The Dolphin S-Series of robotic pool cleaners is one of Maytronic’s more recent projects. These little cleaners are designed to be nimble and lightweight underwater, able to shimmy into any position and ensure a deep clean in only a few hours. With four different models ranging in classification from performance, advanced, deluxe, and premium-class, there is likely an S-Series model that fits your needs. Today we’re looking at the S200, which is the advanced-class model. The S200 touts some impressive specifications and features, like:
- A PowerStream drive system
- Cleans floors, walls, and waterlines
- Anti-tangle swivel
- Weekly timer
- Top-loading fine and ultra-fine filter basket
- Two-year limited warranty
- Standard two-hour cleaning
- Dual brushes
The S200 vs. The Dirty Pool
Nice specs and features aside, let’s dive into how nimble the S200 really is underwater.
We pitted it against a test pool that had gone without a cleaning for about a week. Located beneath a pecan tree and near some cedar trees, it had leaves floating in the water, pecans littering the floor, and a murky green hue from the cedar pollen. It wasn’t obnoxiously dirty, but just enough to put the S200 to the test.
Easy Start and Straightforward Power Supply
Like most of Dolphin’s products, the S200 was ready out of the box and ready to dive into the pool within ten minutes.
Unlike many of Dolphin’s higher end models, the S200 has only one cleaning program: a two-hour standard clean. This makes using the power supply remarkably simple since there’s only one choice of program.
You can also set a weekly timer from the power supply, selecting it to clean once a day, once every two days, or once every three days. Every seven days, however, the timer resets. So, every week you’ll have to re-select your weekly timer frequency. This isn’t a huge deal, but it is inconvenient, especially if you’ll be out of town for a while.
From there, it only took pushing the power button to start the S200’s cleaning job.
Impressive Mobility
The S200 is equipped with PowerStream mobility. This patent-pending technology from Dolphin creates a multi-directional water flow from internal jets. The counterforce it creates helps the S200 maintain a constant grip on surfaces – especially vertical ones. The jets spurt force dependent upon which direction the S200 needs to move, leaving a bubbly trail in its wake.
The bottom two steps were no problem for the S200, but the higher ones were. The robotic pool cleaner never climbed past the bottom two steps, leaving the top ones to be scrubbed manually.
It did, however, handle other obstacles and difficult spots remarkably well. The slope from the shallow end to the deep end is very steep, and the S200 both descended and ascended it with ease.
Scrubbing Action
The bright blue brushes on the S200 aren’t just for show. As the cleaner popped above the water to clean the waterline, we could see its bristles spinning rapidly across the surface.
We were particularly impressed with the S200’s scrubbing ability on a unique feature of the pool. There is a hot tub attached to the main body of the pool near the shallow end, and it rises above the surface with an exterior of slick blue tile. The S200 actually managed to climb a good few inches above the water to scrub this tile, even scrubbing away some white residue and easing the appearance of hard water stains.
Proof of Power
The filters of a robotic pool cleaner always tell the best story. When we pulled the filter basket out from the top of the S 200, it was satisfyingly full of junk. From leaves to pecan nuts to dog hair and sand, it had managed to suck up debris of many shapes and sizes. Even the filter lining of the basket was dingy and greenish-gray from the two-hour cleaning job.
Water Clarity
After the initial cleaning with the standard fine filter basket, the S200 had obviously improved the water clarity substantially. However, we wanted to test the ultra-fine filter option to see what else it could grab that wasn’t visible to the naked eye.
We ran the S200 for about an hour before manually stopping the job and pulling it to the surface. While the basket was nearly empty, the filter lining had obviously changed color from capturing small particles lurking in the water. When we pulled back the tiny folds of the filter, we could see the tiny sediment, dust, and sand discoloring the white nylon.
What Stands Out About the S200
Underwater Dexterity
The PowerStream mobility makes the S200 great underwater. It can reach tough spots, shimmy into corners, and climb to the waterline with ease. Although it didn’t manage to reach the top steps of the underwater stairs, it covered every other surface.
User Friendly
There aren’t unnecessary features on the S200 that make it tedious to operate. The power supply is simple, and with only one cleaning job option and a programmable timer, you won’t get stumped trying to start it.
Serious Cleaning Power
The S200 impressed us with its cleaning power. Not only did it leave behind no visible debris while using the standard filter, but it actually improved the water’s clarity with the ultra-fine filter installed. Between the scrubbing brushes, suction, and mobility, it provides a deep clean.
Designed for Any Pool
Well, any pool under 50 feet. No matter the shape, the S200 is equipped to handle it. We saw it navigate sharp corners, crawl under an overhanging waterfall, climb tile coping, and cling to dramatic underwater slopes. So, if you’ve got a freeform pool full of twists and turns or a straightforward rectangle, it can probably take care of it.
Room for Improvement
Didn’t Reach Everywhere
The S200 couldn’t climb all the way up the underwater steps. While this isn’t a big deal, it does mean those will have to be manually scrubbed.
The Little Pool Cleaner That Could
The S200 robotic pool cleaner may be nimble and light, but it packs a heavy punch. We think Dolphin designers have developed a solid mid-range machine that’s capable of more than you’d expect for the price you pay.
It’s not burdened by too many features or frustrating maintenance, and it churns out a deep and efficient clean. The S200 virtually eliminates the need to manually vacuum your pool, making it easier than ever to enjoy the perks of owning your pool as opposed to cleaning it by hand. It’s a basic model that delivers a solid clean, and it would make a worthy underwater ally for almost any pool.
Reviewed by Robert Knight
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