Robotic Pool Cleaners Guide: The Best-Performing Dolphins

Which Dolphin Robotic Pool Cleaner is Best For You?

Dolphin’s parent company, Maytronics, has been in business since 1983. It is one of the most trusted brands by experts, and its products have consistently ranked among the top electric pool cleaners in the market.

With this in mind, it’s imperative for buyers to ascertain the best-performing models from Dolphin. Maytronics has created a pool cleaner for every budget, so there’s a good chance you’ll find the perfect one for you.

But before diving with the Dolphins, let’s learn more about automatic pool cleaners.

Robotic Pool Cleaners and How They Work

Electric pool cleaners, or robotic pool cleaners, are independent, motorized machines that suck dirt and debris as it goes about the pool floors. Everything it picks up is immediately “put” into a bag that is connected to the cleaner.

One of the best things about these robotic robot cleaners is their ease of use. It basically works right out of the box with minimal assembly. You simply plug it into a GFCI outlet, push a button or two, carefully drop it into the pool, and it will do its thing. The convenience it brings makes it a must-own for pool owners who don’t have the luxury of time due to a busy schedule.

These cleaners employ digital technology with a variety of features, making them superior to other automated pool cleaners in terms of cleaning. While the technology of the robot may range between models and pricing points, the majority features a variety of cleaning modes for you to select from.

Some of these cutting-edge features of robot pool cleaners are scheduled cleaning, app and remote control integration, and pool mapping. Others can even climb walls for a more thorough clean.

Best Dolphin Robotic Pool Cleaners

Just a heads-up, robot pool cleaners are not cheap. Buying one may cost a fortune upfront, but it eventually pays itself since you don’t need to hire someone to skim and clean your pool.

Now, Dolphin robotic pool cleaners are some of the best you can find today. Maytronics has been a trailblazer in the industry, as the Dolphin cleaners were the first to have been climate care certified because of their economical use of energy and water.

Therefore, you can expect each of their products to be highly efficient and well-made.

Dolphin Explorer E20 (Best Budget Dolphin)

If you want to get your feet wet as far as utilizing robotic pool cleaners, the Dolphin Explorer E20 is the perfect model for that. It is the cheapest Dolphin model around, but it has powerful traction and suction, allowing it to clean walls with no issues. The E20 is exclusively designed for inground pools with a maximum area of 33 square feet; if you have a bigger pool, you can try the more expensive E30, E50, or E70.

Pros:

• Cheap yet powerful
• Filter is considerable large and easy to detach
• Lightweight

Cons:

• Not designed for above-ground pools
• Have WiFi connectivity issues

Dolphin Escape (Best For Above-Ground Pools)

If you have an above-ground pool about 30 feet wide, the Dolphin Escape is the one you need. It is compact and lightweight, making it easier to navigate the floors while evening out the liner. Like the E20, its filter basket is easy to clean and large enough to accommodate leaves and twigs.

Pros:

• Can run up to 3 hours
• Perfect for above-ground pools situated near trees and bushes
• Easy to use

Cons:

• Could not climb walls
• Does not clean steps
• May skip areas, but eventually gets there

Dolphin Sigma (Most Advanced Dolphin)

The Dolphin Sigma has a gyroscope onboard its microprocessor, so it’s unrivaled in underwater mobility. It is truly a game-changer in pool cleaning! The Sigma expertly negotiates angles and pool walls with exceptional ease like you have never seen before.

Furthermore, the Sigma may revolve 360° without moving an inch. Like a battle tank, the Sigma has a zero turn radius and can rapidly reorient itself if any obstacle is detected. Its four high-speed rotating brushes manage tough colonies of microbes, algae, and biofilm to lower the chances of contracting recreational water illnesses.

Pros:

• Can handle pools of up to 50 feet
• Cleans, power scrubs, and vacuums walls, steps, and water lines
• Can micro filter 75 gallons of water per minute

Cons:

• Expensive
• May have an issue getting stuck in the floor pool drain

Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Supreme (Best Overall Dolphin)

The Nautilus CC Plus Supreme has proven that you don’t need all the bells and whistles of a much more modern and advanced model like the Sigma to achieve top-notch mobility. It uses IntelliScan technology to map the pool and automatically generates the most efficient cleaning route. The best thing about it is that it can equally be effective in above-ground or in-ground pools.

Pros:

• Highly customizable cleaning time (1.5 hrs, 2.5 hrs, 3.5 hrs)
• Can clean floors, walls, and waterline
• Exceptional cleaning efficiency

Cons:

• May struggle with larger debris such as twigs and leaves
• Employs smaller cartridges compared to other Dolphin cleaners

Are Electric Pool Cleaners Worth It?

Generally speaking, automatic pool cleaners are worth it, but you just need to find the right one. A good start is choosing a trusted brand like Dolphin, which offers a wide selection of robotic pool cleaners. Choose based on your actual needs so you don’t pay for features you won’t even use.

The Dolphin E20, for example, may be sufficient for a modest rectangular in-ground pool. Using a unit such as the Sigma or Nautilus CC Supreme for the same pool is a waste of money. In a similar fashion, a busy individual with a sizable irregular pool may profit from the Dolphin Sigma’s superior navigation technology.

Whatever the case, robotic pool cleaners are fast becoming essential for the modern pool owner. There’s nothing more convenient than operating the cleaner while away and returning to pristine crystal clear waters!

Another critical aspect that many pool owners neglect is health. By maintaining a clean pool all the time, they can cut down the presence of microbes in the pool. After all, you can get diarrhea from germs, not to mention the potentially fatal effect of Cryptosporidium in people with fragile immune systems.

On top of these, you can also add years to the life expectancy of your pool’s filtration system, saving you more money in the long run.

Final Thoughts: Best-Performing Dolphin Robotic Pool Cleaners

Few companies can boast of the consistency that Maytronics is doing with the Dolphin Robotic Pool Cleaner line. Their models are not meant to outdo each other but are designed with a specific purpose.

For example, the Explorer E20 is intended for smaller pools, so owners don’t overpay for a more expensive pool cleaner. Similarly, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme and the Dolphin Sigma are for larger pools which may need thorough cleaning and advanced navigation. For above-ground pool owners, the Dolphin Escape should be perfect.

With solid choices from up and down the price points, you can’t go wrong with any machine in the Dolphin lineup that meets your demands and budget. If the budget is not an issue, choosing a mid-priced unit with Wi-Fi and app connectivity won’t hurt. More often than not, it also comes with a longer, tangle-free cable with a swivel that allows the Dolphin robot cleaner to never miss a spot.