Help me choose
Residential and commercial pools need different robots
Dolphin Proteus DX5i and Dolphin Wave 80 serve different kinds of pools, so there is no honest one-size-fits-all winner. Choose Dolphin Quantum for residential use. Choose Dolphin Wave 80 for commercial use.
Proteus
Dolphin Proteus DX5i
Inground pools up to 50 ft 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 Quantum
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
$1,649
Buy Dolphin Quantum
Dolphin Wave 80
Commercial pools up to 68 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.
$1,999
Buy Dolphin Wave 80Dolphin Proteus DX5i or Dolphin Wave 80: our take
Dolphin Proteus DX5i 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 DX5i is intended for inground pools, while Dolphin Wave 80 is intended for commercial pools. Dolphin Proteus DX5i is rated for pools up to 50 ft; Dolphin Wave 80 is rated up to 68 ft. Each cleans floor, walls, and waterline, so coverage alone does not separate them. Dolphin Proteus DX5i lists 1 active brush. Dolphin Wave 80 lists CleverClean navigation and Commercial-grade motors.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin Proteus DX5i has documented included filtration—Basket—while the other model's included media is not fully published. Dolphin Proteus DX5i also has the better documented path for bulky leaves and larger debris.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin Proteus DX5i provides smartphone control; Dolphin Wave 80 provides no fully published timer, app or remote specification. Dolphin Proteus DX5i 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 DX5i is listed at $1,299 and Dolphin Wave 80 at $1,999; Dolphin Proteus DX5i is $700 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 Quantum. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris. 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 DX5i | 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 | Not listed | Not listed |
| Smartphone app | Yes | 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 DX5i stands out
Dolphin Proteus DX5i is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $1,299 starting price.
- Includes a large-debris bin or bag for leaves
- Has documented smartphone control
- Is listed $700 lower
Where Dolphin Wave 80 stands out
Dolphin Wave 80 is the better fit for pools up to 68 ft.
- Is rated for pools up to 68 ft
- Corded, plug-in power supply
Dolphin Proteus DX5i 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 DX5i | Dolphin Wave 80 |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning. | Commercial pools up to 68 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning. |
| Starting price | $1,299 | $1,999 |
| Pool type | Inground | Commercial |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 50 ft | Up to 68 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls, Waterline | Floor, Walls, Waterline |
| Power | Corded | Corded |
| Filtration | Basket | Not listed |
| Scheduling | Not listed | Not listed |
| App and remote | App control | 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 DX5i and Dolphin Wave 80 serve different kinds of pools, so there is no honest one-size-fits-all winner. Choose Dolphin Quantum for residential use. Choose Dolphin Wave 80 for commercial use.
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