Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Active 15 and Dolphin Explorer E40 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.
Active
Dolphin Active 15
Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning, with fine debris.
Explorer
Dolphin Explorer E40
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor cleaning.
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 15 or Dolphin Explorer E40: our take
Dolphin Active 15 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
Dolphin Active 15 is intended for inground and above-ground pools, while Dolphin Explorer E40 is intended for inground pools. Dolphin Active 15 is rated for pools up to 33 ft; Dolphin Explorer E40 is rated up to 50 ft. Dolphin Active 15 cleans floor and walls; Dolphin Explorer E40 cleans floor. Dolphin Active 15's documented cleaning system includes 1 active brush.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin Active 15 has documented included filtration—Basket and UltraFilter—while the other model's included media is not fully published. That gives Dolphin Active 15 the clearer documented edge for fine silt, pollen and sand. Dolphin Active 15 also has the better documented path for bulky leaves and larger debris.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin Active 15 provides a weekly timer and power-supply controls; Dolphin Explorer E40 provides no fully published timer, app or remote specification.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Active 15 is listed at $849 and Dolphin Explorer E40 at $1,599; Dolphin Active 15 is $750 less. Dolphin Active 15 lists a 2-year warranty compared with 3 years for Dolphin Explorer E40. Dolphin Active 15 and Dolphin Explorer E40 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 15 | Dolphin Explorer E40 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | YesEdge | No |
| Scrubs the waterline | No | No |
| Fine-debris filter included | YesEdge | No |
| Large-debris filter | YesEdge | No |
| Automatic scheduling | Yes | Not listed |
| Smartphone app | No | Not listed |
| Anti-tangle swivel | Not listed | Not listed |
| 3-year warranty | No | YesEdge |
| 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 Dolphin Active 15 stands out
Dolphin Active 15 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $849 starting price.
- Adds wall climbing and scrubbing
- Includes filtration for sand, pollen and other fine debris
- Includes a large-debris bin or bag for leaves
- Is listed $750 lower
Where Dolphin Explorer E40 stands out
Dolphin Explorer E40 is the better fit for pools up to 50 ft.
- Carries a 3-year warranty instead of 2 years
- Is rated for pools up to 50 ft
Dolphin Active 15 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 | Dolphin Active 15 | Dolphin Explorer E40 |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning, with fine debris. | Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor cleaning. |
| Starting price | $849 | $1,599 |
| Pool type | Inground, Above-ground | Inground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 33 ft | Up to 50 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls | Floor |
| Power | Corded | Not listed |
| Filtration | Basket, UltraFilter | Not listed |
| Scheduling | Weekly schedule | Not listed |
| App and remote | Power-supply controls | Not listed |
| Cable | 40 ft | Not listed |
| Robot weight | 14 lb | Not listed |
| Warranty | 2 years | 3 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Active 15 and Dolphin Explorer E40 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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