Dolphin S100 Robotic Pool Cleaner Review

Introduction

The Dolphin S100, hailing from the Dolphin S-Series line of robotic pool cleaners, is an entry-level, budget-friendly solution yet packs a heavy punch where it counts. After three months of continuous testing, it's clear that this powerful little robot can hold its own.
Features like CleverClean scanning technology and an easy-to-clean, top-loading single click basket make it stand out, offering top tier performance while lacking some of the luxuries of higher-end models. Combined with advanced algorithms, the S100 effectively covers the whole pool without any random wandering.
Sporting a light and compact design with an energy-efficient power supply, the S100 provides an eco-friendly approach to pool maintenance. After several months of use, it has proven its durability and competence time and again.
While it lacks some of the advanced features of its higher-end counterparts, the Dolphin S100 offers excellent value for money for users prioritizing functionality over frills. Based on our extensive testing, we can confidently say that it's a worthwhile investment for anyone interested in reliable and efficient pool cleaning.

Pool Types

The Dolphin S100 is a brilliant choice for in-ground pools, specifically built to manage pools up to 33 feet in length. It demonstrates impressive compatibility with a plethora of pool types such as gunite, fiberglass, vinyl, and liner pools.
This versatility doesn't stop there. It handles multiple pool shapes like a breeze. Whether your pool is rectangular, oval, or even freeform, the Dolphin S100 works seamlessly across these shapes.
In essence, the Dolphin S100 isn't just another robotic pool cleaner; it's for those who seek out a comprehensive one-size-fits-all solution offering extraordinary flexibility and effectiveness.

Pool Coverage

The Dolphin S100 provides comprehensive cleaning coverage that leaves your pool spotless after every use. Specializing in cleaning pool floors and walls with remarkable efficiency, it also handles the waterline with ease. Tailored to be multi-dimensional in its functionality, the Dolphin S100 can navigate both flat and contoured surfaces without showing any signs of struggle.
This adaptive ability to clean any type of pool is a testament to the technological prowess integrated within the design of the S100. Whether it is the flat bottom of a traditional pool or the curved structure of a modern, free-form pool, this robotic cleaner can ensure thorough cleaning without compromising on its performance.
This model does not necessarily restrict its excellent performance to specific types of pools. By encompassing the entire pool anatomy into its cleaning regime, from floors to walls and the waterline, the Dolphin S100 sets an impressive standard in the realm of robotic pool cleaners.

Filtration

The filtering prowess of the ProLine robot, with its NanoFiltration capabilities, shines brighter than the rest in the pack. This particular variant shows a significantly notable performance, with a depth of cleaning that left me nothing short of impressed. As someone who has tested a wide array of pool robots, observing firsthand its ability to sieve out the tiniest particles was a delightful experience.
The NanoFiltration feature should not be understated, as it is instrumental in ensuring the pool retains crystal clear water. It goes well beyond the surface, capturing minute debris that might escape the grasp of other pool cleaners. My first encounter with this was truly astonishing, witnessing the cleaner get rid of even the most stubborn dirt particles.
Another impressive aspect was the thoroughness of the cleaning. Every time I put ProLine to the test, it consistently proved its worth. Not only were the more apparent debris removed, but the water clarity improved significantly. It was a testament to the power and effectiveness of ProLine's NanoFiltration.
In my extensive experience reviewing pool robots, the deep cleansing ability of the ProLine robot truly sets it apart. The NanoFiltration technology it employs is remarkable, capturing even the minute debris that many other pool cleaners would likely miss.

Cleaning Performance

In our test pools, the Dolphin ProLine performed exceptionally well. It boasts a comprehensive pool coverage, capable of systematically and effortlessly traversing across every square inch of our pool, from the floor right up onto the walls and waterline.
The striking point of this machine is its efficiency. Regardless of the condition or size of the pool, the ProLine consistently completed the cleaning tasks in under 2.5 hours. It's quite amazing how far robotic pool cleaners have come, as they now minimize manual involvement to almost zero.
Switching to the Dolphin Max-Series was also quite refreshing. Especially, the Dolphin Premier stood out among the rest. Its signature feature, the multi-media filtration system, deserves a special mention. It truly caters to all kinds of debris, finest to the most robust, further simplifying the owner's work. Sigma, Quantum, Cayman, and Escape followed closely behind in terms efficiency and effectiveness.
The Dolphin Explorer, although a notch below the ProLine and Max-Series in our preference list, showcased considerable performance. Despite its compact size, it could competently handle pool cleaning tasks. However, it may require slightly more manual interference, particularly for larger pools.
Lastly, amongst all pool cleaners we tested, the Aquabot is the machine that offered a surprising value. Despite its affordable price tag, it held its own and quite convincingly at that. The convenience it offered with its automated settings, energy-saving capabilities, and user-friendly design was truly impressive.

Restocking Fee

Cordless

Diving right into the discussion, it's important to appreciate the merits of corded robotic pool cleaners. After putting over a hundred of these automated marvels to the test, it's clear that corded units steal the show in performance metrics. For starters, a corded robot has the advantage of the uninterrupted power supply, ensuring that it maintains maximal operational efficiency throughout the cleaning cycle. This consistency, over the pool cleaner's life span, closes the gap on your pool maintenance effort by a significant margin.
Unlike their cordless counterparts, corded pool cleaners exempt you from the regularity of battery charge routines. This is simply because they draw power directly from the electrical grid. As such, they skip the routines of battery replacement or the frequent need to check and chart battery performance, saving you time.
Now, let's talk about longevity. Corded pool cleaners have a considerable advantage here, owing to their direct links to an electrical supply. In contrast, cordless cleaner batteries tend to wear out over time, negatively impacting the robot's cleaning efficiency and eventually leading to the need for battery replacement.
But even as we champion for corded units, it's only fair to mention the shortcomings of cordless pool cleaners. Even though their cordless nature offers unhindered navigation, they fall short in terms of power. Cordless pool cleaners are generally less powerful, meaning reduced cleaning efficiency. There's also the frustration of the pool cleaner running out of charge before it completes a cleaning cycle.
Moreover, engaging with cordless cleaners multiple times a day to change batteries or recharge is far from the hands-off experience most pool owners desire. The absence of a weekly timer option in many cordless models only compounds this issue. It all points back to our observation: corded pool cleaners come out on top, offering superior, reliable performance.

Weekly Timer

The common and highly appreciated feature of a weekly timer is, unfortunately, not present in every robotic pool cleaner on the market. Within our reviews, we have found that having such a feature immensely bolsters the user experience, creating a level of automated convenience that surpasses the need for daily interaction. Robots lacking this feature of a weekly timer are, in our view, missing out on a significantly important characteristic.
This feature not only allows for reliable scheduling, but it also entirely automates the pool cleaning process for the entire week. Just set it once and your pool will be seamlessly cleaned at set intervals with zero to minimal intervention from you. This undoubtedly appeals to modern consumers who often seek devices that offer a "set it and forget it" user experience.
In our studied and well-founded partiality, we truly believe that every pool cleaning robot should strive to incorporate a weekly timer in their functionality. That’s because it not only contributes to enhancing the consumer experience but also plays a vital role in maintaining the health and cleanliness of the pool over extended periods. When a pool cleaner misses out on this, it is indeed a significant shortfall.
To be clear, the absence of a weekly timer on a robotic pool cleaner does not render it utterly useless. There are plenty of effective cleaners that can accomplish the primary task of cleaning a pool without this feature. However, for the sake of convenience and automation, we firmly advocate for the inclusion of a weekly timer in all such devices.

Overview

The Dolphin S100 is a stunning example of what a robotic pool cleaner should be. It comes equipped with cutting-edge technology that is geared towards providing a clean and crystal-clear pool without any hassle. The way it navigates the surface of the pool, devouring all debris in its path, is a vision of efficiency and convenience that sets it apart in this competitive market. Specifically designed for small pools, this cleaner can handle pools of up to 33 feet. Its compact design does not hinder its capability, as it manages to deal with all types of debris efficiently. The Dolphin's CleverClean scanning system is remarkable—it analyzes your pool's dimensions and calculates the most effective cleaning path. It does not leave any surface untouched, reaching every inch of the pool with ease. Not only does this ensure comprehensive cleaning, it also reduces wasted energy, making the S100 an environmentally-friendly option as well. The weekly timer on the Dolphin S100 allows you to set it and forget it, giving you peace of mind. There's a sense of automation that reduces the burden on your shoulders, letting you enjoy your pool without having to worry about its cleanliness. Plus, it is corded, something that I personally prefer and have found to be more reliable and powerful. The fact that it's a plug-and-play device, requiring no complicated setup or connections, is a major plus. Also, outshining most of its peers, the S100 is capable of climbing the walls of your pool. Surprisingly, it can also scale the waterline, a feature that most cleaners lack. Its unique brush system scrubs away persistent dirt and algae, making your pool sparkle with cleanliness. Overall, the Dolphin S100 is a superb robotic pool cleaner. It offers quick and effective cleaning, striking a perfect balance between performance and energy consumption. Although it doesn't deliver the wide range of features seen in the more comprehensive Dolphin ProLine and Max-Series, it is an excellent choice for those with smaller pools. For more insight on other robotic pool cleaners, feel free to check out our Best Robotic Pool Cleaners article or visit specific reviews such as the Dolphin Premier.
Finally, ranking the Dolphin S100, using the robot.score system, I'd certainly score it well above 90. To me, that indicates it being a great choice in robotic pool cleaners. Enjoy your swim, and let the Dolphin S100 take care of the cleaning.

Recommendation

We highly recommend robotic pool cleaners, especially the Max-Series and ProLine by Dolphin. These are top-tier products that have consistently delivered great performance and reliability. The advanced features and robust-built, ensure a clean pool every time at minimum effort from the user.
The Max-Series includes some fantastic robot pool cleaners. Dolphin Premier, Sigma, Quantum, Cayman, and Escape are among some of the models worth considering. Each of these models has unique features catering to various user needs. Check out their detailed reviews on our site at Dolphin Premier, Dolphin Sigma, Dolphin Quantum, Dolphin Cayman, and Dolphin Escape respectively.
Dolphin's ProLine series, particularly Dolphin ProLine, is another range that we recommend. The ProLine is a premium robot pool cleaner with superior functionality and ease of use that justifies its price. Find out more about the ProLine and why we think it's worth it in our Dolphin ProLine review.
On the other hand, if you want a solid performance at a remarkable value, the Aquabot might be a good choice for you. We've thoroughly reviewed it and you can read more about it in our Aquabot review.
Whether you are a homeowner with a small pool or run a commercial space with a large pool, our top picks from the Max-Series and ProLine robots will definitely stand up to your expectations. Be sure to visit our best robotic pool cleaners section for more comprehensive guidance.