Dolphin vs. Polaris pool cleaners: Which brand is best?

Dolphin cleaners are more expensive, but are they better than Polaris?

Pools are fun, but keeping them clean can be a costly hassle. If you want to save time and money maintaining your pool, it’s in your best interests to get a pool cleaner. With one of these devices, you don’t need to worry about cleaning the pool yourself or spending money on an expensive cleaning service, but which brand is the best?

Dolphin and Polaris are two industry-leading brands both known for manufacturing some of the best pool robot vacuum cleaners. After thoroughly researching both brands and comparing popular models from each, we found that, while Polaris cleaners are your best bet for picking up large debris and feature a straightforward, intuitive design, if you want more smart features or an energy-efficient cleaner, it’s better to go with Dolphin.

Dolphin vs. Polaris: What they do well

Both Dolphin and Polaris pool cleaners have plenty to offer pool owners. We’ve narrowed down the most notable benefits of each.

Dolphin benefits

• Durable: Although some Polaris units have excellent longevity, Dolphins are known for their durable build, and they generally last longer if regularly maintained.
• Easy filter changes: Most Dolphin pool cleaners have top-loading filters that are easy to access and change.
• Obstacle avoidance: Unlike other cleaners, most Dolphin pool vacuums have mapping, which allows them to determine the best cleaning path to avoid obstacles.
• Energy efficient: Dolphin cleaners are more energy efficient than Polaris cleaners.

Polaris benefits

• Less expensive: Polaris cleaners offer fewer features and less versatility and so are generally cheaper than Dolphin units.
• Easy setup: Polaris pool cleaners have a more straightforward design that makes setting them up and operating them more intuitive.
• Large debris filter: Polaris filters are better suited to picking up large debris and leaves.
•  Lift system: Many Polaris pool vacuum cleaners have a lift system that makes them slightly more efficient at picking up debris.

What they could improve

Dolphin and Polaris both make advanced pool robot vacuum cleaners that offer elite performance, but that doesn’t mean they’re perfect. There are several areas where both brands could improve.

Dolphin drawbacks

• Lack of accessories: Dolphin doesn’t include many accessories with its cleaners, while Polaris provides a caddy kit with its advanced models. 
• Less suitable for large debris: Dolphin models have smaller suction ports and inferior suction support. Polaris uses advanced technology like Vortex Vacuum to pick up large debris.

Polaris drawbacks

• Lack of versatility: Polaris only makes pool cleaners that work with in-ground pools.
• Traditional wheels: Polaris cleaners have standard wheels, which aren’t as efficient on different surfaces as Dolphin’s wheels with nonslip tracks.
• Weight: Polaris units are heavier than Dolphin cleaners.

Top Dolphin models

We examined two of the best models from each brand, analyzing specs, design, quality and performance to determine which cleaner is best.

Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Wi-Fi Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner

The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Wi-Fi Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner uses smart-navigation technology to map out the most efficient cleaning path.

Product Specifications

Pool size: Up to 50’ | Pool type: In-ground | Filter type: Large panels | Smartphone connectivity: Yes | Cleaning time: 2 hr

The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Wi-Fi Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner is one of the best pool vacuum cleaners around, and it’s easy to see why. Most users report that it saves them at least two to three hours per week of pool maintenance.

This pool vacuum cleaner can clean in-ground pools of up to 50 feet in under two hours. It boasts top-loading fine filters that effectively remove debris like leaves, dead insects, pebbles and hair, and the smart-navigation technology allows it to scan the pool to map out the best cleaning path. Its wall-climbing capabilities thoroughly clean the sides of the pool. This unit is easy to use: all you need to do is enable the power source and drop the cleaner into your pool. Plus, you can hook it up to your smartphone to program cleaning schedules and timers.

Although this unit can climb concave and convex walls and move over drain covers, one minor gripe that some users report is that it doesn’t always clean steps thoroughly. Aside from that, it’s excellent at picking up dirt, sand and other debris, and the filter is easy to change. Many users report leaving it in their pool for extended periods without any damage.

Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme Wi-Fi Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner

The Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme comes with special features that make it ideal for large or irregularly shaped pools.

Product Specifications

Pool size: Up to 50’ | Pool type: In-ground | Filter type: Extra-large panels | Smartphone connectivity: Yes | Cleaning time: 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 hr

The Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme Wi-Fi Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner is essentially an upgraded version of the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus. It’s a much more expensive unit, but it offers a few features you won’t find on many mid-range pool vacuum cleaners.

As with the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme efficiently cleans a pool’s surfaces and walls, but where it shines is in its ability to leave the waterline looking pristine. The active scrubbing brush removes grime and bacteria, but it’s gentle enough that it won’t damage your pool. The strategic movement technology helps the unit navigate around obstacles and tackle corners with ease.

You’ll never forget to clean your pool, because you can program this pool cleaner using your phone and turn it on and off remotely. This unit’s only drawback is that the filters fill quickly, but they’re easy to change thanks to the top-loading design. It’s a pricey pool cleaner, but it’s well worth a look if you have a large or irregularly shaped pool.

Top Polaris models

We looked into the top cleaners by Polaris to provide an in-depth comparison.

Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 Automatic Pool Cleaner

Though it lacks smartphone connectivity, the Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 does a solid cleaning job at a reasonable price.

Product Specifications

Pool size: Up to 31’ | Pool type: In-ground | Filter type: Single-chamber filter bag | Smartphone connectivity: No | Cleaning time: 3 hr

The Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 Automatic Pool Cleaner is one of the best mid-tier pool vacuum cleaners and is excellent for medium-size pools. Its Double Venturi Jet design thoroughly cleans the pool, and the three wheels help it navigate effortlessly around obstacles.

The all-purpose filter bag is fantastic at collecting debris like pebbles, leaves and dead insects before they reach the pump basket, helping prolong the life of the filtration system. Because there are no smart-mapping capabilities on this more affordably priced model, it has a random cleaning pattern: after cleaning for three minutes, it enters backup mode, pulling away from obstacles and resetting its path. (For extra cleaning power, you can purchase the TailSweep Pro scrubber, which attaches to the end of the cleaner’s sweep hose.) 

The included hose is much more durable than the flexible hoses on some units that crack eventually and need to be replaced. It’s easy to use right out of the box, and many users report that it will last more than five years with regular maintenance.

Polaris Sport 9650IQ Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner

You can schedule the Polaris Sport to fit your needs with its iAquaLink app.

Product Specifications

Pool size: Up to 70’ | Pool type: In-ground | Filter type: NA | Smartphone connectivity: Yes | Cleaning time: 2 hr

The Polaris Sport 9650IQ Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner is a high-end pool cleaner that offers elite performance and plenty of terrific features. It can cover more area than many other units, cleaning pools measuring up to 70 feet in under two hours. It also offers app-controlled operation.

The low-torque watertight swivel keeps the 70-foot cable from tangling, and the dual-blade brush scrubs away bacteria and algae from the tile line. Vortex technology is engineered to pick up the smallest debris, leaving pools pristine. Its four-wheel drive helps it move over any pool surface without jamming. The basket is easy to clean. Plus, the iAquaLink app lets you control the unit remotely and set up cleaning schedules and timers.

The Polaris Sport Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner is easy to set up, use and store. It’s a reliable and powerful tool.

Dolphin vs. Polaris functionality

Before deciding between the Dolphin and Polaris pool cleaners, there are several things to consider. Many features affect each unit’s functionality, and depending on factors like pool type, size and shape, some features could be more useful to you than others.

Suction power

Suction power is the most important consideration when shopping for a pool cleaner. You want something that can pick up all kinds of debris that might fall into your pool, including sand, dirt, dead insects, leaves, pebbles and hair. Overall, both brands are fine for most pools, but there are some differences. Dolphin cleaners are excellent at picking up small debris and particles, but Polaris units have a large suction port and advanced technology that makes them better at cleaning larger debris like leaves, something to consider when deciding between the two.

Wall crawling

Wall crawling refers to a pool cleaner’s ability to clean a pool’s vertical surfaces. Cleaners that don’t have this function typically only absorb debris and clean the bottom but leave the walls untouched. If you don’t want the added hassle of having to scrub dirt, algae and bacteria from pool walls or steps yourself, you’ll need a unit with wall-crawling capabilities. Polaris doesn’t prioritize wall crawling, even though some units have it, but both Dolphin cleaners we looked at have this function.

Navigation

Pool cleaners are sophisticated machines, but it’s important to get one with a reliable navigation system. Some cleaners, such as the Polaris Vac-Sweep 280, clean in a random pattern, with a reset function that kicks in every few minutes to get it back on course. However, others, such as the Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme Wi-Fi Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner, have mapping or smart navigation that scans the pool for obstacles to determine the optimal cleaning path. A cleaner with a solid navigation system is more efficient and can clean a pool much more quickly. If you have a pool with an unconventional shape, mapping is practically a must-have feature.

Programming

Once you install and set up your pool cleaner, it’s pretty much ready to go at all times as long as the filter isn’t full. However, if you want to save time and effort, some cleaners are programmable so they can clean on a set schedule. Some models allow you to do this from the unit’s interface, but others connect to a smartphone so you can manage them through an app. Many cleaners also let you turn them on and off remotely as long as they’re connected to the internet. Dolphin pool cleaners offer more versatility than Polaris when it comes to programming.

Pricing

Depending on your needs, pool cleaners can be pricey, with some costing well over $1,000. However, if you’re looking for something simple and straightforward, the Polaris Vac-Sweep 280 Automatic Pool Cleaner, which costs $599 on Amazon, can get the job done well. If you want something with more advanced features to ensure no spots are missed, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Wi-Fi Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner, which costs $849 on Amazon, is a great choice.  

But if you’re looking for a high-end Polaris or Dolphin cleaner with all the bells and whistles, the Polaris Sport 9650IQ Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner, which is $1,399 at Walmart, and the Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme Wi-Fi Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner, which is $1,499 on Amazon, are worth considering. 

Bottom line

Dolphin pool cleaners are more versatile because they’re designed for use in both in-ground and above-ground pools. They’re also more energy efficient and offer smart innovations that aren’t typically found in Polaris cleaners. However, Polaris cleaners have a superior drive system, meaning they get stuck less, and their large suction port makes them better for absorbing large debris.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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