Aquabot vs Dolphin: Which is the Best Robot Pool Cleaner?

If you’re looking or a top of the line robot pool cleaner, then you’ll almost always wind up considering either an Aquabot or Dolphin. These two robot pool cleaners are often pitted against one another, as both have their fair share of supporters and detractors. When it comes to choosing between the two, there really don’t seem to be many differences.

That’s why we’ve created a comparison post to finally determine which is the best robot cleaner of the two. When it comes to pool cleaners, these two are among the best in the world. Let’s start with some of the primary differences between the Aquabot and Dolphin robot pool cleaners.

The Primary Differences Between Aquabot and Dolphin Pool Cleaners

• One of the primary differences between these two pool cleaners is their size and weight. The Aquabot is a little smaller and lighter than the Dolphin, but not by much. Only three pounds separates the two devices, so there’s not too much of a discrepancy in this area.
• While both robots have built-in navigation, they support different technologies. The Aquabot has its SmartNav mapping capabilities, while Dolphin uses AquaSmart.
• Each robot pool cleaner has an excellent filtration system. The difference here is that they use separate technologies. Dolphin supports JetForce technology where Aquabot has its MultiMedia filtration capabilities.

Aquabot

Aquabot pool cleaners consistently rank near the top of the market, which means you can’t go wrong when choosing this brand. These robot cleaners have built-in sensors which aid in guiding them wherever they need to go to get your pool looking good. Thanks to an interval timer, you can have your robot pool cleaner start a clean when it’s most convenient for you.

Your pool will look better than ever when you choose to clean it with an Aquabot pool cleaner. It will clean not only the floor of your pool but the walls and the waterline as well. Plus, the Aquabot robot pool cleaners offer excellent performance. They offer efficient and powerful motors that work so well you won’t have to worry about how much energy they are consuming.

When it comes to getting your pool clean, Aquabot’s JetForce brushing, scrubbing, and filtering capabilities are as about as good as it gets. While it’s not the cheapest robot pool cleaner on the market, the price of the Aquabot isn’t as much as people might expect.

One of the few drawbacks of the Aquabot robot pool cleaner is that it doesn’t stick on walls as well as its competitors. A pool cleaner that costs nearly $1,000 should do a better job of clinging to slippery surfaces, especially when cheaper options can get the job done.

Overall, Aquabot is a pool cleaner you want for your pool cleaning needs. It’s a little smaller than the Dolphin, but don’t let its size fool you. It will get every nook and cranny of your pool clean. That means you’ll have more time to spend with your family in your crystal clean and clear pool.

Dolphin

The Dolphin robot pool cleaner checks in at around $200 more than the Aquabot, however, many would say that the price is worth it. This industry leaner cleaner offers a few new features that users might not mind shelling out a few extra bucks to have it roaming their pools.

For example, the Dolphins offers its MultiMedia feature. No, you can’t watch movies on your robot pool cleaner, but it does allow you to use a variety of filters or dirtbags. Additionally, its HyperGrip tracks make it so that the Dolphin doesn’t slip down the walls when cleaning.

However, the feature that really sets this robot pool cleaner apart from the others is its SmartNav technology. With SmartNav, the Dolphin follows more intelligent and efficient cleaning patterns, which means it’s not wasting a lot of time aimlessly cleaning your pool. With a high-speed microprocessor that transmits data at a high rate, it can make quick decisions to determine the best path to take.

As a result, the Dolphin is a little faster than the Aquabot, even though it’s a bit bigger. It’s intelligent scanning and planning help make it more efficient and practical as it cleans.

Speaking of efficiency, the Dolphin motor is one of the industry’s best. Its permanent DC 24v motor doesn’t make a lot of noise, so it won’t drown out your conversations or disturb you if you run it in the evening.

While the Dolphin does come with a heavier price tag than its counterpart, it does offer top of the line features. It’s durable, efficient, and reliable. What more could you want in a robot pool cleaner?

Aquabot vs. Dolphin

As you can see, these two robot pool cleaners are at the top of their respective games and markets. But what do they really have to offer? To make the best decision, you need as much information as possible. That’s why we’ve dug a little deeper into the features available on both of these robot pool cleaners.

Here are some of the features and factors you should consider as you shop for a robot pool cleaner:

Design

If there’s nothing else you like about these two robot pool cleaners, they both have a solid design. There are cheaper options on the market, and it shows. The Aquabot and Dolphin cleaners, however, are robust devices with low profiles.

The Aquabot offers a premium finish with handles that include a piston-design, which give the pool cleaner a crisp look. However, if you’re not so concerned with aesthetics, then why not focus on usability? Aquabot also has an ErgoGrip handle which makes it easy to lift the device out of the pool when it’s done cleaning.

Both Aquabot and Dolphin provide a carrying caddy with the devices, which makes it easy to transport and store your robot pool cleaner. You’ll also get a 60-foot cable with each model. Aquabot has its FeatherLight cable, which is 40% lighter than what Dolphin has to offer. If you want a pool cleaner that’s on the lighter side, then you’ll want to consider what Aquabot has available.

Still, both devices include a hose that has a 360-degree anti-tangle swivel. That means you won’t have to worry about the hose getting twisted and tangled as the robot cleans your pool. As a result, you won’t spend time messing with unwinding the device. It just does what it’s supposed to do.

If we have to choose one of these two based on design, then we’ll go with the Aquabot. This is mostly because it weighs less and offers a lighter anti-tangle swivel cable. You get a caddy with both devices, so that’s basically a wash. Therefore, we’ll choose to go with the pool cleaner that isn’t as bad on your back.

Cleaning

How do these two robot pool cleaner stack up to one another in regards to cleaning your pool? Let’s take a closer look.

• Priority Cleaning

First, let’s take a look at the areas in which each of these robots will clean. As a pool owner, you’re probably aware that there are various places in which your pool needs cleaning. Whether your pool cleaner is brushing or scrubbing, the walls, floors, steps, and water lines, of your pool need proper attention.

Both the Aquabot and Dolphin pool cleaners provide a thorough and comprehensive cleaning of your pool. This means you’ll get a detailed cleaning no matter which device you choose. However, if you’re choosing between the two, it’s probably worth noting that the Dolphin does a better job of sticking to the walls than the Aquabot does.

• Filtration

While these two robot pool cleaners have a lot in common, they approach filtration quite differently. In this area, Dolphin chooses to focus on versatility while Aquabot emphasizes efficiency. Dolphin’s filtration system uses its MultiMedia technology, which allows you to connect various filters to the cleaner. You can use a standard filter, oversized debris bag, micro-cartridge, or disposable bag.

What is really nice about the Dolphin in terms of filtration is that it allows for different cleaning types throughout the year. If you need to focus on cleaning large leaves out of your pool, attach an oversized debris bag. Or, if you need to clean up the finer dirt and debris that settles on the bottom of your pool, the micro-filter will get the job done.

Alternatively, Aquabot offers its JetForce technology, which uses an efficient filter that does an excellent job of separating dirt and debris from the water. This technology uses a method called the venturi effect, which causes the debris to move downward toward the filter, while the water is forced away from it.

When it comes to filtration, we’d have to give the nod to Dolphin. Aquabot’s JetForce is great at filtering out dirt and debris, but it doesn’t provide the versatility that Dolphin offers. It’s just as efficient as Aquabot and offers much more flexibility when it comes to cleaning your pool.

• Brushes

Aquabot offers users its TripleClean technology, which includes three brushes that scrub your pool efficiently. Two of the brushes power scrub your pool which prevents algae stains from developing on your water line. The third brush, which Aquabot refers to as the CleanSweep brush, moves quickly back and forth, dislodging debris and dirt as it goes.

The Dolphin offers a similar experience, using two brushes to clean your pool. While their cleaning performance is similar, Aquabot addresses three separate and distinct scrubbing areas where the Dolphin does not.

It’s tough to determine which robot pool cleaner is the winner in this area, although we’d probably choose the Aquabot if push came to shove. Both do an excellent job of getting your pool clean, plus they’ll both clean the wall, floor, water line, and biofilm of your pool. You can’t go wrong with either of these robot pool cleaners when it comes to getting your pool clean.

Motor Efficiency

Another important area to consider – which is often overlooked – is the power and efficiency of the robot pool cleaner motor. As you shop for the right pool cleaner, you want to ensure that you’re choosing one that is powerful enough to get your pool clean. Let’s take a look at how the Aquabot and Dolphin robot pool cleaners compare when discussing their motors.

• Efficiency

As the summer months approach, you want to make sure the water in your pool is always clean. Of course, the drawback here is that when you clean your pool, you’re more than likely going to increase your electricity bill. Especially considering that you’ll probably need to run your robot pool cleaner a few hours a day to keep it clean. However, when using the Aquabot or the Dolphin, you’ll only see a minimal increase, as both use high-optimized motors that help with efficiency.

Both the Aquabot and the Dolphin robot pool cleaners boast that they are energy efficient. That means no matter which one you select, your energy bill isn’t going to skyrocket during the summer months. Additionally, both offer smart navigation systems, which means they’ll map out your pool, then create an efficient and methodical cleaning pattern that makes sense for your pool.

• Noise

While noise isn’t as pressing a factor as efficiently, it’s still something to consider. You don’t want a robot pool cleaner that is going to drown out conversations or create a lot of racket as it works. Minimal disturbance is ideal, which is why you can’t go wrong choosing either of these robot pool cleaners. The technology used in each device helps to reduce noise by 40% when compared with other options.

Durability

Another important question you might ask is how long will the motor last? Durability is a huge concern with robot pool cleaners since they spend a lot of their time in the water. As a result, replacing the motor in your unit is nearly as expensive as buying a brand new cleaner. That means you want to choose a motor you know will last over the long haul. Both the Aquabot and the Dolphin are great options.

Navigation

One nice thing about these two robot pool cleaners is that they’re both very intelligent. That means you’re getting a device that can make decisions regarding which path is the most efficient. This is a result of on-board smart navigation capabilities with each robot pool cleaner. How do they compare? Let’s take a look.

AquaSmart vs. Smart-Nav

If you own a smart robot vacuum cleaner, like a Roomba, then you know exactly how your robot pool cleaner works. Aquabot, for example, uses its AquaSmart navigation system to map out the floor and walls of your pool. By comparison, Dolphin has its Smart-Nav scanning technology, which scans your pool, including the drains, ladders, and any other obstacles present.

It’s tough to choose between these two since both offer superior technologies which take roughly the same amount of time to clean your pool. By selecting either of these cleaners, you’re choosing a robot pool cleaner that will get things done in an efficient and timely manner.

Tracks

You’ll get almost an identical experience from these two robot pool cleaners when it comes to navigation and mapping. Therefore, the tracks might have a say in who is the winner in this area. Tracks on a pool cleaner help it to maneuver and navigate your pool without issues.

Aquabot’s device has its EverGrip tracks, which do a great job initially of keeping traction throughout your pool. However, over time, the robot starts to lose its grip on slippery surfaces. It cannot keep from skidding, which means it’s not scrubbing your pool as thoroughly you need it to.

Dolphin, on the other hand, offers a HyperGrip track, which continuously keeps a tight grip on all surfaces. This includes algae-heavy areas like the walls of your pool. The Dolphin effortlessly climbs up the wall, cleaning as it goes.

So from a navigation perspective, we have to hand this one to Dolphin. It’s HyperGrip tracks make it the best in the industry when it comes to maneuvering throughout your pool. Aquabot offers the same performance, however, over the long haul, Dolphin comes out on top.

Convenience

Convenience might be one of the first things that pops into your head when you think about owning a robot pool cleaner. How convenient would it be to have a robot doing the work for you? The biggest perk to owning a robot pool cleaner is that it works autonomously and independently. However, there are a few other features that stand out as well.

For starters, you can program either of these robot vacuums to perform a cleaning cycle when it’s convenient for you. You don’t have to rely on the device to determine the best time to clean. It does its work based on your schedule. Also, each robot cleaner comes with a remote control, so you can tell it what to do at the push of a button.

When it comes to convenience, the winner in this area is probably the Aquabot. It offers a built-in timer which lets you easily create a customizable schedule. That means if you have a unique or tight schedule, you can set your Aquabot to fit your needs.

Warranty

Neither the Aquabot or the Dolphin pool cleaner are perfect devices, which means there are times when problems or issues may arise. Therefore, it makes sense to purchase a unit that has a warranty. Most pool cleaners come with at least a one-year warranty, however, both the Aquabot and the Dolphin offer three-year warranties to their customers.

Keep in mind that there may be certain parts that are not covered, so make sure you review the Terms and Conditions prior to purchasing if this is an area of concern. The last thing you want is for something to go wrong with your unit and have no support. Replacement parts are easy to find for either robot pool cleaner.

Value

By this time, you’re probably not sure which robot pool cleaner is the right one for you. Both offer fantastic features and each may have certain benefits that you can’t live without. But what about value? Are these devices worth the investment?

It’s easy to see that these robot pool cleaners are at the high-end of the spectrum. They’ll cost you between $900 and $1100. However, given their superior performances and features, their price tags are justified. You’ll get plenty of usage out of these robot pool cleaner, plus, they operate autonomously. They don’t require a lot of interaction and will have your pool sparkling.

Both robot pool cleaners are excellent choices. If you’re a little tighter on money, then the Aquabot might be your best bet. It lacks a few features the Dolphin offers, but nothing you won’t miss during the life of your cleaner. However, if you can afford it, we’d recommend choosing the Dolphin. It’s essentially the top of the line at the moment.

Comparison Chart

Verdict

When it comes to robot pool cleaners, these two options sit firmly at the top of the market. While they aren’t as cheap as other options, they offer plenty of features and the performance needed to keep your pool looking good year round. No matter which one you choose, you’re sure to be satisfied with how well it cleans.

Having said that, if push comes to shove and we have to make a decision, we’re going with the Dolphin over Aquabot. These two robot pool cleaners offer nearly identical specs. While it costs a little more upfront, the Dolphin also offers a bit more in the way of features. It’s an excellent choice when it comes to making sure your pool is always clean, giving you more time to spend enjoying it with your family

Further read:

• Dolphin Nautilus vs Nautilus Plus
• Aquabot X4 Review