Ali vs. Frazier. Bird vs. Magic. Liddell vs. Ortiz. Palmer vs. Nicklaus.
In sports, rivalries have always been its lifeblood. When it comes to robotic pool cleaners, the competition often comes down to two brands: Dolphin vs. Aquabot. While there are several other high-quality robotic pool cleaner brands in the market today, these two are easily the most popular. Both have their share of loyalists and detractors.
In this article, we will compare the best robotic pool cleaners these companies have to offer, and in conclusion, we will try to help you decide which brand and model you should choose.
What is a Robotic Pool Cleaner?
Before we ring the bell for Round 1, it would help you immensely if you know what a robotic pool cleaner does.
In a nutshell, robotic pool cleaners are devices that do the cleaning of the swimming pool for you. Instead of manually scouring your pool with nets and brushes, a robotic pool cleaner does the work for you, often with just a push of a button. All you need to do is to turn the power on, and they’re good to go. Unlike suction-side and pressure cleaners, it does not need to be attached to a pool filtration system.
For more information on robotic pool cleaners or pool vacuum robots, please go to this page.
3 Best Aquabot Robotic Pool Cleaners
Like we said, in the robotic pool cleaning industry, the undeniable giants are Aquabot and Dolphin. First, let’s take a look at the 3 best robotic pool cleaners from Aquabot:
- Aquabot Breeze 4WD
As far as the budget goes, the Breeze 4WD is one of Aquabot’s friendliest options. Many experts describe its cleaning performance as “revolutionary.” As its name suggests, the Breeze 4WD is essentially an all-terrain cleaner capable of maneuvering across the pool floors without any problems. It can also climb and clean walls and won’t get stuck doing so.
Other features of the Breeze 4WD include its powerful vacuum, 60-foot tangle-proof power cable, filter baskets, and a strong rotating brush. Perhaps the elements contributing the most to its cleaning superiority are the large dual debris baskets and the filter. The baskets are incredibly roomy, which means they can handle all the dirt that the cleaner picks up as it spruces up the pool.
The filter, too, is quite a performer. It can sieve ultra-small debris as tiny as two microns in size. Logically, if it picks up small debris without any problem, it can also take care of larger ones such as pebbles and twigs.
- Aquabot Elite
In terms of technology, the Elite may be the best Aquabot has to offer. It has three brushes, a 360-degree anti-swivel cord, pool mapping, ultra-grippy rubber tracks, and JetForce suction technology.
Aside from its superior technology, the Aquabot Elite is essentially maintenance-free. Those who have bought it claim they have not done any maintenance in three years of using the Elite, and it hasn’t missed a beat. Possibly the only reason why you would stay away from the Elite is its price, but if that isn’t an issue, you would absolutely love it.
- Aquabot X4
At its price point, the X4 is loaded with features that make it an exceptional option. It may be heavier than other Aquabot units, but it can move through the pool with its 4WD technology and takes care of any debris of at least 2 microns.
The best selling point of the Aquabot X4 is that it’s multifaceted enough to be used in inground and above-ground pools. It will absolutely make mincemeat of any above-ground pool walls and won’t let you down in doing so.
3 Best Dolphin Robotic Pool Cleaners
- Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme
The Nautilus CC Supreme is the most expensive of the Dolphin Nautilus series, but for a good reason. It is nothing short of a masterpiece, that’s why it has been one of the best-selling robotic pool cleaners in the last five years.
What are some of the Nautilus’ features that justify its hefty price tag? For starters, it takes less time to clean the pool with this unit than other cleaners. It has a dual-drive system that allows it to turn the full 360 degrees for better overall coverage.
Additionally, the Nautilus Supreme has one motor each for the suction and for the brushes. That means each cleaning system has its own power, and thus, you can be sure that the maximum cleaning capacity is present in both.
Other features of the Nautilus include app integration, scheduling, and Intelliscan technology for superior pool mapping capabilities.
- Dolphin E10
The Dolphin E10 is not at the level of the Nautilus Supreme when it comes to cleaning capabilities, but for an entry-level robotic pool cleaner, it gets the job done. It could not climb stairs, so it’s primarily designed for smaller above-ground pools of up to 30 to 40 feet max.
Still, it does have the CleverClean pool mapping capability, Active Brushing technology, and a slew of other features that makes it worth a try. If you’re going to give the E10 a closer look, be reminded that it only has a single-button operation and is essentially the most basic pool cleaner from Dolphin’s lineup.
- Dolphin Premier
Maytronics has a proven track record of manufacturing some of the best robotic pool cleaners in existence, and the Premier is no different. Its price range may be high, but it is full of smart features that will essentially eliminate the need for back-breaking swimming pool maintenance work.
For starters, the Premier is powered by two DC motors, equipped with CleverClean pool mapping, two scrubbing brushes, an automatic cleaning scheduler, and lets you choose the filter depending on the type of debris you may encounter.
You won’t learn much about the Premier’s features if you’re just looking at its manual, but thank God there are countless videos out there that we can turn to. Plus, the Premier is also one of the heaviest robotic pool cleaners out there, so if you don’t like carrying a 40-pound unit, then you should skip this one out.
Final Thoughts: Which Should You Choose?
The Aquabot and Dolphin brands are both great in their own right, but keep in mind that they are generally made for a specific target market. For instance, Aquabot units are priced at a couple hundred dollars less than Dolphin products, suggesting Aquabot is for the entry-level and budget-conscious demographic.
Dolphin products such as the Nautilus Supreme and the Premier are very expensive. However, they are aesthetically well-built and have superior cleaning and navigational capabilities. But then again, purchasing one could be out of the question for many because of the price tag.
Regardless of the decision you’ll make, there is no doubt that investing in a robotic pool cleaner is imperative as a pool owner. It literally cuts the workload and the time frame in half. You can easily prepare the pool for use during the summer, and the most important thing about it all is, you ensure the safety of everyone. Remember that safety should always be a top priority when a body of water such as a pool is involved.