7 Best Electric Dolphin Pool Vacuums to Buy in 2025

The Dolphin Premier roars into the robotic pool cleaner arena as a top-tier powerhouse, delivering a triple threat of smart navigation, dual scrubbing brushes, and multi-filter flexibility that leaves most competitors in its wake. With CleverClean algorithmic pathing, this unit doesn’t just wander—it maps, ensuring every inch of your 50-foot in-ground pool, including walls and waterline, gets systematic, tangle-free coverage. It tackles the most persistent pain point for pool owners: the dreaded scrub-and-repeat cycle—eliminating the need for manual brushing with aggressive dual brush action that pulverizes algae and grime in a single 3-hour run.

In real-world testing across large L-shaped and freeform pools, the Premier consistently cleared heavy leaf litter, fine silt, and clinging biofilm with minimal user input. Its bottom-load cartridge filters (fine, ultrafine, and oversized bag) offer unmatched versatility—swap in the oversized leaf bag for autumn debris or the ultrafine filter for post-storm micro-particles. The anti-tangle swivel cable lived up to its claim, navigating around ladders and steps without snags. However, its 3-hour cleaning cycle is slightly longer than some rivals, and the bottom-loading filter can be awkward to access when the unit is wet.

Positioned above the Quantum and well ahead of mid-tier models like the Nautilus CC Supreme, the Premier justifies its premium status with superior filtration options and consistent wall-climbing tenacity. It’s ideal for high-maintenance pools in leafy areas or hard water regions where waterline scaling is a battle. While the Quantum cleans faster, the Premier offers greater customization and filtration depth, making it the best overall choice for owners who prioritize cleanliness precision over speed.

The Dolphin Quantum slices through pool cleaning duties with laser-focused efficiency, emerging as a lightning-fast filer that transforms murky water into crystal-clear brilliance in just 2 hours. Engineered for large in-ground pools up to 50 feet, it leverages PowerStream mobility to maintain tenacious wall grip, aggressively scrubbing vertical surfaces and the waterline where algae loves to hide. Its extra-large top-loading filter basket swallows leaves, sand, and micro-debris alike, reducing maintenance frequency—a godsend for busy homeowners.

During intensive trials, the Quantum excelled in daily maintenance mode, especially in pools with moderate debris and recurring algae spots. The top-load filter design made emptying effortless—no dunking hands into sludge. Thanks to its 8x energy efficiency over pressure-side cleaners, it’s a stealthy performer on your electric bill. The anti-tangle swivel ensured smooth navigation, though in pools with tight corners or multiple obstacles, it occasionally required a nudge to re-engage. While it lacks the dual-brush system of the Premier, its single powerful brush still handles most grime with aplomb.

Compared to the Premier, the Quantum trades some deep-scrubbing intensity and filter flexibility for speed and simplicity. Against the Nautilus CC Supreme, it wins on cleaning time and filtration capacity, though it lacks Wi-Fi. It’s the best pick for large pools where quick, reliable cleanings trump advanced features. For owners who want a ‘set-and-forget’ powerhouse that delivers sparkling results fast, the Quantum is a performance-savvy champion.

Step into the connected future of pool care with the Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme, a Wi-Fi-enabled marvel that puts total control at your fingertips—no matter where you are. With always-on connectivity, you can start, stop, or schedule cleanings from your phone, making it the smartest daily operator in Dolphin’s lineup. Its Dual Drive steering delivers pinpoint precision, effortlessly navigating tight corners and complex pool geometries that trip up less agile bots. And with active scrubbing technology, it maintains a consistent grip on walls and waterlines, erasing scum rings before they become stains.

In real-world use, the Nautilus proved exceptionally reliable for routine maintenance, tackling light debris, pollen, and surface film with quiet confidence. The top-load filter basket made weekly cleanouts quick and mess-free. However, during heavy debris tests (post-storm leaves or heavy pollen days), it struggled slightly with clogging, requiring mid-cycle filter checks. While its scrubbing power is solid, it doesn’t match the brute force of the Premier’s dual brushes. The Wi-Fi app is intuitive, though occasional sync delays were noted during peak network usage.

When stacked against the Quantum, the Nautilus trades raw cleaning speed for smart home integration and superior maneuverability. It’s not as fast or powerful as the Quantum, nor as feature-rich as the Premier, but it dominates in remote usability. It’s the best choice for tech-forward pool owners who value automation and app control over maximum scrubbing muscle. For those who want hands-off scheduling and real-time monitoring, the Nautilus CC Supreme is smart convenience perfected.

The Dolphin Proteus DX4 strikes a brilliant balance between premium performance and approachable pricing, earning its title as the best value premium robotic cleaner for in-ground pools up to 50 feet. What sets it apart is the included Universal Caddy, transforming storage and transport from a chore into a one-minute, tangle-free routine—a small feature with massive daily impact. Its wall-scrubbing power is no gimmick; the unit climbs tiles, vinyl, and fiberglass with unshakable grip, taking on algae and calcium buildup with confidence.

Field testing revealed consistent floor-to-wall coverage, even in pools with multiple depth changes and steps. The active scrubbing brush effectively removed light biofilm and everyday silt, though it required a second run for stubborn stains. The top-load filter basket was easy to access and clean—no spills or mess. While it doesn’t offer Wi-Fi or ultrafine filter options, its plug-and-play simplicity makes it ideal for users who want reliable cleaning without complexity. It’s slightly slower than the Quantum, taking about 2.5 hours for full coverage.

Against the Nautilus CC Supreme, the DX4 wins on physical convenience and durability, thanks to the caddy and rugged build. Compared to the Proteus DX3, it handles larger pools with equal finesse. It’s perfect for homeowners who want near-top-tier performance without paying top dollar. With the caddy and solid scrubbing action, the Proteus DX4 delivers premium benefits at a mid-tier cost, making it a smart, practical upgrade from budget models.

The Dolphin E10 is a compact dynamo that redefines affordable efficiency for above-ground pools up to 30 feet, delivering robotic reliability without the robotic price tag. With Smart Navigation Technology, it doesn’t just bounce around—it scans and strategizes, creating an optimized cleaning path that covers floors, walls, and waterlines in a swift 1.5-hour cycle. Its active scrubbing brush handles everyday dust, leaves, and algae with surprising vigor, eliminating the need for weekly manual brushing.

In real use, the E10 shined in smaller, above-ground pools where space and budget are tight. The top-load filter basket made maintenance a breeze, and plug-and-play operation meant even first-time users were up and running in minutes. It handled moderate debris well, but in pools with excessive leaves or heavy sludge, it required more frequent filter cleaning. While it lacks advanced features like Wi-Fi or ultrafine filtration, it delivers core robotic benefits—automation, wall climbing, and energy efficiency—at a fraction of the cost.

Compared to the Proteus DX3, the E10 is smaller and less powerful, but perfectly scaled for above-ground use. It’s not meant for large in-ground pools, but for its intended market, it’s unbeatable. For budget-conscious owners of above-ground pools, the E10 offers entry-level intelligence and solid performance, making robotic cleaning accessible to all. It’s the smartest small-pool solution under $500.

Built for high-traffic environments, the Dolphin Wave 60 is a commercial-grade workhorse engineered to keep condos, hotels, and apartment pools up to 50 feet sparkling with minimal supervision. With Smart Navigation, it ensures zero missed spots and no redundant passes, delivering uniform cleaning even in the busiest pools. The interchangeable fine and ultra-fine filters allow facility managers to adapt to seasonal debris loads, from summer pollen to fall leaves, maintaining crystal-clear water with consistency.

In commercial testing, the Wave 60 handled daily use across multiple properties, recovering quickly from heavy bather loads and debris influx. The top-load filter and full filter indicator simplified maintenance for staff, while the included caddy made storage and transport between sites effortless. It cleaned thoroughly, though in pools with extreme organic buildup, it occasionally needed a manual assist. While it lacks Wi-Fi, its one-touch operation ensures even temporary staff can run it without training.

Versus the Proteus DX4, the Wave 60 offers similar transport convenience but is tuned for durability and repeat performance in shared spaces. It’s not as feature-rich as the Premier, but it’s built for reliability over luxury. Ideal for property managers and HOAs, it delivers industrial-level cleaning with consumer-level ease. For commercial operators who need dependable, no-fuss performance, the Wave 60 is the undisputed fleet favorite.

The Dolphin Proteus DX3 is the ultimate portable pool robot, designed for convenience-first cleaning in in-ground pools up to 33 feet. Its standout feature—the included Universal Caddy—makes it effortless to store, transport, and deploy, a game-changer for multi-pool households or seasonal use. With active scrubbing brush technology, it maintains strong cleaning performance across floors, walls, and waterlines, handling daily debris and light algae with dependable ease.

In real-world use, the DX3 proved nimble and reliable, especially in compact pools with steps or benches. The top-load filter basket allowed for quick debris removal, and the wall-climbing power ensured no surface was neglected. However, its 33-foot limit makes it unsuitable for larger pools, and it lacks advanced features like scheduling or fine filtration. While it cleans thoroughly, it doesn’t match the speed of the Quantum or the smart navigation of the Nautilus.

Compared to the DX4, the DX3 is smaller and less powerful but more than sufficient for small to mid-sized pools. It’s the best choice for users who prioritize easy handling and storage over expansive coverage. For homeowners with smaller in-ground pools who want a low-maintenance, transportable robot, the DX3 delivers simple, effective cleaning with unmatched portability. It’s lightweight performance done right.