Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Active Solo 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 Solo
Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning at the lowest Active-series price.
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 Solo or Niya Sonar 20: our take
Dolphin Active Solo 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 Solo is intended for inground and above-ground pools, while Niya Sonar 20 is intended for above-ground pools. Dolphin Active Solo is rated for pools up to 33 ft; Niya Sonar 20 is rated up to 26 ft. Dolphin Active Solo cleans floor and walls; Niya Sonar 20 cleans floor. Dolphin Active Solo lists 1 active brush and CleverClean navigation. Niya Sonar 20 lists Sonar navigation and Dual drive motors.
Filtration and debris
Both models include Basket.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Both models provide one-touch starts and power-supply controls. Dolphin Active Solo uses continuous corded power, while Niya Sonar 20 uses cordless battery power. Dolphin Active Solo is listed at 14.6 lb versus 10 lb for Niya Sonar 20; that 4.6 lb difference matters when lifting the robot from the pool.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Active Solo is listed at $599 and Niya Sonar 20 at $199; Niya Sonar 20 is $400 less. Dolphin Active Solo lists a 2-year warranty compared with 1 years for Niya Sonar 20. Dolphin Active Solo 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 Solo | Niya Sonar 20 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | YesEdge | No |
| Scrubs the waterline | No | No |
| Fine-debris filter included | No | No |
| Large-debris filter | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic scheduling | No | No |
| Smartphone app | No | No |
| Anti-tangle swivel | No | Not listed |
| 3-year warranty | No | 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 Solo stands out
Dolphin Active Solo is the better fit for pools up to 33 ft.
- Adds wall climbing and scrubbing
- Carries a 2-year warranty instead of 1 years
- Is rated for pools up to 33 ft
- Runs from continuous plug-in power without a recharge between cycles
Where Niya Sonar 20 stands out
Niya Sonar 20 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $199 starting price.
- Is listed $400 lower
- Weighs 10 lb versus 14.6 lb
Dolphin Active Solo 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 Solo | Niya Sonar 20 |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning at the lowest Active-series price. | Above-ground pools up to 26 ft that need the floor cleaned without a cord. |
| Starting price | $599 | $199 |
| Pool type | Inground, Above-ground | Above-ground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 33 ft | Up to 26 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls | Floor |
| Power | Corded | Cordless |
| Filtration | Basket | Basket |
| Scheduling | One-touch start | One-touch start |
| App and remote | Power-supply controls | Power-supply controls |
| Cable | Not listed | Cordless |
| Robot weight | 14.6 lb | 10 lb |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Active Solo 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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