Dolphin, the popular brand from Maytronics, has led the charge in recent years by modernizing robotic pool cleaners with the most advanced technology and design. As Dolphin continues to develop models with groundbreaking features that set them apart from other brands, pool owners are starting to do their research to find the very best Dolphin has to offer.

It’s hard to narrow down the best of Dolphin to one model, as they have many different robots that accommodate many different pool needs. However, we can break down the very top features you’ll find on Dolphin’s best models, and which of their full-featured robots make up the cream of the crop. So, which Dolphin pool cleaner is the best? Let's start by breaking down the top features you'll want and need, then dive into the top Dolphin pool cleaners for 2023.

The Best Features on Dolphin Models

Powerful Motors

The benefits of having commercial-grade motors on a consumer pool robot are multi-faceted.

Dolphin set a new standard in the robotic pool cleaner industry when they started using ultra-efficient, 24-volt DC motors. These powerful motors can provide up to five times their rated torque without stalling, all while using 87% less energy than traditional AC motors. The best models have two or more motors on board, leading to unparalleled power.

The impressive output of these motors also leads to higher suction and longevity. Because it’s not strained for energy, models with two or more of these DC motors can process more water through the robot’s filtration system than ever before. They also provide the much-needed power it takes to defy gravity and climb walls, steps, underwater coves, and even all the way to the waterline.

On-Board Gyroscope

Even the best-engineered pool robots are disappointingly inefficient when they wander aimlessly in the water. Random patterns of turning lead to expended energy and missed debris. That’s where gyroscopic technology comes in.

Dolphin engineers added an on-board gyroscope to improve stabilization and movement. The three-axis gyroscope detects and measures the orientation of the robot at any given time, sending information to the microprocessor so the machine stays upright and on-track. That’s why models fitted with a gyroscope can climb walls and underwater obstacles with ease. This advanced technology also lends itself to more effective cleaning coverage, as the gyroscope tracks the navigation of the robot so it can create the most efficient cleaning route.

MultiMedia Filtration

Pools get more than one kind of debris. Maybe wind blows in a lot of top soil and sand. Perhaps a nearby tree sheds its leaves freely into the water. Or possibly pollen likes to cloud the water and leave it with a greenish hue. Every pool is susceptible to different kinds of debris, but not every filter can handle all of them.

MultiMedia Filtration is Dolphin’s answer to the ever-present filtration dilemma. Instead of sticking with one kind of filter media for every kind of debris, Dolphin has designed some of their robots to accommodate four different filter media. This keeps pool owners from having to compromise and clean up after their robot dependent on the state of their pool. Lots of leaves? Use a leaf bag. Tiny particles of sand settled at the bottom? Use a micro-filter. Whatever the debris, there’s a filter media for that.

HyperGrip Tracks

Dolphin robotic pool cleaners are often recognized for their silhouette: a durable body positioned low to the ground, sandwiched between two wide tracks. It almost looks like a military tank, and for good reason. It can climb over anything.

The HyperGrip track design changes the game for robotic pool cleaning. As opposed to wheels that will easily lose traction on slippery surfaces, tracks provide constant contact on the pool’s surface. The addition of durable plastic grips on the tracks is designed for ultimate traction and efficiency – they keep the tracks from spinning in place like a simple wheel would. This is especially obvious when cleaners fitted with HyperGrip tracks climb walls. Even at the slick waterline, they cling to the surface.

Waterline Cleaning Capability

There’s a reason the waterline is also known as the “scum” line. That’s where bacteria and algae tend to accumulate the most. With most robotic pool cleaners, it’s a given that the pool owner will still have to manually scrub this area since the cleaner can’t reach it. But that’s not the case with many of Dolphin’s models.

Dolphin has designed many components to contribute to advanced waterline cleaning ability: internal jets, powerful motors, gyroscopic stability, HyperGrip tracks, etc. Together, all of these features lend themselves to one of the very best features you’ll find in a robotic pool cleaner – waterline cleaning. Since this area is most prone to algae growth and scum buildup, outsourcing its cleaning to a robot frees up pool owners to enjoy a truly hands-off pool maintenance lifestyle.

Anti-Tangle Swivel

Few things are more tedious than having to manually uncoil a 60-foot power cord in the hot summer sun, day after day. That’s the price many pool owners have paid for having a robotic pool cleaner, but not anymore.

One of Dolphin’s crowning achievements is their patented anti-tangle swivel. This small device makes a big difference in robotic pool cleaner ownership. It allows the power cord of the cleaner to swivel freely as the robot traverses the pool. No matter how many twists, turns, climbs, or pivots, the swivel keeps the cord lax and free of kinks and knots. There are many features we could manage to live without on a robotic pool cleaner, but this swivel isn’t one of them.

Which Dolphin Models Should You Consider?

Dolphin Sigma

This model has many of our favorite Dolphin features. It was the brand’s first cleaner to use the on-board gyroscope, and it has three DC motors that deliver an outstanding flow rate of 4500 gallons per hour. It can climb all the way to the waterline and actively scrub every surface, thanks to its quad-brush design. Plus, you can use the MyDolphin app to program weekly cleanings and even navigate it remotely. This model performs like a commercial pool robot, yet at a consumer price.

• myDolphin Plus App
• Gyroscope
• 2 Filters Included: Ultra-Fine and Standard Fine
• Anti-Tangle Swivel
• Waterline Cleaning
• HyperGrip Tracks

Dolphin Premier

We love the Premier, especially for pools that receive a wide variety of debris. Its MultiMedia filtration feature works best for any cleaning job, no matter how specific its needs are. It's the only Dolphin with a Leaf Bag. The dual DC motors are powerful and energy efficient, costing an average of 5 cents an hour to operate. It can also climb walls with ease because of Dual Control Stabilizers, scrubbing the waterline free of bacteria, algae, and biofilm.

• 3 Filters Included: Leaf Bag, Ultra-Fine and Standard Fine
• Anti-Tangle Swivel
• Waterline Cleaning
• HyperGrip Tracks
• Programmable Timer

Dolphin Quantum

Designed from years of research and experience, the Quantum is the safe and effective choice for pool owners everywhere. Its internal power jets produce multiple streams of fast-moving water to create a vectored thrust that help the machine precisely hold itself in a fixed position. This leads to more efficient cleaning along waterlines and improved navigation accuracy. The massive top-loading cartridge has an impressive 400 in2 of space, and it also accommodates a micro-filter that can handle fine particles down to two microns.

Picking the best Dolphin robot is dependent on every pool owner and their pool needs. The Dolphin brand has earned a reputation for building excellent robotic pool cleaners across all of their models and price ranges, so we have confidence each one can live up to its promised performance. However, if you want the best of the best, you can’t go wrong with the Sigma, Premier, or Quantum. They’re an investment, but they’re also full-featured and energy efficient. Best of all, they’re capable of doing all of that pool dirty work you’re tired of doing.

• 2 Filters Included: Ultra-Fine and Standard Fine Basket
• Anti-Tangle Swivel
• Waterline Cleaning
• HyperGrip Tracks
• Programmable Timer