Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Liberty 400 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.
Liberty
Dolphin Liberty 400
Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning without a cord.
Proteus
Dolphin Proteus DX5i
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.
What we recommend instead
Dolphin Quantum
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
$1,649
Buy Dolphin QuantumDolphin Liberty 400 or Dolphin Proteus DX5i: our take
Dolphin Liberty 400 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
Dolphin Liberty 400 is intended for inground and above-ground pools, while Dolphin Proteus DX5i is intended for inground pools. Dolphin Liberty 400 is rated for pools up to 33 ft; Dolphin Proteus DX5i is rated up to 50 ft. Each cleans floor, walls, and waterline, so coverage alone does not separate them. Dolphin Proteus DX5i's documented cleaning system includes 1 active brush.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin Liberty 400 includes Basket and UltraFilter; Dolphin Proteus DX5i includes Basket. That gives Dolphin Liberty 400 the clearer documented edge for fine silt, pollen and sand.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin Liberty 400 provides a weekly timer and smartphone control; Dolphin Proteus DX5i provides smartphone control. Dolphin Liberty 400 uses cordless battery power, while Dolphin Proteus DX5i uses a 60 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Liberty 400 is listed at $1,429 and Dolphin Proteus DX5i at $1,299; Dolphin Proteus DX5i is $130 less. Dolphin Liberty 400 lists a 3-year warranty compared with 2 years for Dolphin Proteus DX5i. Dolphin Liberty 400 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 Liberty 400 | Dolphin Proteus DX5i |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | Yes | Yes |
| Scrubs the waterline | Yes | Yes |
| Fine-debris filter included | YesEdge | No |
| Large-debris filter | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic scheduling | Yes | Not listed |
| Smartphone app | Yes | Yes |
| Anti-tangle swivel | Not listed | Yes |
| 3-year warranty | YesEdge | No |
| No recharging between cycles | No | YesEdge |
| 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 Liberty 400 stands out
Dolphin Liberty 400 is the better fit for owners who value cordless handling more than automatic scheduling and continuous power.
- Includes filtration for sand, pollen and other fine debris
- Carries a 3-year warranty instead of 2 years
Where Dolphin Proteus DX5i stands out
Dolphin Proteus DX5i is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $1,299 starting price.
- Is rated for pools up to 50 ft
- Runs from continuous plug-in power without a recharge between cycles
- Is listed $130 lower
Dolphin Liberty 400 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 Liberty 400 | Dolphin Proteus DX5i |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning without a cord. | Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning. |
| Starting price | $1,429 | $1,299 |
| Pool type | Inground, Above-ground | Inground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 33 ft | Up to 50 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls, Waterline | Floor, Walls, Waterline |
| Power | Cordless | Corded |
| Filtration | Basket, UltraFilter | Basket |
| Scheduling | Weekly schedule + app | Not listed |
| App and remote | App control | App control |
| Cable | Cordless | 60 ft with anti-tangle swivel |
| Robot weight | 17.9 lb | Not listed |
| Warranty | 3 years | 2 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Liberty 400 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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