Help me choose
Our pick: Dolphin Escape
Dolphin Escape is the Pool Express pick in this matchup. Dolphin Escape carries a 2-year warranty instead of 1 years. Dolphin Escape is rated for pools up to 30 ft.
Max-Series
Dolphin Escape
Inground and above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor cleaning.
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.
Why Dolphin Escape is our pick
Dolphin Escape
Inground and above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor cleaning.
$669
Buy Dolphin EscapeDolphin Escape or Niya Sonar Ray: our take
Dolphin Escape 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 Escape is rated for pools up to 30 ft; Niya Sonar Ray is rated up to 26 ft. Each cleans floor, so coverage alone does not separate them. Dolphin Escape lists 1 active brush, SmartNav 2.0 navigation, and Dual 24-volt DC motors. Niya Sonar Ray lists Sonar navigation.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin Escape includes MaxBin; Niya Sonar Ray includes Basket.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Both models provide one-touch starts and power-supply controls. Dolphin Escape uses a 40 ft corded cable, while Niya Sonar Ray uses cordless battery power. Dolphin Escape is listed at 14.2 lb versus 7.1 lb for Niya Sonar Ray; that 7.1 lb difference matters when lifting the robot from the pool.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Escape is listed at $669 and Niya Sonar Ray at $199; Niya Sonar Ray is $470 less. Dolphin Escape lists a 2-year warranty compared with 1 years for Niya Sonar Ray. Pool Express pick: Dolphin Escape. Dolphin Escape carries a 2-year warranty instead of 1 years. Dolphin Escape is rated for pools up to 30 ft. Choose Niya Sonar Ray when it is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $199 starting price.
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 Escape | Niya Sonar Ray |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | No | 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 Escape stands out
Dolphin Escape is the better fit for pools up to 30 ft.
- Carries a 2-year warranty instead of 1 years
- Is rated for pools up to 30 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 $470 lower
- Weighs 7.1 lb versus 14.2 lb
Dolphin Escape vs Niya Sonar Ray 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 Escape | Niya Sonar Ray |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground and above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor cleaning. | Flat-bottomed above-ground and small inground pools up to 26 ft that need the floor cleaned without a cord. |
| Starting price | $669 | $199 |
| Pool type | Inground, Above-ground | Inground, Above-ground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 30 ft | Up to 26 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor | Floor |
| Power | Corded | Cordless |
| Filtration | MaxBin | Basket |
| Scheduling | One-touch start | One-touch start |
| App and remote | Power-supply controls | Power-supply controls |
| Cable | 40 ft | Cordless |
| Robot weight | 14.2 lb | 7.1 lb |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 years |
Choose Dolphin Escape
Dolphin Escape is the Pool Express pick in this matchup. Dolphin Escape carries a 2-year warranty instead of 1 years. Dolphin Escape is rated for pools up to 30 ft.
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