Robotic pool cleaner comparison

Niya Sonar 20 vs Niya Sonar 30

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

Niya Sonar 20 and Niya Sonar 30 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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Niya Sonar

Niya Sonar 20

Above-ground pools up to 26 ft that need the floor cleaned without a cord.

Listed price $199

View better alternatives

Niya Sonar

Niya Sonar 30

Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning without a cord.

Listed price $379

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

Niya Sonar 20 or Niya Sonar 30: our take

Niya Sonar 20 and Niya Sonar 30 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

Niya Sonar 20 is intended for above-ground pools, while Niya Sonar 30 is intended for inground and above-ground pools. Niya Sonar 20 is rated for pools up to 26 ft; Niya Sonar 30 is rated up to 33 ft. Niya Sonar 20 cleans floor; Niya Sonar 30 cleans floor, walls, and waterline. Niya Sonar 20 lists Sonar navigation and Dual drive motors. Niya Sonar 30 lists 2 active brushes, Sonar navigation, and Three brushless motors.

Filtration and debris

Both models include Basket.

Controls and day-to-day ownership

Both models provide one-touch starts and power-supply controls. Both use cordless battery power. Niya Sonar 20 is listed at 10 lb versus 19.2 lb for Niya Sonar 30; that 9.2 lb difference matters when lifting the robot from the pool.

Price, warranty and the decision

Niya Sonar 20 is listed at $199 and Niya Sonar 30 at $379; Niya Sonar 20 is $180 less. Each lists a 1-year manufacturer warranty. Niya Sonar 20 and Niya Sonar 30 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	Niya Sonar 20	Niya Sonar 30
Cleans the pool floor	Yes	Yes
Climbs and cleans walls	No	YesEdge
Scrubs the waterline	No	YesEdge
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	No	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 Niya Sonar 20 stands out

Niya Sonar 20 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $199 starting price.

Is listed $180 lower
Weighs 10 lb versus 19.2 lb

Where Niya Sonar 30 stands out

Niya Sonar 30 is the better fit for pools up to 33 ft.

Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
Is rated for pools up to 33 ft