Robotic pool cleaner comparison

Dolphin S100 vs Dolphin T3000

A side-by-side comparison of pool fit, cleaning coverage, filtration, controls and the better Pool Express option.

By Brian Williamson, Pool Express product specialist
Updated November 9, 2026

Better alternative

A stronger Pool Express option

Dolphin S100 and Dolphin T3000 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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S-Line

Dolphin S100

Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning, with fine debris.

Listed price $849

View better alternatives

T-Line

Dolphin T3000

Inground and above-ground pools up to 50 ft with steps or a sun ledge that need full-coverage cleaning with scheduling and modes.

Listed price $1,449

View better alternatives

A better alternative

What we recommend instead

Pool Express pick

Dolphin Quantum

Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.

$1,649

Buy Dolphin Quantum

Buying guidance

Dolphin S100 or Dolphin T3000: our take

Dolphin S100 and Dolphin T3000 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. Dolphin S100 is rated for pools up to 33 ft; Dolphin T3000 is rated up to 50 ft. Dolphin S100 cleans floor and walls; Dolphin T3000 cleans floor, walls, and waterline. Dolphin S100 lists 1 active brush. Dolphin T3000 lists 2 active brushes and CleverClean navigation.

Filtration and debris

Both models include Basket and UltraFilter. Both have documented fine-debris media, so basket capacity and ease of cleaning matter more than fine-particle capability.

Controls and day-to-day ownership

Dolphin S100 provides a weekly timer and power-supply controls; Dolphin T3000 provides a weekly timer and smartphone control. Dolphin S100 uses a 50 ft corded cable, while Dolphin T3000 uses continuous corded power. Dolphin S100 is listed at 14 lb versus 17.9 lb for Dolphin T3000; that 3.8999999999999986 lb difference matters when lifting the robot from the pool.

Price, warranty and the decision

Dolphin S100 is listed at $849 and Dolphin T3000 at $1,449; Dolphin S100 is $600 less. Dolphin S100 lists a 2-year warranty compared with 3 years for Dolphin T3000. Dolphin S100 and Dolphin T3000 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 S100	Dolphin T3000
Cleans the pool floor	Yes	Yes
Climbs and cleans walls	Yes	Yes
Scrubs the waterline	No	YesEdge
Fine-debris filter included	Yes	Yes
Large-debris filter	Yes	Yes
Automatic scheduling	Yes	Yes
Smartphone app	No	YesEdge
Anti-tangle swivel	Not listed	Yes
3-year warranty	No	YesEdge
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 S100 stands out

Dolphin S100 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $849 starting price.

Is listed $600 lower
Weighs 14 lb versus 17.9 lb

Where Dolphin T3000 stands out

Dolphin T3000 is the better fit for pools up to 50 ft.

Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
Uses 2 active brushes instead of 1
Adds smartphone control
Carries a 3-year warranty instead of 2 years