Robotic pool cleaner comparison

Aquabot X2 vs Dolphin W20

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

Choose by pool type

Residential and commercial pools need different robots

Aquabot X2 and Dolphin W20 serve different kinds of pools, so there is no honest one-size-fits-all winner. Choose Dolphin Escape for residential use. Choose Dolphin Wave 60 for commercial use.

Buy Dolphin Escape Buy Dolphin Wave 60 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

Wave

Dolphin W20

Commercial pools that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.

Listed price $1,999

View better alternatives

Right robot for each job

Choose residential and commercial cleaners separately

Residential pick

Dolphin Escape

Inground and above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor cleaning.

$669

Buy Dolphin Escape

Commercial pick

Dolphin Wave 60

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

$1,699

Buy Dolphin Wave 60

Buying guidance

Aquabot X2 or Dolphin W20: our take

Aquabot X2 and Dolphin W20 can be compared on specifications, but they are designed for different jobs. Start with residential versus commercial use, then use the details below to understand the tradeoffs.

Pool fit and cleaning reach

Aquabot X2 is intended for inground and above-ground pools, while Dolphin W20 is intended for commercial pools. Aquabot X2 has a published maximum pool length of 40 ft; the other model does not have a verified length in our source material. Aquabot X2 cleans floor; Dolphin W20 cleans floor, walls, and waterline. Aquabot X2 lists 1 active brush. Dolphin W20 lists Commercial-grade motors.

Filtration and debris

The available manufacturer records do not fully identify the filter media supplied with either robot, so filtration should be confirmed before ordering.

Controls and day-to-day ownership

Both models provide no fully published timer, app or remote specification.

Price, warranty and the decision

Aquabot X2 is listed at $497 and Dolphin W20 at $1,999; Aquabot X2 is $1,502 less. Aquabot X2 lists a 2-year warranty compared with 3 years for Dolphin W20. These robots are built for different jobs, so pool type and facility capacity decide the comparison before individual features do. For a residential pool, the Pool Express pick is Dolphin Escape. Inground and above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor cleaning. For a commercial facility, the Pool Express pick is Dolphin Wave 60. Commercial pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.

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 W20
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	No
Automatic scheduling	Not listed	Not listed
Smartphone app	Not listed	Not listed
Anti-tangle swivel	Not listed	Not listed
3-year warranty	No	YesEdge
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 $1,502 lower
Cleans the pool floor

Where Dolphin W20 stands out

Dolphin W20 is the better fit for commercial pools that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.

Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
Carries a 3-year warranty instead of 2 years