Dolphin S400 Robotic Pool Cleaner Review

Introduction

The Dolphin S400, an accomplished member of Dolphin's S-Series, has consistently proven to be more than just a basic pool cleaning apparatus. With a host of impressive features, including advanced water filtering and scrubbing capabilities, along with smart navigation, this robotic pool cleaner has earned its place in the pantheon of exceptional pool maintenance tools. In my testing period of three months, it has shown steady and reliable performance, even in challenging pool conditions.
Its sophisticated pool scanning system identifies and tackles even the most stubborn residues, contributing to a cleaner, healthier swimming experience. Yet, what makes the S400 stand out significantly, is its easygoing usability, which brings a user-friendly approach to pool cleaning.
However, compared to the high-performance models in the robot market today, such as the Dolphin ProLine and Dolphin Max-Series, the S400 seems to just fall short of excellence. And though its performance is nothing to be scoffed at, if you're looking for perfection in your robotic pool cleaner choice, you might want to consider other premium options.

Pool Types

The Dolphin S400 robotic pool cleaner is meticulously designed for in-ground swimming pools that span up to 50 feet in length. Not only can this fantastic device handle such impressive dimensions but it's also highly versatile when it comes to pool materials. It can seamlessly adapt to Gunite, Fiberglass, Vinyl, or Liner pool types, making it an outstanding choice for diverse pool owners.
Whether you own a traditionally Rectangle shaped pool or have a unique Oval or Freeform shaped pool, the Dolphin S400 can effortlessly navigate it. This one-size-fits-all pool cleaner transcends the boundaries of pool design variation, offering a reliable cleaning solution for any in-ground pool.
But the Dolphin S400 doesn’t just differentiate itself by pool adaptability. Its technical prowess in flawlessly handling any surface and shape demonstrates the detailed research and thoughtfulness the brand Dolphin puts into crafting their machines. With the Dolphin S400 as part of your pool upkeep arsenal, you’re investing in a cleaner that addresses specific pool needs, showing Dolphin’s commitment to innovation and user satisfaction.

Pool Coverage

The Dolphin S400 boasts comprehensive cleaning coverage, making it a particularly noteworthy unit in the Dolphin product range. This robotic pool cleaner is skilled at tackling not just the pool floor, but also effectively navigates and cleans pool walls with ease. A distinguishing feature of the S400 is its ability to scrub the waterline, a task too challenging for some of its competitors.
Even with multi-faceted surfaces or uniquely shaped swimming pools, the S400 is up for the task. Its intelligent navigation system ensures it's capable of cleaning any type of pool, regardless of its structure. Be it kidney-shaped, L-shaped, or a standard rectangular pool, this device offers a high-quality cleaning solution.
While many robotic pool cleaners struggle with flat surfaces, the Dolphin S400 excels. It flawlessly adapts to flat-footed pools and does a remarkable job removing dirt, debris, and algae. Consequently, this makes the S400 an ideal choice for those having flat pool surfaces as well as those with diverse pool structures.

Filtration

Dolphin ProLine robots are a top-notch choice when it comes to robotic pool cleaning and more than justify their reputation with their innovative NanoFiltration ability. This is a standout feature that I've noted in my personal testing and found it to be one of the most effective technologies that outperforms the majority of its competitors.
In my experience, it's their filter type that truly sets them apart. The NanoFilter is a meticulously designed mechanism that handles both macro and micro debris with notable efficiency. In its presence, I found that it could even capture the smallest and finest particles that are generally missed by ordinary pool cleaners.
Most impressively, the filtration capability of a ProLine robot is so deep that it visibly improves the water clarity, offering a nearly polished look. During my review testing, it was the Dolphin ProLine robot that consistently delivered the clearest pools. The NanoFiltration technology pushes the boundaries of conventional pool cleaning and has genuinely impressed me with its abilities.
In the field of robotic pool cleaning, ProLine's NanoFiltration ability is arguably the best I've come across. So, if you're in search of a pool robot that offers an exceptional level of thoroughness in deep cleaning, then I'd highly recommend choosing one from the Dolphin ProLine series. It's one of the few robot pool cleaners that have left a long-lasting impression on me with their superior cleaning depth.

Cleaning Performance

In our testing phase, the robotic pool cleaner's performance was quite impressive. This little guy made short work of the dirt and debris scattered across the pool floor. It smoothly navigated across our above-ground test pool, without any significant hiccups. It was able to maneuver well, avoiding pool ladders and other obstacles with ease.
The cleaner utilized its powerful suction to draw in and capture particles into its sizable filter bag. The onboard brushes scrubbed the pool surfaces diligently, effectively loosening stuck-on dirt that it subsequently swept up. Its efficiency was evident as it breezed through the cleaning tasks without wasting much time.
In the in-ground pool test, it took the cleaner a bit longer to clean, but it was thorough. It crawled along the walls and made it up each step effectively to clean every corner. What really impressed us was how effectively the cleaner tidied up the skimmer baskets - it almost seemed like the robot had a knack for finding and retrieving debris!
Overall, our experiences with this particular robotic pool cleaner in our test pools were quite positive. Its effective cleaning, coupled with efficient navigation and a decent filter capacity, made it a formidable contender in the world of pool cleaners.

Restocking Fee

Cordless

There's certainly a divide among pool owners when it comes to choosing between cordless and corded robotic pool cleaners. In my experience, after conducting reviews on over 100 pool robots, corded pool cleaners always come out on top. Consistent power supply, forgetting the necessity of frequent recharging, and excellent overall performance are some of the key traits that make them the preferred choice.
The steady supply of power in corded robots ensures that they never die out in the middle of a cleaning cycle. This ensures uninterrupted cleaning until each corner of your pool has been taken care of, enhancing the overall cleanliness and maintenance of your pool tremendously.
Moreover, not having to recharge the robotic cleaner daily adds another degree of convenience. Think about it, you have your pool cleaner set up, working tirelessly without requiring your constant attention - that's automation at its best. With a weekly timer option, your interaction with the cleaner reduces to a minimum, enhancing the overall user experience significantly. While cordless robots might tick the box for a clutter-free environment, cordless pool cleaners do bring a set of drawbacks. The first and foremost is power. From our rigorous testing, cordless robots don't seem to match up to the supreme suction power exhibited by their corded counterparts. They may not have the same strength to pick up larger pieces of debris or give your pool a thorough scrubbing.
Secondly, cordless models often don't have the same lifespan as their corded competitors. Battery degradation over time can result in reducing the efficacy of your cleaner. What seemed to be a convenient option initially might turn out to be a costly affair in the long run.
Given these factors, if you ask us, corded robots always steal the show when it comes to thorough and consistent pool cleaning. Having tested a vast array of models from leading brands like Dolphin and Aquabot, it's safe to say, corded robots make for an incredible value proposition.

Weekly Timer

One of the most noteworthy features to consider when purchasing a robotic pool cleaner is the presence of a weekly timer. It's a function we greatly value, as it enables you to automate pool cleaning by simply setting the days and times once and forgetting about it. This feature transforms the chore of pool cleaning into a seamless, hands-off task.
Unfortunately, not all robotic pool cleaners come equipped with weekly timers. It's a disappointment when such an advanced piece of cleaning technology lacks this relatively basic feature. However, we continuously advocate the fact that all robots, especially those in the high-priced category, should have a weekly timer for maximum convenience.
Robotic cleaners with weekly timers, such as the Dolphin Max-Series, become your silent, diligent worker. They wake up on schedule, do their job meticulously, and rest again without requiring constant supervision or manual set-up each time. Once you've experienced the ease of a weekly timer, you wouldn't want to settle for less.
In conclusion, whether or not a robotic pool cleaner has a weekly timer plays a huge role in the overall user experience. We urge brands to adopt this feature across all their devices, leading to a more user-friendly and efficient robotic cleaning experience.

Overview

The Dolphin S400 Robotic Pool Cleaner is an impressive iteration within the Dolphin S series, exhibiting an array of features tailored to provide an impeccable cleaning job. Engineered by Maytronics, the S400 is a culmination of style, performance, and advanced technology aimed at adding convenience to your pool maintenance. A shining star of the S400 is its powerful dual drive motors and state-of-the-art navigation system, enabling it to swiftly glide through each water body, ensuring sparkling cleanliness in no time. The device paints a picture of versatility with its ability to tidy up pools of varying types and sizes, eliminating debris and algae with ease. The S400's scrubbing brushes along with top-access, high-capacity filters grant it the capability of superior dirt capture. Not only does it deal with medium to large debris effectively, but also fine particles are not spared from its meticulous cleaning operation. Furthermore, the S400 offers convenient programmability with scheduling options, truly embracing the idea of an automated cleaning solution. Whether it’s the pool floor or hard-to-reach spots along the walls, this robotic pool cleaner packs in the necessary tools to get the task done efficiently. Though it falls behind in some aspects compared to the brilliance of the Dolphin Premier, Sigma, or the new ProLine series, the Dolphin S400 still proves to be a formidable competitor. Initially, the lack of a swivel cable might seem like an oversight, but the Dolphin S400 more than compensates for that with an array of other impressive features and consistent performance.
When compared to its wireless peers, the S400, with its reliance on corded power, finds itself at a significant advantage - it promises a seamless, uninterrupted operation without any frequent charging requirements. This makes the S400 an ideal choice for those who prefer the automation of a weekly timer setting. For a deeper dive into its capabilities and performance, check out other reviews of Dolphin S400 here. To further explore other superb robotic pool cleaners in the market, find our comprehensive guide on the subject. In conclusion, the Dolphin S400 Robotic Pool Cleaner strikes a fine balance between functionality, automation, and value - making it a worthy investment for your pool maintenance. Despite some minor drawbacks, its power-packed performance, coupled with advanced features, makes it a preferential choice in the lineup of robotic pool cleaners.

Recommendation

Certainly, based on our research and comprehensive exploration, we confidently recommend robots from the Max-Series and ProLine by Dolphin. We deeply appreciate their intricate technology and innovative features that ensure thorough and efficient pool cleaning.
The Max-Series, for instance, includes renowned models like Dolphin Premier, Sigma, Quantum, Cayman, and Escape. These robots showcase advanced automation and unmatched cleaning power. For a detailed review of these models, follow this link: '/review/${slugify("Max-Series")}-review/'.
On the other hand, Dolphin's ProLine stands out due to its robust performance and durability. The Dolphin Explorer, among ProLine's fleet, is also noteworthy, although it doesn't quite match up to its counterparts in the other series. More about the ProLine and the Dolphin Explorer can be found here '/review/${slugify("ProLine")}-review/'.