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.
Explorer
Dolphin Explorer E40
Inground pools up to 50 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 Explorer E40: our take
Clear S and Dolphin Explorer E40 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. Clear S cleans floor, walls, and waterline; Dolphin Explorer E40 cleans floor. Clear S's documented cleaning system includes 2 active brushes, Intelligent navigation (C9 microprocessor), and Quad (2 pump + 2 drive) motors.
Filtration and debris
Clear S has documented included filtration—UltraFilter—while the other model's included media is not fully published. That gives Clear S the clearer documented edge for fine silt, pollen and sand.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Clear S provides a weekly timer, smartphone control, and included remote control; Dolphin Explorer E40 provides no fully published timer, app or remote specification.
Price, warranty and the decision
Clear S is listed at $1,749 and Dolphin Explorer E40 at $1,599; Dolphin Explorer E40 is $150 less. Each lists a 3-year manufacturer warranty. 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 Explorer E40 when it is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $1,599 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 Explorer E40 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Automatic scheduling | Yes | Not listed |
| Smartphone app | Yes | Not listed |
| Anti-tangle swivel | Yes | Not listed |
| 3-year warranty | Yes | Yes |
| 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 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.
- Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
- Includes filtration for sand, pollen and other fine debris
- Has documented smartphone control
Where Dolphin Explorer E40 stands out
Dolphin Explorer E40 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $1,599 starting price.
- Is listed $150 lower
- Cleans the pool floor
Clear S vs Dolphin Explorer E40 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 Explorer E40 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 cleaning. |
| Starting price | $1,749 | $1,599 |
| Pool type | Inground | Inground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 50 ft | Up to 50 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls, Waterline | Floor |
| Power | Corded | Not listed |
| Filtration | UltraFilter | Not listed |
| Scheduling | Weekly schedule + app | Not listed |
| App and remote | App + included remote | Not listed |
| Cable | 59 ft with anti-tangle swivel | Not listed |
| Robot weight | 27.6 lb | Not listed |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 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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