Help me choose
Our pick: Clear S
Clear S is the Pool Express pick in this matchup. Clear S uses 2 active brushes instead of 1. Clear S carries a 3-year warranty instead of 2 years.
CLEAR
Clear S
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
Active
Dolphin Active 30
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
Why Clear S is our pick
Clear S
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
$1,749
Buy Clear SClear S or Dolphin Active 30: our take
Clear S and Dolphin Active 30 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 pools. Both are rated for pools up to 50 ft. Each cleans floor, walls, and waterline, so coverage alone does not separate them. Clear S lists 2 active brushes, Intelligent navigation (C9 microprocessor), and Quad (2 pump + 2 drive) motors. Dolphin Active 30 lists 1 active brush and CleverClean navigation.
Filtration and debris
Clear S includes UltraFilter; Dolphin Active 30 includes Basket and UltraFilter. Both have documented fine-debris media, so basket capacity and ease of cleaning matter more than fine-particle capability. Dolphin Active 30 has the better documented path for bulky leaves and larger debris.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Both models provide a weekly timer, smartphone control, and included remote control. Clear S uses a 59 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel, while Dolphin Active 30 uses a 60 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel.
Price, warranty and the decision
Clear S is listed at $1,749 and Dolphin Active 30 at $1,499; Dolphin Active 30 is $250 less. Clear S lists a 3-year warranty compared with 2 years for Dolphin Active 30. Pool Express pick: Clear S. Clear S uses 2 active brushes instead of 1. Clear S carries a 3-year warranty instead of 2 years. Choose Dolphin Active 30 when it is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $1,499 starting price.
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 | Clear S | Dolphin Active 30 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | Yes | Yes |
| Scrubs the waterline | Yes | Yes |
| Fine-debris filter included | Yes | Yes |
| Large-debris filter | No | YesEdge |
| Automatic scheduling | Yes | Yes |
| Smartphone app | Yes | Yes |
| Anti-tangle swivel | Yes | Yes |
| 3-year warranty | YesEdge | 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 Clear S stands out
Clear S is the better fit for inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
- Uses 2 active brushes instead of 1
- Carries a 3-year warranty instead of 2 years
Where Dolphin Active 30 stands out
Dolphin Active 30 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $1,499 starting price.
- Includes a large-debris bin or bag for leaves
- Is listed $250 lower
Clear S vs Dolphin Active 30 specifications
Use pool fit first. Price and app control do not make up for a robot that cannot cover the length or surfaces you need cleaned.
| Specification | Clear S | Dolphin Active 30 |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris. | Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris. |
| Starting price | $1,749 | $1,499 |
| Pool type | Inground | Inground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 50 ft | Up to 50 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls, Waterline | Floor, Walls, Waterline |
| Power | Corded | Corded |
| Filtration | UltraFilter | Basket, UltraFilter |
| Scheduling | Weekly schedule + app | Weekly schedule + app |
| App and remote | App + included remote | App + included remote |
| Cable | 59 ft with anti-tangle swivel | 60 ft with anti-tangle swivel |
| Robot weight | 27.6 lb | Not listed |
| Warranty | 3 years | 2 years |
Choose Clear S
Clear S is the Pool Express pick in this matchup. Clear S uses 2 active brushes instead of 1. Clear S carries a 3-year warranty instead of 2 years.
More robotic pool cleaner comparisons
Keep comparing without rebuilding the same specification table yourself.
Clear UV vs Clear S
Pool Express pick: Clear UV
Dolphin Quantum vs Clear S
Pool Express pick: Dolphin Quantum
Dolphin Premier vs Dolphin Sigma
Pool Express pick: Dolphin Premier
Dolphin Premier vs Dolphin Quantum
Pool Express pick: Dolphin Quantum
Dolphin Sigma vs Dolphin Quantum
Pool Express pick: Dolphin Quantum
Dolphin Cayman vs Dolphin Escape
Pool Express pick: Dolphin Cayman