Robotic pool cleaner comparison

Niya Sonar 20 vs Niya Sonar Ray

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 Ray are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Escape. Inground and above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor cleaning.

Buy Dolphin Escape Compare every robot

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 Ray

Flat-bottomed above-ground and small inground pools up to 26 ft that need the floor cleaned without a cord.

Listed price $199

View better alternatives

A better alternative

What we recommend instead

Pool Express pick

Dolphin Escape

Inground and above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor cleaning.

$669

Buy Dolphin Escape

Buying guidance

Niya Sonar 20 or Niya Sonar Ray: our take

Niya Sonar 20 and Niya Sonar Ray 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 Ray is intended for inground and above-ground pools. Both are rated for pools up to 26 ft. Each cleans floor, so coverage alone does not separate them. Niya Sonar 20 lists Sonar navigation and Dual drive motors. Niya Sonar Ray lists Sonar navigation.

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 7.1 lb for Niya Sonar Ray; that 2.9000000000000004 lb difference matters when lifting the robot from the pool.

Price, warranty and the decision

Both are listed at $199. Each lists a 1-year manufacturer warranty. Niya Sonar 20 and Niya Sonar Ray each have a specific fit, but neither is the Pool Express pick for this job. Our better alternative is Dolphin Escape. Inground and above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor 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 Ray
Cleans the pool floor	Yes	Yes
Climbs and cleans walls	No	No
Scrubs the waterline	No	No
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 above-ground pools up to 26 ft that need the floor cleaned without a cord.

Sonar navigation
Cordless, up to 1.5 hours per charge

Where Niya Sonar Ray stands out

Niya Sonar Ray is the better fit for flat-bottomed above-ground and small inground pools up to 26 ft that need the floor cleaned without a cord.

Weighs 7.1 lb versus 10 lb
Sonar guidance, flat-bottom pools