Dolphin S200

Dolphin S200 Robotic Pool Cleaner Review

Best Price
$1199
Robert K. Robotic Pool Cleaner Expert Reviewed by Robert Knight
The Dolphin S200 Robotic Pool Cleaner has the following:
  • In-Store Exclusive - The Dolphin S200 can only be purchased in-store and is not for sale online. However, you can find models online that are often cheaper and with more features such as the Dolphin Quantum, Dolphin Premier, and Dolphin Sigma.
  • Cleans the Whole Pool - The Dolphin S200 cleaned our whole pool in our testing. From the floor to the waterline, it did a great job.
  • Lower Suction Power - Compared to the new ProLine's Commercial-Grade Motors, it has smaller motors and less suction power by over 500 gallons per hour.
  • No Full Filter Tracking - Unlike other premium pool robots, it doesn't let you know when it is time to clean its filter like you would get with Premier's Media-Alert.
  • No Leaf Bag - The S200 includes the standard mesh filters and ultrafine filters, but doesn't include the Leaf Bag. We loved using the Leaf Bag when our pools had a ton of leaves in it, so it is disappointing it does not have it.
  • Shorter Warranty - The Dolphin S200 only includes a 2 year warranty in comparison to the ProLine's 3 year warranty.
  • Dolphin S200 Poolside
  • Dolphin S200 Poolside 2
  • Dolphin S200 Underwater 3
  • Dolphin S200 Poolside 4
  • Dolphin S200 Poolside Cleaning Robot Filter Cleaning 5
  • Dolphin S200 Underwater Waterline Cleaning 6
  • Dolphin S200 7
  • Dolphin S200 Underwater 8
Scorecard

Ratings

Waterline Cleaning Excellent Excellent
NanoFiltration Bad Not Available
Pool Coverage Good Average
User Experience Good Average
No Restocking Fee Bad Sellers May Charge 20%+ Restocking Fee
Warranty Good 2 Year Warranty
Check mark Highs

Cleans the Whole Pool

Two-Year Warranty

X icon Lows

In-Store Exclusive

Lower Suction Power

No Full Filter Tracking

No Leaf Bag

Shorter Warranty


Dolphin S200 Review

An In-Depth Review by Robert Knight

The Dolphin S-Series of robotic pool cleaners is one of Maytronic’s more recent projects. These little cleaners are designed to be nimble and lightweight underwater, able to shimmy into any position and ensure a deep clean in only a few hours. With four different models ranging in classification from performance, advanced, deluxe, and premium-class, there is likely an S-Series model that fits your needs. Today we’re looking at the S200, which is the advanced-class model. The S200 touts some impressive specifications and features, like:

  • A PowerStream drive system
  • Cleans floors, walls, and waterlines
  • Anti-tangle swivel
  • Weekly timer
  • Top-loading fine and ultra-fine filter basket
  • Two-year limited warranty
  • Standard two-hour cleaning
  • Dual brushes

The S200 vs. The Dirty Pool

Nice specs and features aside, let’s dive into how nimble the S200 really is underwater.

We pitted it against a test pool that had gone without a cleaning for about a week. Located beneath a pecan tree and near some cedar trees, it had leaves floating in the water, pecans littering the floor, and a murky green hue from the cedar pollen. It wasn’t obnoxiously dirty, but just enough to put the S200 to the test.

Easy Start and Straightforward Power Supply

Like most of Dolphin’s products, the S200 was ready out of the box and ready to dive into the pool within ten minutes.

Unlike many of Dolphin’s higher end models, the S200 has only one cleaning program: a two-hour standard clean. This makes using the power supply remarkably simple since there’s only one choice of program.

You can also set a weekly timer from the power supply, selecting it to clean once a day, once every two days, or once every three days. Every seven days, however, the timer resets. So, every week you’ll have to re-select your weekly timer frequency. This isn’t a huge deal, but it is inconvenient, especially if you’ll be out of town for a while.

From there, it only took pushing the power button to start the S200’s cleaning job.

Impressive Mobility

The S200 is equipped with PowerStream mobility. This patent-pending technology from Dolphin creates a multi-directional water flow from internal jets. The counterforce it creates helps the S200 maintain a constant grip on surfaces – especially vertical ones. The jets spurt force dependent upon which direction the S200 needs to move, leaving a bubbly trail in its wake.

The bottom two steps were no problem for the S200, but the higher ones were. The robotic pool cleaner never climbed past the bottom two steps, leaving the top ones to be scrubbed manually.

It did, however, handle other obstacles and difficult spots remarkably well. The slope from the shallow end to the deep end is very steep, and the S200 both descended and ascended it with ease.

Scrubbing Action

The bright blue brushes on the S200 aren’t just for show. As the cleaner popped above the water to clean the waterline, we could see its bristles spinning rapidly across the surface.

We were particularly impressed with the S200’s scrubbing ability on a unique feature of the pool. There is a hot tub attached to the main body of the pool near the shallow end, and it rises above the surface with an exterior of slick blue tile. The S200 actually managed to climb a good few inches above the water to scrub this tile, even scrubbing away some white residue and easing the appearance of hard water stains.

Proof of Power

The filters of a robotic pool cleaner always tell the best story. When we pulled the filter basket out from the top of the S 200, it was satisfyingly full of junk. From leaves to pecan nuts to dog hair and sand, it had managed to suck up debris of many shapes and sizes. Even the filter lining of the basket was dingy and greenish-gray from the two-hour cleaning job.

Water Clarity

After the initial cleaning with the standard fine filter basket, the S200 had obviously improved the water clarity substantially. However, we wanted to test the ultra-fine filter option to see what else it could grab that wasn’t visible to the naked eye.

We ran the S200 for about an hour before manually stopping the job and pulling it to the surface. While the basket was nearly empty, the filter lining had obviously changed color from capturing small particles lurking in the water. When we pulled back the tiny folds of the filter, we could see the tiny sediment, dust, and sand discoloring the white nylon.

What Stands Out About the S200

Underwater Dexterity

The PowerStream mobility makes the S200 great underwater. It can reach tough spots, shimmy into corners, and climb to the waterline with ease. Although it didn’t manage to reach the top steps of the underwater stairs, it covered every other surface.

User Friendly

There aren’t unnecessary features on the S200 that make it tedious to operate. The power supply is simple, and with only one cleaning job option and a programmable timer, you won’t get stumped trying to start it.

Serious Cleaning Power

The S200 impressed us with its cleaning power. Not only did it leave behind no visible debris while using the standard filter, but it actually improved the water’s clarity with the ultra-fine filter installed. Between the scrubbing brushes, suction, and mobility, it provides a deep clean.

Designed for Any Pool

Well, any pool under 50 feet. No matter the shape, the S200 is equipped to handle it. We saw it navigate sharp corners, crawl under an overhanging waterfall, climb tile coping, and cling to dramatic underwater slopes. So, if you’ve got a freeform pool full of twists and turns or a straightforward rectangle, it can probably take care of it.

Room for Improvement

Didn’t Reach Everywhere

The S200 couldn’t climb all the way up the underwater steps. While this isn’t a big deal, it does mean those will have to be manually scrubbed.

The Little Pool Cleaner That Could

The S200 robotic pool cleaner may be nimble and light, but it packs a heavy punch. We think Dolphin designers have developed a solid mid-range machine that’s capable of more than you’d expect for the price you pay.

It’s not burdened by too many features or frustrating maintenance, and it churns out a deep and efficient clean. The S200 virtually eliminates the need to manually vacuum your pool, making it easier than ever to enjoy the perks of owning your pool as opposed to cleaning it by hand. It’s a basic model that delivers a solid clean, and it would make a worthy underwater ally for almost any pool.

Robert K. Robotic Pool Cleaner Expert

About Robert Knight

With over 5 years of robotic pool cleaner experince after working for one of the largest online pool retailers, Robert joined Robotic Reviews as one of the premier authors. With hours of hands-on testing on the Dolphin S200, read his thoughts on the cleaner.

Compare to higher rated robots

Dolphin Sigma Robotic Pool Cleaner

Dolphin Sigma Pool Cleaner

Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner

Dolphin Premier Pool Cleaner

Best Price

$1347

Check mark Highs

Dolphin's Best Pool Robot Yet - More Features, More Filters, & More Power.

Most Advanced Dolphin Ever - Utilizes Gyroscope

Includes NanoFilters - Unlock a Deeper Clean

Quad Scrubbing Brushes - 4X Cleaning Power

Utilizes 3 Dolphin ProLine Commercial-Grade Motors

Best Price

$1297

Check mark Highs

Only Dolphin with a Leaf Bag - includes Multi-Media

Waterline Cleaning Beast

New, High Performing Dolphin ProLine Model

NanoFiltration - Premier's NanoFilters allow it to clean deeper than standard Dolphin pool robots

3 Year Warranty

Dolphin S200
Robot Class: In Ground

Features

Waterline / Tileline Cleaning

Clean where other robots can't.

90% of the bacteria in your pool is on the waterline. Don't get confused with robots that are "Wall Climbing". There is a big difference. Waterline cleaning means the Dolphin S200 actively scrubs and sticks to the waterline scrubbing away this problem area in the pool. It is a feature you don't want to miss.


Dolphin Wall Climbing

Wall Climbing

Provides floor and wall coverage

Dolphin S200 is able to easily clean your walls of your pool.The Dolphin S200 combines wall climbing with the even more important waterline cleaning to provide a deep clean in your pool, giving you full floor, wall, and waterline coverage in your pool.


Anti-Tangle Swivel

Anti-Tangle Swivel

No more tangled cords.

With an anti-tangle swivel, the Dolphin S200 can fully explore and clean your pool without ever getting stuck. The innovative design allows the robot to move freely 360 degrees around your pool, without ever knotting the cord.


Energy Saver

Ultra Efficient

Save hundreds of dollars a year while cleaning your pool!

Dolphin S200 saves hundreds of dollars a year in energy when compared to pressure-side or suction-side cleaners.


Plug and Play

Plug and Play

Simply Plug Dolphin S200 in and start cleaning!

Set up has never been easier. No installation needed. Dolphin S200 is ready to go right out of the box. No extra pumps, plumbing, or anything else needed. Simply plug S200 and start cleaning!

Videos

Pool & Shop

Where To Buy

Seller Buy From Availability Shop Online
In-Store Exclusive $1199 Similar Robots

The Dolphin S200 is only sold in-stores. Robots that are sold in-stores only are often overpriced when compared to their online counterparts. Usually marked up $100-300 more and with a shorter warranty, you may want to consider an alternative robot.

Looking for the best deal on the Dolphin S200 and other robotic pool cleaners? Look no further, we have you covered. We searched the web and found the best deals on Maytronics, Aquabot, Polaris, and other cleaners.


Customer Reviews


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Question & Answers

Question
Why won't this cleaner climb the walls?
Answer

The above ground robotic pool cleaners are designed specifically for cleaning the FLOORS ONLY.

Question
What is the typical life span of a Dolphin robot?
Answer

The Dolphin is designed to last many seasons. However, the lifespan differs from Dolphin to Dolphin. Many different factors play a role, such as amount of use, pool chemistry, and pool surface.

Question
What DIY repairs can I complete on my Dolphin?
Answer

DIY repairs should be completed by an authorized technician. Please contact your local retailer for service, Maytronics directly at 1-888-365-7446 or the support page of our website.

Question
What are the voltage requirements for the Dolphin power supply?
Answer

The Dolphin requires a standard 120v outlet for power.


Pool Attributes

Specifications

Pool Types In Ground
Pool Size 40 ft
Pool Shape Rectangle, Oval, or Freeform
Obstacles Steps, Ladder, Drain Cover, Ledges, Pop-Ups
Surface Gunite, Fiberglass, Vinyl, Liner
Cleaning
Waterline Cleaning Yes
Number of Filters Included Ultra-Fine Filter Kit
Filter Cleaning Top Access
Cleaning Coverage Floor, Walls and Waterline
Cleaning Cycle(s) 2 hrs
Number of Brushes 2
Connectivity & Automation
Remote operation No
WiFi / Bluetooth WiFi: No
Bluetooth: No
Smartphone App No
Automated Weekly Timer Yes
Other
Full Bag Indicator No
Cable Length 60 ft
Anti-Tangling Swivel Yes
Restocking Fee No
Warranty 2 Years
Caddy Included Optional Caddies Available
Official Website
Official Dolphin Premier Comparison Page Dolphin S200 vs Dolphin Premier
Official Dolphin Sigma Comparison Page Dolphin S200 vs Dolphin Sigma
Part Number 99996202-USW
ASIN

Dolphin S200
Robot Class: In Ground

Accessories

Terra Premium Caddy

Terra Caddy

The Must-Have Dolphin Accessory

Weather and UV-Resistant. Terra Caddy is the go-to Dolphin Caddy. Sealed and protected, the Terra Caddy is covered in a protect resin that cures to an extremely hard layer, making it resistant to scratches and weathering. The resin cures very hard, making it solvent-resistant and scratch-resistant. This level of protection makes the Terra Caddy stand up to rain, sunshine, termites, and more.


Dolphin Universal Caddy

Dolphin Caddy

Move and Store

A robotic pool cleaner is an investment, so make sure to protect it. The Dolphin Universal Caddy is a solid caddy that gets the job done. Easily store and transport your robotic pool cleaner to keep it lasting for years to come.


Dolphin Robotic Pool Cleaner Replacement Parts

Replacement Parts

Need extra filters, replacement power supply, or new climbing rings?

Looking for Dolphin S200 replacement parts? Well, you've come to the right place. Shop all replacement parts for the Dolphin S200 and all other Dolphin models.


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