Robotic pool cleaner comparison

Aquabot X4 vs Dolphin Explorer E25

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 Explorer E25 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

Explorer

Dolphin Explorer E25

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

Listed price $899

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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 Explorer E25: our take

Aquabot X4 and Dolphin Explorer E25 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 X4 is intended for inground and above-ground pools, while Dolphin Explorer E25 is intended for inground pools. Aquabot X4 is rated for pools up to 60 ft; Dolphin Explorer E25 is rated up to 50 ft. Aquabot X4 cleans floor, walls, and waterline; Dolphin Explorer E25 cleans floor and walls. Aquabot X4's documented cleaning system includes 1 active brush and Intelligent navigation.

Filtration and debris

Aquabot X4 has documented included filtration—Basket—while the other model's included media is not fully published. Aquabot X4 also has the better documented path for bulky leaves and larger debris.

Controls and day-to-day ownership

Aquabot X4 provides a weekly timer; Dolphin Explorer E25 provides smartphone control.

Price, warranty and the decision

Aquabot X4 is listed at $747 and Dolphin Explorer E25 at $899; Aquabot X4 is $152 less. Each lists a 2-year manufacturer warranty. Aquabot X4 and Dolphin Explorer E25 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 Explorer E25
Cleans the pool floor	Yes	Yes
Climbs and cleans walls	Yes	Yes
Scrubs the waterline	YesEdge	No
Fine-debris filter included	No	No
Large-debris filter	YesEdge	No
Automatic scheduling	Yes	Not listed
Smartphone app	Not listed	Yes
Anti-tangle swivel	Yes	Not listed
3-year warranty	No	No
No recharging between cycles	Yes	Not listed
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
Includes a large-debris bin or bag for leaves
Is rated for pools up to 60 ft
Is listed $152 lower

Where Dolphin Explorer E25 stands out

Dolphin Explorer E25 is the better fit for inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.

Has documented smartphone control
Cleans floor and walls