Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin M550 and Niya Sonar 10 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 M550
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning with app control, Pick-Up and a caddy.
Niya Sonar
Niya Sonar 10
Above-ground pools up to 20 ft that need the floor vacuumed without a cord.
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 M550 or Niya Sonar 10: our take
Dolphin M550 and Niya Sonar 10 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 M550 is intended for inground pools, while Niya Sonar 10 is intended for inground and above-ground pools. Dolphin M550 is rated for pools up to 50 ft; Niya Sonar 10 is rated up to 20 ft. Dolphin M550 cleans floor, walls, and waterline; Niya Sonar 10 cleans floor. Dolphin M550 lists 2 active brushes and CleverClean navigation. Niya Sonar 10 lists Dual drive motors.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin M550 includes Basket and UltraFilter; Niya Sonar 10 includes Basket. That gives Dolphin M550 the clearer documented edge for fine silt, pollen and sand.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin M550 provides a weekly timer and smartphone control; Niya Sonar 10 provides one-touch starts and power-supply controls. Dolphin M550 uses continuous corded power, while Niya Sonar 10 uses cordless battery power. Dolphin M550 is listed at 22.6 lb versus 7.1 lb for Niya Sonar 10; that 15.500000000000002 lb difference matters when lifting the robot from the pool.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin M550 is listed at $1,999 and Niya Sonar 10 at $149; Niya Sonar 10 is $1,850 less. Dolphin M550 lists a 3-year warranty compared with 1 years for Niya Sonar 10. Dolphin M550 and Niya Sonar 10 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 M550 | Niya Sonar 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | YesEdge | No |
| Scrubs the waterline | YesEdge | No |
| Fine-debris filter included | YesEdge | No |
| Large-debris filter | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic scheduling | YesEdge | 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 M550 stands out
Dolphin M550 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
- Can start on a weekly schedule without a manual launch before every cycle
- Adds smartphone control
Where Niya Sonar 10 stands out
Niya Sonar 10 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $149 starting price.
- Is listed $1,850 lower
- Weighs 7.1 lb versus 22.6 lb
Dolphin M550 vs Niya Sonar 10 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 M550 | Niya Sonar 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning with app control, Pick-Up and a caddy. | Above-ground pools up to 20 ft that need the floor vacuumed without a cord. |
| Starting price | $1,999 | $149 |
| Pool type | Inground | Inground, Above-ground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 50 ft | Up to 20 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls, Waterline | Floor |
| Power | Corded | Cordless |
| Filtration | Basket, UltraFilter | Basket |
| Scheduling | Weekly schedule + app | One-touch start |
| App and remote | App control | Power-supply controls |
| Cable | Not listed | Cordless |
| Robot weight | 22.6 lb | 7.1 lb |
| Warranty | 3 years | 1 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin M550 and Niya Sonar 10 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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