Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Explorer E40 and Niya Sonar Ray are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Escape. Inground and above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor cleaning.
Explorer
Dolphin Explorer E40
Inground pools up to 50 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.
What we recommend instead
Dolphin Escape
Inground and above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor cleaning.
$669
Buy Dolphin EscapeDolphin Explorer E40 or Niya Sonar Ray: our take
Dolphin Explorer E40 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
Dolphin Explorer E40 is intended for inground pools, while Niya Sonar Ray is intended for inground and above-ground pools. Dolphin Explorer E40 is rated for pools up to 50 ft; Niya Sonar Ray is rated up to 26 ft. Each cleans floor, so coverage alone does not separate them. Niya Sonar Ray's documented cleaning system includes Sonar navigation.
Filtration and debris
Niya Sonar Ray has documented included filtration—Basket—while the other model's included media is not fully published. Niya Sonar Ray has the better documented path for bulky leaves and larger debris.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin Explorer E40 provides no fully published timer, app or remote specification; Niya Sonar Ray provides one-touch starts and power-supply controls.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Explorer E40 is listed at $1,599 and Niya Sonar Ray at $199; Niya Sonar Ray is $1,400 less. Dolphin Explorer E40 lists a 3-year warranty compared with 1 years for Niya Sonar Ray. Dolphin Explorer E40 and Niya Sonar Ray each have a specific fit, but neither is the Pool Express pick for this job. Our better alternative is Dolphin Escape. Inground and above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor 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 E40 | 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 | No | YesEdge |
| Automatic scheduling | Not listed | No |
| Smartphone app | Not listed | No |
| Anti-tangle swivel | Not listed | Not listed |
| 3-year warranty | YesEdge | 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 E40 stands out
Dolphin Explorer E40 is the better fit for pools up to 50 ft.
- Carries a 3-year warranty instead of 1 years
- Is rated for pools up to 50 ft
Where Niya Sonar Ray stands out
Niya Sonar Ray is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $199 starting price.
- Includes a large-debris bin or bag for leaves
- Is listed $1,400 lower
Dolphin Explorer E40 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 Explorer E40 | Niya Sonar Ray |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground pools up to 50 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 | $1,599 | $199 |
| Pool type | Inground | Inground, Above-ground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 50 ft | Up to 26 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor | Floor |
| Power | Not listed | Cordless |
| Filtration | Not listed | Basket |
| Scheduling | Not listed | One-touch start |
| App and remote | Not listed | Power-supply controls |
| Cable | Not listed | Cordless |
| Robot weight | Not listed | 7.1 lb |
| Warranty | 3 years | 1 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Explorer E40 and Niya Sonar Ray are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Escape. Inground and above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor cleaning.
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