Help me choose
Our pick: Clear S
Clear S is the Pool Express pick in this matchup. Clear S cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line. Clear S includes filtration for sand, pollen and other fine debris.
CLEAR
Clear S
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
Max-Series
Dolphin Escape
Inground and above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor cleaning.
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 Escape: our take
Clear S and Dolphin Escape 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
Clear S is intended for inground pools, while Dolphin Escape is intended for inground and above-ground pools. Clear S is rated for pools up to 50 ft; Dolphin Escape is rated up to 30 ft. Clear S cleans floor, walls, and waterline; Dolphin Escape cleans floor. Clear S lists 2 active brushes, Intelligent navigation (C9 microprocessor), and Quad (2 pump + 2 drive) motors. Dolphin Escape lists 1 active brush, SmartNav 2.0 navigation, and Dual 24-volt DC motors.
Filtration and debris
Clear S includes UltraFilter; Dolphin Escape includes MaxBin. That gives Clear S the clearer documented edge for fine silt, pollen and sand. Dolphin Escape has the better documented path for bulky leaves and larger debris.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Clear S provides a weekly timer, smartphone control, and included remote control; Dolphin Escape provides one-touch starts and power-supply controls. Clear S uses a 59 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel, while Dolphin Escape uses a 40 ft corded cable. Clear S is listed at 27.6 lb versus 14.2 lb for Dolphin Escape; that 13.400000000000002 lb difference matters when lifting the robot from the pool.
Price, warranty and the decision
Clear S is listed at $1,749 and Dolphin Escape at $669; Dolphin Escape is $1,080 less. Clear S lists a 3-year warranty compared with 2 years for Dolphin Escape. Pool Express pick: Clear S. Clear S cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line. Clear S includes filtration for sand, pollen and other fine debris. Choose Dolphin Escape when it is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $669 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 Escape |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | YesEdge | No |
| Scrubs the waterline | YesEdge | No |
| Fine-debris filter included | YesEdge | No |
| Large-debris filter | No | YesEdge |
| Automatic scheduling | YesEdge | No |
| Smartphone app | YesEdge | No |
| Anti-tangle swivel | YesEdge | No |
| 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 pools up to 50 ft.
- Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
- Includes filtration for sand, pollen and other fine debris
- Uses 2 active brushes instead of 1
- Can start on a weekly schedule without a manual launch before every cycle
Where Dolphin Escape stands out
Dolphin Escape is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $669 starting price.
- Includes a large-debris bin or bag for leaves
- Is listed $1,080 lower
- Weighs 14.2 lb versus 27.6 lb
Clear S vs Dolphin Escape 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 Escape |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris. | Inground and above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor cleaning. |
| Starting price | $1,749 | $669 |
| Pool type | Inground | Inground, Above-ground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 50 ft | Up to 30 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls, Waterline | Floor |
| Power | Corded | Corded |
| Filtration | UltraFilter | MaxBin |
| Scheduling | Weekly schedule + app | One-touch start |
| App and remote | App + included remote | Power-supply controls |
| Cable | 59 ft with anti-tangle swivel | 40 ft |
| Robot weight | 27.6 lb | 14.2 lb |
| Warranty | 3 years | 2 years |
Choose Clear S
Clear S is the Pool Express pick in this matchup. Clear S cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line. Clear S includes filtration for sand, pollen and other fine debris.
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