Robotic pool cleaner comparison

Blue Helix One vs Dolphin Proteus DX3

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

Blue Helix One and Dolphin Proteus DX3 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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Blue Helix

Blue Helix One

Inground pools that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.

Listed price $579

View better alternatives

Proteus

Dolphin Proteus DX3

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

Listed price $699

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

Blue Helix One or Dolphin Proteus DX3: our take

Blue Helix One and Dolphin Proteus DX3 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

Blue Helix One is intended for inground pools, while Dolphin Proteus DX3 is intended for inground and above-ground pools. Dolphin Proteus DX3 has a published maximum pool length of 33 ft; the other model does not have a verified length in our source material. Blue Helix One cleans floor, walls, and waterline; Dolphin Proteus DX3 cleans floor and walls. Dolphin Proteus DX3's documented cleaning system includes 1 active brush.

Filtration and debris

Both models include Basket.

Controls and day-to-day ownership

Blue Helix One provides a weekly timer and smartphone control; Dolphin Proteus DX3 provides a weekly timer and power-supply controls. Blue Helix One uses continuous corded power, while Dolphin Proteus DX3 uses a 50 ft corded cable.

Price, warranty and the decision

Blue Helix One is listed at $579 and Dolphin Proteus DX3 at $699; Blue Helix One is $120 less. Each lists a 2-year manufacturer warranty. Blue Helix One and Dolphin Proteus DX3 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	Blue Helix One	Dolphin Proteus DX3
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	Yes	Yes
Automatic scheduling	Yes	Yes
Smartphone app	YesEdge	No
Anti-tangle swivel	Not listed	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 Blue Helix One stands out

Blue Helix One is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $579 starting price.

Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
Adds smartphone control
Is listed $120 lower

Where Dolphin Proteus DX3 stands out

Dolphin Proteus DX3 is the better fit for inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.

Cleans floor and walls
50 ft cable