Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Active 60 and Niya Sonar 20 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 60
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
Niya Sonar
Niya Sonar 20
Above-ground pools up to 26 ft that need the floor cleaned 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 60 or Niya Sonar 20: our take
Dolphin Active 60 and Niya Sonar 20 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 60 is intended for inground pools, while Niya Sonar 20 is intended for above-ground pools. Dolphin Active 60 is rated for pools up to 50 ft; Niya Sonar 20 is rated up to 26 ft. Dolphin Active 60 cleans floor, walls, and waterline; Niya Sonar 20 cleans floor. Dolphin Active 60 lists 2 active brushes and CleverClean navigation. Niya Sonar 20 lists Sonar navigation and Dual drive motors.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin Active 60 includes Basket and UltraFilter; Niya Sonar 20 includes Basket. That gives Dolphin Active 60 the clearer documented edge for fine silt, pollen and sand.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin Active 60 provides a weekly timer, smartphone control, and included remote control; Niya Sonar 20 provides one-touch starts and power-supply controls. Dolphin Active 60 uses a 60 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel, while Niya Sonar 20 uses cordless battery power.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Active 60 is listed at $1,999 and Niya Sonar 20 at $199; Niya Sonar 20 is $1,800 less. Dolphin Active 60 lists a 3-year warranty compared with 1 years for Niya Sonar 20. Dolphin Active 60 and Niya Sonar 20 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 60 | Niya Sonar 20 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic scheduling | YesEdge | No |
| Smartphone app | YesEdge | No |
| Anti-tangle swivel | Yes | Not listed |
| 3-year warranty | YesEdge | 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 60 stands out
Dolphin Active 60 is the better fit for pools up to 50 ft.
- Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
- Includes filtration for sand, pollen and other fine debris
- Can start on a weekly schedule without a manual launch before every cycle
- Adds smartphone control
Where Niya Sonar 20 stands out
Niya Sonar 20 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $199 starting price.
- Is listed $1,800 lower
- Cleans the pool floor
Dolphin Active 60 vs Niya Sonar 20 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 60 | Niya Sonar 20 |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris. | Above-ground pools up to 26 ft that need the floor cleaned without a cord. |
| Starting price | $1,999 | $199 |
| Pool type | Inground | Above-ground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 50 ft | Up to 26 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls, Waterline | Floor |
| Power | Corded | Cordless |
| Filtration | Basket, UltraFilter | Basket |
| Scheduling | Weekly schedule + app | One-touch start |
| App and remote | App + included remote | Power-supply controls |
| Cable | 60 ft with anti-tangle swivel | Cordless |
| Robot weight | Not listed | 10 lb |
| Warranty | 3 years | 1 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Active 60 and Niya Sonar 20 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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