room in the lower racks. I haven't used the 3rd rack for the flatware because we're just two and I barely fill the DW up every day.

If you're going to buy two DWs, why not get one with the 3rd tray and make the other DW one of the two models you mentioned? (unless you want identical units)

Well... Bosch.com says both have the 800 Series racks. Only difference seems to be the cutlery basket. The manuals for each machine, though, give several images of different cutlery baskets... I found good pictures of the racks here: Bosch Integra SHX98M09UC

There are also cycle differences between the two - do a comparison on Bosch's homepage. The cutlery tray takes up about two inches of space from the top. If you regularly stack things or wash tall stemware in the upper basket, this might be an issue for you. Otherwise, go for it.

As for noise: two decibels isn't much. Mine's 44 dB and it's pretty quiet. Fast-forward to 3:20 if you like.

Alex

Here is a link that might be useful: My dishwasher

Thanks! That is a fantastic link, and the video is helpful as well!

I really do want the one with the extra rack... I was trying to convince myself to do without it since I have store credit at lowes - and lowes doesn't carry that model. But I'll use the store credit for something else and buy the one I really want! Thanks!

I have the 800 plus series with third rack and it's 42 dB.

I don't really find it all that quiet and I can easily tell when it's running.

I find the third rack very useful. I don't use it for silverware but I do for sharp knives and my baby's little plastic containers that otherwise fly all over.

It does clean really well.

I'm sitting in my office by myself. No one else is in right now. In this office, the ventilation is running, as well as my laptop and the office fridge about 12 feet away.

My phone sound app is saying that the ambient noise in the room at the moment is around 48db. So 42 db is pretty quiet.

Ok, I turned off one of the pcs on another desk. Down to 46db.

weedmeister - what app are you using?

I'm going to go ahead and get the 800 plus model from AJ Madison as Lowes doesn't carry the model with the third rack. Oh and there is currently a 15% cash back offer from Bosch that can't be used at Lowes. This can be combined with other offers so it is quite an AMAZING deal.

I believe the other difference between the SHX98 and the SHX68 not mentioned previously it that the SHX98 has a built in water softener and the SHX68 does not.

Nope, I don't think it does have a water softener, one of the reasons I have decided against those models...

DaTunerLite. For Android. It's for instrument tuning.

I like the new articulating top and bottom racks on the two high-end Thermador DWs (Bosch sister brand with similar design) - the left and right edges of the top (third) rack can be lowered. The top-line machine also lights up inside.

There's a YouTube video showing these someone but couldn't find it

The water softener does not 'engage' unless you program the machine for it. Otherwise, it just sits there and does nothing.

lee676 - Unfortanatly I can't look at the Termador's as I'm buying the Bosch dishwashers through the current Bosch rebate. The deal is quite amazing as you are allowed to stack several sales and rebates. I'm buying the Bosch 800 series double ovens, 2 dishwashers and the 800 series induction stovetop. I'm also considering getting the fridge as well...

- Appliances already 10% off
- Additional 5% off for buying more than on Bosch appliance
- 15% cash back for buying 3 or more 800 Series appliances
- $300 Cash back for buying an induction stovetop
- 5% cash back from online e-rebate site
- $75 installation credit for each dishwasher
- 10% cash back for buying 4 or more Bosch appliances...
- No tax, free delivery

Cavimum - I don't see why having to turn on the water softener function would be a problem?

@Laura12 - I was responding to your comment posted at 16:21 on Wed, Jan 9. I probably misunderstood and thought you were avoiding a model because it has a water softener.

Ah, I was looking for one that has a water softener! :)

A very knowledgeable guy at a local appliance store that's been to the Bosch NC factory told me the 800 series models with 39 or 40 dba sound ratings use some substantially different mechanical components mounted on hydralic vibration-absorbing mounts or something that aren't used on the 44-db Bosch models, even the more expensive Thermadors (since Bosch has made "quietest dishwasher available" their biggest selling point). All of them are quiet, but the 39 or 40db models are nearly inaudible, or so I'm told. dBA is a logarithmic scale, and Bosch likes to say a 3db increase is perceived as twice as loud.

Interesting... Though, I thought they were made in Germany?

The 39 db model would be excellent, but I just can't stomach the extra $550 per dishwasher (I need two).

In the end I'm getting the 800 Plus 42 db model with a water softener and the third rack from AJ Madison.