Robotic pool cleaner comparison

Dolphin Echo vs Dolphin Proteus DX4

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 Echo and Dolphin Proteus DX4 are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Quantum. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.

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Echo

Dolphin Echo

Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning with the least fuss.

Listed price $749

View better alternatives

Proteus

Dolphin Proteus DX4

Inground pools that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.

Listed price $1,199

View better alternatives

A better alternative

What we recommend instead

Pool Express pick

Dolphin Quantum

Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.

$1,649

Buy Dolphin Quantum

Buying guidance

Dolphin Echo or Dolphin Proteus DX4: our take

Dolphin Echo and Dolphin Proteus DX4 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 Echo is intended for inground and above-ground pools, while Dolphin Proteus DX4 is intended for inground pools. Dolphin Echo has a published maximum pool length of 33 ft; the other model does not have a verified length in our source material. Dolphin Echo cleans floor and walls; Dolphin Proteus DX4 cleans floor, walls, and waterline. Dolphin Echo lists 1 active brush and CleverClean navigation. Dolphin Proteus DX4 lists 1 active brush.

Filtration and debris

Both models include Basket.

Controls and day-to-day ownership

Dolphin Echo provides one-touch starts and power-supply controls; Dolphin Proteus DX4 provides a weekly timer and power-supply controls. Dolphin Echo uses continuous corded power, while Dolphin Proteus DX4 uses a 60 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel.

Price, warranty and the decision

Dolphin Echo is listed at $749 and Dolphin Proteus DX4 at $1,199; Dolphin Echo is $450 less. Each lists a 2-year manufacturer warranty. Dolphin Echo and Dolphin Proteus DX4 each have a specific fit, but neither is the Pool Express pick for this job. Our better alternative is Dolphin Quantum. 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 Echo	Dolphin Proteus DX4
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	YesEdge
Smartphone app	No	No
Anti-tangle swivel	No	YesEdge
3-year warranty	No	No
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 Echo stands out

Dolphin Echo is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $749 starting price.

Is listed $450 lower
Cleans floor and walls

Where Dolphin Proteus DX4 stands out

Dolphin Proteus DX4 is the better fit for inground pools that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.

Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
Can start on a weekly schedule without a manual launch before every cycle
Uses an anti-tangle swivel cable