Robotic pool cleaner comparison

Dolphin Echo vs Dolphin Proteus DX5i

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 DX5i 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

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Proteus

Dolphin Proteus DX5i

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

Listed price $1,299

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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 DX5i: our take

Dolphin Echo and Dolphin Proteus DX5i 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 DX5i is intended for inground pools. Dolphin Echo is rated for pools up to 33 ft; Dolphin Proteus DX5i is rated up to 50 ft. Dolphin Echo cleans floor and walls; Dolphin Proteus DX5i cleans floor, walls, and waterline. Dolphin Echo lists 1 active brush and CleverClean navigation. Dolphin Proteus DX5i 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 DX5i provides smartphone control. Dolphin Echo uses continuous corded power, while Dolphin Proteus DX5i 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 DX5i at $1,299; Dolphin Echo is $550 less. Each lists a 2-year manufacturer warranty. Dolphin Echo and Dolphin Proteus DX5i 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 DX5i
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	Not listed
Smartphone app	No	YesEdge
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 $550 lower
Cleans floor and walls

Where Dolphin Proteus DX5i stands out

Dolphin Proteus DX5i is the better fit for pools up to 50 ft.

Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
Adds smartphone control
Uses an anti-tangle swivel cable
Is rated for pools up to 50 ft