Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin M400 and Niya Sonar 30 are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Clear S. 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.
Niya Sonar
Niya Sonar 30
Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning without a cord.
What we recommend instead
Clear S
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
$1,749
Buy Clear SDolphin M400 or Niya Sonar 30: our take
Dolphin M400 and Niya Sonar 30 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 Niya Sonar 30 is intended for inground and above-ground pools. Dolphin M400 is rated for pools up to 50 ft; Niya Sonar 30 is rated up to 33 ft. Each cleans floor, walls, and waterline, so coverage alone does not separate them. Niya Sonar 30's documented cleaning system includes 2 active brushes, Sonar navigation, and Three brushless motors.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin M400 includes Standard filter and UltraFilter; Niya Sonar 30 includes Basket. That gives Dolphin M400 the clearer documented edge for fine silt, pollen and sand. Niya Sonar 30 has the better documented path for bulky leaves and larger debris.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin M400 provides smartphone control; Niya Sonar 30 provides one-touch starts and power-supply controls. Dolphin M400 uses a 60 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel, while Niya Sonar 30 uses cordless battery power.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin M400 is listed at $1,599 and Niya Sonar 30 at $379; Niya Sonar 30 is $1,220 less. Dolphin M400 lists a 3-year warranty compared with 1 years for Niya Sonar 30. Dolphin M400 and Niya Sonar 30 each have a specific fit, but neither is the Pool Express pick for this job. Our better alternative is Clear S. 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 | Niya Sonar 30 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No | YesEdge |
| Automatic scheduling | Not listed | No |
| Smartphone app | YesEdge | No |
| Anti-tangle swivel | Yes | Not listed |
| 3-year warranty | YesEdge | No |
| No recharging between cycles | YesEdge | 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 M400 stands out
Dolphin M400 is the better fit for pools up to 50 ft.
- Includes filtration for sand, pollen and other fine debris
- Adds smartphone control
- Carries a 3-year warranty instead of 1 years
- Is rated for pools up to 50 ft
Where Niya Sonar 30 stands out
Niya Sonar 30 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $379 starting price.
- Includes a large-debris bin or bag for leaves
- Is listed $1,220 lower
Dolphin M400 vs Niya Sonar 30 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 | Niya Sonar 30 |
|---|---|---|
| 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, wall and waterline cleaning without a cord. |
| Starting price | $1,599 | $379 |
| Pool type | Inground | Inground, Above-ground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 50 ft | Up to 33 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls, Waterline | Floor, Walls, Waterline |
| Power | Corded | Cordless |
| 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 | Cordless |
| Robot weight | Not listed | 19.2 lb |
| Warranty | 3 years | 1 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin M400 and Niya Sonar 30 are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Clear S. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
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