Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Active 10 and Dolphin S100 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.
S-Line
Dolphin S100
Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning, with fine debris.
What we recommend instead
Dolphin Cayman
Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
$1,079
Buy Dolphin CaymanDolphin Active 10 or Dolphin S100: our take
Dolphin Active 10 and Dolphin S100 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
Dolphin Active 10 is intended for above-ground pools, while Dolphin S100 is intended for inground and above-ground pools. Dolphin Active 10 is rated for pools up to 30 ft; Dolphin S100 is rated up to 33 ft. Dolphin Active 10 cleans floor; Dolphin S100 cleans floor and walls. Dolphin Active 10's documented cleaning system includes 1 active brush.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin Active 10 includes Basket; Dolphin S100 includes Basket and UltraFilter. Dolphin S100 has the clearer documented edge for fine silt, pollen and sand.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin Active 10 provides one-touch starts and power-supply controls; Dolphin S100 provides a weekly timer and power-supply controls. Dolphin Active 10 uses a 40 ft corded cable, while Dolphin S100 uses a 50 ft corded cable. Both are listed at 14 lb, so lifting effort is effectively the same.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Active 10 is listed at $649 and Dolphin S100 at $849; Dolphin Active 10 is $200 less. Each lists a 2-year manufacturer warranty. Dolphin Active 10 and Dolphin S100 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 | Dolphin Active 10 | Dolphin S100 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | No | YesEdge |
| Scrubs the waterline | No | No |
| Fine-debris filter included | No | YesEdge |
| Large-debris filter | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic scheduling | No | YesEdge |
| Smartphone app | No | No |
| Anti-tangle swivel | Not listed | Not listed |
| 3-year warranty | No | 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 Dolphin Active 10 stands out
Dolphin Active 10 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $649 starting price.
- Is listed $200 lower
- Cleans the pool floor
Where Dolphin S100 stands out
Dolphin S100 is the better fit for pools up to 33 ft.
- Adds wall climbing and scrubbing
- Includes filtration for sand, pollen and other fine debris
- Can start on a weekly schedule without a manual launch before every cycle
- Is rated for pools up to 33 ft
Dolphin Active 10 vs Dolphin S100 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 | Dolphin Active 10 | Dolphin S100 |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor cleaning. | Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning, with fine debris. |
| Starting price | $649 | $849 |
| Pool type | Above-ground | Inground, Above-ground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 30 ft | Up to 33 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor | Floor, Walls |
| Power | Corded | Corded |
| Filtration | Basket | Basket, UltraFilter |
| Scheduling | One-touch start | Weekly schedule |
| App and remote | Power-supply controls | Power-supply controls |
| Cable | 40 ft | 50 ft |
| Robot weight | 14 lb | 14 lb |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Active 10 and Dolphin S100 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.
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