Robotic pool cleaner comparison

Dolphin Echo vs Niya Sonar Ray

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 Niya Sonar Ray 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.

Buy Dolphin Cayman Compare every robot

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

Niya Sonar

Niya Sonar Ray

Flat-bottomed above-ground and small inground pools up to 26 ft that need the floor cleaned without a cord.

Listed price $199

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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 Echo or Niya Sonar Ray: our take

Dolphin Echo and Niya Sonar Ray 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. Dolphin Echo is rated for pools up to 33 ft; Niya Sonar Ray is rated up to 26 ft. Dolphin Echo cleans floor and walls; Niya Sonar Ray cleans floor. Dolphin Echo lists 1 active brush and CleverClean navigation. Niya Sonar Ray lists Sonar navigation.

Filtration and debris

Both models include Basket.

Controls and day-to-day ownership

Both models provide one-touch starts and power-supply controls. Dolphin Echo uses continuous corded power, while Niya Sonar Ray uses cordless battery power. Dolphin Echo is listed at 14.8 lb versus 7.1 lb for Niya Sonar Ray; that 7.700000000000001 lb difference matters when lifting the robot from the pool.

Price, warranty and the decision

Dolphin Echo is listed at $749 and Niya Sonar Ray at $199; Niya Sonar Ray is $550 less. Dolphin Echo lists a 2-year warranty compared with 1 years for Niya Sonar Ray. Dolphin Echo and Niya Sonar Ray 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 Echo	Niya Sonar Ray
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 Echo stands out

Dolphin Echo 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 Ray stands out

Niya Sonar Ray is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $199 starting price.

Is listed $550 lower
Weighs 7.1 lb versus 14.8 lb