Introduction
Immersing ourselves into the world of robotic pool cleaners, the Dolphin Liberty 800s has truly proven its worth. Positioned aesthetically in the Dolphin Liberty series, this particular robot brings a lot to the table given its advanced functioning. During our rigorous three months testing, we noticed some striking features, including its top-access filter system, its ability to clean walls and floors efficiently, and an exceptional convenience factor unique to this model.
While it may initially appear as your average pool cleaning robot, the Dolphin Liberty 800s surpasses the ordinary with its profound, intelligent scanning, and smart navigation system. This enables it massively reduces the overall cleaning time by avoiding hurdles, covering more area, and focusing more on dirt-intensive spots.
Further, the device hosts a robust mechanism that ensures the longevity of its service lifespan. In fact, its durability, backed by a solid build, is appreciable enough to withstand prolonged usage. And while it excels wonderfully in its cleaning roles, it does this with an added bonus. The Dolphin Liberty 800s operates silently, all the while maintaining high-performance levels, bringing a sense of calm to your pool cleaning.
Undoubtedly, given our positive experiences with the Dolphin Liberty 800s, we only feel it apt to recommend it whole-heartedly. However, each pool setting has unique needs, and it's always advisable to evaluate your requirements. But for those in search of dynamic technology, outstanding cleaning capabilities, and stable operation, the Dolphin Liberty 800s becomes an attractive option.
In case you still want to explore other series, we also recommend the Dolphin Explorer pool robot. You can read our full review here. Besides this, you can check out our comprehensive guide to the best robotic pool cleaners to see how other robots stack up against the Dolphin Liberty 800s.
Pool Types
Dolphin Liberty 800s shines as a versatile robotic pool cleaner distinctly designed for both in-ground and above-ground pools. Its prowess lies in its ability to meticulously clean pools up to 50 ft, eliminating dirt and debris irrespective of the pool's design and make. This means if you have Concrete, Plaster, Gunite, Pebble, Tile, Vinyl Liner, or a Fiberglass pool, the Liberty 800s has got you covered.
Further reinforcing its versatility is its adaptability to pool shapes. Whether your pool is rectangular, oval, or sports a free-form layout, the Dolphin Liberty 800s is built to navigate through with ease and proficiency. Hence, regardless of the unique features of your pool, the Liberty 800s ensures a hygiene standard beyond regular expectations.
Pool Coverage
The Dolphin Liberty 800s is known for its thorough cleaning coverage, whether it be floors, walls, or the waterline. Its ability to traverse both flat and sloped surfaces highlights the cleaner's robust versatility. This feature ensures that no matter the shape or size of your pool, the Dolphin Liberty 800s can effectively get the job done.
The Liberty 800s has exhibited expertise in handling different types of pools – from flat-bottomed layouts to those with more complex, non-uniform setups. This flexibility, which is not common amongst all cleaners in the market, allows the device to cater to varying customer needs.
Focusing on the wall-climbing capability, this robotic pool cleaner can easily scale the walls of the pool, ensuring thorough scrubbing as it goes along. However, it doesn’t just stop at the top but also gets to work on the critical waterline area – the transition phase between the pool wall and the surface of the water.
In conclusion, the Dolphin Liberty 800s demonstrates a comprehensive cleaning capability, taking the burden of maintaining clean and clear pools off of the homeowners' shoulders. Its thorough cleaning coverage which includes floors, walls, and waterline makes it a valuable investment for any pool owner.
Filtration
Sure, it's all about the filter when it comes to robotic pool cleaners, especially if we are talking about a ProLine robot. When I first tested the ProLine robotic pool cleaner, I was amazed at how effectively it could enter NanoFiltration mode. This feature never fails to impress year after year.
In NanoFiltration mode, the cleaner operates on a sub-micron level, ensuring no dirt or debris is left behind. Having tested multiple robotic pool cleaners over the years, this technology stands out in its ability to ensure the deepest and most thorough clean.
What's incredible is seeing the ProLine bot at work in NanoFiltration mode. It leaves the pool not just visibly cleaner, but also cleaner at a microscopic level, something other bots just can't deliver. It's like having a professional pool cleaning service every time you run it.
This excellence in filtration doesn't just reflect on the cleanliness of your pool, but also on the lifespan of your pool systems. By eliminating even the minutest particles, the ProLine bot helps prolong the lifespan of your pool's filtration system, reducing both your maintenance efforts and costs. Simply put, it's a game-changer.
Cleaning Performance
The performance of the robotic pool cleaners in our test pools was quite remarkable, especially the ones from the Dolphin ProLine and Max-Series. These robotic cleaners were efficient, with their robust and power-packed performance standing out. Specifically, the Dolphin Premier showed extraordinary efficiency in terms of cleaning and power consumption.
As we used the Dolphin Premier pool cleaner over several weeks, we found that it cleaned effectively with minimal interaction. The cleaner could smartly navigate around the pool, removing dirt, debris, and even tiny particles efficiently. Unlike many of its competitors, the Dolphin Premier avoided getting stuck in corners or on the steps, a testament to its intelligent navigation system.
On the other hand, the Sigma showed a superior cleaning capacity, especially on pool walls and waterlines. With its advanced AI programming, the Sigma could smartly climb walls and scrub away the stubborn dirt. The Sigma's top-loading cartridge was also appreciable as it significantly reduces the hassle during the debris cleaning process.
The Aquabot offered an excellent value for money, considering its performance. Although it lacked some of the advanced features offered by the Dolphin series, the Aquabot still managed to impress us with its hardworking cleaning and durability. Its fine filters are capable of trapping minute particles, ensuring maximum cleanliness for your pool.
First-hand experiences reflect that the corded pool cleaners proved to be more reliable in terms of their performance. They offered a steady flow of power, which enables more efficient cleaning. Despite having to deal with the cords, the convenience of not having to recharge or interact with them frequently outweighs any minor inconveniences.
Do take a look at our in-depth reviews of these amazing robotic pool cleaners at our best robotic pool cleaners page [Best Robotic Pool Cleaners](/best-robotic-pool-cleaners/). For individual reviews on the Dolphin Premier, Sigma, or the Aquabot, follow this link format '/review/${slugify(robot.name)}-review/'.
Restocking Fee
Cordless
Indeed, one of the key aspects to consider when choosing a robotic pool cleaner is whether it is corded or cordless, and without a doubt, corded robots have displayed superior performance in our tests of 100+ robots. These high-power cleaning machines gain an edge over their cordless counterparts in many ways.
The pivotal advantage here is inexhaustible power at their disposal. Corded robots, connected directly to a power supply, have the ability to run uninterruptedly and clean pools of all sizes. This constant power supply translates into exceptional cleaning efficiency.
Recharging is another key consideration. With cordless models, you often have to deal with frequent recharges and even the need to interact with the cleaner several times a day. While some may argue that cordless robots offer a more seamless view, in reality, the experience could be marred by constant monitoring and intervention.
Not to mention the decline in performance that cordless robots may experience overtime due to battery degradation. The reliability and efficiency of corded robots, on the other hand, have been consistently proven in our extensive experience testing these devices, thus making them a preferred choice for most pool owners.
Now, if the robotic pool cleaner being reviewed is indeed cordless, it's important to highlight its unique challenges. Cordless robotic pool cleaners have their conveniences, but the limitations are too significant to ignore. They generally do not last as long, and the drop in power as the battery discharges can be quite palpable. The daily charging requirements also add an extra layer of maintenance that some users may find inconvenient.
Weekly Timer
One of the pivotal factors we appreciate in robotic pool cleaners is the generous provision of a weekly timer. The beauty of the weekly timer is its meticulous attention to routine and time management. This function allows for the automatic operation of the cleaner several times a week, eliminating the need for daily human interaction. This inbuilt system reduces the potential of forgetfulness or the inconvenience of consistently setting up the cleaning process.
Robotic pool cleaners without a weekly timer, in our view, have significantly missed out on a time-saving and convenience-enhancing feature. From our perspective, all robotic pool cleaners should be equipped with this type of automation. They require more frequent human interaction, reducing their advantage as automated machines.
For many users, the purpose of investing in robotic cleaners is to minimize the tasks in their busy schedule. Devices without a weekly timer may be a disappointment as they require more attention and frequent interaction – something we think detracts from the essence of automation.
On the flip side, cleaners with weekly timers are absolute gems. They are designed to allow you to sit back and relax while they take on the might of pool maintenance. Without a doubt, all robotic pool cleaners should come with this feature to truly deliver on their promise of automated and hassle-free cleaning.
Overview
The Dolphin Liberty 800s, one in a series of robotic pool cleaners by Dolphin, certainly delivers in terms of cleaning capabilities. This cordless pool cleaner, although not my personal preference compared to its corded brethren, is designed for a seamless and energy-efficient cleaning experience.
Designed with Smart Nav software, the Liberty 800s carries out an efficient and systematic cleaning coverage of each and every inch of the pool. It comes equipped with a Filter Basket, a feature that enables large debris collection such as leaves, branches, and even small toys that accidentally make their way into the pool. It eliminates the need for constant manual cleaning, saving valuable time.
The major concern with the Dolphin Liberty 800s is its being cordless. While it offers a certain level of convenience, especially with pool layouts that are challenging for corded variants, it does sacrifice power and longevity of operational hours. This means more interactions with the device each day and daily recharging. But it doesn't necessarily mean a less satisfactory performance, it simply means a slightly different usage pattern for its owners.
In the wider scope of robotic pool cleaners, the Dolphin Liberty 800s might not make it to my personal top-tier. Being a huge fan of Dolphin's ProLine and Max-Series including the Premier, Sigma, Quantum, Cayman, and Escape, the Liberty 800s does not hold quite the same appeal for me. They offer a certain level of convenience that outperforms the Dolphin Explorer and Aquabot, but lacks some of the core settings and functionality that I favor. For a more comprehensive list of top-performing robotic pool cleaners, please see the article on best robotic pool cleaners.
However, basing on the robot score, the Dolphin Liberty 800s does exceedingly well with anything above 90. The potential buyers of the Liberty 800s just need to take into consideration their own personal preferences and the layout of their pool. Nonetheless, it remains a good quality option for most households and continues to carry the strong reputation of the Dolphin brand.
Recommendation
I would highly recommend taking a closer look at the Max-Series pool cleaners from Dolphin. These robots offer a comprehensive suite of features that are designed to eliminate dirt and debris in a swift, thorough manner. Be it the cutting-edge Dolphin Premier, the high-performance Sigma, the versatile Quantum, or the compact Cayman and Escape, each model under the Max-Series line brings its unique advantages to the table. Here's our detailed review of the Dolphin Premier from the Max-Series.
Another tip-top choice would be Dolphin's ProLine range, which combines vigorous cleaning efficiency with user-friendly operation and notable longevity. Tailored to cater to diverse pool cleaning requirements, the ProLine robotic cleaners are a worthy investment for all pool owners prioritizing cleanliness and ease of use. Dolphin Explorer from the ProLine is another model that, although slightly less favored, has garnered our respect for its effective cleaning and competitive price point. More about it can be found in our comprehensive Dolphin Explorer review.
In conclusion, depending upon your specific requirements and budget, both these lines of pool robots from Dolphin – the Max-Series and ProLine – have distinct models that are some of the best in the market and come highly recommended.
Reviewed by Robert Knight
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