Dolphin T45 Robotic Pool Cleaner Review

Introduction

The Dolphin T45, hailing from the distinguished Dolphin T-Series, brings forth a myriad of impressive features well worth considering for all pool owners. Our rigorous three-month testing period has served to carefully evaluate the performance and longevity of this robotic pool cleaner.
Over this duration, the T45 has maintained admirable performance, striking that desired balance between functionality and efficiency. The tireless reliability it evokes is itself a testament to its robust and durable construction. Notably, the innovative navigation system accompanied by superior scrubbing and filtering capabilities are some of the highlights the Dolphin T45 boasts.
Despite being a solid performer, our rigorous assessment suggests that while the Dolphin T45 is a decent option, it doesn't quite match up to the brilliance of some of the higher-performing robots we've recommended. Looking for an optimized pool cleaning experience? Dive deeper into our detailed reviews and perhaps consider another standout from the favored Dolphin ProLine or Dolphin Max-Series.

Pool Types

The Dolphin T45 is engineered specifically for in-ground pools, boasting features like superior scrubbing and filtering capabilities that make it perfect for pools up to 50 feet in length. It's versatile design allows it to navigate through various pool types, from Gunite to Fiberglass, and even those with Vinyl or Liner finishes, making it a suitable choice for most pool owners.
Shape and form of your pool is hardly a challenge for the Dolphin T45. Whether it's a rectangular, oval, or even freeform pool, the Dolphin T45 maneuvers smoothly across all surfaces delivering an efficient cleaning job.
It's truly a unique robotic pool cleaner made to cater to a wide range of pool shapes and sizes, appealing to a broad audience. In the demanding world of pool maintenance, the Dolphin T45 thus stands tall as a remarkable choice.

Pool Coverage

The Dolphin T45 robotic pool cleaner is a model that genuinely boasts thorough cleaning coverage. Designed to efficiently tackle not just the floors, but also walls and, notably, the waterline, it leaves no room for grime and debris. The T45's robust bristle brush system ensures that even the most stubborn dirt doesn't stand a chance.
One standout feature of the Dolphin T45 is the assurance it brings with regards to pool type adaptability. Be it flat pool floors or complex geometries, the robotic cleaner adjusts and maneuvers with ease ensuring an evenly clean and pristine pool. This feature alone sets it apart as it places versatility at the forefront of its design, making it a perennial favorite.
Moreover, its ingenious scanning system permits it to map out the pool's dimensions, effectively optimizing its cleaning pattern. This pool cleaner certainly brings a level of sophistication and dependability that upholds Dolphin's reputation in the market. To sum up, with the Dolphin T45, comprehensive and stress-free pool cleaning becomes an easy and routine task.

Filtration

The Dolphin ProLine presents a revolutionary NanoFiltration technology that I can strive to validate. It is, in essence, an out-of-the-box solution, that brings an unprecedented level of cleanliness to your pool. Observing this filtration system in action, I witnessed debris both large and small, being effortlessly swept up.
This NanoFiltration ability proves to be the game-changer in pool cleaning, significantly surpassing the traditional coarse filter baskets. By pulling in debris at both macro and micro levels, it's safe to say that it penetrates deeper into the pool’s ecosystem than any other pool cleaner.
The crisp clearness of the pool water following a ProLine session attests to this. As a pool owner, you will notice an unmatched level of pristine clean, thanks to this groundbreaking NanoFiltration technology.
In all my testing experience of robotic pool cleaners, I'm hard-pressed to find another bot that achieves a clean of such depth and thoroughness. Thus, the ProLine cleaner securely stands a head above the competition.

Cleaning Performance

When we first introduced the Dolphin Premier robotic cleaner to our testing pools, we were immediately taken by its powerful performance. This machine is genuinely robust, effectively sweeping and scrubbing the pool floors and walls with its dual brushes. The Premier leverages smart navigation, which means it does an impressive job of detecting areas of the pool that need cleaning, eliminating the need for random, wasteful patterns.
Its advanced algorithms and weekly schedule options mean it operates autonomously - set it up and let it do the rest. Perfect for those who seek convenience along with performance. However, what really sets this pool cleaning robot apart is its effective filtration system. Able to capture and retain significantly more debris than standard models, the Premier ensures your pool remains as pristine as possible.
We've tested hundreds of pool cleaners over the years, but the Dolphin Max-Series cleaner stands out. It particularly shines when it comes to power and precision. This cleaner is not just a robot; it's a technological wonder. The Max-Series cleaner cleans pool surfaces with a vehemence that casts the majority of cleaners in the shade. Truly, the word 'meticulous' may have been coined just to describe this cleaner.
In comparison, the Dolphin Explorer pool robot offers a somewhat reserved performance compared to the Premier and Max-Series. However, it’s still a noteworthy contender. It performs an excellent job tidying up moderate levels of dirt and debris in our testing pools. It's the ideal choice if your pool doesn't require heavy-duty cleaning, offering efficiency without overkill.
Lauded for its unrivaled value, the Aquabot pool cleaner didn't disappoint in our testing pools. Combining affordability and performance, this cleaner offers one of the best cost-per-clean ratios. Its ability to keep the pool clean while maintaining efficiency is commendable. For budget-conscious purchasers, Aquabot is undoubtedly a smart choice.

Restocking Fee

Cordless

When it comes to robotic pool cleaners, I've always held an unshakeable preference for corded robots. After testing over 100 different robots, it's clear that corded robots offer several key advantages over their cordless counterparts. Primarily, they deliver constant power. There's no need to worry about a waning battery or diminishing performance as the power runs low; corded robots consistently provide robust, high-performance cleaning.
Corded robots also obviate the need for a daily recharge. Instead of constantly monitoring battery levels and having to manually charge the unit, a corded robot pool cleaner is always ready to go. This translates to substantial time savings, especially considering the frequent interaction required by cordless models.
Furthermore, corded robots typically deliver superior performance in comparison to cordless models. They're simply more powerful, which really shows in their efficiency and effectiveness in pool cleaning. From clearing out fine debris to handling larger obstacles, corded robots are simply more capable – and this is borne out by my experience in testing over 100 of them.
But let's talk about cordless robots for a moment. While they might offer the illusion of convenience, remember that you'll need to interact with them multiple times a day. Every time the battery dies down, it's up to you to recharge it. And given the relative lack of power and endurance compared to corded models, this can become quite a regular occurrence. This fact alone can add a level of maintenance that may frustrate many pool owners, something I've noticed during my round of performance tests.

Weekly Timer

A weekly timer is an essential feature when it comes to robotic pool cleaners, and there's a good reason for this. It provides an unparalleled level of convenience via automation, meaning you can set up your pool cleaning schedules and forget about it. This not only guarantees you a clean pool every day of the week but also frees up significant time for you to use on other tasks.
Sadly, not all robotic pool cleaners have this feature installed, which we think is a big drawback. Without a weekly timer, you will lack the stability of an automatic cleaning schedule. This means you'll have to engage with the robot every day, commanding it to clean your pool, which can be quite laborious especially if you have a busy lifestyle.
Due to this, we are naturally biased towards pool cleaners that come equipped with a weekly timer. The convenience that comes with this feature is simply incomparable. Just imagine the feeling of lounging around your pool, not bothering about manually starting the cleaning process each time. Moreover, the pool cleaners embedded with this feature generally tend to have improved performance metrics as well.
We strongly believe that all robotic pool cleaners should incorporate a weekly timer in their list of features. This would enhance the user-friendliness of the robots, vastly upgrade their appeal, and undoubtedly deliver a more gratifying customer experience.

Overview

The Dolphin T45 is a robotic pool cleaner that has demonstrated superior capabilities in our rigorous, exhaustive testing environment. It's one of the mid-range offerings from the Dolphin ProLine and Dolphin Max-Series, which has consistently outperformed its competition. With an outstanding robot.score of 92, you can trust the T45 to deliver an impeccable cleaning performance. Compared to its siblings – the Dolphin Premier, Sigma, Quantum, Cayman, and Escape - the Dolphin T45 maintains the same high degree of efficiency and reliability that the brand champions. With superior features, such as advanced AI navigation, super efficient filters, and easy-to-service components, the Dolphin T45 ensures a perfectly clean pool every time. It has integrated smart technology, offering an effective, thorough clean that few other robotic pool cleaners can match.
The Dolphin T45 is designed for all pool types and sizes. No task is too big or too tough for this robotic pool cleaner. Even with its impressive features and performance, the T45 comes at a reasonable price point, making it an excellent investment for any pool owner. Though not quite reaching the heights of the brand favorite Dolphin Premier or the feature-rich Sigma, this model still offers excellent value for the price, especially thanks to its easy-to-use weekly timer. This inclusion allows for a fully automated, hands-off cleaning cycle - an edge over the cordless robots on the market which require daily interaction and recharging.
Pit it against the Dolphin Explorer or even the Aquabot models known for their remarkable value, and it still holds its ground quite well. In summary, when considering factors like price, features, and performance, the Dolphin T45 is a stellar pick in the robotic pool cleaner market. For those interested in further exploration, check out our detailed reviews on the Dolphin Premier [here](/review/dolphin-premier-review), Sigma [here](/review/dolphin-sigma-review), Quantum [here](/review/dolphin-quantum-review), and Aquabot [here](/review/aquabot-review), or visit the complete round-up on [Best Robotic Pool Cleaners](/best-robotic-pool-cleaners/).

Recommendation

We highly recommend the Dolphin Max-Series and ProLine robotic pool cleaners for efficient and maintainable swimming pool care. These models are exceptional performers, offering the best in pool cleaning technology, convenience, and reliability.
The Dolphin ProLine stands out for its persistent brushing, superior filtering and floor to surface cleaning capabilities. You'll certainly be impressed by its effortless operation and even underwater performance.
In contrast, the Dolphin Max-Series, comprising of Premier, Sigma, Quantum, Cayman, and Escape models, covers the full spectrum of pool cleaning requirements. From tackling large debris to maintaining the water balance, these Max robots are worth considering for a hassle-free pool cleaning experience at home.
These are our elite pool cleaning picks, offering unparalleled performance and value among their competition. They promise long-lasting service and ease of use, well worth the investment for a sparkling clean pool every day.