Robotic pool cleaner comparison

Dolphin T25 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 T25 and Dolphin T35 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.

Buy Dolphin Quantum Compare every robot

T-Line

Dolphin T25

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 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 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 T25 or Dolphin T35: our take

Dolphin T25 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 T25 is intended for inground and above-ground pools, while Dolphin T35 is intended for inground pools. Dolphin T25 has a published maximum pool length of 33 ft; the other model does not have a verified length in our source material. Dolphin T25 cleans floor and walls; Dolphin T35 cleans floor, walls, and waterline. Dolphin T25 lists 1 active brush. Dolphin T35 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 T25 provides a weekly timer and power-supply controls; Dolphin T35 provides a weekly timer and smartphone control. Dolphin T25 uses a 50 ft corded cable, while Dolphin T35 uses a 60 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel.

Price, warranty and the decision

Dolphin T25 is listed at $849 and Dolphin T35 at $1,199; Dolphin T25 is $350 less. Each lists a 2-year manufacturer warranty. Dolphin T25 and Dolphin T35 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 T25	Dolphin T35
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	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 T25 stands out

Dolphin T25 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $849 starting price.

Is listed $350 lower
Cleans floor and walls

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
Uses 2 active brushes instead of 1
Adds smartphone control