Help me choose
Residential and commercial pools need different robots
Dolphin T55i and Dolphin Wave 90i serve different kinds of pools, so there is no honest one-size-fits-all winner. Choose Dolphin Quantum for residential use. Choose Dolphin Wave 90i for commercial use.
T-Line
Dolphin T55i
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
Wave
Dolphin Wave 90i
Commercial pools up to 65 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.
Choose residential and commercial cleaners separately
Dolphin Quantum
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
$1,649
Buy Dolphin Quantum
Dolphin Wave 90i
Commercial pools up to 65 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.
$2,399
Buy Dolphin Wave 90iDolphin T55i or Dolphin Wave 90i: our take
Dolphin T55i and Dolphin Wave 90i 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 T55i is intended for inground pools, while Dolphin Wave 90i is intended for commercial pools. Dolphin T55i is rated for pools up to 50 ft; Dolphin Wave 90i is rated up to 65 ft. Each cleans floor, walls, and waterline, so coverage alone does not separate them. Dolphin Wave 90i's documented cleaning system includes Commercial-grade motors.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin T55i has documented included filtration—Basket and UltraFilter—while the other model's included media is not fully published. That gives Dolphin T55i the clearer documented edge for fine silt, pollen and sand. Dolphin T55i also has the better documented path for bulky leaves and larger debris.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin T55i provides a weekly timer, smartphone control, and included remote control; Dolphin Wave 90i provides smartphone control. Dolphin T55i uses a 60 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel, while Dolphin Wave 90i uses continuous corded power.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin T55i is listed at $1,699 and Dolphin Wave 90i at $2,399; Dolphin T55i is $700 less. Each lists a 2-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 Quantum. 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 90i. Commercial pools up to 65 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 T55i | Dolphin Wave 90i |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | Yes | Yes |
| Scrubs the waterline | Yes | Yes |
| Fine-debris filter included | YesEdge | No |
| Large-debris filter | YesEdge | No |
| Automatic scheduling | Yes | Not listed |
| Smartphone app | Yes | Yes |
| Anti-tangle swivel | Yes | Not listed |
| 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 T55i stands out
Dolphin T55i is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $1,699 starting price.
- Includes filtration for sand, pollen and other fine debris
- Includes a large-debris bin or bag for leaves
- Is listed $700 lower
Where Dolphin Wave 90i stands out
Dolphin Wave 90i is the better fit for pools up to 65 ft.
- Is rated for pools up to 65 ft
- Corded, plug-in power supply
Dolphin T55i vs Dolphin Wave 90i 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 T55i | Dolphin Wave 90i |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris. | Commercial pools up to 65 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning. |
| Starting price | $1,699 | $2,399 |
| Pool type | Inground | Commercial |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 50 ft | Up to 65 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls, Waterline | Floor, Walls, Waterline |
| Power | Corded | Corded |
| Filtration | Basket, UltraFilter | Not listed |
| Scheduling | Weekly schedule + app | Not listed |
| App and remote | App + included remote | App control |
| Cable | 60 ft with anti-tangle swivel | Not listed |
| Robot weight | Not listed | Not listed |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
Choose for the pool you operate
Dolphin T55i and Dolphin Wave 90i serve different kinds of pools, so there is no honest one-size-fits-all winner. Choose Dolphin Quantum for residential use. Choose Dolphin Wave 90i for commercial use.
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