The Dolphin Sigma Review | A Powerful Robotic Pool Cleaner

If you’re looking for a great automatic pool robot I really advise you to have a look at the Dolphin Sigma robotic pool cleaner from Maytronics. It is a top of the line model, with a price tag to suit, however it is packed with features and offers an incredible clean.

In this Dolphin Sigma review, I will take you through my overview, the pros and cons of this great little machine, and anything else I think you need to know about this cool thing we call Dolphin Sigma.

You may also like: Dolphin Premier vs Polaris 9550

*The product links in this post are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase after following one, I make a small commission from the sale at no additional cost to you. Please see our disclosure page for more information.

Quick comparison

Dolphin Sigma
Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme
Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner
Dolphin Sigma Robotic Pool Cleaner (2024 Model) — Wi-Fi, App, Gyroscope, Weekly Timer, Waterline...
Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme Wi-Fi Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner up to 50 FT - Waterline Scrubber Brush
Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner (2024 Model) with Multimedia, Oversized Leaf Bag, Standard &...
Pool Size
Up to 50 ft.
Up to 50 ft.
Up to 50 ft.
Filter Type
Fine & Ultra Fine
Twin Cartridges - Extra Large
Micro-cartridges, standard cartridges and oversized leaf/debris bag
Cleaning Time
2.5 Hours
Quick - 1.5 hour, Standard - 2.5 hours, Enhanced - 3.5 hours
3 hours
Scrubbing Brushes
Dual Scrubbing Brushes
Dynamic Dual Scrubbing and Center High Speed Scrubber
Dual Scrubbing
Cleaning Frequency
Advanced Weekly Control
Customizable Scheduler
Automatic Weekly Timer
Smart Phone Connected
Tangle Free Cord
Waterline Scrubbing
Amazon Prime
-
Amazon Prime
Read Our Review
-
Dolphin Sigma
Dolphin Sigma Robotic Pool Cleaner (2024 Model) — Wi-Fi, App, Gyroscope, Weekly Timer, Waterline...
Pool Size
Up to 50 ft.
Filter Type
Fine & Ultra Fine
Cleaning Time
2.5 Hours
Scrubbing Brushes
Dual Scrubbing Brushes
Cleaning Frequency
Advanced Weekly Control
Smart Phone Connected
Tangle Free Cord
Waterline Scrubbing
Amazon Prime
Read Our Review
-
Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme
Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme Wi-Fi Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner up to 50 FT - Waterline Scrubber Brush
Pool Size
Up to 50 ft.
Filter Type
Twin Cartridges - Extra Large
Cleaning Time
Quick - 1.5 hour, Standard - 2.5 hours, Enhanced - 3.5 hours
Scrubbing Brushes
Dynamic Dual Scrubbing and Center High Speed Scrubber
Cleaning Frequency
Customizable Scheduler
Smart Phone Connected
Tangle Free Cord
Waterline Scrubbing
-
Read Our Review
Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner
Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner (2024 Model) with Multimedia, Oversized Leaf Bag, Standard &...
Pool Size
Up to 50 ft.
Filter Type
Micro-cartridges, standard cartridges and oversized leaf/debris bag
Cleaning Time
3 hours
Scrubbing Brushes
Dual Scrubbing
Cleaning Frequency
Automatic Weekly Timer
Smart Phone Connected
Tangle Free Cord
Waterline Scrubbing
Amazon Prime
Read Our Review

Last update on 2024-03-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

1-minute Dolphin Sigma Review

Dolphin Sigma Robotic Pool Cleaner (2024 Model) — Wi-Fi, App, Gyroscope, Weekly Timer, Waterline...

The Dolphin Sigma is a premium quality product from Maytronics with all the features you would expect from high-end pool cleaners.

With an excellent cartridge filtration system, Smart NAV technology, dynamic dual drive motor (often known as DC motors), powerful suction and much more, there’s no doubt that any impurities on your pool surface (as well as on the ground and walls) will be cleared away.

It is the ultimate “set up and forget” way to clean your swimming pool that gives you complete control through the remote and Bluetooth integrations, however, if you are smart with the timer settings, you’ll never even need to bother it again.

The Dolphin Sigma will clean all floor types, as well as the wall and waterline keeping your pool clean and inviting. From vinyl liner to pebbles on the pool floor, the Sigma robotic pool cleaners can do an excellent job

Of course, there’s a lot to be loved in the simple things too, like the fact that these pool robots take up less energy, or the anti-tangle swivel power cable. While smart navigation, cleaning filters and Bluetooth connectivity are certainly important aspects to consider, there’s no doubt that the little details can make your life easier in the long run.

What we loved

  • This Dolphin pool robot is a dream come true when it comes to scrubbing the walls clean – the water leaves a little line behind and this gets rid of that like a dream.
  • The cable does not tangle easily.
  • Getting the dolphin Sigma running for the first time only takes about 15 minutes.
  • This robotic pool cleaner is so easy to use, even those people who are not typically tasked with caring for the pool can easily set this up and get it running.
  • Strong grip tracks, which allows for wall climbing (and overall helps to ensure that the unit doesn’t get knocked over during its cleaning schedule).
  • The filters in the Sigma robots can clean bacteria, dirt, debris and more – even after we open the pool for the season and the algae and other debris has settled in after the fall and winter, this Dolphin model has cleaned it up with absolute ease every time.
  • Has a suction rating of 4500 gallons per hour.
  • Goes well in pools up to 50 feet, which is great – I don’t know anybody with a higher pool size.

What we didn’t

  • No caddy included, which would have been helpful to keep it out of the elements. Although, a caddy can be purchased separately, so it’s up to you if you feel like proper storage is worth the additional expense
    Sometimes, the remote control-that is, the Bluetooth controls on your smartphone that you use to guide the robot-has some pretty poor response time. I end up over-turning the Sigma and have to go around the same spot a few times to clean it.
  • The robotic pool cleaner gets stuck on the drain plug as if it was a car that accidentally drove over a rock and got stuck. If it goes over that drain plug, you’ll probably have to give the cord a quick tug to move it. You sometimes have to supervise the Sigma robot as it works.
  • It may be best to clear any obstacles out of its way to allow a smoother cleaning process and overall better operation
Dolphin Sigma Robotic Pool Cleaner
Hassle-free clean. Easy-to-use, robotic pool cleaner equipped with an anti-tangling swivel cable, allowing Sigma to move freely around large residential pools up to 50 feet with ease. Backed by a 3 year quality assurance.

Last update on 2024-03-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Full Maytronics Dolphin Sigma Review

First of all, the dolphin Sigma has some pretty big top-loading cartridges that really help individuals to keep on top of the cleanliness of their swimming pools. The filters help the robot suck up more dirt, and trap more as the cleaning cycle goes on.

Another thing I like about this dolphin sigma robotic pool cleaner is that it has triple motor power. And, it features some pretty serious quad brushes too, which only add to their impressive cleaning capabilities.

The 24v DC motors send their power over to brushes that scrub hard and bring users the highest flow rate of all the pool cleaning robots out there.

If you have an old pool cleaner-perhaps you inherited one with your home when you bought it or was given it by a well-meaning uncle-consider replacing it with the Dolphin Sigma, because this is engineered to run much more efficiently – 90%, as a matter of fact – than the old fashioned pool cleaners.

The brushes really do a great job of agitating and then removing even the most stuck-on of all the algae and dirt from the pool surfaces. Meanwhile, the filters do a great job of getting that debris picked up whether it is coarse or ultra-fine.

It really gets the annoying water lines out of the pool, too. This cool robot wastes no time in getting right up there and scrubbing all the walls, tiles, floor space and of course that water line. It has excellent suction and sticks to the walls with ease. If it hasn’t been cleaned thoroughly for a while, it may take a few run-throughs to completely clean that waterline, but once gone, it will be gone for good.

The strong-grip tracks that this machine features, as well as the gyroscope that is built right in to help the Dolphin Sigma, go around your pool with ease and efficiency.

Turning is pretty easy, and the way it crawls up the walls make you feel impressed and confident in your investment (and believe me, this thing is an investment but really worth it).

Let’s talk more about that gyroscope. This is not like one of those robots that more or less takes a random path around the pool. This gyroscope, known as SmartNav, uses algorithms to clean the pool floor.

It really follows an exact path that covers all of your pool but uses as little power as possible. SmartNav tells Sigma where it has already been, so that means it won’t waste power or time going over the same spots again and again.

The gyroscope technology is also what enables it to crawl up the walls, turn, tilt and otherwise get around (although the smart navigation system and rubber tracks do play a large role in how well it can perform its duties).

The cleaning cycle on this machine is about 2.5 hours. You can absolutely set this machine to go on its own, so you need not be home when you want to get this machine up and running. And, when you re at home, such a sort cleaning time means that you can get on with your daily business while your automatic pool cleaning equipment does all the hard work for you.

You can use the Dolphin Sigma’s weekly scheduler tool to set when you would like to have the pool cleaned, and it will go to work for you. This is perfect to keep on top of your pool cleaning if you are away on vacation or have many commitments such as kids’ baseball tournaments throughout the summer. You can just set it up and forget about it.

Bluetooth connectivity is another feature that can help to overall make your life easier, allowing you to control your robot to clean up any missed spots (whether it’s on the pool bottom or waterline cleaning).

If you want to see how the Sigma shapes up against another one of Dolphins premium robotic pool cleaners, you can read our Dolphin Sigma vs Premier post where two of the most popular robotic pools cleaners are compared. Alternatively, you could look into a model like the dolphin Nautilus CC – another fantastic pool cleaner that could be ideal for your swimming pool.

Maytronics Dolphi sigma review shows the robotic pool cleaner is excellent at cleaning the waterline

Key Features

  • Anti-tangle cord – The patented cable is tangle-free and easily spans my pool, up to 50-feet, with no hassle
  • Weekly timer – You can program the Sigma robot to automatically clean a pool using the weekly scheduler great when on vacation
  • Traps all dirt – The dual scrubbing brushes and high suction takes care of debris removal and cartridge just traps all dirt, bacteria and microorganisms, as well taking care of larger pool contaminants, like leaves and bugs
  • No supervision required – thanks to its rubber tracks, excellent navigation system, gyroscope technology, clever design and weight distribution and more, the unit will often be able to take care of pool owners’ maintenance needs without a problem

Looking after your Dolphin Sigma

If looked after properly, it is expected that your Dolphin Sigma will last upwards of 8-years and the great news is there is very little ongoing maintenance to worry about.

It is important to regularly clean the filters, which as they are accessed from the top, is a pretty straightforward procedure. Simply pop the top, remove and rinse. Without

Aside from that be sure to give the Dolphin sigma regular visual inspections paying close attention to any wear on the rubber tracks or for debris that may have gotten into the impeller. If this is the case, you can simply open it with a screwdriver and remove the debris.

One other really great thing you should be aware of is the fact that this pool cleaner comes with a three-year warranty. So, while you are absolutely making an investment in this dolphin sigma robotic pool cleaner, you are definitely protected should something happen to your machine.

Storing your pool cleaning robot out of season

If the Pool Cleaner will not be in use for an extended period, perform the following storage steps:

  • Disconnect the Pool Cleaner from mains
  • Ensure that no water is left in the Pool Cleaner
  • Take out the filters and thoroughly clean them and let them dry. Once dry insert back in place
  • Carefully roll up the cable and check for any twists
  • Store the Pool Cleaner up side down, in a protected area out of direct sun / rain / frost such as a garage or shed

FAQs

Can this be used in a vinyl pool?

Yes, these robotic pool cleaners are suitable for all standard pool surfaces.

Does this come with the caddy?

No, caddy must be purchased separately. Check here for Dolphin Universal Caddy price.

How does the Dolphin Sigma robotic pool cleaner do on steps?

This robot is not designed to clean steps, although it will try and they will be cleaner if not perfect. We’d recommend giving your steps a quick go over with a pool broom from time to time before the Dolphin Sigma starts a cycle to ensure they are kept clean.

Does it clean in an organized pattern? Or does it randomly clean?

While it may look random, the onboard AI software actually maps the pool to figure out the best cleaning route and to ensure it knows which spots may need a little extra attention. Let’s call it organized chaos cleaning.

Does it pick up leaves as well as dirt and debris?

Yes, very well. Thanks to the quality cleaning filter, high suction power and rubber scrubbing brush, the Sigma Dolphin robots can often clean algae, dirt and any other contaminants from the pool floor and waterline.

What are the ideal operating temperatures for the Maytronics Sigma?

All Dolphin robotic pool cleaners are best used in temperatures between 43 and 93 degrees.

Can you leave the power supply out in the weather?

The power supply is water-resistant but not waterproof, so if you will not be using for a few days, be sure to cover the power supply. Also. do not leave the power supply in standing water and of course, do not allow the power supply to be submerged in the pool.

Can you leave the Dolphin Sigma in the Water?

Yea, it is safe to leave the Sigma pool cleaner in the water when not in use. However, (when adding chemicals to the pool) please remove it until the proper chlorine and PH balance are obtained.

Can I use my Dolphin pool cleaner with an extension cord or surge protector?

While you will find reports of people using an extension cord, Maytronics warn against using one and if it breaks while you are, it will almost certainly invalidate your warranty.

Dolphin sigma review. A pool cleaner that is one of the best robotic pool cleaners currently available

Are there any other Dolphin pool cleaners I should check out?

Dolphin certainly has a few different robotic pool cleaners for you to choose from, ranging from models like the Dolphin Premier to the Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme.

As mentioned earlier, we have another post comparing the Dolphin Premier to the Sigma, as well as a post on the Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme which you may want to check out.

Dolphin Sigma Review: Final thoughts

All in all, it is just like every other quality pool cleaning product out there; and while the Dolphin Sigma robotic pool cleaner is an awesome product that will absolutely do a fantastic job clearing dirt and debris from your pool water, it definitely has a few drawbacks.

I would absolutely recommend the Dolphin Sigma for anybody with a fiberglass, gunite/plaster or vinyl pool. Aside from the gyroscope, the timer is a fantastic addition that means it is perfect for just cleaning when the family is away or has to focus on other tasks.

Other features, like it’s SmartNAV 3.0 navigation system, top loading cartridge filters, energy efficiency and Bluetooth remote control capabilities all come together to offer the simplistic user experience you’ve been hoping for.

Better yet, there’s also the Dolphin Premier and Nautilus CC Supreme models, to other excellent devices that could be a great choice for your swimming pool.

If you are still unsure about which robotic pool cleaner is right for you, be sure to check out our robot pool cleaner buyers guide and top 12 comparison reviews.

About the author

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.

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