Help me choose
Residential and commercial pools need different robots
Dolphin Proteus DX4 and Dolphin Wave 80 serve different kinds of pools, so there is no honest one-size-fits-all winner. Choose Dolphin Premier for residential use. Choose Dolphin Wave 80 for commercial use.
Proteus
Dolphin Proteus DX4
Inground pools that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.
Wave
Dolphin Wave 80
Commercial pools up to 68 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.
Choose residential and commercial cleaners separately
Dolphin Premier
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris and heavy leaves.
$1,999
Buy Dolphin Premier
Dolphin Wave 80
Commercial pools up to 68 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.
$1,999
Buy Dolphin Wave 80Dolphin Proteus DX4 or Dolphin Wave 80: our take
Dolphin Proteus DX4 and Dolphin Wave 80 can be compared on specifications, but they are designed for different jobs. Start with residential versus commercial use, then use the details below to understand the tradeoffs.
Pool fit and cleaning reach
Dolphin Proteus DX4 is intended for inground pools, while Dolphin Wave 80 is intended for commercial pools. Dolphin Wave 80 has a published maximum pool length of 68 ft; the other model does not have a verified length in our source material. Each cleans floor, walls, and waterline, so coverage alone does not separate them. Dolphin Proteus DX4 lists 1 active brush. Dolphin Wave 80 lists CleverClean navigation and Commercial-grade motors.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin Proteus DX4 has documented included filtration—Basket—while the other model's included media is not fully published. Dolphin Proteus DX4 also has the better documented path for bulky leaves and larger debris.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin Proteus DX4 provides a weekly timer and power-supply controls; Dolphin Wave 80 provides no fully published timer, app or remote specification. Dolphin Proteus DX4 uses a 60 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel, while Dolphin Wave 80 uses continuous corded power.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Proteus DX4 is listed at $1,199 and Dolphin Wave 80 at $1,999; Dolphin Proteus DX4 is $800 less. Each lists a 2-year manufacturer warranty. These robots are built for different jobs, so pool type and facility capacity decide the comparison before individual features do. For a residential pool, the Pool Express pick is Dolphin Premier. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris and heavy leaves. For a commercial facility, the Pool Express pick is Dolphin Wave 80. Commercial pools up to 68 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.
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 DX4 | Dolphin Wave 80 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | Yes | Yes |
| Scrubs the waterline | Yes | Yes |
| Fine-debris filter included | No | No |
| Large-debris filter | YesEdge | No |
| Automatic scheduling | Yes | Not listed |
| Smartphone app | No | Not listed |
| Anti-tangle swivel | Yes | Not listed |
| 3-year warranty | No | 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 Proteus DX4 stands out
Dolphin Proteus DX4 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $1,199 starting price.
- Includes a large-debris bin or bag for leaves
- Is listed $800 lower
Where Dolphin Wave 80 stands out
Dolphin Wave 80 is the better fit for commercial pools up to 68 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.
- Corded, plug-in power supply
- For pools up to 68 ft
Dolphin Proteus DX4 vs Dolphin Wave 80 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 DX4 | Dolphin Wave 80 |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground pools that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning. | Commercial pools up to 68 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning. |
| Starting price | $1,199 | $1,999 |
| Pool type | Inground | Commercial |
| Maximum pool length | Not listed | Up to 68 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls, Waterline | Floor, Walls, Waterline |
| Power | Corded | Corded |
| Filtration | Basket | Not listed |
| Scheduling | Weekly schedule | Not listed |
| App and remote | Power-supply controls | Not listed |
| Cable | 60 ft with anti-tangle swivel | Not listed |
| Robot weight | Not listed | Not listed |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
Choose for the pool you operate
Dolphin Proteus DX4 and Dolphin Wave 80 serve different kinds of pools, so there is no honest one-size-fits-all winner. Choose Dolphin Premier for residential use. Choose Dolphin Wave 80 for commercial use.
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