Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin M400 and Dolphin Premium 20 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.
M-Line
Dolphin M400
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
Premium
Dolphin Premium 20
Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall 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 M400 or Dolphin Premium 20: our take
Dolphin M400 and Dolphin Premium 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 M400 is intended for inground pools, while Dolphin Premium 20 is intended for inground and above-ground pools. Dolphin M400 is rated for pools up to 50 ft; Dolphin Premium 20 is rated up to 33 ft. Dolphin M400 cleans floor, walls, and waterline; Dolphin Premium 20 cleans floor and walls. Dolphin Premium 20's documented cleaning system includes 1 active brush and CleverClean navigation.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin M400 includes Standard filter and UltraFilter; Dolphin Premium 20 includes Basket. That gives Dolphin M400 the clearer documented edge for fine silt, pollen and sand. Dolphin Premium 20 has the better documented path for bulky leaves and larger debris.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin M400 provides smartphone control; Dolphin Premium 20 provides one-touch starts and power-supply controls. Dolphin M400 uses a 60 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel, while Dolphin Premium 20 uses continuous corded power.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin M400 is listed at $1,599 and Dolphin Premium 20 at $899; Dolphin Premium 20 is $700 less. Dolphin M400 lists a 3-year warranty compared with 2 years for Dolphin Premium 20. Dolphin M400 and Dolphin Premium 20 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 M400 | Dolphin Premium 20 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | Yes | Yes |
| Scrubs the waterline | YesEdge | No |
| Fine-debris filter included | YesEdge | No |
| Large-debris filter | No | YesEdge |
| Automatic scheduling | Not listed | No |
| Smartphone app | YesEdge | No |
| Anti-tangle swivel | YesEdge | No |
| 3-year warranty | YesEdge | 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 M400 stands out
Dolphin M400 is the better fit for pools up to 50 ft.
- Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
- Includes filtration for sand, pollen and other fine debris
- Adds smartphone control
- Uses an anti-tangle swivel cable
Where Dolphin Premium 20 stands out
Dolphin Premium 20 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $899 starting price.
- Includes a large-debris bin or bag for leaves
- Is listed $700 lower
Dolphin M400 vs Dolphin Premium 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 M400 | Dolphin Premium 20 |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris. | Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning. |
| Starting price | $1,599 | $899 |
| Pool type | Inground | Inground, Above-ground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 50 ft | Up to 33 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls, Waterline | Floor, Walls |
| Power | Corded | Corded |
| Filtration | Standard filter, UltraFilter | Basket |
| Scheduling | Not listed | One-touch start |
| App and remote | App control | Power-supply controls |
| Cable | 60 ft with anti-tangle swivel | Not listed |
| Robot weight | Not listed | 14.6 lb |
| Warranty | 3 years | 2 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin M400 and Dolphin Premium 20 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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