The SMS69L09 is testament to Bosch's consistently high standards. Out of all the dishwashers we have reviewed and carefully examined, this model was amongst the quietest.

The area in which the SMS69L09 excelled was not in the cleaning cycle (where it still performed on a par with most models), but in the drying cycle. It is rare for any machine to leave as little marks on the pots plates and pans as this one.

In terms of size specifications, the Bosch SMS69L09 is large - holding fourteen place settings, this is the equivalent of nearly 150 items of kitchenware.

There are two most standard options for washing are 'main' and 'economy 50'. The main option takes just under two hours, uses roughly fourteen litres of water and about 1.3 kilowatt hours of electricity. The economic option uses far less water - only about 10 litres, and about 85% of the electricity, however it will take longer to wash, at about two and a half hours. It's definitely an option worth considering for the environmentally minded amongst you. On top of these two options, there are another four programs which can be run to suit your needs.

Usage, as with all Bosch models, is straight-forward and the instruction manual is simple to follow. The buttons used to operate the dishwasher are as expected, and there should be no issues using these controls. The door shuts and opens well - it is not overly sprung like some models which can make it hard to pull the trays out before the door springs shut.

The SMS69L09 cleans itself during its washing cycle, meaning the interior of the dishwasher should be as spotless as the dishes once completed. However this is not always the case and sometimes residue may remain, some human intervention may be required in these cases.

Some of the most useful features of the SMS69L09 include 'intensive wash' for grimy pots and pans, 'quick wash' if you need you dishes cleaned fast, and 'delay wash' to start the wash a little later e.g. after you have slept.