Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Active 20 and Polaris 9300 Sport Pool Cleaner F9300 are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Clear S. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
Active
Dolphin Active 20
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
Polaris
Polaris 9300 Sport Pool Cleaner F9300
Pools that need floor cleaning.
What we recommend instead
Clear S
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
$1,749
Buy Clear SDolphin Active 20 or Polaris 9300 Sport Pool Cleaner F9300: our take
Dolphin Active 20 and Polaris 9300 Sport Pool Cleaner F9300 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 20 has a published maximum pool length of 50 ft; the other model does not have a verified length in our source material. Dolphin Active 20 cleans floor, walls, and waterline; Polaris 9300 Sport Pool Cleaner F9300 cleans floor. Dolphin Active 20's documented cleaning system includes 1 active brush.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin Active 20 has documented included filtration—Basket and UltraFilter—while the other model's included media is not fully published. That gives Dolphin Active 20 the clearer documented edge for fine silt, pollen and sand. Dolphin Active 20 also has the better documented path for bulky leaves and larger debris.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin Active 20 provides a weekly timer and power-supply controls; Polaris 9300 Sport Pool Cleaner F9300 provides daily scheduling. Dolphin Active 20 uses a 60 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel, while Polaris 9300 Sport Pool Cleaner F9300 uses a 60 ft corded cable.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Active 20 is listed at $1,119 and Polaris 9300 Sport Pool Cleaner F9300 at $1,393.60; Dolphin Active 20 is $274.60 less. Dolphin Active 20 and Polaris 9300 Sport Pool Cleaner F9300 each have a specific fit, but neither is the Pool Express pick for this job. Our better alternative is Clear S. 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 20 | Polaris 9300 Sport Pool Cleaner F9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | YesEdge | No |
| Scrubs the waterline | YesEdge | No |
| Fine-debris filter included | YesEdge | No |
| Large-debris filter | YesEdge | No |
| Automatic scheduling | Yes | Yes |
| Smartphone app | No | Not listed |
| Anti-tangle swivel | Yes | Not listed |
| 3-year warranty | No | Not listed |
| 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 20 stands out
Dolphin Active 20 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $1,119 starting price.
- Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
- Includes filtration for sand, pollen and other fine debris
- Includes a large-debris bin or bag for leaves
- Can start on a weekly schedule without a manual launch before every cycle
Where Polaris 9300 Sport Pool Cleaner F9300 stands out
Polaris 9300 Sport Pool Cleaner F9300 is the better fit for pools that need floor cleaning.
- Cleans the pool floor
- 60 ft cable
Dolphin Active 20 vs Polaris 9300 Sport Pool Cleaner F9300 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 20 | Polaris 9300 Sport Pool Cleaner F9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris. | Pools that need floor cleaning. |
| Starting price | $1,119 | $1,393.60 |
| Pool type | Inground | Not listed |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 50 ft | Not listed |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls, Waterline | Floor |
| Power | Corded | Corded |
| Filtration | Basket, UltraFilter | Not listed |
| Scheduling | Weekly schedule | Daily schedule |
| App and remote | Power-supply controls | Not listed |
| Cable | 60 ft with anti-tangle swivel | 60 ft |
| Robot weight | Not listed | 18 lb |
| Warranty | 2 years | Not listed |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Active 20 and Polaris 9300 Sport Pool Cleaner F9300 are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Clear S. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
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