Robotic pool cleaner comparison

Aquabot X4 vs Dolphin Active 15

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 X4 and Dolphin Active 15 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.

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Aquabot

Aquabot X4

Inground and above-ground pools up to 60 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.

Listed price $747

View better alternatives

Active

Dolphin Active 15

Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning, with fine debris.

Listed price $849

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 X4 or Dolphin Active 15: our take

Aquabot X4 and Dolphin Active 15 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 and above-ground pools. Aquabot X4 is rated for pools up to 60 ft; Dolphin Active 15 is rated up to 33 ft. Aquabot X4 cleans floor, walls, and waterline; Dolphin Active 15 cleans floor and walls. Aquabot X4 lists 1 active brush and Intelligent navigation. Dolphin Active 15 lists 1 active brush.

Filtration and debris

Aquabot X4 includes Basket; Dolphin Active 15 includes Basket and UltraFilter. Dolphin Active 15 has the clearer documented edge for fine silt, pollen and sand.

Controls and day-to-day ownership

Aquabot X4 provides a weekly timer; Dolphin Active 15 provides a weekly timer and power-supply controls. Aquabot X4 uses a 60 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel, while Dolphin Active 15 uses a 40 ft corded cable. Aquabot X4 is listed at 40 lb versus 14 lb for Dolphin Active 15; that 26 lb difference matters when lifting the robot from the pool.

Price, warranty and the decision

Aquabot X4 is listed at $747 and Dolphin Active 15 at $849; Aquabot X4 is $102 less. Each lists a 2-year manufacturer warranty. Aquabot X4 and Dolphin Active 15 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 X4	Dolphin Active 15
Cleans the pool floor	Yes	Yes
Climbs and cleans walls	Yes	Yes
Scrubs the waterline	YesEdge	No
Fine-debris filter included	No	YesEdge
Large-debris filter	Yes	Yes
Automatic scheduling	Yes	Yes
Smartphone app	Not listed	No
Anti-tangle swivel	Yes	Not listed
3-year warranty	No	No
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 X4 stands out

Aquabot X4 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $747 starting price.

Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
Is rated for pools up to 60 ft
Is listed $102 lower

Where Dolphin Active 15 stands out

Dolphin Active 15 is the better fit for inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning, with fine debris.

Includes filtration for sand, pollen and other fine debris
Weighs 14 lb versus 40 lb