Maytronics has produced products for pool maintenance for about 40 years. They have distributors in more than 50 countries and provide technical support 24/7 for their customers. They specialize in innovative robotic pool cleaners for residential and commercial pools – more than ten different Dolphin models.
An exciting fact is that, nevertheless, Maytronics produces a lot of robotic pool cleaners of different series; in reality, most of them are very similar in functionality to each other. For example, Dolphin E20 is similar to Dolphin S200, Dolphin Cayman, and Dolphin Nautilus; Dolphin E30 is similar to Dolphin S300 and Dolphin Quantum.
That is why today’s comparison is between top-rated and effective models Dolphin E20 vs E30, as these models also represent the other models. Previously, Dolphin E20 was compared with Dolphin E10 (a simple standard cleaner with limited functionality).
Comparison table
Last update on 2023-09-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Main Difference Between the Models
Even though the models Dolphin E20 and E30 are from the same model series, they have a lot of differences. Here further listed the main differences between Dolphin E20 vs E30; a more detailed explanation of these and other differences will be shown later in another chapter – Buyer’s Guide.
- Dolphin E30 can scrub a waterline and clean the floor and walls like Dolphin E20.
- Dolphin E30 has two active rubber brushes moving at the same speed as track wheels. Dolphin E20 has only one active rubber brush in the front.
- Both Dolphin cleaners have filter baskets. Dolphin E20 has a large basket, while E30 has an extra-large basket.
- Dolphin E20 is designed for small and medium swimming pools up to 33 ft, while Dolphin E30 can clean large swimming pools up to 50 ft in one cleaning cycle. In addition, E30 has a longer cable with a swivel – 60 ft.
All differences show that the E30 model is an advanced model with more extensive features than the E20. But still, E20 has a lot of advantages. Please see below a detailed description of two models proving that.
Detailed Product Review
2. DOLPHIN Explorer E20 Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner
Dolphin E20 is a trendy model of the robotic pool cleaner. It is compact, lightweight, and suitable for all types of inground pools up to 33 feet, making your pool maintenance a nice event.
You do not need to install this cleaner; plug it into a power control unit, put it in the water, and push a start button. Weekly Timer allows starting the cleaning procedure automatically for one week – every day, every other or third day. However, the cycle is presented only in one mode – 2 hours– no enhanced or delay features are available. After you push the button on the Power control unit, it will start to move with two-track wheels and a rubber brush with high-speed start scrubbing the pool surface, eliminating any dirt or organics. All debris up to fine particles is effectively sucked into the inlet on the bottom and goes to the filtration bucket.
The control is executed only through a power control unit and one push button connected to the electricity grid with a black cable from one side and a blue cable of 50 ft. length to the robotic cleaner. There are no obstacles for Dolphin E20; it cleans all drains without stopping. A powerful motor with suction of 4000 rpm allows climbing and cleaning walls, but not so good with steps. Patented Clever Clean Technology will create a map of your swimming pool to ensure complete coverage within a cleaning cycle of 2 hours.
After any working day, you need to take the cleaner out of the water with ergonomic water and clean the filter. It will not take much time, as the robotic cleaner is equipped with an automatic quick water release function. The filter basket has access within one click, opening the lid and allowing to take out the large capacity filter easily. This filter, like many others, should be cleaned with fresh water from a hose, and proper cleaning will last for many years, all seasons long. The filtration system with a single filtration level provides proper debris capture.
Unfortunately, the filter does not have a full bag indicator, and to provide each time effective cleaning before each cycle should be properly cleaned.
The proper storage should be in the shade and dry place. A caddy cart purchased separately is a perfect storage way. Most of the time, the most attention should be paid to the cable, and store it in coils, but once a week, unplug and stretch it in the sun for a couple of hours to prevent tangling. You can keep the cleaner for a week in the water but with a clean filter.
Like any other pool cleaner, it saves your money, and the work cost is amazing – only 5 cents per kWh of cleaning cycle.
- Fully automatic mode with the possibility of a week ahead program of settings
- Robust floor and wall scrubbing
- Top easy access large filter
- Light weight
- 50 ft cable length
- For all inground pools, small or medium sizes up to 33 ft of all shapes
- Cleaning cycle 2 hours
- No extra pumps are required for working only electricity
- Budget friendly
- No delay feature or shortened cleaning cycles
- No smartphone application or remote controllers
- No waterline scrubbing
- Only one rubber brush in front
- No swivel on the cable
- No indicator of full filter
2. Dolphin E30
If you desire more advanced pool robotic cleaner features, then Dolphin E30 is a better choice. In addition to all advantages of Dolphin E20, the E30 model is super-efficient in waterline scrubbing. This model’s design is very similar to E20, with the same color pattern, but the lid is black, not white. It also comes with a power supply control panel that executes the control function. It has a button for setting a timer for the upcoming week (start the program automatically every day. every second or third day). The panel should be plugged into the socket with a black cable and located 12 ft. from the pool. The excellent option of this cleaner is as it climbs the wall, the longer blue cable – 60 ft. with a swivel prevents its tangling.
The cleaner is moving around the pool without interruption and achieving all corners. It has an additional rubber brusher with a slightly smaller size on the back, allowing scrub the pool surface twice efferently. The brushes rotate with the speed of the robot. The filter basket has the same access from the top, and the basket allows to collect all leaves and debris with extra-large capacity and, after that, easily clean it. Do not be afraid to take the cleaner out of the water; the debris will not go back into the water; they are trapped in the filter basket even with a function of fast water release. You can purchase an optional ultra-fine cartridge assembly if you have a lot of fine dirt. This optional basket will be installed instead of the original one and requires the exact cleaning procedure. Do not let the filters dry before they are clean.
Clogged filters reduce the effectiveness of cleaning.
The start-up procedure is as usual: connect the panel to the electricity, pull the cleaner into the water and push the start button on the panel. Thanks to the navigation system Cleaver clean system, the pool up to 50 ft. will be thoroughly cleaned, and the cleaner automatically will turn off in 2 hours. When the Dolphin E30 is climbing the wall and reaching the top, water is extracted from two jets from both sides, allowing the cleaner to stay horizontally for a while.
When pulling the cleaner out of the pool, you need to pull it by the cord up to the surface edge of the pool, and then grab the handle and take out the cleaner only with a handle. As Dolphin E20, E30 has a limited warranty on manufacturer’s defects and does not include wear and tear of brushes or tracks.
This cleaner will definitely extend the life of your pool system and save energy with every cleaning cycle.
- Clean waterline in addition to walls and a floor
- 60 ft. cable with a swivel
- 2 active rubber brushes – on the front and back
- For all inground pools up to 50 ft of all shapes
- It is possible to set a schedule for one week ahead
- No pumps are required for work, only electricity
- Extra-large filter basket with easy top-access
- Light weight
- Cleaning cycle only 2 hours
- No remote control or delay feature
- No fast or enhanced cleaning cycles
- A little bit more expensive than Dolphin E20
- No indicator of full filter
Buyer’s Guide
Based on a detailed description of these two models, most of the advantages and disadvantages of these two cleaners are already evident. Please see below more general pros and cons of all the best robotic pool cleaners, which both Dolphin models also have.
Disadvantages:
- Not all robotic cleaners have a remote control
- Not all cleaners have shortened or enhanced the cleaning cycle
- The filter should be cleaned after each cleaning cycle
- Some models are costly
- Most of the models cannot suck debris from the water surface; a separate skimmer or manual net is required
- Not all robots are equipped with a swivel to prevent tangling.
As a continuation of the comparison of Dolphin E20 and E30, it is crucial to understand in detail their differences; after all, the pros and cons are listed.
Face-to-Face comparison review
Design and functionality
Dolphin E30
Dolphin E30 is a black super-efficient pool cleaner with a black lid and white handle, two-track wheels on the back, and two grey rubber brushes in front and back. It sucks debris into an extra-large filter basket and scrubs a waterline, walls, and a floor during each 2 hours cleaning cycle.
The slight difference between Dolphin E20 vs E30 in color scheme is not significant, but E30 has an additional rubber brush on the back. That provides better pool surface scrubbing. Also, during the same two hours cleaning cycle, E30 can scrub the floor, walls, and a water line; meanwhile, E20 can scrub only the floor and walls. Another significant difference – E30 has a larger filter basket. So, the E30 is more functional than the E20 with the same design.
Swimming pool types
Dolphin E30
This cleaner is designed for swimming pools of rectangular, oval, hopper, kidney, zero (beach) entry, and free shapes up to 50 ft. in size.
S20 is designed for small and middle size swimming pools with different shapes, while S30 is designed for large swimming pools with more shapes.
Cable
Dolphin E30
Dolphin E30 has a blue standard 60 ft. cable with a swivel to prevent tangling. It is already inserted in one end into the pool cleaner; the other end should be inserted into the particular port of the power control station.
As Dolphin E30 is designed for larger swimming pools, its cable is 10 ft. longer – 60 ft. with a swivel to prevent tangling. E20, unfortunately, does not have an anti-tangling device, and its cable is shorter.
Motor
Dolphin E30
Dolphin E30 has an upgraded S300 motor.
In addition to all advantages, Dolphin E30 has advanced motor S300 to execute active scrubbing of the pool surface with two active brushes.
All other pool features such as the length of the cleaning cycle, three modes of scheduling the cleaners, lack of remote control, the top access of filter, and a warranty are the same for Dolphin E20 vs E30.
How to choose the Best Pool Robotic Cleaner?
After reading the detailed description, and if you have already decided to buy a robotic pool cleaner, please go through the list of main parameters that should determine the choice of the best pool robotic cleaner for your swimming pool. The cleaner technical characteristics should ideally match the requirements of your swimming pool maintenance.
Warranty. Robotic cleaners are expensive machines; it is better to have an extended warranty to be safe in a free-of-charge change of broken details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to use Dolphin E20 vs E30 for above-ground pools?
Which pool cleaner, Dolphin E20 vs E30, can clean steps?
What is the power cord length from the socket to the power control unit?
Can I use Dolphin E30 for swimming pools less than 30 ft.?
What warranty have Dolphin E20 and E30?
Conclusion
As a result of the comparison, we may see that Dolphin E20 is a simple pool robotic cleaner that perfectly performs cleaning small and medium sizes of the pool. If you are searching for a budget cleaner, thinking between a suction cleaner and this one – E20 is the best choice. It effectively cleans a floor and walls within an automatic cycle of 2 hours depending only on electricity.
On the other hand, if you have an inground pool bigger than 32 ft. long and less than 50 ft, you should think about E30. In addition, your waterline will be cleaned with two active brushes, not one as in E20. With a longer power cable – 60 ft. that is equipped with a swivel preventing tangling, an extra-large filter basket, and an upgraded motor S300, you can be sure that your swimming pool will be sparkling clean.
So, your choice should be based on your budget and the requirements of your particular swimming pool; as in the comparison between Dolphin E20 vs. Dolphin E30, there is no obvious winner.
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.
Having worked there for three years, I decided to start my own blog about pools, where I can tell people about the best new pool equipment models and share my knowledge and experience.
A marine biologist by education, I became a pool blogger by trade. Now I’m glad I can help the guests of my store and the visitors of my blog know a lot of exciting things about pools, their types, best pumps and filters, necessary equipment maintenance, and so on.
I welcome all people who want to choose a proper basin and the stuff to my blog! Hope you’ll find this information interesting and useful!