Home » Product Reviews » Dishwashers » Slimline Dishwashers » Bosch Series 2 SPS2IKW01G Slimline Dishwasher review
The Bosch Series 2 SPS2IKW01G is a freestanding slimline dishwasher designed for homes where space is at a premium but convenience still matters. At just 45cm wide with room for 9 place settings, it aims to bring full‑size features to a compact footprint.
Bosch has a strong reputation for reliable dishwashers, and this model leans on that heritage with a stainless steel interior, eco-friendly water use and a selection of automatic programmes. Built-in Wi‑Fi and Home Connect app control add a modern twist you don’t always see at this level.
With an impressive 4.7 out of 5 rating from well over 600 owner reviews, it’s clearly doing something right for everyday family use, especially in smaller kitchens and flats.
The SPS2IKW01G suits smaller households who don’t have the space for a full‑width dishwasher but still want to ditch the washing up. With capacity for 9 place settings, it’s ideal for singles, couples or a small family who run the machine most days rather than stockpiling dishes.
It’s a good fit if you’re after a mid‑range appliance: you get Bosch build quality, a stainless steel tub and smart features like Home Connect and automatic programmes, without stepping up to premium Series 4 or Series 6 pricing. If you’re moving from washing by hand to your first dishwasher, the simple controls and clear time‑remaining display make the transition straightforward.
This model also makes sense for open‑plan living and smaller flats. The 48 dB noise level is relatively quiet, and the Silence On Demand function lets you temporarily reduce noise output, making evening TV time or working from home more comfortable.
Tech‑savvy users, or anyone who likes to schedule chores around off‑peak energy tariffs, will appreciate the app control, 24‑hour delay timer and the ability to store a favourite programme for one‑touch use.
The 45cm slimline width is a real win where cabinet space is tight, yet 9 place settings means you’re not constantly running half loads. The height‑adjustable upper basket makes it easier to squeeze in tall glasses or bulkier plates without a frustrating game of dishwasher Tetris.
Bosch’s automatic programmes take the guesswork out of washing: sensors adjust water and temperature for you, so you don’t have to agonise over settings for mixed loads. Quick wash options and SpeedPerfect functions are handy when you need plates and glasses turned around in a hurry.
Home Connect brings smart control to a very practical level. You can start or schedule a cycle from your phone, check remaining time and even tweak favourite settings, which is useful if the dishwasher lives in a utility room or you’re often out when you want a cycle to run.
Efficiency and finish are helped by features like DosageAssist, which ensures detergent tablets are dissolved properly, and Extra Dry, which boosts drying for plastics and awkward items. The EcoSilence Drive motor and 48 dB noise rating keep day‑to‑day operation refined rather than intrusive.
Add to that a stainless steel interior for durability, time‑remaining indication on the front, and a solid 2‑year manufacturer warranty, and it feels like a well‑rounded package for a compact machine.
The most obvious drawback is the F energy rating, which is fairly modest by modern standards. While water consumption at 9.5 litres per cycle is good for a slimline model, running costs may be a touch higher than the very best‑in‑class options over heavy use.
There’s no half‑load or dedicated zone wash option, so if you routinely wash very small loads you won’t be able to optimise water and energy use quite as tightly. For some, that will be a missed trick in a compact machine aimed at smaller households.
At 48 dB it’s quiet enough for most open‑plan homes, but there are quieter premium models if ultra‑low noise is your top priority. The control panel uses basic push‑buttons rather than a more modern touch interface, which is hardly a deal‑breaker but does feel a little dated beside the smart connectivity.
Finally, while the 2‑year warranty is decent, some rival brands occasionally offer longer cover on certain lines, which might matter if you prioritise long‑term peace of mind.
Day to day, the SPS2IKW01G is designed to be straightforward. The front‑mounted control panel keeps everything visible, and the time‑remaining indicator means you always know when the cycle will finish without opening the door. The 24‑hour delay timer lets you line up washes to finish when you get home or overnight.
Loading is made easier by the height‑adjustable top basket, which helps when you’re juggling tall wine glasses, pans and awkwardly shaped items. Duopower spray arms are fitted to improve coverage, so even items tucked into corners get a thorough rinse.
Noise levels are comfortably low for routine use at 48 dB, and if you need things quieter for a call or a film, the Silence On Demand function temporarily reduces the sound level. The stainless steel interior not only looks smart but is robust and easier to keep smelling fresh over time.
Maintenance is relatively light: there’s an integral water softener to help in hard water areas, along with salt and rinse‑aid indicators to remind you when top‑ups are due. With clear progress information and reliable drying supported by the Extra Dry option, it’s the sort of machine you set up once and then mostly forget about, apart from loading and unloading.
For a slimline dishwasher, cleaning performance is well specified. The machine reaches up to 70 °C on intensive cycles, which is hot enough to tackle greasy pans and baked‑on food, while the Eco and Auto programmes balance cleanliness with sensible water and energy use. Automatic Programmes adjust time, temperature and water level based on how dirty the load is, so you’re not forced to pick between overkill and under‑washing.
Bosch’s ActiveWater technology and the EcoSilence Drive motor work together to use water and electricity more efficiently, helping offset that F energy label to a degree. The 9.5‑litre consumption figure is respectable for this size of machine, especially compared to older slimline models, and the Noise Rating of C reflects its relatively quiet operation.
The feature set is stronger than many entry‑level slimline dishwashers. Duopower spray arms improve coverage in the smaller cavity, while DosageAssist ensures detergent tablets are fully dissolved and evenly distributed. SpeedPerfect and SpeedPerfect Plus provide faster cycle options when you need clean dishes sooner, without completely compromising on wash quality.
Smart functionality is a major differentiator. Home Connect allows you to control and monitor the dishwasher from your smartphone, choose programmes, set up push notifications and even create and store a favourite combination of settings for one‑button access. That Favourite Function can be set either on the machine itself or via the app, which is handy if your household mostly uses the same wash and dry combo.
Height‑adjustable feet help with installation under worktops, and the integral water softener is a real asset in hard water regions, helping to protect both glassware and the machine’s internals over time. Overall, the SPS2IKW01G offers a well‑balanced mix of performance and thoughtful features for its class.
This Bosch sits in what most buyers would see as the mid‑range for a slimline freestanding dishwasher. It’s not the cheapest option on the market, but you are getting more than bare‑bones specification for your money.
The inclusion of Auto Programmes, Extra Dry, Duopower spray arms and smart Home Connect control puts it ahead of many budget slimline models that often skip app connectivity and finer wash options. The stainless steel interior and EcoSilence Drive motor are the sort of components usually associated with longer‑term durability.
The strong user rating of 4.7 out of 5 from more than 600 reviews suggests owners generally feel they’ve had good value, especially once the daily convenience and low water use are factored in. The F energy label counts a little against its long‑term running costs, but if you make good use of Eco and Auto programmes, it should still be reasonably efficient to live with.
Taken together, it offers solid value if you want a compact dishwasher from a trusted brand with modern features, rather than the absolute lowest upfront price.
The Bosch Series 2 SPS2IKW01G is a well‑rounded slimline dishwasher that manages to feel modern and capable without overcomplicating everyday use. Its combination of a compact 45cm width, 9‑place capacity, smart app control and automatic programmes makes it an appealing choice for flats, small kitchens and smaller households that still want a proper dishwasher experience.
There are trade‑offs: the F energy rating isn’t the most competitive, and the lack of a half‑load option will irk anyone who frequently washes just a few bits at a time. But in return you get quiet running, strong cleaning performance, thoughtful features like Extra Dry and DosageAssist, and Bosch’s reputation for reliable dishwashers.
If you’re short on space and want a slimline model that feels a step up from basic, this Bosch is an easy recommendation. Heavy entertainers or larger families might still be better served by a full‑size machine, but for most small to medium homes, it strikes a very convincing balance between size, features and everyday usability.