Aiper is a new company that produces robotic pool cleaners and was founded in 2017. They are one of the pioneers of cordless robotic cleaners and solar charging pool skimmers (for collecting debris and dust from the pool surface). Now, in addition to the pool products, you can purchase handheld vacuums from them. Aiper attracts pool owners at a low price, but unfortunately, users complain about the quality of their pool.
Dolphin, produced by Maytronics company, is more expensive, more reliable in operation, and has numerous advanced features. Maytronics has produced pool cleaners since 1983 and has become a global leader with 100 distributors on five continents. You can choose from Maytronics company’s residential and commercial pool cleaners for extra-large and mid-sized pools, pool skimmers, and new Niya pool cleaners.
Even though from the brand description, you may choose Dolphin, insist on reading the whole article and comparing the technical characteristics with mine. I highlighted the pros and cons and provided advice on choosing the best pool cleaner for you.
Aiper vs. Dolphin – Brand Comparison
Aiper is a fresh company producing robotic pool cleaners founded in 2017. They are one of the pioneers of cordless robotic cleaners and solar charging pool skimmers (for collecting debris and dust from the pool surface). Now in addition to the pool products, you can purchase handheld vacuums from them. Aiper attracts pool owners with the low price, while unfortunately users complain about their quality.
Dolphin produced by Maytronics company is more expensive and more reliable in operation and has numerous advanced features. Maytronics has produced pool cleaners since 1983 and became a global leader with 100 distributors on five continents. You can choose from Maytronics company residential and commercial pool cleaners for extra-large and mid-sized pools, pool skimmers and new Niya pool cleaners.
Even though from the brand description, you may choose Dolphin, but insist on reading the whole article and compare the technical characteristics with me. I highlighted pros and cons and advice for choosing the best pool cleaner for you.
Main Differences
Each Manufacturer tries to provide unique features for robotic pool cleaners to make their products unique and improve sales. That is why Aiper and Dolphin have some differences:
- AIPER performs numerous inspection tests in the factory to ensure that they are sending you a quality item. If you see the package wet inside, that is because it has been tested with 100% water.
- Three out of four AIPER robots have dual filter systems to trap dirt and debris of all sizes, including algae (except Seagull SE).
- Dolphin is more popular for corded models, which offer better functionality and options for different sizes and types of swimming pools.
- Dolphin has more models and series; within one series, it is easier to choose the robotic cleaner with the required functionality.
- At a similar price, the Aiper robot offers mobile application control and more cleaning modes.
- Aiper goes with separate motors for brushes and wheels for more effective scrubbing.
- Dolphin offers uninterrupted cleaning using corded models, but the pool size is limited because of the cable length.
Why Dolphin?
Dolphin pool cleaners have different series, including corded and cordless models that suit all pool sizes.
Dolphin Proteus DX4
This robotic pool cleaner provides the ultimate cleaning performance to scrub the pool’s floor and walls. To clean floors and walls, including the waterline, one active scrubbing brush with rubber bristles is used in front of the robot.
All collected debris and dirt goes to the suction port and further to the top-loaded filter basket. To access the filter, you need to open the lid and use the handle to extract it for cleaning with a garden hose. The control system of this model, like others, consists of a plug-and-play unit with control buttons. It is also used as a power station.
The robot is moving using truck wheels, and such construction allows it to climb all types of walls. For comfort storage, you may also buy a caddy that helps store a cable in neat rows. I recommended purchasing this model on Amazon or other marketplaces, as discounts are not so good on the official website.
importantIf you want to use a mobile application for remote control, please look closer at the more advanced Dolphin Proteus DX4. But you may set the timer on the power unit, and it will start cleaning cycles as scheduled. With such a function, you do not need to take the robot out of the water.
- Quick water release for lightweight removal
- Ergonomic handle for easy lifting
- Active brush moving twice faster than the wheels
- Cleaning all pool surfaces
- Anti-swivel cable
- Weekly timer
- Waterline scrubbing
- Fine filter kit
- Two-year warranty
- Cleaning area is limited to the cable length (50 ft)
- No delay features
- No smartphone control
- No full filter indicator
- Only one cleaning mode
Dolphin Advantage Ultra
The Advantage Ultra is one of the models from the Brand Advantage series. However, I say that Advantage Ultra is almost identical to Proteus DX4. The package consists of the same list of items – a fine filter basket (but extra-large), a manual, and a power supply unit to turn on/off and set a schedule. As with other series, you may choose the model with a choice of cycles (Advantage Pro) or more affordable for smaller pools (Advantage).
Moreover, you may purchase additional filter cartridges for installation in the basket for this Ultra model to change it to ultra-fine, for example. The robot is designed for all pool sizes, with a minimum depth of 0.4 m and a maximum depth of 5 m.
On the robot body, there is an LED status indicator showing any troubles or normal operation (use the instruction manual for color coding). The filter basket consists of the outer mesh cartridges and an internal inner net basket. To start the cleaning cycle, you need to submerge the robot and push the button on the power unit. You can’t pause the cleaning; the robot will stop at the end of the cycle. To extract the robot, you need to use the handle, not a cable.
- LED status indicator
- Extra-large dual filter basket
- Two-year warranty
- Easy installation and maintenance
- Retrieval using an ergonomic handle
- Truck wheels for moving around the pool
- Weekly scheduling
- One-button control
- IP 68 motor protection
- Only one cleaning default cycle
- No delay feature
- No smartphone control
- Debris can stake in the impeller
- Limitations on water conditions
Dolphin (2024 Model) Nautilus Pool Up
The Nautilus Pool Up is one of the robots from the Nautilus series that was recently upgraded to better comfort pool owners. Even though it cleans only the floor and walls within one default two-hour cycle, it is one of the most popular Dolphin models. It is an ideal model for cleaning small pools up to 33 ft in length and of any type of surface.
This robot works like any other Dolphin; you need to connect the power supply unit with a cable from the socket from one side to the robot on the other side. Unfortunately, the power supply unit is the basic one here, only with one button turned on/off.
The unique feature of this model is two blue handles on a white body to extract the robot from both sides of the swimming pool. These handles are also comfortable for turning the robot over to extract the filter bag from the bottom.
The filter bag provides only one level of filtration for debris up to fine size. For navigation in the pool, the robot uses smart navigation for maximum coverage. The functionality of this model is similar to Dolphin Nautilus CC, which is considerably cheaper.
- Easy lifting and handling with two handles
- Durable scrubbing brushes
- Two-year warranty
- Quick water release
- Ideal for small pools of any shape and surface
- Combined brush with long rubber bristles
- Truck wheels for better stability
- Strong suction power
- Easy to clean large filter bag
- No anti-tangle swivel cable
- No weekly timer
- No waterline cleaning
- Only one cleaning cycle
- No delay feature
- No smartphone control
Dolphin (2025 Model) E10
This upgraded E10 model is the closest analog to Dolphin Advantage Ultra but with smart navigation (the same as in Dolphin Nautilus). Nevertheless, it cleans only the floor, but you may use it both in inground and above-ground pools. This robot is from the Explorer series, and for more smart features, we recommend checking E20, E25, E40, and E70 (the higher number corresponds to a more advanced model).
For example, E30 and E50 have anti-tangle swivel cables and can clean floors, walls, and waterlines. The control options are the same – only one button on the power supply unit. No scheduling, delay, or cycle selector buttons are available.
You have access only to a 1.5-hour default cycle for floor cleaning. If you want to improve cleaning, you can start the cleaning cycle immediately after finishing the first. The robot cleans the floor with one active rubber brush with many bristles.
Truck wheels are made from the same rubber material, which is used for better mobility. All debris is directed by brush to the suction port and further to the filter basket with dual-layer filtration. The basket is easy to remove from the top, simplifying maintenance after each cleaning cycle.
- Efficient and durable one-scrubbing brush in front
- Lightweight
- Quick water release
- Top access fine filter basket
- Two-year warranty
- Easy lifting and handling with an ergonomic handle
- Ideal for above-ground pools up to 30 ft in length
- Energy saving model
- Short cleaning cycle
- Only floor cleaning
- No weekly timer
- No mobile application
- No delay feature
- No full filter indicator
- No anti-swivel cable
Why Aiper?
The product list of Aiper is not as large as Dolphin’s, but you still have to choose from it.
AIPER Seagull Pro Cordless
This robotic cleaner is an average-priced robot from AIPER and one of the most advanced models from the Brand. Its navigation system ensures full pool coverage, including waterline and hard-to-reach edges. In auto mode, the robot cleans on the s-route floor when the battery is over 50%; below 50%, it cleans on N-line walls and the waterline.
You may choose between three cleaning modes – automatic (all), floor-only, and wall-only. To switch between modes, you need to turn the knob on the robot’s lid before placing the robot in the water.
The quad motor system ensures 200 W to filter up to 80 gallons per minute. The motor works from the battery for up to 150 minutes. The battery is charged via a direct connection via cable to the electric socket; no charging station is required.
The color circle on the know informs about battery status – green (90%), blue (50-89%), yellow (10-49%) and red (9%). When the battery is low, the robot automatically parks near the nearest wall. All collected debris is collected in a top-loaded fine filter (180 µm), which requires only washing with a garden hose.
- Intuitive mode control using only one control knob
- Cleaning time 150 minutes (1.600 sq ft)
- Battery status indication by color
- Waterline cleaning
- Quick water release
- Retrieval hook is included in the package
- Top loaded enlarged filter basket (5 Liters)
- Charging time 3-4 hours
- Scrubbing brush consists of two active PVC brushes with bristles
- Two-year warranty
- Climb only slopes up to 30 degrees
- Climb drains only up to 1.2 inches height
- No remote or smartphone control
- No scheduling
AIPER Scuba S1 Pro Cordless
This model is the most expensive model from the Brand. Its main feature is that it can cover up to 99% using four active PVC brushes. The robot ensures such coverage using an upgraded WavePath 2.0 system and four infrared sensors to protect the device from damage. The cleaning patterns are the same as the previous Seagull Pro model, with S-path for battery over 50% and N-paths below 50%, but the floor is cleaned for battery below 50% and wall and waterline over 50%.
It has five cleaning modes for different parts of the pool: waterline only, floor only, wall only, eco, and modes. The robot has 4X durable brushless motors with high suction power (200 gpm) working from the battery, lasting for 180 minutes.
The filter basket has a unique construction with two parts – the external part of the basket is 180 µm to keep leaves, hair, twigs, gravel, sand, etc., and the internal part is 3 µm to keep algae and microorganisms. The schedule function is available in eco mode, where you need to set a cleaning plan with cleaning and charging days.
- One-click activation
- Easy-to-clean filter basket
- Smartphone app control
- Charge by cable directly from the socket
- 4.7” suction port
- Collect oil, algae, limescale on the waterline
- High suction power (100 GPM)
- Charging time 4 hours
- Cleaning time 180 minutes (up to 2150 sq ft)
- Waterline horizontal cleaning
- Climb 140 ± 10 degrees of sloped wall
- Two-year warranty
- Climb drains and water inlets only up to 1.57 inches in height
- App control only when the device out of water
- After you choose the cleaning mode, you need to submerge the robot into the water immediately
AIPER Scuba E1 Cordless
This robotic cleaner is one of the budget cleaners from the Brang but still provides professional-grade cleaning performance. It has a futurist design with a dark gray plastic body with some blue accent details. For taking the robot in and out of the water, the ergonomic handle integrated into the body is foreseen.
Unfortunately, the lack of scrubbing brushes is a considerable disadvantage of this model; it only sucks debris and dust from the pool floor. To better direct debris, a bottom roller brush with silicone bristles is located near the suction port. To start the robot work, you need to press only one button.
For better moving, the robot has dual rear motors for moving the bottom brush and coming across the drains and other obstacles, while the third motor is used for filtration and cleaning the pool.
Pool water goes through the robot’s two-stage filter basket. The outer filter basket has a 180 µm mesh keeping large debris, while inside is located a 3 µm cartridge for keeping the smallest mechanisms. The battery is designed for up to 130 minutes of cleaning time, and the low battery parks alongside the nearest wall.
- Two-stage filtration system
- Quick water release
- Top loaded Large filter basket – 3.6 L
- Easy-to-clean construction
- Anti-collision bumper to prevent damage
- Cleaning area 1130 sq ft (130 minutes)
- 3 hours of charging time
- Retrieval hook is included in the package
- Ultra-lightweight
- Simple control with one button only
- No scrubbing brush
- Do not clean sloped floors, steps, and floor
- Only cleaning mode
- Only for flat pools
- No battery indicators
- No intelligent navigation
AIPER Seagull SE Cordless
This robot is the basic low-cost model for cleaning only the floors of above and inground pools. It is available in two colors – gray and white. It has one button for control on the top; nearby is the LED indicator showing the battery status. A red flashing indicates a low battery and a solid white light indicates that the robot is in the cleaning cycle.
Unlike previously reviewed AIPER models, it has a chemical dispenser for one-inch tablets that can be used to maintain the appropriate pool pH level. The cleaner can scrub the floor using two independent PVC brushes located on the bottom near the suction power. Each brush works from a separate motor.
It does not have a smart navigation system, but it still parks near the nearest wall when the battery is low. The robot is designed to clean the floors of round above-ground pools (up to 33 inches in diameter) and flat in-ground pools (the form is 20 x 40 inches). It can work up to 90 minutes from one battery charge and charges up to 2.5 hours using the cable only. All collected debris is stored in a filter tray that is cleaned only with a garden hose.
- Short charging time – 2.5 hours
- One button activation
- Easy assemble
- Easy to retrieve using a hook from the package
- Two spare wheels are included
- Hydrodynamic form
- Lightweight and compact design
- LED indicator to show battery life
- Low price
- Built-in chemical dispenser
- Can’t clean sloped floor
- Only one cleaning mode
- Only one-year warranty
- Low suction power (22 GPM)
- No quick drain
- Do not climb stairs and walls
How to choose a proper Aiper or Dolphin robot?
Finally, I would like to give you some advice for choosing the robotic pool cleaner and to define which one from the compared brands, Aiper vs. Dolphin, is good for your pool. I would suggest to go through the simple questionnaire:
- Do you prefer a corded or cordless model? If your socket is far away from the swimming pool, a corded model is not an option. You need to choose only Aiper.
- What is the size of your pool? Dolphin robots are limited in cleaning due to the cable length, while Aiper has suggestions based on the battery capacity.
- What type is your pool? Above or inground? Both brands offer cleaners for both.
- Would you like to clean the waterline, floor, and walls? Again, brands offer a good choice.
- What is your budget? Your budget is a good indicator of which brand you can afford and its functionality.
- Do you need smart features? Smart features like scheduling, cleaning reports, and cycle selectors impact the price, and basic Aiper and Dolphin models do not have them.
- What type of debris do you have? Based on the most common debris in your pool, you need to choose brushes and filter bag/basket mesh size.
Further characteristics, like color and weight, do not significantly impact the cleaning performance and can be chosen based on your taste preferences.
Final thoughts
The reviewed comparison of Aiper vs. Dolphin robotic pool cleaners offers you a good choice depending on your requirements. I would recommend AIPER Scuba S1 Pro, as it can clean walls, floors, and waterlines and works from the battery. But if you can connect your robot to the network, then Dolphin Dolphin Proteus DX4 and Dolphin Advantage Ultra are good alternatives, and you do not need to charge them.
For pool owners who want to save some money, if the walls and waterline are not so dirty in the pool and you clean them manually, you can check basic models from Aiper and Dolphin for attractive prices.
From the brand perspective, Aiper and Dolphin are both reliable brands, but Dolphin is no longer on the market, and spare parts are better available. Do not skip an opportunity to purchase a robotic pool cleaner on the annual sales and save a lot of time from manually scrubbing the pool!
Hi! I’m Markus Robertson, and water is my passion.
Five years ago, I graduated from the University of California-Los Angeles and was going to become a professional marine biologist. However, my fate had other plans for me, and due to family problems, I had to find a more stable and well-paid job. I had only one wish for my job to be connected with water.
During this period of my life, I worked as a sales manager at Olympic Pool & Spa Supplies. The job helped me learn everything about swimming pools and related pool equipment, as well as how to choose the best option and what to pay attention to.
