Dolphin Escape vs Dolphin Explorer E40
Inground pool? Get the Explorer E40. Above-ground or small pool? The Escape cleans the floor well for about half the price.
Dolphin Escape
A proper corded Dolphin for above-ground and small pools, at an entry-level price.
Dolphin Explorer E40
Scrubs floor, walls and waterline on a schedule. Set it and forget it.
We earn a commission from these links.
Both are corded Dolphins, so there's no charging. The E40 scrubs floor, walls and waterline on a Wi-Fi schedule for inground pools up to 50 ft; the Escape cleans only the floor, which suits above-ground and small pools.
- —You have an above-ground pool.
- —Your inground pool is up to about 30 ft long.
- —You want a corded Dolphin for about half the price.
- —You have an inground pool up to 50 ft.
- —You want the walls and waterline scrubbed.
- —You want it to clean on a schedule without you.
Key differences
Pros and cons
- +Strong floor cleaning for the money
- +Big top-loading filter
- +Light at about 14 lb
- −No weekly timer out of the box; it's a paid power-supply upgrade.
- −No app.
- +Scrubs floor, walls and waterline
- +Runs on a schedule — no charging
- +3-year warranty
- −Cord tangles over time — the swivel helps but doesn't stop it completely.
- −Filters need rinsing after each run.
Ready to choose?
- Is the Escape worth it?
- Is the Explorer E40 worth it?
- Scuba S1 vs Liberty 200
- Explorer E40 vs Liberty 200
- Escape vs Scuba S1
- Escape vs Liberty 200
- Best robotic pool cleaners
How we reached this verdict
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: The Pool Nerd, Bob Vila, manufacturer specifications.