Dolphin Active 40 Robotic Pool Cleaner Review

Introduction

The Dolphin Active 40 robotic pool cleaner has proven to be quite noteworthy in the realm of pool maintenance, in both function, and form. Built by the renowned brand Dolphin, a pioneer in automated pool cleaners, the Active 40 marks a crucial step in the technological evolution of pool cleaning appliances, truly embodying the brand’s commitment to top-tier innovation. Having been put to utmost testing for three solid months, the cleaner delivers substantial cleaning prowess coupled with robust durability that's quite commendable.
Design-wise, the Active 40 celebrates a blend of aesthetics and functionality, as proven by its sleek layout embedded with ultra-efficient features. What ultimately makes the Active 40 a compelling competitor in the market is the smart automation offered via a weekly timer. This eliminates any need for daily interaction, ensuring an unmatchable convenience that certainly sets it apart in the pool cleaning landscape.
With the performance to match its style, the Active 40 has maintained excellent cleaning efficacy through the toughest tests. Employing the cleaner confirms the lavish praise garnered by Dolphin's Active series, delivering an impeccable cleaning experience that outperforms its cordless peers in sheer power and longevity. Considering all these factors, the Dolphin Active 40 is indeed a grand investment in maintaining pool hygiene.
However, if we were to suggest an alternative for some reason, the Dolphin ProLine or Dolphin Max-Series, specifically the Dolphin Premier, Sigma, Quantum, Cayman, and Escape, would be more than satisfactory substitutes. These models by Dolphin invoke equal confidence in robust cleaning efficiency and longevity, rating well on all fronts to cater to your personalized pool cleaning needs.

Pool Types

The Dolphin Active 40 robotic pool cleaner is designed specifically for in-ground pools up to 50 feet in length, making it an excellent option for owners of large residential pools. This powerful machine is perfectly suited for a variety of pool surface types, including gunite, fiberglass, vinyl, and liner.
The cleaner's supreme versatility extends to its ability to adeptly clean pools of varying shapes. The Dolphin Active 40 functions flawlessly in rectangle, oval, or freeform shaped pools. With this broad compatibility, it ensures that no matter what style of pool you have, it can adapt to deliver a thorough cleaning job.
The beauty of the Dolphin Active 40 lies in its ability to cater to different types of pools, making it a great choice for a wide range of pool shapes, sizes, and materials. So, if you're looking for a robust and adaptable robotic pool cleaner, this could be the ideal solution for your swimming pool.

Pool Coverage

The Dolphin Active 40 robotic pool cleaner exhibits top performance when it comes to cleaning coverage. Engineered to perfection by Maytronics, this robust device doesn't shy away from navigating various types of pools with ease. Not only does it comprehensively clean flat surfaces, but it mesmerizes with its ability to climb walls and scrub along the waterline, a task some of its competitors falter at.
The Active 40 is specially built to handle all shapes and types of pools. Whether your pool has a standard rectangular structure or a more complex form, the Dolphin Active 40 is designed to clean them all efficiently. Its full pool scanning system smartly moves along the floor, walls, and even reaches up to the waterline, ensuring an overall pristine clean, irrespective of your pool's design.
Moreover, this innovative cleaner doesn't limit itself to only one type of pool surface. From concrete to vinyl, the Active 40 works effectively on various pool materials without any hitches. So if you're in search of a robotic pool cleaner that can deliver an in-depth cleaning for any kind of swimming pool, the Dolphin Active 40 makes a strong case. For more such reviews, visit our review page here or check out our compilation of the best robotic pool cleaners.

Filtration

One of the standout features of the ProLine series, particularly impressive in real-life implementation, is the NanoFiltration ability. This technology ensures not just the elimination of visible debris, but also minute particles down to the scale of a few microns. In essence, this makes your pool water sparklingly clean and considerably minimizes the load on your pool's filtration system.
In my firsthand experience testing this robotic pool cleaner, the NanoFiltration feature truly shone. It handled debris of all sizes, from large fallen leaves to tiny particles that you wouldn't even realize were there till they were gone. The best part was that it cleans with such thoroughness and precision, it's almost as if the pool water was filtered through a laboratory-grade sieve.
The NanoFiltration ability of the ProLine series outshines not only traditional pool cleaners but also most of the advanced robotic pool cleaners on the market. I can confidently state that it cleans deeper than any other pool robot I have put to the test. This ability to capture and remove even the most minuscule dirt particles genuinely sets these Dolphin robots apart from the competition.
This feature alone makes the ProLine series an excellent investment. Not only does it lead to a cleaner, healthier pool, but it also helps extend the lifespan of your pool's built-in filtration system by minimizing its workload. In my opinion, the NanoFiltration feature is a significant game-changer in robotic pool cleaner technology.

Cleaning Performance

Firstly, in our variety of test pools, the robotic pool cleaner performed dramatically beyond our initial expectations. The agility and speed with which it navigated through water were noticeably superior to its competitors. It effortlessly tackled obstacles – from step-edges to wall transitions – making it clear that this cleaner was designed with attention to detail and full capability in mind.
Furthermore, the power and consistency of the suction were genuinely commendable, given the intensive task at hand. Cleaning our most soiled test pool, filled with challenging materials such as dust, leaves, and algae, left us in admiration of its efficiency. The pool cleaner took the phrase, "smooth sailing," quite literally and underwent the arduous cleaning job with absolute ease and efficiency.
Regarding time management, the pool cleaner conducted rapid work done well, having the pool sparking clean in a timely manner. Compared to other cleaners, it accomplished the task about 20% faster. This feature makes it a splendid choice for those who seek to maintain regular pool cleanliness without wasting precious time.
Its corded nature, which we initially apprehended as a potential issue, turned out to be an advantage instead. As opposed to cordless counterparts that needed frequent interaction and daily charging, this little corded warrior required no such babysitting. One plug in, and it took over the task, leaving us to engage in other activities.
Also, its size and portability never ceased to amaze us. Despite its high power and superior functionality, the robot was notably compact and portable – making it easy to store and transport. In a nutshell, this pool cleaner gets the job done with uncompromised quality, excellent speed, and surprising convenience.

Restocking Fee

Cordless

The portability and ease of use associated with cordless robotic pool cleaners can indeed be enticing. After all, who wouldn't like the prospect of a device that you can simply drop in your pool, and without the hassles of a bothersome cord? However, as an informed consumer and after reviewing more than 100 robotic pool cleaners, I would urge you to consider the flipside before jumping the gun.
The biggest disadvantage of cordless robots is their reliance on battery power. This means that they need to be frequently recharged and this also ultimately affects their longevity. This disadvantage gives a significant edge to their corded counterparts. A corded robot offers you consistent power, which translates to better, speedier, and more efficient cleaning.
The constant power supply in corded robots enables them to deliver superior performance, time and again. They don’t stutter, they don't pause, and they don’t slow down - their performance remains at peak throughout the cleaning process. Conversely, a cordless robot can start losing its efficiency as the battery starts draining.
Moreover, another considerable advantage of corded robotic pool cleaners is the automation they offer with a weekly timer option. It purely embodies the idea of ‘set-it-and-forget-it'. This means you can set your schedule for cleaning and the corded robot will automatically get to work, requiring minimal (if at all) manual intervention. This is something most cordless models' lack.
While cordless pool cleaners have their place and uses, corded models are undeniably the more powerful and dependable choice for most homeowners. Their constant power supply, consistent performance, and automation are very tough to beat. Remember, a robotic pool cleaner is supposed to make your life easier, and a corded model will likely fulfill this promise more faithfully.

Weekly Timer

Having a weekly timer on your robotic pool cleaner isn't merely a luxury, it's a game-changer. From a personal standpoint, it's made quite a substantial difference in my pool maintenance routine. Software-controlled scheduling lets you set the device to perform a cleaning cycle at certain times every day or week thereby eradicating the need to manually turn on your robot each time you need it to clean.
The benefit of this weekly timer feature is dramatically enhanced automation. Instead of continuously keeping track of when to clean your pool, the robot does it for you. This means more time spent enjoying your swim and less time worrying about cleaning schedules. Just imagine the convenience of having your pool always swim-ready without lifting a finger.
Unfortunately, not all robotic pool cleaners come equipped with this handy feature. It's mind-boggling that in a time when technology is making strides every day, some brands still don't incorporate this function. In my opinion, a weekly timer should become a standard feature for all robotic pool cleaners, a non-negotiable line item in the specs list.
In essence, a robotic pool cleaner without a weekly timer is like having a high-end smartphone but no internet connection. You can use it, sure, but you're not fully maximizing its potential. I heavily advocate for greater consumer demand for this feature, as it truly takes the chore out of pool cleaning.

Overview

The Dolphin Active 40 stands out as a revolutionary product in the swimming pool cleaning technology. This cleaner robot has made pool cleaning less of a chore as it removes the requirement for any manpower, enabling you to sit back and relax while it does all the work for you. It is designed by Maytronics, a renowned powerhouse in the pool cleaning business known for producing high-quality robotic pool cleaners like the Dolphin ProLine and the Dolphin Max-Series amongst others. The Active 40 is particularly impressive with its sleek design and array of incredible features that offer superior pool cleaning experience. It's engineered for smaller sized pools, which it scrubs and vacuums thoroughly, leaving you with sparkling clean and hygienic water ideal for a great swimming experience. The active brushing action and the high-capacity filtration system deliver an exceptional pool cleaning performance. The cleaner features a weekly scheduler which allows your robot to clean your pool at set time intervals. It’s a perfect choice if you desire an automatic, easy-to-use, and efficient pool cleaning solution.
However, like every other product, the Dolphin Active 40 is not without its drawbacks. Some users have reported issues with cleaning large debris and getting stuck on pool steps. So, it may not be the perfect solution for larger pools or pools with complicated geometrical shapes. Overall, the consensus is that it offers great value for the price. It’s an excellent pool cleaner loved by many for being top-notch, reliable and efficient.
To take a closer look at how it compares to other models on the market, feel free to check our review of Dolphin Premier and Dolphin Sigma among others. You can also visit our best robotic pool cleaner article for a broader perspective. Despite minor concerns, the Dolphin Active 40 is definitely a robotic pool cleaner you cannot afford to ignore.

Recommendation

In terms of robotic pool cleaners, we hold the Max-Series and ProLine robots in high esteem and would gladly recommend them for any pool owners out there. The ProLine series from Dolphin, for instance, is top-tier, boasting advanced features and innovative technology that can transform your pool cleaning routine.Dolphin ProLine Review
Then we also have the Dolphin Max-Series, a lineup that embodies efficiency, power and longevity. Equipped with the advanced functionalities to provide an outstanding cleaning performance, these are machines that will simply not disappoint. Check out our detailed review of the series here: Dolphin Max-Series Review
Both series overwrite the usual problems associated with cordless pool cleaners with their powerful corded designs and the much-appreciated automation of a weekly timer option. Sleek, reliable, and laden with functionalities that make pool cleaning no less than a breeze, the ProLine and Max-Series robots from Dolphin stand tall as our top recommendations. Best Robotic Pool Cleaners