Help me choose
Our pick: Clear UV
Clear UV is the Pool Express pick in this matchup. Clear UV adds built-in UV-C water treatment while the robot cleans. Clear UV uses 2 active brushes instead of 1.
CLEAR
Clear UV
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
Active
Dolphin Active 40
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
Why Clear UV is our pick
Clear UV
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
$1,999
Buy Clear UVClear UV or Dolphin Active 40: our take
Clear UV and Dolphin Active 40 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 UV lists 2 active brushes, Intelligent navigation (C9 microprocessor), and Quad (2 pump + 2 drive) motors. Dolphin Active 40 lists 1 active brush and CleverClean navigation.
Filtration and debris
Clear UV includes UltraFilter; Dolphin Active 40 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 40 has the better documented path for bulky leaves and larger debris.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Clear UV provides a weekly timer, smartphone control, and included remote control; Dolphin Active 40 provides a weekly timer and smartphone control. Clear UV uses a 59 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel, while Dolphin Active 40 uses a 60 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel.
Price, warranty and the decision
Clear UV is listed at $1,999 and Dolphin Active 40 at $1,799; Dolphin Active 40 is $200 less. Clear UV lists a 3-year warranty compared with 2 years for Dolphin Active 40. Pool Express pick: Clear UV. Clear UV adds built-in UV-C water treatment while the robot cleans. Clear UV uses 2 active brushes instead of 1. Choose Dolphin Active 40 when it is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $1,799 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 UV | Dolphin Active 40 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | YesEdge | 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 UV stands out
Clear UV is the better fit for algae-prone pools that benefit from supplemental UV-C treatment.
- Adds built-in UV-C water treatment while the robot cleans
- Uses 2 active brushes instead of 1
- Carries a 3-year warranty instead of 2 years
Where Dolphin Active 40 stands out
Dolphin Active 40 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $1,799 starting price.
- Includes a large-debris bin or bag for leaves
- Is listed $200 lower
Clear UV vs Dolphin Active 40 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 UV | Dolphin Active 40 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | $1,999 | $1,799 |
| 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 control |
| 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 UV
Clear UV is the Pool Express pick in this matchup. Clear UV adds built-in UV-C water treatment while the robot cleans. Clear UV uses 2 active brushes instead of 1.
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