Rank #1 in Best Freestanding Dishwasher 2026: 10 Ranked, and the Numbers That Disagree
Bosch Series 2 SMS26AW08G Freestanding Dishwasher, White
Price and rating as shown on Amazon when we collected them. Both change.
The Bosch Series 2 SMS26AW08G is a white freestanding dishwasher, 60 cm wide, priced at £399.00 and rated 4.5 out of 5 from 124 ratings. It takes the top spot in this guide, and its own listing is the clearest example of what the guide is about. The product highlight reads "6 programmes, Vario baskets, 4 options, 46dB, 9.5L, 12 place settings, Polinox". The spec table underneath the same listing reads "Number of settings: 3", "Option cycles: 3", and a cycle list of normal, intensive and rinse — three cycles. Six programmes against three settings, four options against three option cycles, in one listing for one machine.
The rating count does not reconcile either. The star breakdown adds up to 100 ratings — 78 five-star, 12 four-star, 2 three-star, 3 two-star and 5 one-star — while the listing states 124 ratings. The highlight also gives a water figure of 9.5L that appears nowhere else in the spec fields. Two numbers do hold together: the height of 84.5 cm sits with every other freestanding machine in this guide at 84.5 to 85 cm, and 46 dB appears both in the highlight and in the noise field. Everything on this page comes from the Amazon listing; we have not run this machine.
How those 124 ratings break down
An average hides its own shape. This is the spread behind the 4.5 stars.
Specification
Exactly as published on the Amazon listing, field for field.
| Price | £399.00 |
|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5 out of 5, from 124 ratings |
| Item Highlight (as listed) | 6 programmes, Vario baskets, 4 options, 46dB, 9.5L, 12 place settings, Polinox |
| Number of settings (as listed) | 3 |
| Option cycles (as listed) | 3 |
| Capacity (as listed) | 12 load |
| Noise level | 46 Decibels |
| Dimensions D x W x H | 60 x 60 x 84.5 centimetres |
What buyers actually say
Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon
Verified purchase“Bought with the installation package - I recommend that you don't spring for that as it is almost completely unnecessary - I ended up doing most of it myself after having to pull out the diswasher after they left to tighten up all of the hoses.The dishwasher itself is brilliant. It is almost silent, cleans and dries far better than our old one and (bonus feature) matches our Bosch washing machine.You can buy more expensive versions (with phone connectivity, etc.) but why would you? this one is more than adequate for normal use.Recommended”
Verified purchase“Cons - not many of our mugs & glasses fit on top shelf under utensil shelf compared to our previous Zanussi dishwasher.Pros - cleans really well. Ok, the short programme has gone from 30 mins to 60 mins but I see this as an improvement as there was often unclean items on the 30 mins we used to do & we have had no issues on 60 min programme, although, we tend to use the Eco setting. We are pleased with our purchase to date & consider it good value for money - just taking some getting used to. Overall I am very pleased I bought this item.”
What it is up against
The rivals it was ranked against in Best Freestanding Dishwasher 2026: 10 Ranked, and the Numbers That Disagree.
Questions people ask
How many programmes does the Bosch Series 2 have?
The product highlight says 6 programmes, while the spec table on the same listing says "Number of settings: 3" and "Option cycles: 3". The listing carries both figures.
How much does the Bosch SMS26AW08G cost?
£399.00 as listed. That is more than the £359.99 and £269.97 machines named elsewhere in this guide.
How quiet is it?
46 Decibels, given in the noise level field and repeated as 46dB in the product highlight.
What capacity is listed?
"12 load" in the capacity field and "12 place settings" in the product highlight. On other listings in this guide the capacity box holds litres of water rather than place settings.
What do the ratings show?
4.5 out of 5 from 124 ratings, as listed. The star breakdown beneath it adds to 100 ratings: 78 five-star, 12 four-star, 2 three-star, 3 two-star and 5 one-star.
How tall is the Bosch Series 2?
84.5 cm high, 60 cm wide and 60 cm deep, as listed — in line with the other freestanding machines in this guide, which run from 84.5 to 85 cm.
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