Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Explorer E25 and Niya Sonar 20 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.
Explorer
Dolphin Explorer E25
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
Niya Sonar
Niya Sonar 20
Above-ground pools up to 26 ft that need the floor cleaned without a cord.
What we recommend instead
Dolphin Cayman
Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
$1,079
Buy Dolphin CaymanDolphin Explorer E25 or Niya Sonar 20: our take
Dolphin Explorer E25 and Niya Sonar 20 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 Explorer E25 is intended for inground pools, while Niya Sonar 20 is intended for above-ground pools. Dolphin Explorer E25 is rated for pools up to 50 ft; Niya Sonar 20 is rated up to 26 ft. Dolphin Explorer E25 cleans floor and walls; Niya Sonar 20 cleans floor. Niya Sonar 20's documented cleaning system includes Sonar navigation and Dual drive motors.
Filtration and debris
Niya Sonar 20 has documented included filtration—Basket—while the other model's included media is not fully published. Niya Sonar 20 has the better documented path for bulky leaves and larger debris.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin Explorer E25 provides smartphone control; Niya Sonar 20 provides one-touch starts and power-supply controls.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Explorer E25 is listed at $899 and Niya Sonar 20 at $199; Niya Sonar 20 is $700 less. Dolphin Explorer E25 lists a 2-year warranty compared with 1 years for Niya Sonar 20. Dolphin Explorer E25 and Niya Sonar 20 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 Explorer E25 | Niya Sonar 20 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | YesEdge |
| Automatic scheduling | Not listed | No |
| Smartphone app | YesEdge | No |
| Anti-tangle swivel | Not listed | Not listed |
| 3-year warranty | No | No |
| No recharging between cycles | Not listed | 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 Explorer E25 stands out
Dolphin Explorer E25 is the better fit for pools up to 50 ft.
- Adds wall climbing and scrubbing
- Adds smartphone control
- Carries a 2-year warranty instead of 1 years
- Is rated for pools up to 50 ft
Where Niya Sonar 20 stands out
Niya Sonar 20 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $199 starting price.
- Includes a large-debris bin or bag for leaves
- Is listed $700 lower
Dolphin Explorer E25 vs Niya Sonar 20 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 | Niya Sonar 20 |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor and wall cleaning. | Above-ground pools up to 26 ft that need the floor cleaned without a cord. |
| Starting price | $899 | $199 |
| Pool type | Inground | Above-ground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 50 ft | Up to 26 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls | Floor |
| Power | Not listed | Cordless |
| Filtration | Not listed | Basket |
| Scheduling | Not listed | One-touch start |
| App and remote | App control | Power-supply controls |
| Cable | Not listed | Cordless |
| Robot weight | Not listed | 10 lb |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Explorer E25 and Niya Sonar 20 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.
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