Robotic pool cleaner comparison

Dolphin S50 vs Niya Sonar Ray

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 S50 and Niya Sonar Ray are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Escape. Inground and above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor cleaning.

Buy Dolphin Escape Compare every robot

S-Line

Dolphin S50

Above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor cleaning.

Listed price $649

View better alternatives

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.

Listed price $199

View better alternatives

A better alternative

What we recommend instead

Pool Express pick

Dolphin Escape

Inground and above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor cleaning.

$669

Buy Dolphin Escape

Buying guidance

Dolphin S50 or Niya Sonar Ray: our take

Dolphin S50 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 S50 is intended for above-ground pools, while Niya Sonar Ray is intended for inground and above-ground pools. Dolphin S50 is rated for pools up to 30 ft; Niya Sonar Ray is rated up to 26 ft. Each cleans floor, so coverage alone does not separate them. Dolphin S50 lists 1 active brush. Niya Sonar Ray lists Sonar navigation.

Filtration and debris

Both models include Basket.

Controls and day-to-day ownership

Both models provide one-touch starts and power-supply controls. Dolphin S50 uses a 40 ft corded cable, while Niya Sonar Ray uses cordless battery power. Dolphin S50 is listed at 14 lb versus 7.1 lb for Niya Sonar Ray; that 6.9 lb difference matters when lifting the robot from the pool.

Price, warranty and the decision

Dolphin S50 is listed at $649 and Niya Sonar Ray at $199; Niya Sonar Ray is $450 less. Dolphin S50 lists a 2-year warranty compared with 1 years for Niya Sonar Ray. Dolphin S50 and Niya Sonar Ray each have a specific fit, but neither is the Pool Express pick for this job. Our better alternative is Dolphin Escape. Inground and above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor 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 S50	Niya Sonar Ray
Cleans the pool floor	Yes	Yes
Climbs and cleans walls	No	No
Scrubs the waterline	No	No
Fine-debris filter included	No	No
Large-debris filter	Yes	Yes
Automatic scheduling	No	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 S50 stands out

Dolphin S50 is the better fit for pools up to 30 ft.

Carries a 2-year warranty instead of 1 years
Is rated for pools up to 30 ft
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 $450 lower
Weighs 7.1 lb versus 14 lb