Robotic pool cleaner comparison

Dolphin Explorer E25 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 Explorer E25 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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Explorer

Dolphin Explorer E25

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

Listed price $899

View better alternatives

Proteus

Dolphin Proteus DX5i

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

Listed price $1,299

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 Explorer E25 or Dolphin Proteus DX5i: our take

Dolphin Explorer E25 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

Both robots are intended for inground pools. Both are rated for pools up to 50 ft. Dolphin Explorer E25 cleans floor and walls; Dolphin Proteus DX5i cleans floor, walls, and waterline. Dolphin Proteus DX5i's documented cleaning system includes 1 active brush.

Filtration and debris

Dolphin Proteus DX5i has documented included filtration—Basket—while the other model's included media is not fully published. Dolphin Proteus DX5i has the better documented path for bulky leaves and larger debris.

Controls and day-to-day ownership

Both models provide smartphone control.

Price, warranty and the decision

Dolphin Explorer E25 is listed at $899 and Dolphin Proteus DX5i at $1,299; Dolphin Explorer E25 is $400 less. Each lists a 2-year manufacturer warranty. Dolphin Explorer E25 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 Explorer E25	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	No	YesEdge
Automatic scheduling	Not listed	Not listed
Smartphone app	Yes	Yes
Anti-tangle swivel	Not listed	Yes
3-year warranty	No	No
No recharging between cycles	Not listed	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 E25 stands out

Dolphin Explorer E25 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $899 starting price.

Is listed $400 lower
Cleans floor and walls

Where Dolphin Proteus DX5i stands out

Dolphin Proteus DX5i is the better fit for inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.

Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
Includes a large-debris bin or bag for leaves

Dolphin Explorer E25 vs Dolphin Proteus DX5i 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 E25	Dolphin Proteus DX5i
Best fit	Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.	Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.
Starting price	$899	$1,299
Pool type	Inground	Inground
Maximum pool length	Up to 50 ft	Up to 50 ft
Cleaning coverage	Floor, Walls	Floor, Walls, Waterline
Power	Not listed	Corded
Filtration	Not listed	Basket
Scheduling	Not listed	Not listed
App and remote	App control	App control
Cable	Not listed	60 ft with anti-tangle swivel
Robot weight	Not listed	Not listed
Warranty	2 years	2 years

Final call

Consider the stronger Pool Express option