Robotic pool cleaners are a perfect example of automatic machines that make the life of the pool owner significantly easier. All swimming pools require regular maintenance – water chemical treatment (maintaining water chemical balance), killing off all harmful substances and algae), collecting floating debris, and cleaning of all pool surfaces (walls, waterline, and floor). Without maintenance, it is not safe to use the pool. All these procedures require hours of manual work, so it is essential to reduce working time and change it to relax time. Robotic pool cleaners take the most demanding work; manual brush cleaning of walls takes a lot of person-hours with serious physical activity; the robot can do the work perfectly while you are away or sleeping.
Manufacturers propose different types of robotic pool cleaners – corded, cordless, working from sun energy, cleaning walls and floor only, or able to clean water as well, with filter cartridges or filter baskets. In this article, we focus on two cordless pool robotic pool cleaners from Maytronics – Dolphin Liberty 200 vs. 300. Our purpose is to find all the differences between them and ensure the best one for your swimming pool.
1. Dolphin Liberty Comparison table
2. Main differences between models
Dolphin Liberty 200 and 300 have the same appearance; they have some different features that are essential to know to make the right decision during purchase.
- Dolphin Liberty 300 has a clicker to retrieve the robot from the water. Liberty 200 does not support this item.
- Dolphin Liberty 300 goes with additional extra filter panels. The 200 model has only one type of panel in the package.
- Dolphin 300 has three cleaning modes with a cycle selector, while Dolphin 200 has only one default cleaning mode.
- Dolphin 300 has an eco-mode to perform the cleaning of your pool during the whole week without additional charging and taking out the cleaner from the pool. Dolphin Liberty 200 does not have this feature.
As you see, the Dolphin Liberty 200 lacks essential features, and the prices of both models are not drastically different. Further, we will explore the benefits of both models and check in detail the differences listed in this section.
Dolphin Libert Gallery
3. Detailed product review
In the product review, we describe the main features and operational tips of both models. Their pros and cons help to define the advantages of Dolphin Liberty pool cleaners.
Dolphin Liberty 200 Cordless Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner
Dolphin Liberty 200 is a lightweight cordless pool robotic cleaner. It has an ergonomic design with a black body and blue accents. It is designed for in-ground and above-ground pools with all surfaces. You can start the work only with one button at the back – the power button. Near the button is located the battery indicator with three statuses to check the capacity in real-time. Also, on the back, there are two ports for inductive charging. To put the robot into the water and take out the handle, you need to use the plastic handle on the top.
To move around the floor and walls, the Dolphin Liberty 200 uses two track wheels. It scrubs the surfaces from stuck debris and algae with one active rubber brush, and all debris goes through the suction port at the bottom to the filter basket. The filter basket has only one option with fine cartridges. It can capture all debris except the smallest particles. To take out the basket, you need to open the filter cover; the filter basket handle will pop up automatically. For cleaning, you need only lift the basket, open the launch at the bottom to release all leaves and other debris, and clean the filter basket with a garden hose. It is recommended to dismantle two panels once a month for better cleaning.
At the end of the cleaning cycle, the robot will stop near the random swimming pool wall; you need to use the hook from the package (the standard pole should be purchased separately) to pick the robot to the edge of the water. When the cleaner is near the waterline, it is recommended to switch to the handle. To put the cleaner for charging, you need to wipe all water or let it dry. You need to make sure that there are no objects between the charger surface and the robot charging ports. The charge adapter with a magnetic connector is included in the package.
For any problems, the LED light near the power button informs with the change of color from green to blinking green or red. Unfortunately, the robot does not have any other smart features, such as a full filter indicator, delay feature, or weekly timer.
- Designed for all surfaces and shapes of the swimming pools
- Top-access filter basket
- Easy start with one button
- Easy charging with magnetic adapter
- Quick water release
- Floor and wall cleaning
- Cordless design
- Automatic self-parking at the end of the cleaning cycle
- LED status battery indicator
- Only one cleaning mode
- The standard pole is not included in the package
- Do not clean waterline
- No remote control
- Complicated retrieval from the water
- No delay feature
Dolphin Liberty 300 Cordless Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner
Dolphin Liberty 300 is a cordless robot cleaner designed for all types of pools (above and in-ground, small and medium-sized) and recommended for rectangular and round-shaped ones. The operating depth of this model is from 1.33 ft. to 8.2 ft. The Liberty 300 is very convenient to operate, as it does not have cord and hose length limitations. You do not need to take this powerful model in and out every day for cleaning.
The Liberty 300 has a black body with a blue back front panel where the power button, inductive charger connections, and indicators (battery, status, settings) are located. The power button works like a cycle selector to choose between the only floor cycle, standard floor and walls cycle, and eco cycle. The battery indicator has three fields to show the Dolphin’s health. When the battery is low or at the end of the cleaning cycle, the cleaner automatically parks near the closet wall. On both sides of the cleaner is a hyper grip track wheel with notches for climbing the walls.
But unfortunately, the Liberty 300 cleans only up to the waterline; the waterline itself doesn’t clean. In front, the scrubbing brush is located; using the rubber fins, it scrubs the pool surfaces, removes the debris, algae, and bacteria, and guides them to the suction door of the canister filter. The filter basket (canister) has top access; you need to open the cover with a click and lift the large basket with a popping-up handle. It is recommended to clean the filter panels with tap water after each cleaning cycle. The basket consists of four filters – a set of two fine and a set of two ultra-fine cartridges.
The cleaner is equipped with standard navigation (the same as for other Liberty models) to map and scan your pool for effective cleaning. It has a built-in gyroscope, and in case of falling, it will quickly go back to its normal position. For the off-season storage, you need to take the cleaner out of the water, charge it at least 50%, and put it in the closest storage with a temperature not lower than -10 degrees Celsius and not higher than +40 degrees Celsius. Before first use, you need to charge it to full.
- No plugs or tangled cords
- Efficient cleaning in 90 minutes
- Three modes for cleaning
- Simple control via one button
- Two sets of filters in the package – fine and ultra-fine cartridge
- Large filter basket to capture large debris
- Inductive (wireless) charging
- Lightweight model
- Do not get stuck in the drains
- Long battery charging
- Not for a large pool
- Only partial waterline scrubbing
- No Wi-Fi and app control
- No weekly timer
4. Buyer’s guide
There are two main types of pool cleaners – automatic and manual. Manual pool cleaners are connected to the existing pool equipment – pool filter from the suction or discharge side – and should be guided for the full pool surface. Automatic pool cleaners also differ – automatic pressure-side or suction-side cleaners and robotic pool cleaners. All automatic pool cleaners have a navigation system to clean according to the smart cleaning patterns, but pressure and suction side models should be attached to the booster pump or pool filter. At the same time, robotic pool cleaners are fully autonomous models.
Cordless robotic cleaners are the most advanced cleaners for automatic pool cleaners. In this part of the article, we will summarize the pros and cons of cordless robotic cleaners to understand better why you need (or maybe not) to choose the Dolphin Liberty 200 or 300. We should add that not all cordless cleaners have these pros and cons; we compare these models with corded Dolphin models from the same price range, like Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus and Explorer E30. Some features, such as smartphone control and real-time status, are available only for Premium Dolphin models (for example, Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme, Dolphin Explorer E70, and E50).
- Not so powerful as corded models
- Missing of some essential features (delay, remote control)
- No waterline cleaning
- Corded models have two scrubbing brushes
We have already explained why cordless robotic pool cleaners are good at pool cleaning. To define better the differences between models, please check our face-to-face comparison.
Cleaning modes
Dolphin Liberty 200 has one cleaning mode that lasts for 90 minutes on a single charge. During this time, it automatically cleans walls and floor. It can even reach the waterline in some places, but it is not designed for quality waterline cleaning.
After each cleaning cycle, you need to take the robot out for cleaning and charging. No quick cleanings or separate walls/floor cleaning are available for this model.
Dolphin Liberty 300 has three cleaning modes: floor-only cycle, standard floor and walls cycle, and eco cycle. The blue indicator on the back of the robot belongs to the default standard mode); purple is the floor only, and green is the eco mode.
The eco cycle is a special feature of the 300 model that keeps the pool clean during the whole week with one charge of battery; it cleans the floor for 30 minutes three times a week.
verdictDolphin Liberty 300 is the winner in this part of the comparison as it has more cleaning modes. Especially interesting is that the eco-mode allows us to forget about cleaning for a whole week.
Control possibilities
verdictThere are no differences between these models for control, only buttons on the cleaners’ body. We can’t call the winner.
Filtration
Dolphin Liberty 200 has a top-access filter basket with fine filter cartridges. The cartridges are removable for better cleaning. You can purchase additional filters if required.
The filtration of Dolphin Liberty 300 is performed with a top-access filter basket and two types of filter panels (fine and ultra-fine). In the package, you have two filters of each type, but you can purchase additional filters not to combine filter cartridges.
verdictThe filtration system of both pool cleaners is the same – the filtration top-access basket with a transparent lid. But Dolphin Liberty has two types of filter cartridges in the package, so it is the winner in this round.
Battery and charging
verdictThere is no difference between battery and charging of these pool cleaners. So, there is no winner again.
Retrieval Methods
To take Dolphin Liberty 200 from the water, you may use a grab hook. As stated earlier, it will park near the wall, from where you need first to lift the cleaner to the waterline, and then switch to the handle. The cleaner has a quick water release feature to remove all water.
To take the Dolphin 300 robot from the water, you may use a grab hook (the pole for the hook is not included in the package) or a clicker from the package. The clicker is an advanced tool to take out your robot quickly from the water. You need to shake the clicker for 3 seconds, and the robot will automatically climb out of the water nearby. The cleaner is lightweight, and for easy grabbing, it has a handle on the top.
verdictDolphin Liberty 300 retrieval method with a clicker allows the extraction of the cleaner from the water with less effort from the waterline using the handle. That is why the Liberty 300 is the winner.
5. How to choose the best robotic pool cleaner?
Our article contains a lot of useful information about the advantages and disadvantages of robotic pool cleaners, especially the cordless models. If you are sure that you need a robotic pool cleaner, it is essential to choose it correctly, as they are expensive (compared to all other pool cleaners). We want to highlight several criteria that should be considered when you choose between different models of robotic pool cleaners. For Dolphin Liberty 200 and 300, all technical characteristics for these criteria are presented in the article.
Robotic pool cleaners are equipped with different filters with different construction and mesh sizes. Depending on your debris size, please choose accordingly. Not all filters are changeable, or you need to purchase another filter separately.
Some cleaners have quick modes; some have separate modes for waterlines or walls. Depending on your needs and the required pool maintenance, you should find a suitable model.
The other aspects like price and warranty are also should be considered if you have a plan to make a good investment.
6. Frequently Asked Questions?
1. How does Dolphin Liberty 200 determine the cleaning path?
Dolphin Liberty 200 has pre-set algorithms of cleaning that it customizes based on your swimming pool – its size and shape.2. Can I use a clicker from Liberty 300 for Liberty 200?
3. What is the benefit of Liberty 300 against Liberty 200?
4. What is the gross weight of the Liberty 300 (packed)?
7. Conclusion
We defined that these models differ only in cleaning modes, retrieval methods, and filter cartridges. Both models are cordless and can clean walls and floors of swimming pools of all shapes and surfaces. The choice between these models should be based on your cleaning habits; Dolphin Liberty 300 has an eco-mode to clean the pool for the whole week with one charge. Also, if you have ultra-fine dust, the Liberty 300 is a better choice. But for an effortless start of the cleaning process with one button and a quick charge, you do not need to pay more; the Liberty 200 will suit your needs.
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.
