Maytronic’s Dolphin E10 is designed specifically for above ground pools. This performance-class model is ideal for pools up to 33 feet long, and it is equipped to scrub and clean floors in 1.5 hours. At a cost of about $699, the E10 is one of the most affordable models the Dolphin brand manufactures. With such a low price and list of promising features, we put the E10 to the test to see if it really does make life easier for above ground pool owners.
E10 Features At-a-Glance
Lightweight
The E10 only weighs 13.8 pounds, making it one of the lightest Dolphin models.
Two-Year Warranty
The warranty covers important pieces like the power supply, motor, cable, etc. But it only comes with purchase from a certified dealer, so be aware of who you buy your E 10 from. If you don’t, you may end up paying a hefty price just to return your unit. If you want to avoid this restocking fee, the Dolphin Escape or Cayman are great alternatives.
Active Brushing
The brush on the E10 actively scrubs surfaces at two times the speed of the machine, so it can dislodge tough debris instead of simply passing over it.
Standard 1.5 Hour Cleaning Cycle
The E 10 has only one cleaning mode to choose from, but it actively scrubs and filters the entire pool floor within that one hour.
CleverClean Technology
Dolphin’s patented CleverClean technology is a navigation software that calculates where the robotic pool cleaner has and hasn’t been, so the E10 doesn’t overlook any spots on its cleaning job.
Top-Loading Filter Basket
Instead of a messy filter bag, the E10 is fitted with a top-loading filter basket that pops out of the top of the robot. Plus, it’s one of the easiest filters to clean.
Unpacking the E10
The Dolphin E10 comes packaged securely and ready to go.
It’s incredibly lightweight, and its outer shell is made of shades of durable gray plastic. Lifting it up by the built-in handle is a breeze too. The front scrubbing brush has tough plastic bristles, but they give way with flexibility when you press on them. And instead of traditional wheels, the E10 is fitted with dual tracks with treads that grip the surface of the floor well.
The E10 is powered by a simple, energy-efficient power supply. With only one button – the power button – you won’t get confused or frustrated selecting a cycle or timer. All you have to do to get the E10 started is drop it in the pool and push the power button. If you want to set a weekly schedule for your robot, the Dolphin Cayman is worth a look. It offers the same simple and effective clean, but with the extra ability to schedule cleanings every three days, every other day, or every day.
The E10 at Work
Since the E10 is designed to clean pool floors only, we were interested to see if it performed this one task well since it’s the bread and butter of the cleaner’s features.
It is equipped with CleverClean technology, which is supposed to keep the E10 from overlooking any spots on its cleaning job. The E10 roamed across the floor of the pool steadily, even powering over drains with ease. It didn’t seem to take an intelligent route, per se, but it did cover the entirety of the pool’s flooring. It even reared up a little bit on the corners to scrub the sides, but only by a few inches before retreating back to the floor.
As far as cleaning up debris, the E10 did a pretty good job initially. It grabbed most of the visible debris like leaves, twigs, and acorns, but it did leave a few pieces behind. Also, the water clarity was still a bit cloudy after the first cleaning job. However, the solution to all of this lies in the filter.
The Filter Dilemma
The E10 comes standard with the standard fine basket. This is ideal for capturing a little bit of everything, but it doesn’t have the chops to pick up smaller bits or tiny particles like dirt or sand.
If you have issues with constantly cloudy water or lots of small floating debris, it may be worth looking into a unit like the Dolphin Quantum. The Quantum does cost more, but it includes an ultrafine filter for that troublesome microscopic debris. Not to mention it can also clean your waterline, you can schedule its cleanings, and it has two scrubbing brushes for twice the power.
Maintenance
In terms of maintenance, the E10 doesn’t ask much of pool owners. The filter basket is very easy to clean. Simply pop open the top of the robotic pool cleaner, pull the basket by its handle, dump the debris, and rinse the basket clean. That’s all you have to do.
The E10 has a 45-foot cable, which is fine for above ground pools, but it’s still susceptible to tangling. It doesn’t have one of Dolphin’s handy, patented anti-tangle swivels, so you’ll have to keep an eye on the cord to make sure it doesn’t develop any kinks or knots. A good rule of thumb is to stretch it out once a week to relax any kinks or knots that might be developing.
Because the E10 is so light (only 13.8 pounds), it’s easy to carry and handle. Even pulling it out of the water isn’t hard, thanks to the quick-release feature that dumps excess water out of the robot’s cavity and into the pool. It’s compact enough to not take up much space too.
The Bottom Line
The E10 is not perfect.What makes or breaks the experience of using the E10 is the fine filter basket and whether or not you need a scheduling function. It’s a shame that an ultrafine filter doesn’t come standard with this cleaner, as it does with higher end models like the Dolphin Quantum. If you are looking for the easiest used experience possible, you will probably want a weekly scheduler, which can be found on the Dolphin Cayman.
It’s also important to remember what the E10 is capable of. It’s not a fancy machine that’ll climb walls and steps and scrub your waterline. It will, however, scrub your pool floor as clean as any professional pool guy. You will have to partner with the E10 and continue to maintain those hard-to-reach spots, but it’ll do some of the heavy lifting for you.
So, if you’re interested in enjoying your above ground pool without the heavy burden of all that cleaning, the E10 is a solid bot.
Reviewed by Robert Knight
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