Robotic pool cleaner comparison

Dolphin T15 vs Dolphin T35

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 T15 and Dolphin T35 are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Cayman. Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.

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T-Line

Dolphin T15

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

Listed price $649

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T-Line

Dolphin T35

Inground pools that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.

Listed price $1,199

View better alternatives

A better alternative

What we recommend instead

Pool Express pick

Dolphin Cayman

Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.

$1,079

Buy Dolphin Cayman

Buying guidance

Dolphin T15 or Dolphin T35: our take

Dolphin T15 and Dolphin T35 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 T15 is intended for above-ground pools, while Dolphin T35 is intended for inground pools. Dolphin T15 has a published maximum pool length of 30 ft; the other model does not have a verified length in our source material. Dolphin T15 cleans floor; Dolphin T35 cleans floor, walls, and waterline. Dolphin T15 lists 1 active brush. Dolphin T35 lists 2 active brushes and CleverClean navigation.

Filtration and debris

Dolphin T15 includes Basket; Dolphin T35 includes Basket and UltraFilter. Dolphin T35 has the clearer documented edge for fine silt, pollen and sand.

Controls and day-to-day ownership

Dolphin T15 provides one-touch starts and power-supply controls; Dolphin T35 provides a weekly timer and smartphone control. Dolphin T15 uses a 40 ft corded cable, while Dolphin T35 uses a 60 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel.

Price, warranty and the decision

Dolphin T15 is listed at $649 and Dolphin T35 at $1,199; Dolphin T15 is $550 less. Each lists a 2-year manufacturer warranty. Dolphin T15 and Dolphin T35 each have a specific fit, but neither is the Pool Express pick for this job. Our better alternative is Dolphin Cayman. Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall 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 T15	Dolphin T35
Cleans the pool floor	Yes	Yes
Climbs and cleans walls	No	YesEdge
Scrubs the waterline	No	YesEdge
Fine-debris filter included	No	YesEdge
Large-debris filter	Yes	Yes
Automatic scheduling	No	YesEdge
Smartphone app	No	YesEdge
Anti-tangle swivel	Not listed	Yes
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 T15 stands out

Dolphin T15 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $649 starting price.

Is listed $550 lower
Cleans the pool floor

Where Dolphin T35 stands out

Dolphin T35 is the better fit for owners who put smartphone control first.

Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
Includes filtration for sand, pollen and other fine debris
Uses 2 active brushes instead of 1
Can start on a weekly schedule without a manual launch before every cycle