Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Proteus DX3 and Niya Sonar 30 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.
Proteus
Dolphin Proteus DX3
Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
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
Dolphin Quantum
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
$1,649
Buy Dolphin QuantumDolphin Proteus DX3 or Niya Sonar 30: our take
Dolphin Proteus DX3 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
Both robots are intended for inground and above-ground pools. Both are rated for pools up to 33 ft. Dolphin Proteus DX3 cleans floor and walls; Niya Sonar 30 cleans floor, walls, and waterline. Dolphin Proteus DX3 lists 1 active brush. Niya Sonar 30 lists 2 active brushes, Sonar navigation, and Three brushless motors.
Filtration and debris
Both models include Basket.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin Proteus DX3 provides a weekly timer and power-supply controls; Niya Sonar 30 provides one-touch starts and power-supply controls. Dolphin Proteus DX3 uses a 50 ft corded cable, while Niya Sonar 30 uses cordless battery power. Dolphin Proteus DX3 is listed at 14 lb versus 19.2 lb for Niya Sonar 30; that 5.199999999999999 lb difference matters when lifting the robot from the pool.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Proteus DX3 is listed at $699 and Niya Sonar 30 at $379; Niya Sonar 30 is $320 less. Dolphin Proteus DX3 lists a 2-year warranty compared with 1 years for Niya Sonar 30. Dolphin Proteus DX3 and Niya Sonar 30 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 Proteus DX3 | Niya Sonar 30 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | Yes | Yes |
| Scrubs the waterline | No | YesEdge |
| Fine-debris filter included | No | No |
| Large-debris filter | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic scheduling | YesEdge | No |
| Smartphone app | No | No |
| Anti-tangle swivel | Not listed | Not listed |
| 3-year warranty | No | 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 Proteus DX3 stands out
Dolphin Proteus DX3 is the better fit for inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
- Can start on a weekly schedule without a manual launch before every cycle
- Carries a 2-year warranty instead of 1 years
- Runs from continuous plug-in power without a recharge between cycles
- Weighs 14 lb versus 19.2 lb
Where Niya Sonar 30 stands out
Niya Sonar 30 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $379 starting price.
- Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
- Uses 2 active brushes instead of 1
- Is listed $320 lower
Dolphin Proteus DX3 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 Proteus DX3 | Niya Sonar 30 |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning. | Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning without a cord. |
| Starting price | $699 | $379 |
| Pool type | Inground, Above-ground | Inground, Above-ground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 33 ft | Up to 33 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls | Floor, Walls, Waterline |
| Power | Corded | Cordless |
| Filtration | Basket | Basket |
| Scheduling | Weekly schedule | One-touch start |
| App and remote | Power-supply controls | Power-supply controls |
| Cable | 50 ft | Cordless |
| Robot weight | 14 lb | 19.2 lb |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Proteus DX3 and Niya Sonar 30 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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