Finding the perfect robot for worry-free pool maintenance can be a challenge for above ground pool owners, given the numerous options available. However, the Dolphin Escape and Dolphin E10 consistently rank among the best above-ground pool cleaners for good reasons.
The Dolphin Escape and E10 are entry-level robots that boast impressive features such as energy-efficient DC motors, smart navigation, top-tier filtration systems, superior scrubbing capabilities, and exceptional cleaning performance.
These two sister robots share similar basic designs and are capable of completing the same task. But which one performs better? Let’s find out in this Dolphin Escape vs E10 showdown.
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Dolphin Escape vs E10: At a Glance
Last update on 2023-12-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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Dolphin E10 vs Dolphin Escape: Which should you buy?
The Dolphin Escape and E10 are similar pool cleaning robots with comparable features and design quality. Choosing between the two can be challenging because they are both highly effective for above-ground or small in-ground pools.
However, the Dolphin Escape offers slightly more advanced features compared to the E10. It has a superior navigation system, an additional motor, and better cleaning capabilities. As a result, it also comes with a higher price tag. If you’re on a tight budget but still want an efficient and affordable pool robot, the E10 is a good option that won’t disappoint you.
In summary, while the Dolphin Escape is the better robot overall, the E10 is a suitable choice for those looking for a cost-effective pool cleaner.
Product Overviews
Dolphin E10 above-ground pool cleaner
The Dolphin E10 is a budget-friendly pool cleaner robot designed to efficiently clean all above-ground swimming pools of not more than 30 feet.
Compared to other above-ground pool robots in the market, Dolphin E10 is one of the best and yet it’s very affordable and has many useful features that enable the efficient automation of pool cleaning. Dolphin E10 is powered by an energy-efficient 24V DC motor, and HyperGrip rubber tracks secures its grip on slippery pool surfaces while an active scrubbing brush dislodges dirt and algae.
E10 above-ground pool cleaner is also equipped with an excellent filtration system, with the capacity to filter up to 4000 gallons of pool water per hour. For a budget pool cleaner robot, Dolphin E10 has very superior cleaning capabilities and is very energy-efficient with an operating cost of 5 cents per hour. This robot has a sturdy build and comes with a 2-year limited warranty.
Hands-on user reviews
The Dolphin E10 has received high praise for its efficient pool cleaning capabilities, boasting (at the time of writing) 4.5 out of 5.
Users have commended its ability to quickly remove dirt and leaves, with one user stating, “Drop it in and it goes to work in about 30 seconds. The cleaning cycle removes most (95%) of the dirt & leaves.” Another user highlighted the convenience of not having to manually clean the pool, stating, “This is a minor tradeoff for the convenience of me not having to do the work.”
However, there have been a few criticisms regarding the Dolphin E10. Some users have mentioned that it occasionally misses small areas of the pool, but this is not a major concern overall. One user recommended purchasing the optional ultra-fine particle filter to achieve a very clean pool, stating, “In my opinion, you will need this optional filter basket if you want a very clean pool.”
Another user mentioned that the E10 lacks mapping capabilities, which can be a drawback for some users. They stated, “9 out of 10 just because it doesn’t have that map technology but it gets around.” Additionally, a few users with above-ground pools have expressed frustration with the robot’s tendency to wrap itself around stairs and the tangling of the cord. One user shared, “The only thing it really wants to do is wrap itself around your stairs…the cord tangles and it never makes it to the end of the pool.” However, it’s worth noting that these issues may be specific to above-ground pools.
The Dolphin E10 is highly recommended for its efficient pool cleaning abilities and convenience. Users have praised its ability to remove dirt and leaves quickly. However, some users have experienced minor issues such as missed areas and cord tangling. It’s important to consider these factors when deciding whether the Dolphin E10 is the right pool vacuuming robot for your needs.
For more first-hand experiences, click here to read more reviews or see more in our full Dolphin E10 review.
- Compact and portable robot
- Impressive pool cleaning
- Easy to set up and use
- Low maintenance gadget
- Comes with a 2-year warranty
- No remote control
- Doesn’t climb pool walls
- The power cable can get tangled
Last update on 2023-12-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Dolphin Escape Robotic pool cleaner
The Dolphin Escape pool cleaner is another splendid robot for up to 30 ft long above-ground pools. It’s powered by two 24V DC motors and features smart navigation and scanning software for improved cleaning performance. To ensure a complete clean, Dolphin Escape has superior filtering and floor scrubbing capabilities, it can filter up to 4000 gallons of water in an hour and holds pool rubbish in a large top-load basket.
Its HyperGrip rubber tracks efficiently counter water friction while a powerful scrubbing brush viciously attacks and dislodges tough dirt and algae on the pool floor. It uses advanced algorithms to clean your pool efficiently and will effortlessly clean pools of various floor types. Dolphin Escape also comes with a 2-year limited warranty from Maytronics.
Hands-on User Reviews
The Dolphin Escape Pool Vacuum has received high praise for its cleaning capabilities, with an average rating of 4.3 out of 5. Users have noted that it effectively cleans their pools and leaves them looking fantastic. One user even mentioned, “This pool cleaner does a great job for the money.” Another user appreciated how easy it is to use and keep clean, stating, “Its insanely easy to use and keep clean.”
However, there are a few criticisms raised by users. Some users found that the Dolphin Escape Poo4.3l Vacuum did not pick up all the fine dirt after opening the pool, and they had to purchase the ultra-fine filter separately to solve the problem. One user mentioned, “I was disappointed that it did not pick up all the fine dirt after opening the pool. I then ordered the ultra fine filter and that solved the problem, but for this price the ultra fine filter should have been included.”
Another issue raised by users is the weight of the pool cleaner. Comparing it to their previous cleaner, one user noted, “It is also very heavy to remove from the pool, a lot heavier than the Rover.” Additionally, some users found the cord length to be insufficient, mentioning that it was not long enough to reach all areas of their pools.
For more first-hand experiences, click here to read more reviews.
- Compact and portable robot
- Impressive cleaning performance
- Easy to set up and use
- Low maintenance gadget
- Comes with a 2-year warranty
- No remote control
- Doesn’t climb walls
- The power cable can get tangled
Last update on 2023-12-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Dolphin E10 vs Escape: Side-by-side comparison
Pool size and type
Dolphin Escape and Dolphin E10 are very similar in many aspects, they have a lot of design features in common. First, they are both designed for above-ground pools of about 30 ft. They can also clean small in-ground pools.
Size and portability
Both the Dolphin Escape and E10 are approximately the same size and weigh the same (about 13.8 pounds for each robot). Although the Dolphin E10 comes in a much heavier package of 22.7 pounds, the robot alone weighs 13.8 pounds. They are both very portable and compact, with more similarities than differences.
Filtration system
Both Dolphin Escape and E10 have fine top-loading filter baskets. The top-mounted filter canisters enable easy access for cleaning and maintenance. And since they are fine filters, they can trap a lot of tiny debris, including slippery silt, and hold a large amount of pool waste.
Cleaning coverage
Both robots have an average cleaning time of 1.5 hours, and only a single cleaning mode; floor only. They both do not clean walls, this is one major disadvantage they both share.
Scrubbing brushes
They both have 1 active scrubbing brush. Both Dolphin above-ground pool cleaners use a hyperbrush to actively scrub off dirt from pool floors.
These active scrubbers are able to dislodge all forms of tough stains from the pool surface. Neither of these robots has the hyperbrush dual scrubbing brushes present in high-end Dolphin pool robots, but they still do an awesome job of scrubbing off algae.
Suction rating
The suction rating on each of these robots is 4000ghh. This means that each of the Dolphin robots are able to efficiently filter up to 4000 gallons of water in one hour. This filtration process facilitates debris collection and removal, leaving the pool water free of dirt in less than 2 hours.
HyperGrip tracks
These robots also come with HyperGrip tracks, which ensures that they are sturdily planted on the pool floors for the entirety of a cleaning session. The HyperGrip rubber tracks counter any loss of friction due to water and firmly plant these robots on the floors, this enables both Dolphin Escape and Dolphin E10 to clean a variety of pool floor types including plaster, quartz, granite and fiberglass.
Cable length
A longer cord is always better for pool robots, and these Dolphin robots both come with 40 ft long cable. But no swivel technology. The swivel technology helps avoid tangling as the robot moves around in the pool. Unfortunately, neither of these robots has an anti-tangle swivel cable. Therefore, the cable may need to be detangled every once in a while.
Smart features
Unfortunately, neither of these automatic pool cleaners has any of the convenient smart features that we often see in high-end robotic pool cleaners. They have no remote control, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or weekly timer. However, Dolphin Escape has a simple touchscreen control for turning it on and off, but this isn’t a smart feature.
Warranty
Both Dolphin models are backed by 2-years extended quality assurance coverage.
Dolphin E10 vs Dolphin Escape: Key Differences
Appearance
This is probably the first difference anyone would notice between these robots. Dolphin Escape robotic pool cleaner comes in a very soothing color combination of dark gray and blue, while Dolphin E10 has a more refreshing white plastic case with a hint of gray.
DC motors
Dolphin E10 has a single 24V DC motor, while Dolphin Escape comes with two 24V DC motors. The dual motors of the Dolphin Escape makes it more efficient at cleaning, but it also slightly increases the average cleaning cost per cycle.
Navigation system
This may not be an obvious one, but the navigation system of these robots are very different. First, Dolphin E10 uses CleverClean technology in addition to an Obstacle Escape System to find its way around the pool. On the other hand, the Dolphin Escape comes with a SmartNav 2.0 navigation system, allowing much better pool scanning and navigation.
Ease-of-use & performance
Ease-of-use is a tie for both pool cleaner robots (they are both plug-and-play), but we can see a difference in the cleaning performance. The Dolphin E10 is a great robot for cleaning above-ground pools, it cleans pretty well and fast too. But the Escape is remarkably better at cleaning, it functions much better than the E10. Dolphin E10 doesn’t match the speed and efficiency of the Dolphin Escape.
Ongoing maintenance
Both the Dolphin E10 and Dolphin Escape are built with highly durable materials and both have a 2-year warranty, it’s guaranteed to work well under normal conditions. However, they do require some form of maintenance to ensure they continue to perform optimally.
First, Maytronics strongly recommends that the robots be removed from the pool after each cleaning, and the filter canisters should be emptied and thoroughly rinsed out with a garden hose. Both pool robots have a one-click top-loader filter basket, so cleaning it is very easy. Also check for worn parts and replace them as soon as possible, this is important to maintain the performance of the robot.
Extra purchases
Although these two Dolphin above-ground pool cleaners are very compact and lightweight, you may still need a caddy to enable easy storage, but neither comes with one. So you may have to purchase a pool caddy as an extra accessory, this is very optional though. Other extra purchases will include replacement parts like filter baskets and scrubbing brushes.
FAQ section
Can I use Dolphin E10 or Dolphin Escape for a large pool?
No. it’s not advisable to use any of these robots for a large pool. They are designed for medium-sized above-ground pools, but can also be used to clean an in-ground pool of similar size. The perfect pool size to use these robots in are swimming pools with a maximum length of 30 ft, minimum depth of 2.6 ft and maximum depth of 16.4 ft.
How often should I run my Dolphin robotic pool cleaner?
This will actually depend on how frequently you swim, and whether you have a pool cover. If you swim regularly, you should run your Dolphin pool cleaner every day, or every other day. But if you only swim once in a while and have a swimming pool cover, then you may only need to run your pool robot only once a week or every two weeks.
Can I leave my dolphin robotic pool cleaner in the pool?
It is safe to leave your Dolphin cleaner in the water when not in use, especially if it’s a model with a weekly timer. But neither the Escape nor E10 has a weekly timer, therefore it’s not advisable to leave any of these robots in your pool. Actually, Maytronics recommends that the Dolphin Escape and E10 should be taken out of the pool after every cleaning session to empty and rinse the filters. And each robot should be put in a caddy and stored in a shaded area when not in use.
How long do dolphin pool cleaners last?
Dolphin pool robots usually have very high build quality, and they tend to have an average lifespan of 5 to 7 years. You can expect yours to last this long with proper usage and maintenance.
What is the coldest pool temperature it will run in?
Dolphin robotic pool cleaners do not perform well in chilly water, and it’s not advisable to run them in very cold water. Maytronics recommends that you do not run your Dolphin robotic pool cleaner if the water temperature is below 43oF (6oC) or above 93oF (34oC).
Final thoughts on the Dolphin Escape vs Dolphin e10
Dolphin Escape and E10 are pool robots with approximately the same cleaning power, and they both thoroughly-clean pool floors. However, the Escape is the more advanced robot and slightly outperforms the E10. It uses advanced navigation software and two energy-efficient motors to clean faster than the E10.
The major drawbacks for the robots are that they have no smart features and don’t clean walls, but they do overcompensate in other aspects. I absolutely recommend Dolphin Escape because it outperforms Dolphin E10, but the price difference between these products is over $100, with the Escape obviously costing more. So, if you have a very tight budget, really consider the Dolphin E10 because it’s also an amazing product.
Matt is the founder of the Little Robot Shop, who has spent much of the last decade hacking home cleaning with various robots and devices to make keeping his home clean as easy as possible. Not an easy task with two young children.
When not working on the Little Robot Shop website or YouTube channel, he works as technical support and product specialist for a fast-growing digital company. He does his best to get his younglings to code, which will be an essential skill in the future.
