Dolphin S300 Pool Cleaner VS Dolphin S300i Pool Cleaner
$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 |
$1,399.00
| Highs |
|---|
| PowerStream Mobility |
| Best-in-Class Filtration System |
| Cleans Floors, Walls, and Waterline |
| Comes with a Caddy |
| Multiple Cleaning Cycles |
| Lows |
|---|
| Bluetooth Cuts Out |
| Remote Control Lags |
| Pricey |
| App Needs Work |
| Coverage |
Excellent |
| Filtration |
Excellent |
| Cleaning |
Good |
| Intelligence |
Fair |
| Usability |
Fair |
| Bluetooth Usability |
Poor |
| Maintenance |
Good |
| Value |
Fair |
Head To Head Review Analysis
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.
For the S300i to really earn its keep, you need to value smart technology as a pool owner. This model is certainly advanced and is on par with some of the smartest robotic pool cleaners out there today. The app gives you intelligent remote power, and it comes with plenty of options for cleaning modes and times to give your pool the exact cleaning it needs. It’s not without its frustrations, as the manual drive can lag and doesn’t move with precision. If you’d be content with a frills-free robotic pool cleaner that only has one button and one cleaning mode, maybe consider the S50 or S200. But if you want a lightweight and nimble machine that’ll clean your pool to a shine and then some, keep the S300i on your shortlist.
Dolphin S300 Pool Cleaner
Dolphin S300i Pool Cleaner
Customer Reviews
Based on 17 Reviews
How would you rate Dolphin S300 Pool Cleaner?*
Based on 14 Reviews
How would you rate Dolphin S300i Pool Cleaner?*
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
e 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 my
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.
Little swimmer
Best investment yet. Love the ease of cleaning and setting computer to my needs. Use it weekly or as needed. Set it up and watch it go – amazing!
Glass family
We really enjoy our dolphin and the ease of cleaning the basket. I have just one complaint and that is the blue cord that connects to the power pack. It is too stiff and gets twisted in the water. It needs to be more flexible. Overall, it cleans the pool great.
James is amazing
I named mine James and without a doubt the best thing I bought this summer. He definitely has surpassed my wife and kids on my affections list and is about to pass our Golden Retriever. I spent a lot of time every summer vacuuming the bottom to mediocre results – not anymore. James has a relentless work ethic and he is doesn’t care if I lounge around and drink a beer. He picks up big leaves and the fine silt. Hit one button on the control panel and he is off. Easy to clean out in like a minute. Could not be happier. I don’t use the app much except to get it out of the water. The cart could hold it a little more securely when going over bumpy ground. Overall super happy and the cleanest my pool as ever been.
Our Dolphin S300i
I love this robot. We call ours Eva. I am most impressed with her wall climing ability and active brushing. After many, many hours of outstanding performance, it’s time to replace both white front wheel bushings but I’m not sure the part number. Could use some help with that. I highly recommend this unit as it is so well designed. Simply amazing.
Better than the Polaris 9550 Sport
After numerous problems and expensive repairs on a Polaris 9550, including a failed cable replacement ($450 repair) and finally a failed controller unit (est. $700 repair), I gave up on the 9550, and after discussion with a few pool equipment experts, I bought a Dolphin S300i. Like the 9550, this unit is expensive, but that is about all they have in common. In addition to the expensive repairs, the 9550’s cable constantly tangled, the unit regularly stalled in a curve of my pool, the basket was
Demo model from Brown's pool Newnan, Ga
Previously owned a Hayward tigershark until it fell apart do to age. Obtained a s300i dolphin which operates way better than the tigershark. Very pleased with this model. Brown’s Pool pointed me in the right direction to try the dolphin and best decision I could make.
S300i review - Andriod app needs work
I love the robot, but the app hangs at some point with every use. I have used 3 different Android devices. I can take close to a full minute “finding robots” before the bluetooth connection is made. 10% of the time it will just spin at that point, Once I get past that about 30% of the time it hangs “receiving info for robot” . To recover I have to shut down the app and restart it. When I do get to the point where it allows me to start cleaning and the robot takes off it is common for the app to lock up with I try to change the cleaning mode.
Almost Perfect.
Cleans well, I am happy I purchased the model with the filters. It picks up the finest of dust as well as small to medium leaves. The reasons for the mark down are design and app. The app locks up frequently so I have it scheduled to run each night and it does so with out issue. As far as design, the cord should swivel so it doesn’t tangle and there should be a pressure sensor to indicate the filters are dirty or clogged. Bottom line you will have a clean pool with this unit.
Dolphin
It does a good job but the cord tangles up constantly. It needs to be able to swivel like the Polaris does. Also, if I want to turn it on for an hour or whatever, it messes up the schedule I have set and I have to reprogram the schedule which is really a pain. I think there needs to be some improvements made on this product. I agree with someone else’s review–when you are trying to connect the IPhone app to the Dolphin it takes a while for it to connect. The circle just spins for a bit. A little annoying.
Superb!!!
My first cleaner and I wanted to make sure I got one with longevity and one that works well. I’m very glad I made this purchase. This thing cleans the walls well, including the water line. It removes all in one cycle and the bag is super easy to remove and clean out. I love the app features that allow me to pin point where I need a quick clean, and bringing it to the surface for removal is a snap. My one complaint is the cord. It most definitely needs to be a swivel cord. This is the reason why only four stars. Other than that, I am super impressed with my S300i.
Awesome Pool Cleaner
This is my 1st automatic pool cleaner for my fiberglass pool. I’ve had my pool for 9 years and I waited this long as I heard that pool cleaners couldn’t get up my walls, steps and seats – this one came very highly recommended. I love the app and the only reason I gave 4 stars is that it does clean the steps very well, but it’s not great at getting in the seats, but overall I love this cleaner and it makes my life so much easier. Would definitely recommend purchasing this Dolphin!
Pretty Good
This is my second Dolphin. The first was a Dolphin Diagnostic. (Original) At my old house we ran that for close to 8yr before it broke down. We moved the next season. Now at new house we installed a larger pool and first thing on the list was to buy a Dolphin Robot. I looked at many but the years I got from my first Dolphin I was set on Maytronics. We have had the S300i one season and it worked great. Then second season it started to fail. Would not startup. Took to dealer and they tested everything passed. Took home worked for 2 cycles then failed to start again. Even App would not connect. Lucky I purchased from an authorized dealer so I had 2yr warranty. I had to pay to send for repair and week later received it back they replaced Power Supply. I am getting ready to open pool this season and Hopefully it will work fine. I will update this review if I have problems. Functionally the robot is great. It gets the sides and bottom of pool really well. And when I want to run it really quick before company comes over or if I see stuff settled on bottom I can us the app to schedule a quick bottom only cycle. A robot cleaner is a must for me and my pool care. As long as I have no more trouble with this model I would recommend it.
A Must Have!
I knew when the wife wanted a pool, I would have to clean it. This thing is worth its weight in gold.
Probably good for regular pools
I bought the S300I thinking if anything could clean my pool while I did other chores this was it. Where I live broad leaves, pine needles, pollen, and dirt are a constant battle. The intake for leaves is kind of small for what I need, but it’s wide shape is better than circular ones for getting the pine needles. My pool is 10ft deep and about 40k gallons. It will move back and forth quickly without slowing down. While it does attack the leaves aggressively I wish they would make a beefier model for pools like mine. The app is less than useless can’t get it to work. Cleaning it out isn’t the easiest as leaves get caught in the vents and there’s no way to take them off to clean them out you have to wash them back and try to fish them out. So there is room for design improvement in my opinion. If any pool is a proving ground for robot cleaners mine is it. If you have mild leaves and dirt this will probably work great, but if you get a lot of leaves this will help but you will either have to help it or run it several cycles through out the day. If your thinking about buying this robot and aren’t surrounded by trees this will probably work great, but if I didn’t have all the trees I would have gone with a smaller one.