Robotic pool cleaner comparison

Dolphin Active Solo vs Dolphin Explorer E25

A side-by-side comparison of pool fit, cleaning coverage, filtration, controls and the better Pool Express option.

By Brian Williamson, Pool Express product specialist
Updated November 9, 2026

Better alternative

A stronger Pool Express option

Dolphin Active Solo and Dolphin Explorer E25 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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Active

Dolphin Active Solo

Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning at the lowest Active-series price.

Listed price $599

View better alternatives

Explorer

Dolphin Explorer E25

Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.

Listed price $899

View better alternatives

A better alternative

What we recommend instead

Pool Express pick

Dolphin Cayman

Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.

$1,079

Buy Dolphin Cayman

Buying guidance

Dolphin Active Solo or Dolphin Explorer E25: our take

Dolphin Active Solo and Dolphin Explorer E25 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 Solo is intended for inground and above-ground pools, while Dolphin Explorer E25 is intended for inground pools. Dolphin Active Solo is rated for pools up to 33 ft; Dolphin Explorer E25 is rated up to 50 ft. Each cleans floor and walls, so coverage alone does not separate them. Dolphin Active Solo's documented cleaning system includes 1 active brush and CleverClean navigation.

Filtration and debris

Dolphin Active Solo has documented included filtration—Basket—while the other model's included media is not fully published. Dolphin Active Solo also has the better documented path for bulky leaves and larger debris.

Controls and day-to-day ownership

Dolphin Active Solo provides one-touch starts and power-supply controls; Dolphin Explorer E25 provides smartphone control.

Price, warranty and the decision

Dolphin Active Solo is listed at $599 and Dolphin Explorer E25 at $899; Dolphin Active Solo is $300 less. Each lists a 2-year manufacturer warranty. Dolphin Active Solo and Dolphin Explorer E25 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 Solo	Dolphin Explorer E25
Cleans the pool floor	Yes	Yes
Climbs and cleans walls	Yes	Yes
Scrubs the waterline	No	No
Fine-debris filter included	No	No
Large-debris filter	YesEdge	No
Automatic scheduling	No	Not listed
Smartphone app	No	YesEdge
Anti-tangle swivel	No	Not listed
3-year warranty	No	No
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 Solo stands out

Dolphin Active Solo is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $599 starting price.

Includes a large-debris bin or bag for leaves
Is listed $300 lower

Where Dolphin Explorer E25 stands out

Dolphin Explorer E25 is the better fit for pools up to 50 ft.

Adds smartphone control
Is rated for pools up to 50 ft

Dolphin Active Solo vs Dolphin Explorer E25 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 Solo	Dolphin Explorer E25
Best fit	Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning at the lowest Active-series price.	Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
Starting price	$599	$899
Pool type	Inground, Above-ground	Inground
Maximum pool length	Up to 33 ft	Up to 50 ft
Cleaning coverage	Floor, Walls	Floor, Walls
Power	Corded	Not listed
Filtration	Basket	Not listed
Scheduling	One-touch start	Not listed
App and remote	Power-supply controls	App control
Cable	Not listed	Not listed
Robot weight	14.6 lb	Not listed
Warranty	2 years	2 years

Final call

Consider the stronger Pool Express option