Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Oasis Z5i and Niya Sonar Ray 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.
Oasis
Dolphin Oasis Z5i
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning with app scheduling.
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 Quantum
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
$1,649
Buy Dolphin QuantumDolphin Oasis Z5i or Niya Sonar Ray: our take
Dolphin Oasis Z5i 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 Oasis Z5i is intended for inground pools, while Niya Sonar Ray is intended for inground and above-ground pools. Dolphin Oasis Z5i is rated for pools up to 50 ft; Niya Sonar Ray is rated up to 26 ft. Dolphin Oasis Z5i cleans floor, walls, and waterline; Niya Sonar Ray cleans floor. Dolphin Oasis Z5i lists CleverClean navigation. Niya Sonar Ray lists Sonar navigation.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin Oasis Z5i includes Basket and UltraFilter; Niya Sonar Ray includes Basket. That gives Dolphin Oasis Z5i the clearer documented edge for fine silt, pollen and sand.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin Oasis Z5i provides a weekly timer and smartphone control; Niya Sonar Ray provides one-touch starts and power-supply controls. Dolphin Oasis Z5i uses continuous corded power, while Niya Sonar Ray uses cordless battery power. Dolphin Oasis Z5i is listed at 26.7 lb versus 7.1 lb for Niya Sonar Ray; that 19.6 lb difference matters when lifting the robot from the pool.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Oasis Z5i lists a 3-year warranty compared with 1 years for Niya Sonar Ray. Dolphin Oasis Z5i and Niya Sonar Ray 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 Oasis Z5i | Niya Sonar Ray |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Oasis Z5i stands out
Dolphin Oasis Z5i 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 Ray stands out
Niya Sonar Ray is the better fit for owners who value cordless handling more than automatic scheduling and continuous power.
- Weighs 7.1 lb versus 26.7 lb
- Cleans the pool floor
Dolphin Oasis Z5i 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 Oasis Z5i | Niya Sonar Ray |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning with app scheduling. | Flat-bottomed above-ground and small inground pools up to 26 ft that need the floor cleaned without a cord. |
| Starting price | See product | $199 |
| Pool type | Inground | Inground, Above-ground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 50 ft | Up to 26 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 | 26.7 lb | 7.1 lb |
| Warranty | 3 years | 1 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Oasis Z5i and Niya Sonar Ray 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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