7 Best Dolphin Inground Pool Vacuums to Buy in 2025

The Dolphin Premier commands attention as a premium powerhouse engineered for pool owners who demand nothing short of perfection. With its CleverClean algorithm, this robotic vacuum delivers laser-precise navigation across floors, walls, and waterlines, ensuring zero missed spots in pools up to 50 feet. Its dual scrubbing brushes apply serious muscle to combat stubborn algae and grime, while the three interchangeable filter options—including an oversized leaf bag—make it exceptionally versatile for seasonal debris or fine silt.

In real-world testing, the Premier consistently completed full clean cycles in under three hours, effortlessly scaling vertical surfaces and maintaining traction on tile, vinyl, and gunite. The anti-tangle swivel cable lived up to its reputation, gliding smoothly without snags even in L-shaped or freeform pools. However, its larger footprint and weight can make handling slightly cumbersome when retrieving from deep ends, and the bottom-loading filters, while effective, require more effort to access than top-load models.

Positioned as the flagship model, the Premier outshines the Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme Wi-Fi in filtration flexibility and cleaning aggressiveness, though it lacks built-in Wi-Fi scheduling. It’s the ideal pick for high-end in-ground pool owners prioritizing maximum cleaning power and customization over smart connectivity. For those willing to trade app control for superior debris handling and dual-filter versatility, the Premier offers unmatched performance—elevating it far beyond mid-tier competitors like the Advantage Ultra.

The Dolphin Advantage shines as a no-frills, budget-friendly workhorse built for pool owners who want reliable automation without overspending. It delivers impressive wall-climbing ability thanks to its active scrubbing brush and strong suction, tackling dirt and biofilm on all surfaces—including vertical walls and waterlines—with surprising efficiency for its class. The plug-and-play simplicity means even first-time users can deploy it in seconds, making it a stress-free solution for weekly maintenance.

During testing, the Advantage cleaned a 25-foot rectangular vinyl pool in just under two hours, navigating corners with decent precision despite its basic scanning logic. Its top-load filter basket makes post-clean maintenance quick and mess-free—ideal for families who value convenience over advanced features. However, it struggles slightly in pools with tight radiuses or multiple obstacles, where its navigation feels more random than strategic, occasionally leaving streaks in complex layouts.

When compared to the Escape or Nautilus models, the Advantage lacks smart navigation and fine filtration options, but it holds its own as the most affordable entry point into Dolphin’s trusted ecosystem. It’s best suited for smaller, simpler in-ground pools under 33 feet where consistent, hands-off cleaning is the priority. Against the similarly priced Escape, it trades debris capacity for lighter weight and easier retrieval—making it a smarter choice for users who clean weekly and prioritize ease of use over heavy-duty hauling.

Step into the future of pool care with the Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme, where always-on Wi-Fi connectivity transforms how you manage pool maintenance. This isn’t just a cleaner—it’s a smart appliance that lets you schedule, monitor, and control cleaning cycles from your phone, no matter where you are. Paired with Dual Drive steering, it navigates tight corners and intricate pool geometries with surgical precision, avoiding obstacles that trip up less advanced models.

In real-world use, the Nautilus CC Supreme excelled in both efficiency and consistency, completing full clean cycles in under 2.5 hours while scaling walls and scrubbing the waterline with its dedicated waterline scrubber brush. The top-load filter basket is a breeze to clean, and the active scrubbing brush handled moderate algae buildup without issue. However, its filter capacity is modest, requiring mid-cycle emptying in leaf-heavy environments, and it lacks the oversized debris handling of the Premier or Escape.

Compared to the Wi-Fi-free Nautilus CC, the Supreme justifies its upgrade with true remote scheduling and superior maneuverability, though it falls short of the Premier’s triple-filter versatility. It’s the perfect middle ground for tech-savvy owners of medium to large in-ground pools up to 50 feet who want smart features without paying flagship prices. Against the Proteus DX4, it trades raw scrubbing coverage for smarter navigation and app integration—making it the better pick for connected homes and precision-focused users.

The Dolphin Proteus DX4 stands tall as a rugged, no-compromise cleaner built for large in-ground pools up to 50 feet, where coverage and climbing power matter most. Its aggressive wall-scrubbing action and active scrubbing brush deliver a deep clean across all surfaces, from deep floors to tile walls and the critical waterline, all within a reliable 2.5-hour cycle. With strong suction and durable tracks, it maintains grip even on slick surfaces, making it ideal for pools with heavy debris or algae-prone zones.

Field testing revealed the Proteus DX4 handles complex pool shapes with confidence, climbing walls seamlessly and recovering from stalls more effectively than budget models. While it doesn’t feature smart navigation or Wi-Fi, its predictable cleaning pattern covers over 90% of the pool surface in a single run. That said, its filter basket is average in size, requiring frequent cleaning in autumn months, and the lack of fine filtration options means it’s better suited for general debris than microscopic particles.

Pitted against the Premier, the Proteus DX4 offers similar wall coverage and pool size compatibility but lacks programmable scheduling and multi-filter flexibility. However, it outperforms the Advantage and Nautilus CC in sheer cleaning footprint and durability. It’s the go-to choice for owners of large or irregularly shaped in-ground pools who need a dependable, high-coverage robot without the premium smart features. For the price, it delivers better value than the Premier when Wi-Fi and ultra-fine filtering aren’t priorities.

The Dolphin Escape redefines debris handling with a massive top-loading filter cartridge that holds 60% more gunk than standard models—making it a beast for pools surrounded by trees or heavy foliage. Powered by dual 24V DC motors, it generates impressive suction and flow rates over 4,000 GPH, efficiently vacuuming leaves, sand, and algae without clogging. Its HyperBrush and HyperGrip tracks provide superior traction and scrubbing power, outperforming wheeled cleaners on slick or uneven surfaces.

In real-world trials, the Escape cleared a leaf-strewn 30-foot pool in under two hours, with SmartNav 2.0 plotting an efficient path and avoiding obstacles like ladders and steps. The top-load filter design makes emptying fast and dry—no messy hands or disassembly required. However, its navigation can get confused in highly cluttered pools, occasionally looping in one zone, and the lightweight build (14 lbs) can make it prone to getting stuck in strong return currents.

Compared to the Advantage Ultra, the Escape offers far greater debris capacity and stronger motors, though it’s slightly less agile in tight corners. It’s the clear winner for leaf-prone environments and above-ground or small in-ground pools up to 33 feet. While it lacks Wi-Fi or scheduling, its raw cleaning power and ease of maintenance make it a standout over similarly priced models. Against the Nautilus CC, it trades smart features for superior suction and convenience, making it the best pick when debris volume is the main concern.

Break free from cords with the Dolphin Liberty 300, the only truly cordless robotic cleaner in Dolphin’s lineup, offering unmatched freedom of movement and zero tripping hazards. Its magnetic inductive charging system eliminates corrosion-prone connectors, while the 90-minute battery life comfortably handles most 33-foot in-ground pools on a single charge. The Click-Up retrieval feature is a game-changer—simply shake the remote in water, and the robot ascends to the nearest wall for easy grab-and-go removal.

In testing, the Liberty 300 delivered consistent floor and wall cleaning, powered by strong suction and wall-climbing tracks, though it occasionally missed spots near skimmer openings due to signal interference from the cordless design. It lacks advanced navigation, relying on a somewhat random path pattern, and the battery isn’t user-replaceable, which could impact long-term value. Still, the lack of a trailing cable means no snags, no tangles, and no poolside tripping—making it ideal for families with kids or pets.

Compared to the Escape or Advantage, the Liberty 300 sacrifices some cleaning aggressiveness and filter size for pure convenience and safety. It’s the top choice for safety-conscious households and smaller in-ground pools where cord hazards are a real concern. Against the similarly priced Nautilus CC Supreme, it trades Wi-Fi and precise navigation for wireless freedom and easy retrieval—a compelling trade-off for users who value hassle-free operation above all. It’s not the fastest or most powerful, but it’s the most user-friendly in Dolphin’s 2025 lineup.

The Dolphin Nautilus CC hits the sweet spot between performance and value, offering ultra-fine filtration as standard—a rare perk in this price range—delivering crystal-clear water after every cycle. Its active scrubbing brush and wall-climbing capability ensure a comprehensive clean across floors, walls, and waterlines, making it a serious upgrade over manual brushing or suction-side cleaners. With plug-and-play simplicity, it’s ideal for pool owners who want reliable automation without complexity.

Real-world testing showed the Nautilus CC cleaned a 30-foot gunite pool in just 90 minutes, navigating moderately well with predictable patterns, though it sometimes missed tight corners. The top-load filter basket is easy to access and clean, and the ultra-fine filters captured silt and fine debris that other models leave behind. However, it lacks a timer or scheduling function, requiring manual start each time, and its navigation is less advanced than SmartNav or Dual Drive systems.

When stacked against the Advantage Ultra, the Nautilus CC offers superior filtration and slightly better wall coverage, justifying its position as the best mid-range option. It’s perfect for in-ground pool owners under 33 feet who prioritize water clarity and ease of maintenance over smart features or large debris capacity. Compared to the Escape, it delivers a finer finish but can’t handle heavy leaf loads—making it the smarter choice for clean-focused, low-debris environments.