Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Active Solo and Niya Sonar 30 are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Premier. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris and heavy leaves.
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 30
Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning without a cord.
What we recommend instead
Dolphin Premier
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris and heavy leaves.
$1,999
Buy Dolphin PremierDolphin Active Solo or Niya Sonar 30: our take
Dolphin Active Solo and Niya Sonar 30 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
Both robots are intended for inground and above-ground pools. Both are rated for pools up to 33 ft. Dolphin Active Solo cleans floor and walls; Niya Sonar 30 cleans floor, walls, and waterline. Dolphin Active Solo lists 1 active brush and CleverClean navigation. Niya Sonar 30 lists 2 active brushes, Sonar navigation, and Three brushless 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 30 uses cordless battery power. Dolphin Active Solo is listed at 14.6 lb versus 19.2 lb for Niya Sonar 30; 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 30 at $379; Niya Sonar 30 is $220 less. Dolphin Active Solo lists a 2-year warranty compared with 1 years for Niya Sonar 30. Dolphin Active Solo and Niya Sonar 30 each have a specific fit, but neither is the Pool Express pick for this job. Our better alternative is Dolphin Premier. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris and heavy leaves.
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 30 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | Yes | Yes |
| Scrubs the waterline | No | YesEdge |
| 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 inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning at the lowest Active-series price.
- Carries a 2-year warranty instead of 1 years
- Runs from continuous plug-in power without a recharge between cycles
- Weighs 14.6 lb versus 19.2 lb
Where Niya Sonar 30 stands out
Niya Sonar 30 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $379 starting price.
- Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
- Uses 2 active brushes instead of 1
- Is listed $220 lower
Dolphin Active Solo vs Niya Sonar 30 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 30 |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning at the lowest Active-series price. | Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning without a cord. |
| Starting price | $599 | $379 |
| Pool type | Inground, Above-ground | Inground, Above-ground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 33 ft | Up to 33 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls | Floor, Walls, Waterline |
| 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 | 19.2 lb |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Active Solo and Niya Sonar 30 are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Premier. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris and heavy leaves.
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