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Robotic pool cleaner comparison

Clear S vs Dolphin S50

A side-by-side comparison of pool fit, cleaning coverage, filtration, controls and the better Pool Express option.

Clear S Dolphin S50
Better alternative

A stronger Pool Express option

Clear S and Dolphin S50 are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Cayman. Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.

CLEAR

Clear S

Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.

Current price $1,749MSRP $2,749 Save $1,000
A better alternative

What we recommend instead

Buying guidance

Clear S or Dolphin S50: our take

Clear S and Dolphin S50 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 S50 is intended for above-ground pools. Clear S is rated for pools up to 50 ft; Dolphin S50 is rated up to 30 ft. Clear S cleans floor, walls, and waterline; Dolphin S50 cleans floor. Clear S lists 2 active brushes, Intelligent navigation (C9 microprocessor), and Quad (2 pump + 2 drive) motors. Dolphin S50 lists 1 active brush.

Filtration and debris

Clear S includes UltraFilter; Dolphin S50 includes Basket. That gives Clear S the clearer documented edge for fine silt, pollen and sand. Dolphin S50 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 S50 provides one-touch starts and power-supply controls. Clear S uses a 59 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel, while Dolphin S50 uses a 40 ft corded cable. Clear S is listed at 27.6 lb versus 14 lb for Dolphin S50; that 13.600000000000001 lb difference matters when lifting the robot from the pool.

Price, warranty and the decision

Clear S is listed at $1,749 and Dolphin S50 at $649; Dolphin S50 is $1,100 less. Clear S lists a 3-year warranty compared with 2 years for Dolphin S50. Clear S and Dolphin S50 each have a specific fit, but neither is the Pool Express pick for this job. Our better alternative is Dolphin Cayman. Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.

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 S50
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 Yes Not listed
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 S50 stands out

Dolphin S50 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $649 starting price.

  • Includes a large-debris bin or bag for leaves
  • Is listed $1,100 lower
  • Weighs 14 lb versus 27.6 lb

Clear S vs Dolphin S50 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 S50
Best fit Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris. Above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor cleaning.
Starting price $1,749 $649
Pool type 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 Basket
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 lb
Warranty 3 years 2 years
Final call

Consider the stronger Pool Express option

Clear S and Dolphin S50 are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Cayman. Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.

Buy Dolphin Cayman

Keep comparing without rebuilding the same specification table yourself.