Robotic pool cleaner comparison

Aquabot Elite vs Dolphin M400

A side-by-side comparison of pool fit, cleaning coverage, filtration, controls and the better Pool Express option.

By Brian Williamson, Pool Express product specialist
Updated November 9, 2026

Better alternative

A stronger Pool Express option

Aquabot Elite and Dolphin M400 are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Clear S. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.

Buy Clear S Compare every robot

Aquabot

Aquabot Elite

Inground pools that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.

Listed price $1,299

View better alternatives

M-Line

Dolphin M400

Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.

Listed price $1,599

View better alternatives

A better alternative

What we recommend instead

Pool Express pick

Clear S

Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.

$1,749

Buy Clear S

Buying guidance

Aquabot Elite or Dolphin M400: our take

Aquabot Elite and Dolphin M400 are compared on pool fit, cleaning reach, debris handling, controls and ownership details. The recommendation is based on the job the robot must do—not a simple feature count.

Pool fit and cleaning reach

Both robots are intended for inground pools. Dolphin M400 has a published maximum pool length of 50 ft; the other model does not have a verified length in our source material. Each cleans floor, walls, and waterline, so coverage alone does not separate them. Aquabot Elite's documented cleaning system includes 3 active brushes and Intelligent navigation.

Filtration and debris

Aquabot Elite includes Standard filter; Dolphin M400 includes Standard filter and UltraFilter. Dolphin M400 has the clearer documented edge for fine silt, pollen and sand.

Controls and day-to-day ownership

Aquabot Elite provides a weekly timer; Dolphin M400 provides smartphone control. Aquabot Elite uses continuous corded power, while Dolphin M400 uses a 60 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel.

Price, warranty and the decision

Aquabot Elite is listed at $1,299 and Dolphin M400 at $1,599; Aquabot Elite is $300 less. Each lists a 3-year manufacturer warranty. Aquabot Elite and Dolphin M400 each have a specific fit, but neither is the Pool Express pick for this job. Our better alternative is Clear S. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.

Feature check: what each robot actually has

A green check means the feature is documented as included. A red X means it is documented as absent. A dash means the source does not make the feature clear.

Feature	Aquabot Elite	Dolphin M400
Cleans the pool floor	Yes	Yes
Climbs and cleans walls	Yes	Yes
Scrubs the waterline	Yes	Yes
Fine-debris filter included	No	YesEdge
Large-debris filter	No	No
Automatic scheduling	Yes	Not listed
Smartphone app	Not listed	Yes
Anti-tangle swivel	Yes	Yes
3-year warranty	Yes	Yes
No recharging between cycles	Yes	Yes
Built-in UV-C water treatment	No	No

Unknown is not treated as “no.” Specifications come from the product pages, current catalog records and manufacturer material collected for this site.

Where Aquabot Elite stands out

Aquabot Elite is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $1,299 starting price.

Is listed $300 lower
Corded, plug-in power supply

Where Dolphin M400 stands out

Dolphin M400 is the better fit for inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.

Includes filtration for sand, pollen and other fine debris
Has documented smartphone control