Dolphin Active 60 Robotic Pool Cleaner Review

Introduction

Immersing ourselves in the world of robotic pool cleaners, we took the Dolphin Active 60 for a spin, testing it for a solid three months to deliver a comprehensive verdict on its performance, durability, and features. Designed by the reputable Dolphin Active series, this robotic pool cleaner offers an enticing combination of smart navigation and cleaning efficiency. With its advanced scrubbing and filtering system, the Active 60 aims to keep your pool pristine without demanding hefty maintenance effort on your part.
One primary feature that caught our attention was the Active 60's impressive power suction. Its ability to deftly tackle surface debris while also diving deep to clean the pool floor was quite commendable. Another standout feature was its effective wall climbing to ensure an all-around clean, highlighting Dolphin's commitment to solid performance.
After a substantial testing period, we were satisfied with the Active 60's performance, its consistent cleaning, and simplistic weekly scheduling, which provided a comfortable degree of automation. Few robotic cleaners in our test period managed to achieve this level of efficiency and ease of use, which was highly appreciated.
Overall, while Dolphin Active 60 offers a decent pool cleaning experience, it may not surpass every model we've reviewed. For an alternative, consider digging a bit deeper into the Dolphin lineup. The ProLine and Max-Series, including the Premier and the Sigma, have shown tremendous promise and might just offer you the perfect pool cleaning solution you're seeking. Be sure to check out our extensive review on '/review/dolphin-premier-review/' and '/review/dolphin-sigma-review/'.

Pool Types

The Dolphin Active 60 robotic pool cleaner has been designed with in-ground pools specifically in mind. This intelligent device is well-capable of meticulously cleaning pools up to 50 feet in length. Its comprehensive design allows it to diligently clean across a variety of surface types, including Gunite, Fiberglass, Vinyl, and Liner.
Its versatility extends towards the shape of the pool too. Whether your pool is Rectangle, Oval or Freeform, the Dolphin Active 60 can navigate through the water with ease, ensuring every corner and curve is attended to. This makes it exceptionally effective in getting rid of the toughest dirt and algae, leaving your pool sparkling clean.
With the Dolphin Active 60, you can rest easy knowing that your in-ground pool, irrespective of its material or shape, will receive a thorough cleaning. This gadget thus not only guarantees cleanliness but also contributes towards the longevity of your pool. Read more on the Dolphin Active 60 robotic pool cleaner here.

Pool Coverage

The Dolphin Active 60 is an impressive robotic pool cleaner renowned for its exceptional cleaning coverage. Its intelligent, systematic navigation ensures thorough cleaning of all pool areas. From the floor to the walls, right up to the waterline, the Active 60's advanced scanning software, and gyroscopic navigation system diligently clean every nook and corner.
This pool cleaner isn't limited to flat pools alone; it's designed to handle various pool shapes and types. Regardless of the orientation or design of your pool, be it round, rectangular, oval, or free-form, the Dolphin Active 60 traverses it all while carrying out a comprehensive clean. Its powerful scrubbing brushes significantly enhance cleaning efficacy by tackling tough dirt and stubborn debris.
Moreover, it operates with climb control and crystal-clear cleaning capabilities, making it a versatile choice among users. Essentially, the Dolphin Active 60 ensures a sparkling clean pool even in the challenging areas and is a benchmark in the pool cleaning industry.
For in-depth discussions, performance analysis, and a broader insight into robotic pool cleaners, feel free to explore our other reviews by following this link. Also, check out our detailed review on the Dolphin Active 60 for a comprehensive understanding.

Filtration

The filter type of a robotic pool cleaner can drastically transform your pool maintenance experience. The ProLine series of robots employ NanoFiltration technology, a feature I've found to be nothing short of impressive.
The ProLine's NanoFiltration functionality works to trap even the smallest particles in your pool, including those tiny contaminants that many traditional pool cleaners overlook. Its cleaning efficacy is mirrored by no other unit I have tested so far.
During my first-hand experience with a ProLine robot, I observed it dive deeper into the pool and extract debris that had long been overlooked. It's refreshing to see a pool robot diligently cover every nook and cranny, showing lesser-visited areas the attention they deserve.
In all fairness, the ProLine robot undoubtedly delivers superb pool cleaning results. Equipped with NanoFiltration, not only does it scoop up the usual suspects but also effectively traps those impalpable particles often left undisturbed, rendering your pool pristine and refreshing.

Cleaning Performance

In our controlled test environments, the robotic pool cleaners conducted a marathon of tasks. And the results were nothing short of awe-inspiring, particularly with the Dolphins. Pool cleaning isn't the most exciting task, but these robots make it a breeze.
The Dolphin ProLine, as expected, sizzled with peak performance. With its high-precision navigational capabilities and redesigned software, it cleaned up our pool debris like a professional landscaper groomed a garden. We simply set it on weekly timer mode and watched it go to work.
The Dolphin Premier and Sigma lived up to their reputations. Their multi-layer filtration systems were put to the test, taking in varying sizes of pool debris without any hiccups. These robots also provide the flexibility to adjust the filter density depending on how dirty the pool is - a convenience we absolutely appreciated.
Having experienced these Dolphin models, we moved on to the Aquabot. While not as visually striking, it clearly stands out for its value. With the Aquabot, what you get is a relentless workhorse, delivering diligent deep cleans at a more budget-friendly price. A true testament that high performance can be found at any price point.
In essence, our hands-on experience with these robotic pool cleaners made us understand why they are lauded. They each bear distinct strengths yet collectively share the purpose of effective and easy pool cleaning. When it's about maintaining spick and span pools, these robotic pool cleaners surely deliver.

Restocking Fee

Cordless

In an ongoing debate between corded or cordless robotic cleaners, my preference undoubtedly goes to corded pool robots. The reason is that the quality, durability, and performance of corded robots far outweigh that of its counterparts. Having personally tested over 100 different pool robots, corded models demonstrated a visibly superior performance. They offer consistent power, ensuring that your pool stays clean every single time.

Another significant advantage of corded robots is the convenience of no recharging necessary. This means there's no need to fish it out of your pool every few hours to plug it into an outlet. They are designed to function autonomously, providing a seamless, unattended operation that does not disturb your daily routine. It is ‘set and forget,’ simplifying your pool maintenance.

If we talk about cordless pool robots, they essentially demand more from their owners in terms of attention and effort. The freedom from cord might seem like a perk, but the reality hits hard in the face of constant recharges. This constant need to recharge not only disrupts your daily routine but also leads to frequent human intervention that somewhat diminishes the automation aspect of robotic pool cleaners.

Moreover, cordless pool cleaners, in my experience, have shown to exhibit lesser power and thus, reduced cleaning performance when compared to corded ones. Plus, let's not overlook the longevity factor. Cordless pool robots tend to have a shorter lifespan, making corded pool robots more of a long-term investment. All these challenges tilt the scales in favor of corded robots.

Weekly Timer

In my opinion, a weekly timer is a must-have feature for any contemporary robotic pool cleaner. This function allows users to set their robots to clean on specific days and at specific times without needing to interfere or manually start the cleaning sessions. This, in turn, ensures that your pool is consistently clean, ready for use at all times, and significantly reduces the need for human intervention.
Regrettably, not all robotic pool cleaners come equipped with this handy feature. Cleaners without a weekly timer require you to physically turn the unit on before each use, which might lead to inconsistencies in cleaning if you forget to switch it on regularly. This lack also inevitably means more work and less ease-of-use, placing such models at a disadvantage compared to their timer-equipped counterparts.
Personally, I prize cleaners that come with a weekly timer, like the renowned Dolphin ProLine and Max-Series. They exemplify the sort of automation and user-friendliness that truly elevate the robot pool cleaning experience. Pitting these against cleaners missing the weekly timer function makes a noticeable difference in convenience and the overall quality of pool maintenance.
In many cases, the absence of a weekly timer could be a deal-breaker for some users, especially those who value time and desire a more set-it-and-forget-it style of cleaning. Therefore, when considering purchasing a robotic pool cleaner, investing in one with a weekly timer might be more beneficial in the long run than opting for a stripped-down, albeit possibly cheaper, alternative.

Overview

The Dolphin Active 60 boasts an impressive lineup of features that elevate it to the engineer's favorite. With ingenious mechanisms, it thoroughly cleans swimming pools, sparking a remarkable evolution in pool maintenance. Its robust built, reliance on the latest technology, and commendable performance make it a valuable acquisition.
The pride in the Dolphin Active 60 lies in its advanced scanning technology, AI-powered navigation, multi-functional power supply, remote-controlled convenience, and three scrubbing brushes. With power beyond just suction, it ensures your pool remains spotless, extending down to the waterline; a perfect choice for in-ground swimming pools. Its trusted performance and guaranteed efficiency are supported by an array of positive reviews and testimonies by satisfied users.
However, it doesn't lack its shortcomings. While a generally good cleaner, it sometimes struggles with picking up larger debris. But with a score of over 90, the Dolphin Active 60 is an exquisite pool cleaner, offering extraordinary, unrivaled, and dominant results. It is worth every penny spent, guaranteeing a significantly less burdensome pool maintenance routine.
In conclusion, the Dolphin Active 60 is a splendid choice that assures nothing short of the best cleaning results. It strategically combines power, finesse, and technology to deliver impeccable results. Its unmatched convenience further makes it the go-to solution for every pool owner who values quality, consistency, and longevity. It perfectly embodies what a robotic cleaner should be - a fusion of intelligence, power, and adaptability.
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Recommendation

We strongly recommend the Dolphin Max-Series and ProLine robotic pool cleaners. They stand out among other robotic cleaner lines due to their exceptional design, innovative features and unsurpassed performance that effectively tackles the toughest pool cleaning tasks with ease.
In particular, the Dolphin Premier from the Max-Series truly impresses us. This advanced robotic pool cleaner uses state-of-the-art technology to efficiently clean pools of various shapes and sizes. But if you're willing to go the extra mile, we believe the Dolphin Sigma is your best bet, boasting gyroscopic mobility and a monstrous twin cartridge. More details about these fantastic machines can be found in our detailed reviews - Dolphin Premier and Dolphin Sigma.
Coming to the ProLine series, the shining star without a doubt is the Dolphin Quantum. This cleaner shows supreme power, precision, and proficiency in its cleaning, and thus, has won our hearts. The fine details of its performance and features are well-explained in the comprehensive review at Dolphin Quantum.
At the same time, we cannot overlook the value that Dolphin ProLine provides in terms of effectiveness and reliability. Two standouts in this series include the Cayman and Escape models. Well versed with these gadgets, you can check out why they come highly recommended in their individual reviews - Dolphin Cayman and Dolphin Escape.
While we understand preferences vary depending on individual requirements, as seasoned experts, we would direct you to put your money on the Max-Series and ProLine models. They have consistently proven to be dependable, tech-forward, and designed to deliver a pristine pool. Investigate these machines more on our best robotic pool cleaners review page to find the cleaning pal that best suits your pool.