Robotic pool cleaner comparison

Niya Sonar 30 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 30 and Niya Sonar Ray 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.

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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

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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

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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

Niya Sonar 30 or Niya Sonar Ray: our take

Niya Sonar 30 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

Both robots are intended for inground and above-ground pools. Niya Sonar 30 is rated for pools up to 33 ft; Niya Sonar Ray is rated up to 26 ft. Niya Sonar 30 cleans floor, walls, and waterline; Niya Sonar Ray cleans floor. Niya Sonar 30 lists 2 active brushes, Sonar navigation, and Three brushless 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 30 is listed at 19.2 lb versus 7.1 lb for Niya Sonar Ray; that 12.1 lb difference matters when lifting the robot from the pool.

Price, warranty and the decision

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

Where Niya Sonar Ray stands out

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

Is listed $180 lower
Weighs 7.1 lb versus 19.2 lb