Help me choose
Residential and commercial pools need different robots
Dolphin Sigma and Dolphin Wave 200 XL serve different kinds of pools, so there is no honest one-size-fits-all winner. Choose Dolphin Sigma for residential use. Choose Dolphin Wave 100 for commercial use.
ProLine
Dolphin Sigma
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
Wave
Dolphin Wave 200 XL
Commercial pools up to 127 ft in daily use that need floor cleaning with fine filtration.
Choose residential and commercial cleaners separately
Dolphin Sigma
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
$2,399
Buy Dolphin Sigma
Dolphin Wave 100
Commercial pools up to 88 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.
$4,699
Buy Dolphin Wave 100Dolphin Sigma or Dolphin Wave 200 XL: our take
Dolphin Sigma and Dolphin Wave 200 XL 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 Sigma is intended for inground pools, while Dolphin Wave 200 XL is intended for commercial pools. Dolphin Sigma is rated for pools up to 50 ft; Dolphin Wave 200 XL is rated up to 127 ft. Dolphin Sigma cleans floor, walls, and waterline; Dolphin Wave 200 XL cleans floor. Dolphin Sigma's documented cleaning system includes 2 active brushes, SmartNav 3.0 with gyroscope navigation, and Triple commercial-grade DC motors.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin Sigma includes Standard filter and NanoFilters; Dolphin Wave 200 XL includes Basket. That gives Dolphin Sigma the clearer documented edge for fine silt, pollen and sand. Dolphin Wave 200 XL has the better documented path for bulky leaves and larger debris.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin Sigma provides a weekly timer, smartphone control, and included remote control; Dolphin Wave 200 XL provides one-touch starts and included remote control. Dolphin Sigma uses a 55 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel, while Dolphin Wave 200 XL uses a 140 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel. Dolphin Sigma is listed at 24.6 lb versus 57.3 lb for Dolphin Wave 200 XL; that 32.699999999999996 lb difference matters when lifting the robot from the pool.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Sigma is listed at $2,399 and Dolphin Wave 200 XL at $10,499; Dolphin Sigma is $8,100 less. Each lists a 3-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 Sigma. 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 100. Commercial pools up to 88 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 Sigma | Dolphin Wave 200 XL |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | YesEdge | No |
| Scrubs the waterline | YesEdge | No |
| Fine-debris filter included | YesEdge | No |
| Large-debris filter | No | YesEdge |
| Automatic scheduling | YesEdge | No |
| Smartphone app | Yes | Not listed |
| Anti-tangle swivel | Yes | Yes |
| 3-year warranty | Yes | Yes |
| 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 Sigma stands out
Dolphin Sigma is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $2,399 starting price.
- Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
- Includes filtration for sand, pollen and other fine debris
- Can start on a weekly schedule without a manual launch before every cycle
- Has documented smartphone control
Where Dolphin Wave 200 XL stands out
Dolphin Wave 200 XL is the better fit for pools up to 127 ft.
- Includes a large-debris bin or bag for leaves
- Is rated for pools up to 127 ft
Dolphin Sigma vs Dolphin Wave 200 XL 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 Sigma | Dolphin Wave 200 XL |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris. | Commercial pools up to 127 ft in daily use that need floor cleaning with fine filtration. |
| Starting price | $2,399 | $10,499 |
| Pool type | Inground | Inground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 50 ft | Up to 127 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls, Waterline | Floor |
| Power | Corded | Corded |
| Filtration | Standard filter, NanoFilters | Basket |
| Scheduling | Weekly schedule + app | One-touch start |
| App and remote | App + included remote | Not listed |
| Cable | 55 ft with anti-tangle swivel | 140 ft with anti-tangle swivel |
| Robot weight | 24.6 lb | 57.3 lb |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years |
Choose for the pool you operate
Dolphin Sigma and Dolphin Wave 200 XL serve different kinds of pools, so there is no honest one-size-fits-all winner. Choose Dolphin Sigma for residential use. Choose Dolphin Wave 100 for commercial use.
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