Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Active 15 and Dolphin Explorer E70 are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Quantum. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
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 E70
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
What we recommend instead
Dolphin Quantum
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
$1,649
Buy Dolphin QuantumDolphin Active 15 or Dolphin Explorer E70: our take
Dolphin Active 15 and Dolphin Explorer E70 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 E70 is intended for inground pools. Dolphin Active 15 is rated for pools up to 33 ft; Dolphin Explorer E70 is rated up to 50 ft. Dolphin Active 15 cleans floor and walls; Dolphin Explorer E70 cleans floor, walls, and waterline. Dolphin Active 15 lists 1 active brush. Dolphin Explorer E70 lists CleverClean navigation.
Filtration and debris
Both models include Basket and UltraFilter. Both have documented fine-debris media, so basket capacity and ease of cleaning matter more than fine-particle capability.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin Active 15 provides a weekly timer and power-supply controls; Dolphin Explorer E70 provides a weekly timer, smartphone control, and included remote control. Dolphin Active 15 uses a 40 ft corded cable, while Dolphin Explorer E70 uses a 60 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Active 15 is listed at $849 and Dolphin Explorer E70 at $2,099; Dolphin Active 15 is $1,250 less. Dolphin Active 15 lists a 2-year warranty compared with 3 years for Dolphin Explorer E70. Dolphin Active 15 and Dolphin Explorer E70 each have a specific fit, but neither is the Pool Express pick for this job. Our better alternative is Dolphin Quantum. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
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 E70 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | Yes | Yes |
| Scrubs the waterline | No | YesEdge |
| Fine-debris filter included | Yes | Yes |
| Large-debris filter | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic scheduling | Yes | Yes |
| Smartphone app | No | YesEdge |
| Anti-tangle swivel | Not listed | Yes |
| 3-year warranty | No | YesEdge |
| 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 15 stands out
Dolphin Active 15 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $849 starting price.
- Is listed $1,250 lower
- Cleans floor and walls
Where Dolphin Explorer E70 stands out
Dolphin Explorer E70 is the better fit for pools up to 50 ft.
- Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
- Adds smartphone control
- Carries a 3-year warranty instead of 2 years
- Is rated for pools up to 50 ft
Dolphin Active 15 vs Dolphin Explorer E70 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 E70 |
|---|---|---|
| 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, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris. |
| Starting price | $849 | $2,099 |
| Pool type | Inground, Above-ground | Inground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 33 ft | Up to 50 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls | Floor, Walls, Waterline |
| Power | Corded | Corded |
| Filtration | Basket, UltraFilter | Basket, UltraFilter |
| Scheduling | Weekly schedule | Weekly schedule + app |
| App and remote | Power-supply controls | App + included remote |
| Cable | 40 ft | 60 ft with anti-tangle swivel |
| Robot weight | 14 lb | Not listed |
| Warranty | 2 years | 3 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Active 15 and Dolphin Explorer E70 are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Quantum. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
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