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Best Dolphin Pool Cleaners (2024 Models)

In-Depth Guide to Maytronics Dolphin Robotic Pool Cleaners

SpectraLight Ultraviolet Light best-dolphin-pool-cleaners

Looking for the best Dolphin pool robot? Well, you’re in the right place. A robotic pool cleaner be a game-changer when it comes to pool maintenance. With the right one, vacuuming and scrubbing your pool can be a breeze. With so many models out there, we’ll break down what you need to know and which are the best Dolphin pool cleaners for 2024.

which is the best Dolphin pool robot?
Find the Best Dolphin Pool Robot for your Pool

Experts in the Pool Industry

Here at SpectraLight, we aren’t just pool UV system experts. Our pool experts specialize in keeping your pool clean and healthy. We test and carry all of the top pool equipment. We are one of the largest Authorized Dolphin Dealers and carry nearly every top model.

This article should serve as a guide for which Dolphin robotic pool vacuum is right for your pool. Can’t decide? Contact us and chat with a pool expert who will help find you the perfect pool robot.

Family enjoying their swimming pool
SpectraLight helps you focus on what really matters - Enjoying your pool

Our pool experts have tested every Dolphin pool robot – from the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus to the Maytronics’ flagship Dolphin Premier. We’ll break down what features to look for, which robot for your pool, and our top overall pick. So, let’s get started!

Essential Features for a Pool Robot

NanoFilters

The NanoFilter Difference. Capture what other cleaner's can't.

What are NanoFilters?

We cannot stress enough how much these filters make a difference in having a clean swimming pool. Introduced in the Dolphin ProLine in 2023, these Gen-2 filters clean with more precision and power. The difference is astonishing.

Why NanoFilters?

In our testing, we found the NanoFilters capture more than the standard filters found in most Dolphin pool robots. These filters, found only in Gen-2 robots such as the ProLine™ and Max-Series™, elevates the vacuuming power of the pool robots. Capturing the super fine debris and dirty pool water that passes right through the standard filters, after running several cleaning cycles, it’s hard to see why these filters aren’t included or compatible with every Dolphin pool cleaner – but they’re not.

Dolphin NanoFilters vs Standard Filters
NanoFilters (right) vs Standard Filters (left)

Which pool robots have NanoFilters?

NanoFilters are included in every Dolphin ProLine robot. These top-of-the-line cleaners include the Dolphin Premier, Dolphin Sigma, and Dolphin Quantum. All 3 included the NanoFilters inside of the box – something no other cleaners can say.

Dolphin NanoFilters
Found only in Gen-2 Dolphin Pool Robots

NanoFilters are optional for the Dolphin Cayman and Dolphin Escape. Here at Spectralight, we loved them so much that they’re included free right now. That is a $109 value – for free. Just add both to your shopping cart and use the coupon!

Waterline Cleaning

What is waterline cleaning?

Waterline cleaning is an essential feature for any in-ground pool. What most pool robot companies don’t tell you is the difference between wall climbing and waterline cleaning. With wall climbing, the robot will scale part of your pool’s walls – however, it won’t go to the top of the pool and scrub. Waterline cleaning, however, enables the robot to reach the very top of the pool and scrub along horizontally. Often, these robots have more power and better cleaning performance than the rest.

Dolphin Premier's Waterline Cleaning

Why is waterline cleaning essential?

The waterline is the dirtest part of your swimming pool. Without this feature, you’ll need to scrub away along the entire pool walls and waterline to keep it clean and maintain it. Over 90% of bacteria in your swimming pool lives here, so it is essential to keep it clean.

Which Dolphin robots have waterline cleaning?

Only the top of the Dolphin lineup has waterline cleaning. Every unit in the Dolphin ProLine has waterline cleaning. They will stay and scrub at the waterline, largely thanks to their Dual Stabilizers or PowerJet 3D Mobility that isn’t found in other robots.

Dolphin Premier Waterline Cleaning
Dolphin Premier's Waterline Cleaning

The Dolphin Premier, Dolphin Sigma, and Dolphin Quantum are the three robots in the ProLine. With the upgraded commercial-grade motors and Dual Stabilizers / PowerJet3D Mobility, these units are the best waterline cleaning robotic pool cleaners on the market.

Popular online models, such as the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus and Dolphin E10, lack waterline cleaning. But why? For some reason, Dolphin opted for smaller motors, the power isn’t able to power the unit and hold it at the waterline. Without a Dual Stabilizer or PowerJet 3D mobility, these robots have nothing to power the unit against the side of the wall like found in the Dolphin ProLine.

No Restocking Fee

Arguably one of the most important parts of purchasing a pool robot is avoiding this hidden fee. Some sellers online hide it in their terms and service. Once you purchase the robot, you cannot return it without a 20%+ restocking fee – even if you didn’t use the robot. Here at SpectraLight, we don’t think that’s fair.

Family poolside
Don't risk it. Only buy a robot with a 30-day trial & no restocking fee.

We offer a risk-free 30 day trial and no restocking fee ever. If you do decide to purchase from us, we have one of the largest selections of pool robots and carry only the most exclusive top-rated models such as the Dolphin ProLine and Dolphin Max-Series models. We want you to love your pool robot, so feel free to try any robot out for 30 days. If it doesn’t work for your pool, simply return it and get all of your money back. No questions asked.

Best Dolphin Pool Cleaners

So, which Dolphin robotic pool cleaners are the best? Our pool experts tested every Dolphin pool robot and found the best performing and value-packed cleaners. We ranked these cleaners on their performance, filters, and warranty – ensuring that you get the best value cleaner for your money that won’t only clean for many pool seasons to come but also clean it with power and precision.

Best Robotic Pool Cleaner for Leaves: Dolphin Premier

We frequently get customers that ask, what is the best solution to clean a lot of leaves? The answer is simple, the Dolphin Premier. The only Dolphin pool robot with a leaf bag cleans with more power than standard cleaners as it is equipped with the Dolphin ProLine’s commercial grade motors. The Dolphin Premier is the best pool cleaner for leaves.

Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Vacuum
Unmatched Cleaning Performance

These powerful motors boast more power than the standard motors found on other online models. The cleaning power is second to none – allowing the Premier to climb and scrub the waterline with absolute precision. The Premier is also the only cleaner with Multi-Media, which allows the Premier to swap between 4 filter options (3 of which are included right in the box!).

The Dolphin Premier includes the Leaf Bag, NanoFilters, and Standard Filters – as well as optional disposable debris bags. This allows more customizability for every clean. This Dolphin ProLine model even includes a 3 year warranty – 50% longer than the standard warranty found on most Dolphin models.

"Dolphin Premier robotic pool cleaner is the best robotic pool cleaner you can buy"

USA Today Logo

And we aren't the only ones that love the Premier. USA Today rated the Dolphin Premier the "the best robotic pool cleaner you can buy". Their Reviewed Lab gave the Premier raving reviews, citing the Media-Alert™ full filter indicator, leaf bag, and NanoFilters as two of the top features. So when looking for a pool cleaner, the Dolphin Premier is one you should keep at the top of your list - especially if you struggle with leaves and debris in your pool.

Dolphin Premier Leaf Bag
Dolphin Premier's Oversized Leaf Bag

Best Dolphin Robot with an App: Dolphin Sigma

If you want the most advanced Dolphin, the Dolphin Sigma is the robot for you. Equipped with a gyroscope, smartphone app, and NanoFilters, the Dolphin Sigma offers a complete clean every single time.

Dolphin Sigma's Waterline Scrubbing

The advanced stats and control via the app impressed us. It was easy to use, easy to operate, and the NanoFilters did their job. The Sigma picked up leaves, dirt, and even twigs in a flash – and even let us know when it was finished. With more features than what is found on standard Dolphin robots, the Sigma impressed us again and again in our test pool.

The Dolphin Sigma also includes a 3-year warranty. Another Dolphin ProLine model, the Sigma also has the advanced commercial-grade motors that boast over 4500 GPH – and it shows. The cleaning performance in our pool blew away other Maytronics pool robots by a mile.

Dolphin Sigma NanoFilters
Dolphin Sigma's NanoFilters capture more than standard filters

Best Dolphin Robot with a Bin: Dolphin Quantum

Updated for 2023, the Dolphin Quantum is apart of the ProLine™ and Max-Series™. The Quantum boasts a impressive set of features, combining NanoFilters and enhanced Dual Motors from the ProLine with the MaxBin and HyperBrush from the Max-Series. With a 2 year warranty, this robot makes pool cleaning easy.

Dolphin Quantum Automatic Pool Vacuum
The Max-Series' Dolphin Quantum

Put the vacuum back in the shed and let the Quantum do the work for you. The Dolphin Quantum can be programmed on its weekly timer to automatically clean and run. During our testing, the NanoFilters in its XXL MaxBin™ (a larger bin than found in other Max-Series models such as the Cayman and Quantum) picked up a ton of leaves, twigs, and dirt. But the best part? How easy it was to clean. Instead of fumbling with the cartridges, you simply drop the bottom latch, rinse, and set it back in the robot.

With PowerJet 3D Mobility, the Quantum's power at the waterline is fantastic. Exclusive to the Quantum, the ports on the side of the unit power the unit to move horizontally along the waterline. With its HyperBrush, the active scrubbing brush spins at two-times the speed of the unit - allowing for a deeper clean.

Dolphin Quantum's PowerJet 3D

Best Value Dolphin Robotic Pool Cleaner: Dolphin Cayman

There simply isn’t a better cleaner for the money. With a programmable timer, HyperBrush, and Maxbin, this is the best bang for your buck you can get. We absolutely loved using this cleaner in our testing.

The programmable timer is easy to use and really puts the automatic in "automatic robotic pool cleaner". Simply, schedule the robot to run automatically every day, two days, or every three days. From there, let the cleaner run for the week and clean the MaxBin at the end of the week.

Dolphin Cayman Wall Cleaning
Dolphin Cayman's Wall Cleaning

The wall climbing performance from this Max-Series cleaner is fantastic. While it won’t go to the waterline like the Quantum, the Cayman still provides a fantastic clean. For under $1000, you can’t get a more reliable and powerful pool cleaner.

The dual motors vacuum all the leaves and debris in a flash. If you struggle with super small debris, simply upgrade to the NanoFilter MaxBin. Whether you choose the NanoFilter panels or get a whole new basket entirely, the Dolphin Cayman’s NanoFiltration brings the cleaning performance to a whole new level.

Best Dolphin Pool Robot for Above-Ground Pool: Dolphin Escape

It’s no secret why the Dolphin Escape is the flagship above-ground pool cleaner. If you own an Index, Summer Waves, or any other above ground swimming pool, the Dolphin Escape is the best robotic pool cleaner for above-ground pool. However, the Escape is also a great budget cleaner if you have an in-ground pool as well. So what sets the Escape apart?

Dolphin Escape Automatic Pool Vacuum
Dolphin Cayman's Wall Cleaning

HyperBrush Scrubbing. Apart of the Dolphin Max-Series, the Escape’s active scrubbing brush spins at 2 times the speed of the robot. Allowing for maximum scrubbing and vacuuming on your pool floor. While the Escape only sticks to the floor, this is all you likely will need in an above-ground pool.

Dolphin Escape's MaxBin
Cleaning the Escape just takes a few seconds.

The incredible dual motors filter over 4000 GPH and act as a secondary pool filter. With a top-loading MaxBin, the Escape takes just seconds to clean. After it vacuums dirt, debris, and leaves into the MaxBin, all you have to do is lift the basket, dump it, and rinse it. Then you’re good to go.

With the available NanoFilter upgrade, you can capture small debris and increase water clarity. This filter captures what the standard filter will miss and is worth the upgrade. The Dolphin Escape is a great choice for above-ground pool owners or an in-ground pool owner that wants the reliability and power of a Maytronics Dolphin robot, without all the bells and whistles that come on more premium models.

Best Cordless Dolphin: Dolphin Liberty 200

So you want a cordless pool robot? Well, the Dolphin Liberty 200 may be the robot for you. But be warned, there are some limitations by going with a cordless robotic pool cleaner. The short battery life, lack of a weekly timer, and no filter options. It may be a good option for you in select situations, but there are a few things to consider before you get a cordless pool robot.

Dolphin Liberty Filter Basket
Dolphin Liberty 200 - Best Cordless Pool Vacuum

The short battery life can be a hassle. We were constantly pulling the Liberty out of the pool to charge after every cleaning cycle. The Liberty only runs 1 cleaning cycle per charge, so the "automatic pool cleaner" is no longer automatic. The other cleaners on our list include a weekly timer, which allows the robot to automatically start, clean, and vacuum every 1, 2, or 3 days. That way, you can sit back and relax as you only need to clean the pool cleaner once a week - depending on how many leaves are in your pool.

Lastly, the lack of filters. The Dolphin Liberty 200 only includes the standard filter – no NanoFiltration. This leads a lot to be desired in the Liberty. While it is the best cordless pool cleaner we have tested, there are some limiations. It still provides a great clean every time, but it may miss smaller particles and misses the power found on the corded units.

So what’s the best Dolphin pool cleaner?

Best Overall for 2024: Dolphin Sigma

The best Dolphin pool cleaner in 2024 is the Dolphin Sigma. By a small margin, the Dolphin Sigma reigns supreme over Maytronics’ Dolphin lineup. With the advanced smartphone app, NanoFilters, and three commercial-grade motors, the cleaning power and performance narrowly beats the Dolphin Premier. But you can’t go wrong with any of the cleaners on our list, as each cleaner excels for a different purpose. We recommend looking at all of them and finding the best match for your needs.

Dolphin Sigma Waterline Cleaning
Dolphin Sigma - Best Overall Choice

Need help finding a pool robot? Our pool experts are standing by ready to help. Head over to our contact us page and help you find the perfect pool cleaner for your pool!

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