Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Active 10 and Niya Sonar 30 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.
Niya Sonar
Niya Sonar 30
Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning without a cord.
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 Niya Sonar 30: our take
Dolphin Active 10 and Niya Sonar 30 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 Niya Sonar 30 is intended for inground and above-ground pools. Dolphin Active 10 is rated for pools up to 30 ft; Niya Sonar 30 is rated up to 33 ft. Dolphin Active 10 cleans floor; Niya Sonar 30 cleans floor, walls, and waterline. Dolphin Active 10 lists 1 active brush. Niya Sonar 30 lists 2 active brushes, Sonar navigation, and Three brushless motors.
Filtration and debris
Both models include Basket.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Both models provide one-touch starts and power-supply controls. Dolphin Active 10 uses a 40 ft corded cable, while Niya Sonar 30 uses cordless battery power. Dolphin Active 10 is listed at 14 lb versus 19.2 lb for Niya Sonar 30; that 5.199999999999999 lb difference matters when lifting the robot from the pool.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Active 10 is listed at $649 and Niya Sonar 30 at $379; Niya Sonar 30 is $270 less. Dolphin Active 10 lists a 2-year warranty compared with 1 years for Niya Sonar 30. Dolphin Active 10 and Niya Sonar 30 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 | Niya Sonar 30 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | No | YesEdge |
| Scrubs the waterline | No | YesEdge |
| Fine-debris filter included | No | No |
| Large-debris filter | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic scheduling | No | No |
| Smartphone app | No | No |
| Anti-tangle swivel | Not listed | Not listed |
| 3-year warranty | No | No |
| No recharging between cycles | YesEdge | No |
| 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 above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor cleaning.
- Carries a 2-year warranty instead of 1 years
- Runs from continuous plug-in power without a recharge between cycles
- Weighs 14 lb versus 19.2 lb
Where Niya Sonar 30 stands out
Niya Sonar 30 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $379 starting price.
- Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
- Uses 2 active brushes instead of 1
- Is rated for pools up to 33 ft
- Is listed $270 lower
Dolphin Active 10 vs Niya Sonar 30 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 | Niya Sonar 30 |
|---|---|---|
| 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, wall and waterline cleaning without a cord. |
| Starting price | $649 | $379 |
| Pool type | Above-ground | Inground, Above-ground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 30 ft | Up to 33 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor | Floor, Walls, Waterline |
| Power | Corded | Cordless |
| Filtration | Basket | Basket |
| Scheduling | One-touch start | One-touch start |
| App and remote | Power-supply controls | Power-supply controls |
| Cable | 40 ft | Cordless |
| Robot weight | 14 lb | 19.2 lb |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Active 10 and Niya Sonar 30 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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