Help me choose
Residential and commercial pools need different robots
Dolphin Explorer E20 and Dolphin Wave 60 serve different kinds of pools, so there is no honest one-size-fits-all winner. Choose Dolphin Cayman for residential use. Choose Dolphin Wave 60 for commercial use.
Explorer
Dolphin Explorer E20
Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
Wave
Dolphin Wave 60
Commercial pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.
Choose residential and commercial cleaners separately
Dolphin Cayman
Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
$1,079
Buy Dolphin Cayman
Dolphin Wave 60
Commercial pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.
$1,699
Buy Dolphin Wave 60Dolphin Explorer E20 or Dolphin Wave 60: our take
Dolphin Explorer E20 and Dolphin Wave 60 can be compared on specifications, but they are designed for different jobs. Start with residential versus commercial use, then use the details below to understand the tradeoffs.
Pool fit and cleaning reach
Dolphin Explorer E20 is intended for inground and above-ground pools, while Dolphin Wave 60 is intended for commercial pools. Dolphin Explorer E20 is rated for pools up to 33 ft; Dolphin Wave 60 is rated up to 50 ft. Dolphin Explorer E20 cleans floor and walls; Dolphin Wave 60 cleans floor, walls, and waterline. Dolphin Explorer E20 lists 1 active brush and Dual DC motors. Dolphin Wave 60 lists Commercial-grade motors.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin Explorer E20 has documented included filtration—Basket—while the other model's included media is not fully published. Dolphin Explorer E20 also has the better documented path for bulky leaves and larger debris.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin Explorer E20 provides one-touch starts and power-supply controls; Dolphin Wave 60 provides no fully published timer, app or remote specification. Dolphin Explorer E20 uses a 40 ft corded cable, while Dolphin Wave 60 uses continuous corded power.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Explorer E20 is listed at $699 and Dolphin Wave 60 at $1,699; Dolphin Explorer E20 is $1,000 less. Each lists a 2-year manufacturer warranty. These robots are built for different jobs, so pool type and facility capacity decide the comparison before individual features do. For a residential pool, the Pool Express pick is Dolphin Cayman. Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning. For a commercial facility, the Pool Express pick is Dolphin Wave 60. Commercial pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline 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 Explorer E20 | Dolphin Wave 60 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | YesEdge | No |
| Automatic scheduling | No | Not listed |
| Smartphone app | No | Not listed |
| Anti-tangle swivel | Not listed | Not listed |
| 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 Explorer E20 stands out
Dolphin Explorer E20 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $699 starting price.
- Includes a large-debris bin or bag for leaves
- Is listed $1,000 lower
Where Dolphin Wave 60 stands out
Dolphin Wave 60 is the better fit for pools up to 50 ft.
- Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
- Is rated for pools up to 50 ft
Dolphin Explorer E20 vs Dolphin Wave 60 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 Explorer E20 | Dolphin Wave 60 |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning. | Commercial pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning. |
| Starting price | $699 | $1,699 |
| Pool type | Inground, Above-ground | Commercial |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 33 ft | Up to 50 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls | Floor, Walls, Waterline |
| Power | Corded | Corded |
| Filtration | Basket | Not listed |
| Scheduling | One-touch start | Not listed |
| App and remote | Power-supply controls | Not listed |
| Cable | 40 ft | Not listed |
| Robot weight | 14.5 lb | Not listed |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
Choose for the pool you operate
Dolphin Explorer E20 and Dolphin Wave 60 serve different kinds of pools, so there is no honest one-size-fits-all winner. Choose Dolphin Cayman for residential use. Choose Dolphin Wave 60 for commercial use.
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