Robotic pool cleaner comparison

Aquabot X2 vs Dolphin Proteus DX5i

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 X2 and Dolphin Proteus DX5i are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Quantum. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.

Buy Dolphin Quantum Compare every robot

Aquabot

Aquabot X2

Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor cleaning.

Listed price $497

View better alternatives

Proteus

Dolphin Proteus DX5i

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

Listed price $1,299

View better alternatives

A better alternative

What we recommend instead

Pool Express pick

Dolphin Quantum

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

$1,649

Buy Dolphin Quantum

Buying guidance

Aquabot X2 or Dolphin Proteus DX5i: our take

Aquabot X2 and Dolphin Proteus DX5i 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

Aquabot X2 is intended for inground and above-ground pools, while Dolphin Proteus DX5i is intended for inground pools. Aquabot X2 is rated for pools up to 40 ft; Dolphin Proteus DX5i is rated up to 50 ft. Aquabot X2 cleans floor; Dolphin Proteus DX5i cleans floor, walls, and waterline. Aquabot X2's documented cleaning system includes 1 active brush.

Filtration and debris

Dolphin Proteus DX5i has documented included filtration—Basket—while the other model's included media is not fully published. Dolphin Proteus DX5i has the better documented path for bulky leaves and larger debris.

Controls and day-to-day ownership

Aquabot X2 provides no fully published timer, app or remote specification; Dolphin Proteus DX5i provides smartphone control.

Price, warranty and the decision

Aquabot X2 is listed at $497 and Dolphin Proteus DX5i at $1,299; Aquabot X2 is $802 less. Each lists a 2-year manufacturer warranty. Aquabot X2 and Dolphin Proteus DX5i each have a specific fit, but neither is the Pool Express pick for this job. Our better alternative is Dolphin Quantum. 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 X2	Dolphin Proteus DX5i
Cleans the pool floor	Yes	Yes
Climbs and cleans walls	No	YesEdge
Scrubs the waterline	No	YesEdge
Fine-debris filter included	No	No
Large-debris filter	No	YesEdge
Automatic scheduling	Not listed	Not listed
Smartphone app	Not listed	Yes
Anti-tangle swivel	Not listed	Yes
3-year warranty	No	No
No recharging between cycles	Not listed	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 X2 stands out

Aquabot X2 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $497 starting price.

Is listed $802 lower
Cleans the pool floor

Where Dolphin Proteus DX5i stands out

Dolphin Proteus DX5i is the better fit for pools up to 50 ft.

Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
Includes a large-debris bin or bag for leaves
Has documented smartphone control
Is rated for pools up to 50 ft