Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Proteus DX4 and Niya Sonar Ray are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Premier. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris and heavy leaves.
Proteus
Dolphin Proteus DX4
Inground pools that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.
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 Premier
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris and heavy leaves.
$1,999
Buy Dolphin PremierDolphin Proteus DX4 or Niya Sonar Ray: our take
Dolphin Proteus DX4 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 Proteus DX4 is intended for inground pools, while Niya Sonar Ray is intended for inground and above-ground pools. Niya Sonar Ray has a published maximum pool length of 26 ft; the other model does not have a verified length in our source material. Dolphin Proteus DX4 cleans floor, walls, and waterline; Niya Sonar Ray cleans floor. Dolphin Proteus DX4 lists 1 active brush. Niya Sonar Ray lists Sonar navigation.
Filtration and debris
Both models include Basket.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin Proteus DX4 provides a weekly timer and power-supply controls; Niya Sonar Ray provides one-touch starts and power-supply controls. Dolphin Proteus DX4 uses a 60 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel, while Niya Sonar Ray uses cordless battery power.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Proteus DX4 is listed at $1,199 and Niya Sonar Ray at $199; Niya Sonar Ray is $1,000 less. Dolphin Proteus DX4 lists a 2-year warranty compared with 1 years for Niya Sonar Ray. Dolphin Proteus DX4 and Niya Sonar Ray each have a specific fit, but neither is the Pool Express pick for this job. Our better alternative is Dolphin Premier. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris and heavy leaves.
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 | Niya Sonar Ray |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | YesEdge | No |
| Scrubs the waterline | YesEdge | No |
| Fine-debris filter included | No | No |
| Large-debris filter | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic scheduling | YesEdge | No |
| Smartphone app | No | No |
| Anti-tangle swivel | Yes | 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 DX4 stands out
Dolphin Proteus DX4 is the better fit for inground pools that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.
- Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
- 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
Where Niya Sonar Ray stands out
Niya Sonar Ray is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $199 starting price.
- Is listed $1,000 lower
- Cleans the pool floor
Dolphin Proteus DX4 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 Proteus DX4 | Niya Sonar Ray |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground pools that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning. | Flat-bottomed above-ground and small inground pools up to 26 ft that need the floor cleaned without a cord. |
| Starting price | $1,199 | $199 |
| Pool type | Inground | Inground, Above-ground |
| Maximum pool length | Not listed | Up to 26 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls, Waterline | Floor |
| Power | Corded | Cordless |
| Filtration | Basket | Basket |
| Scheduling | Weekly schedule | One-touch start |
| App and remote | Power-supply controls | Power-supply controls |
| Cable | 60 ft with anti-tangle swivel | Cordless |
| Robot weight | Not listed | 7.1 lb |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Proteus DX4 and Niya Sonar Ray are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Premier. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris and heavy leaves.
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