Dolphin S200 Pool Robot VS Dolphin S300 Pool Cleaner
$793.17
 Highs |
|---|
| Low Maintenance |
| Underwater Mobility |
| Excellent Suction and Filtration |
| Versatile |
| 2-Year Limited Warranty |
 Lows |
|---|
| Lingered on Steps |
| Timer Resets Weekly |
| Sparse Instructions |
| Complaints of Longevity |
| Caddy Not Included |
| Coverage | 
Good |
| Filtration | 
Excellent |
| Cleaning |
Good |
| Intelligence | 
Fair |
| Usability |
Good |
| Maintenance |
Good |
| Value |
Fair |
$1199.00
| Highs |
|---|
| Underwater Dexterity |
| Excellent Filtration System |
| Cleans all the way to the Waterline |
| Comes with a Caddy |
| 2 Cleaning Cycles |
| Lows |
|---|
| Bluetooth Connection Is Spotty |
| Remote Control Lags |
| Limited Warranty |
| Coverage |
Good |
| Filtration |
Excellent |
| Cleaning |
Good |
| Intelligence |
Fair |
| Usability |
Good |
| Bluetooth Usability | 
Poor |
| Maintenance |
Good |
| Value |
Fair |
Head To Head Review Analysis
The S200 robotic pool cleaner may be nimble and light, but it packs a heavy punch. We think Dolphin designers have developed an excellent 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 executed to the highest standards, and it would make a worthy underwater ally for almost any pool.
If you value a robotic pool cleaner that can go a little above and beyond the norm with bells and whistles less expensive models don’t have, the S300 is a solid choice. It’ll clean your pool to a tee, and you can take advantage of its smart features and customizable options. But if you want the same kind of cleaning power without the flair, you’d likely be just as happy with the S300’s little sibling, the S200. Either way, you’ll be passing the hard work off to a quality robotic pool cleaner. You’ll just pay a different price.
Dolphin S200 Pool Robot
Dolphin S300 Pool Cleaner
Customer Reviews
Based on 16 Reviews
How would you rate Dolphin S200 Pool Robot?*
Based on 17 Reviews
How would you rate Dolphin S300 Pool Cleaner?*
Amazing cleaner
Just purchased this yesterday to replace a 10-year old Polaris, and I was impressed. It removed dirt/sand that I didn’t see on my pool bottom. It scrubbed my drains, and did a great job. Easy to use, easy to clean. I have a lagoon-shaped pool, and would say it covered 95% of the entire pool. No complaints, it’s an impressive cleaner and I enjoyed watching it scrub, particularly at the waterline.
Works as Promised
This is the first automatic pool cleaner I have owned or used. I have no complaints about it. It is easy to use and cleans the pool well.
Easy Quiet Robot
I was a little worried about putting an electric robot in my pool. However this robot has more than proven its reliability and its work capabilities. I’ve had mine since September 2018, and I’ve run it every other day during winter to keep the pool clean. We just had pollen and tree buds, and it easily removed the trash off the sides and bottom. So far this guy is a keeper!
5 stars
This product has made keeping my pool clean so effortless. I love this product. The only thing I have a complaint about is that the power pack has gone out. It has not been a year since I purchased the product. Now I am waiting on a repair or receiving a new one.
5 stars
It works very well it does a good job on my pool
Excellent product
I had an older model pool robot for years (with a debris bag and all the hassle that goes with it). Replaced it in 2017 with S200 which is much lighter and the bin which catches debris is much easier to empty and clean. I have a 20×40 rectangular in-ground pool with liner and 5? wide steps extending further our from a narrow end. The robot covers almost all of it (except the top 2 steps). The robot virtually eliminates my having to manually clean the pool.
Works as advertised!
After twenty-plus years of cleaning my large pool the old fashioned way, I am so very happy to have a handy machine that actually does the job and does it well! The Dolphin takes care of the debris and the leaves on the bottom, as well as most of the stuff that clings to the sides. I am looking forward to my second season with it.
5 stars
We have had this S 200 for a year and it works great. No problems. You do have to occasionally untangle the cord. Would buy another. We call him Leroy because he is the best, the badest boy around.
Very Impressive!!
I have had my Dolphin for less than a year but am very pleased with it. It really does a VERY good job of cleaning leaves and grass and anything else from my pool. I have a HUGE oak tree and it cleans up the small leaves that I miss with my net. I have never regretted buying it. Presently I am having issues with dust in the pool and it gets that. It was a great investment
5 stars
The most dependable pool vacuum I have ever used. Simple cleaning maintenance assures no manual vacuuming needed. Love It.
Best pool vac
Researched many pool systems and found this one to be the best one. I am extremely happy with this unit and it’s cleaning abilitie.
All Good But the Cord
This is the best pool cleaning device out there. Simple design without small rubber band tracks that break or are slung off. Easy emptying basket with four screens and excellent wall cleaning and overall pool cleaning. I would recommend this to anybody. I couldn’t give it five stars as the old cord tangled mess problem is still evident in this model. After a couple of pool cleanings, I have to disconnect and untangle the cord. The older models have a swivel where the cord attaches but these didn’t work very well either.
almost excellent
We love the dolphin but it seems to have trouble with one small portion of the pool. We have a 20X40 in ground pool. It is definitely worth getting and makes cleaning so much easier. I am looking forward to our second season with it. It certainly gets the pool a lot cleaner than manual vacuuming.
Not having luck!!
We have had for 26 months and the s200 stopped working. I had to take it to a dealer here and we contacted company and they said I needed a new motor ($374). I went to pick up with new motor and it STILL is not working
Needs better instructions
The product works great. I have had it for 1 week. The biggest problem I am having is getting the instructions. There is no manual included in the packaging and I have had no success getting info from their “contact info”. All I get is a message that they will be in touch. It has been one week and I am still waiting. When I call I am on hold for too long. I believe it is their responsibility to provide the needed info and that I shouldn’t have to work this hard for info that should have been included in the package. I am not impressed with their customer service, but so far I am impressed with the product.
Not good for FG diving pool
Mine cleaned about half to pool, spent a lot of time on the drain and overall was a disappointment. I sold it after a few months.
Dolphin S300
The cleaner does a thorough job cleaning the entire pool, even the water line. I purchased the cleaner when they were running a $75 rebate promotion. Filled out and mailed in the forms and followed up with emails as I was completely ignored by the company. Don’t expect the rebate. Makes me worry if something goes wrong with the cleaner in the future.
Best Cleaner Ever
This is the best pool cleaner ever. I like the idea of how it operates. It is heavy. But that’s what the grandkids are for- lifting. I turn it on through the IPad app. Then at the end of the day, it gets pulled out and I rinse the filter. It doesn’t get much easier than that.
Love this cleaner
This is my second year with this cleaner. After struggling with Polaris for many years I am so pleased with the Dolphin. Easy to clean. Cleans well. Only became entangled with cord once. The cord does twist on itself but I simply untwist it every time I empty it. Highly recommend it over the Polaris. Seemed I was always working on the Polaris.
Outstanding pool cleaner
Expensive, but worth the investment to minimize your cleaning time and maximize your pool time. We have a Barrier Reef Fiberglas in-ground pool. The pool has plenty of curves and free-form steps. This cleaner cleans everything. I typically operate it on the 2 hour cleaning cycle and that is all it takes. I use the app to setup the cleaning cycle schedule so it cleans while we sleep. Like mentioned in other reviews it cleans up the worst of Fall leaves, but count on cleaning out the filter basket frequently, which couldn’t be easier. The cable does get twists in it at times but that is easy to remedy by disconnecting the cable from the controller and untwisting it and reconnecting it. I highly recommend this pool cleaner!
Dolphin S300
The Dolphin S300 works great. I love the basket and its screens are easy to clean. It can get overwhelmed with leaves so if you have a lot in your pool, plan on emptying it a lot. it does a great job on the water line and doesn’t seem to get caught up on anything. The caddy is very convenient and it is simple to use.
Fired my pool guy
Product works great.Ive fired my pool guy.The original app had a great update. Can set different modes from my smartphone. It gets the pool clean !! I have to untangle the cord once in a while but not a big deal.
My Dolphin
I love my Dolphin 300. I tried other pool robot cleaners but they were too heavy when lifting out of the pool. The 300 is also easy to clean the filters. Only negative is that the cleaner is a bit too pricey
Great...But the Cord
I purchased the S300 a year ago for my inground pool. This Dolphin works great as long as I keep the coord from the robot to the controller tangle free, which is an enduring feat for me. I pull it out of the pool constantly trying to untangle for it to only go back to the big mass of tangles after the next use. Great at picking up debris from the bottom of the pool.
I have 2 Dolphin 5300"s
I purchased 2 Dolphin cleaners at one time. I have 2 pools at 2 homes in different states. I maintain them myself. One is salt and one is chlorine. I have had them for about 9 months so far. I will say they clean very well. I do not leave them in the pool for days at a time. Once the pool is clean I remove them. Cleaning the basket on the machine is a breeze. I do have to make sure that the cord does not get wound up in its self. Sometimes it gets hung up on my steps or the shallow area for my lounge chairs. Other that that I think it is a great machine. No mechanical issues so far.
A Unique Device
We purchased the S300 to replace a suction cleaner that slowed down as the filter filled up. In order to keep the suction cleaner running we had to throttle down the skimmer and turn off the bottom drain even when the filter was clean. The S300 is completely independent of the filter and circulation system so can clean even if the pool pump is off or the filter is dirty. A great benefit, too, is we can run the skimmer at full throttle which helps keep the surface a lot cleaner. So, summarizing m
Satisfied overall
Pool robot cleans the pool pretty well, although definitely only gets the waterline in a few spots. The cord failed for me after 6 months but they replaced it under warranty. The remote control app doesn’t work at all and is completely useless. But overall is really does clean the pool well and is very easy to empty so I am satisfied.
Cleans great. Not reliable. Keeps malfunctioning.
Does not clean free form pools
I tried two demos units, one a Dolphin Echo and the other a Dolphin S300. I have a small “L” shaped pool and both cleaners would not automatically go into the short side of the “L”. I even tried starting the unit with the unit in the short side, and it still did not clean it! The only way the unit entered the short side of the “L” was to drive it there via the app. May work good for a rectangular pool, but not for a free form pool.
Does a good job, but........
This robot does a great job of keeping our pool bottom and water line clean. Easy to clean the filters. My 2 issues: The cleaning cycle only lasts about 3 hours, so I have to remember to go back out and start it again to finish cleaning the pool. The cord is horrible. It does not have a swivel where it connects to the robot so it is constantly tangling/knotting up and when you try to wind it to hang on the stand you have to constantly flip/turn the cording.
Doesn't Last
This is my third Dolphin I have owned. I bought the S300 in May of 2016 ( 3 month out of Warranty). It stopped working and the lady from the pool store said it’s cheaper to buy a new one vs. getting this fixed. Hard to justify shelling out $1,200 every 2 1/2 years. It worked great up until this point.
Works great, when it is working!
Much like anything else in this world, shelf life is about 2 years before breaking down. Sad that this item is about $1,000 but doesn’t come with an extended warranty.
Dolphin S300
Not very happy with this machine. I’m on my second controller and third motor. The original motor seemed to be the quickest till it died. This latest motor is painfully slow going forward and fast in reverse. It takes about 3 hours to clean our 18? x36? rectangular pool and there will still be stuff on the bottom. The clean out is nice and so far cord tangling has not been a problem. The worst part has been dealing with service and getting through to the right people… very confusing. Interesting enough everytime we get a new motor all the cleaning functions work (extended clean cycles etc…) and then after the first use it goes back to the 1 hour or 2 hour limit. If the unit actually cleaned the pool in 1 hour this would be fine but when you have to restart it every hour for 3 hours to get the pool relatively clean it’s a pain. It would be nice if the same software was standard on all the machines. Not that the warranty is almost over I am not looking forward to the future of this unit.