The Maytronics Dolphin is one of the top brands in the pool robot industry and with good reasons — with the Dolphin robotic pool cleaners, pool cleaning and maintenance have never been easier.
Dolphin Proteus DX5i robotic pool cleaner is an upgrade to the Proteus DX4, it’s essentially a mid-range robot with certain high-end features such as connectivity to the smartphone app.
In this Dolphin Proteus DX5i robotic pool cleaner review, we will explore every design feature of this robot including its functionality, performance, and drawbacks, giving you an unbiased opinion about the pool robot.
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Quick Comparison
Last update on 2023-10-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1-Minute Dolphin Proteus DX5i Robotic Pool Cleaner Reviews
The Dolphin DX5i is a pool cleaner designed to automatically scrub the floors and walls of large in-ground pools using the combined action of an active scrubber, HyperGrip rubber tracks, a powerful suction force, and an ultra-fine filtration system. The robot connects to a power source via 60 feet anti-tangle swivel cord which supplies power to an energy-efficient motor.
The Dolphin Proteus DX5i robotic pool cleaner is built to clean in-ground swimming pools, with a pool size up to 50 ft, in about 2 hours or less. It comes with a weekly timer and a cycle selector, so you can set your cleaning schedule to save time and effort.
With the MyDolphin App, you can control the DX5i remotely from your smartphone, and it can connect either via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
- Efficient cleans pool floors and walls
- Easy to use with intuitive controls
- Programmable weekly scheduler
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity
- A 2-year warranty
- The mobile app is limited
- Doesn’t efficiently clean pool steps
- Doesn’t learn the layout of pools
Last update on 2023-10-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Let’s take a closer look
How the Dolphin DX5i Robotic pool cleaner works
The DX5i robotic pool cleaner uses the combined action of an energy-efficient motor, an active scrubbing brush, powerful suction force, and superior filtration to thoroughly clean pool size up to 50 feet and with any surface type.
Using HyperGrip rubber tracks, it firmly holds on to the surface of swimming pools as it cleans, while a front active scrubbing brush works to dislodge dirt and grime from pool floors and walls. The DX5i has a powerful motor that can circulate up to 5,000 gallons of pool water in an hour.
And while at it, a double filtration mechanism involving a top-loader filter basket with two levels of filtration traps both large and tiny debris particles. You don’t have to tip the cleaner upside down to clean it because there’s top access to the filter basket.
This Dolphin pool cleaner features the PowerStream technology which ensures superior wall climbing ability, it shoots out high-pressure jets of water in different directions to ensure it maintains a firm grip as it cleans the floor, walls, and waterline.
For accurate navigation and better cleaning performance, the Dolphin Proteus DX5i is equipped with a 20-minute mapping system that captures the entire layout of swimming pools, enabling the robot to follow the most efficient cleaning route to save time and energy.
As this robotic pool cleaner cleans, a 60-feet long anti-tangle swivel power cord keeps it going smoothly while making complimentary twists and rotations, without tangling.
The Dolphin Proteus DX5i robotic pool cleaner has two cleaning cycles which last for 1 or 2 hours; the Quick Cleaning mode is for a much faster clean, while the Standard mode is for deep and thorough cleaning of swimming pool surface, including waterline cleaning, the cleaning cycles takes about 2 hours.
The one-hour cleaning cycle is ideal for a quick clean, particularly on the floor and cove.
Performance
This Dolphin pool robot is designed to take off the daily and weekly maintenance of your swimming pool while you focus on the more important stuff, and it delivers on that end.
The rubber tracks have excellent grip on all pool types to pool surfaces, from gunite to tile, vinyl lined pools, fiberglass, and more.
The active brush roll will scrub and clean pool floors, walls, and waterline. And with an extra-large top load filtration system, the Dolphin Proteus DX5i is able to capture all sorts of pool rubbish, from floating debris to find dirt particles, small stones, and everything in between, leaving you with a dirt-free pool.
Although this is generally a great robotic pool cleaner, it does have a few drawbacks. Furthermore, it comes with HyperGrip tracks, a front high speed scrubber, and shoots high-pressure jets backward to keep it afloat for waterline scrubbing.
It also doesn’t clean pool steps, so you will have to manually brush them out yourself, so the robot does the rest including the waterline.
Save for these few limitations, the Dolphin DX5i robotic pool cleaner is a very useful machine and does a great pool cleaning job.
Ease of set up and use
Like most Dolphin robotic pool cleaners, the Proteus DX5i is very easy to set up and use. It’s simply a plug-and-play device; once it’s connected to a power supply, drop it into the swimming pool and let it go.
The first 20 minutes it spends in the pool is used to scan for accurate navigation to make sure it follows the shorter route for a faster cleaning time.
The Dx5i robotic pool cleaner can be connected to the MyDolphin smartphone app either via Bluetooth or WiFi and with this, you can easily and conveniently control your robotic pool cleaner from your hand as a remote control. From the app, you can choose between the quick or standard cleaning time or instruct the machine to spot clean.
Reliability
It’s important to consider the durability and probable lifespan of any robotic pool cleaner before purchase. Maytronics is one of the leading pool cleaner brands in the home robotics industry, and their gadgets are usually of standard quality and tend to have a decent lifespan.
They may not be the cheapest pool cleaner you’ll find, but they are certainly very reliable and are always backed by a warranty. The Dolphin Proteus DX5i comes with a 2-year warranty.
DX5i uses CleverClean Technology, Maytronics’ own impressive piece of navigation technology, to scan and create a digital map of its surroundings (i.e. your pool) which it then uses to create the best, most time-effectiveness cleaning path.
Ongoing Maintenance
As a low-maintenance robotic pool cleaner, keeping it in top form for excellent performance requires very little effort. You just have to pay attention to a few small details.
First, Maytronics highly recommends that you clean the filters after each cleaning cycle, and it is very important that you do not let the filter basket dry out before cleaning.
To clean out the basket; simply open the filter cover and lift the basket, then the latch at the lower edge of the basket to release the bottom latch, this automatically dumps out the contents of the basket.
Then use a garden spray to thoroughly wash it before returning it to the robot. It’s that easy! These are the major maintenance tips, but you may also need to periodically clean the propeller.
Extra Purchases and ongoing costs
No extra purchases are required for the Dolphin Proteus DX5i, it comes as a complete robot and you can unpack and start using it right away. The only extra thing you may want is a pool caddy, although this robot has one, it has to be purchased separately — and that’s if you want one.
This Dolphin robotic pool cleaner weighs about 16 pounds which isn’t too heavy, however, a pool caddy will certainly make mobility much easier. Ongoing costs will include the occasional purchase of replacement parts such as scrubbing brush, rubber tracks, or filters, it’s nothing major and doesn’t cost much. Since the pool cleaner comes with a 2-year warranty from the manufacturer, any problem with the motor or power supply unit within that period will be taken care of by the Maytronics engineer.
FAQs
Does the Proteus DX5i come with a pool caddy?
No, the Dolphin DX5i robotic doesn’t come with a caddy. It comes with just the cord, the power supply unit, and the gadget. It weighs about 16 pounds which isn’t too heavy, but you buy a caddy if you do want it.
Does it come with sets of filter basket?
Yes, the Proteus DX5i comes with both sets of filters. Included in the box are 4 ultra-fine filter panels for the outer basket. A latch on top of the robot offers quick access to the basket and filters for easy maintenance.
Does the Dolphin DX5i robotic pool cleaner connect to WiFi?
Yes, it does connect to both Bluetooth with Wi-Fi, and you can use your smartphone to control it.
Can this Dolphin pool cleaner trap fine dirt particles?
Yes, it can. The extra-large filtration system has ultra-fine filters which are able to trap both large and fine dirt particles, including sand and small stones on the pool bottom
How does the Proteus DX5i robotic pool surfaces cleaner differ from the Dolphin Proteus DX4?
The Proteus DX5i is basically an upgrade of the DX4 robotic pool cleaner. The major difference between the two is seen majorly in the smart features, the DX5i is equipped with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity which connects to the MyDolphin smartphone app for remote control. The DX5i also uses a large single-click basket for filtration instead of the bag found in the DX4.
Final Thoughts: should you buy the Dolphin Proteus DX5i?
The Dolphin Proteus DX5i is a mid to high price-range robot with some smart features for the extra convenience of high-end pool robots.
As a robotic pool cleaner, it takes cleaning to a different level, it’s ideal for large in-ground pools and works on all pool types, including vinyl, fiberglass, gunite to tile, and everything.
It’s certainly a great option if you’re looking for a simple but reliable pool cleaner for a large in-ground pool that cleans up to the waterline.
It excels at pool cleaning and each cleaning cycle will leave your pool dirt-free and shiny, giving you the free time and peace of mind that comes with a reliable and efficient robotic pool cleaner.
Emma Marie is a valued writer at the Little Robot Shop. She studied robotics and deeply understands technology, which shows in her writing. She consistently produces high-quality content, making her a perfect fit for the Little Robot Shop team.
While not writing, Emma works in a popular electronics retail chain. Emma also enjoys running and has two dogs with whom she loves spending time.
