Dolphin vs Polaris: which pool robot fits your pool

Dolphin vs Polaris pits the two biggest names in pool robots against each other. Polaris's VRX iQ+ is a fast corded robot with an app at a lower price than Dolphin's top models. Dolphin offers more choice, longer warranties on its best robots and the only options here for above-ground pools.

Researched by Riley Hart · updated Oct 21, 2026 · How we research

Short answer

For an in-ground pool, the Polaris VRX iQ+ ($1,499 at Leslie's) is the best value corded pick: PCWorld found it fast and nearly perfect on leaves, and it has app scheduling for $1,000 less than the Dolphin Premier. Pay more for the Dolphin Sigma ($2,999) or Premier ($2,499) if you want a 3 year warranty and Dolphin's fine filters; Polaris gives 2 years. Buy a Dolphin if you have an above-ground pool, since both Polaris models here are in-ground only: the Cayman ($1,129) is the budget corded choice. For cordless, the Polaris Freedom Plus ($1,399) is lighter with an underwater remote, while the Dolphin Nautilus EON 120d ($1,199) has better fine filtering but only a 1 year warranty on its main listing.

Robot	Power	Price (Oct 21, 2026)	Pool fit	Cleans	Warranty	Est. 3 year cost	Our score
Dolphin Sigma	Corded, weekly timer, app	$2,999	In-ground, up to 50 ft	Floor, walls, waterline	3 years	$3,099	Not scored
Dolphin Premier	Corded, weekly timer, no app	$2,499	In-ground, up to 50 ft	Floor, walls, waterline	3 years	$2,624	6.6/10
Dolphin Cayman	Corded, weekly timer, no app	$1,129	In-ground and above-ground, up to 40 ft	Floor and walls (no waterline listed)	2 years	$1,169	Not scored
Dolphin Nautilus EON 120d	Cordless, app	$1,199	In-ground and above-ground, up to 50 ft	Floor, walls, waterline, steps, 8 in ledges	1 year (3 on store exclusive version)	$1,199	Not scored
Polaris VRX iQ+	Corded, app scheduling	$1,499 (Leslie's)	In-ground, up to 60 ft	Floor, walls, waterline	2 years	$1,649	Not scored
Polaris Freedom Plus	Cordless, remote, no scheduling	$1,399 (Leslie's)	In-ground only	Floor, walls, waterline	2 years	$1,427	Not scored

Dolphin prices are Maytronics US store prices; Polaris does not sell direct, so its prices are from Leslie's, which also listed a $100 mail in rebate through Dec 31, 2026 but showed both Polaris robots out of stock online. Checked Oct 21, 2026. 3 year cost adds brush replacements from our robot profiles. Only the Premier has enough numeric reviews to score.

Two big names, two different strengths

Dolphin robots are made by Maytronics, and Polaris is owned by Fluidra. Both sell corded and cordless models, so unlike Dolphin vs Beatbot this is not a cord against no cord fight. It comes down to price, pool type, warranty and how each robot cleans.

Dolphin's lineup in our list is wider, from the $1,129 Cayman to the $2,999 Sigma. Polaris has two models here, the corded VRX iQ+ ($1,499) and the cordless Freedom Plus ($1,399). Polaris does not sell direct, so our prices come from Leslie's. Dolphin's Maytronics list prices are high, and dealers often sell for less.

Corded: Polaris VRX iQ+ vs Dolphin Premier and Sigma

The VRX iQ+ is the price leader. At $1,499 it costs $1,000 less than the Premier and $1,500 less than the Sigma, yet it has things the Premier lacks: an iAquaLink app with scheduling, remote control and spot cleaning, plus a lift system that brings it to the wall for pickup. Polaris rates it for in-ground pools up to 60 ft, against 50 ft for the two Dolphins.

In PCWorld's testing the VRX iQ+ was the best corded pick. It found 99% of synthetic leaves, missing only one on a step, and was one of the fastest robots PCWorld tested. The catch was its 70 ft floating cable and big caddy, which took effort to manage. It must plug into a GFCI outlet, and extension cords are not allowed.

The Dolphins answer with filtration and warranty. The Premier takes a bottom load filter bag or fine cartridges and runs on a weekly timer at the power supply, with no app. Bob Vila gave it 9/10 after it cleaned leaves, tile line algae and storm dirt in a Miami pool for about 5 cents an hour. The Sigma adds the MyDolphin Plus app and ships with fine and ultra fine filters. The Pool Nerd, an affiliate site with links to Dolphin dealers, called the Sigma the best robot it has tested, with the strongest waterline cleaning of any Dolphin.

Both Dolphins carry 3 year warranties. Leslie's lists a 2 year limited warranty on the VRX iQ+.

Budget and above-ground pools

Polaris lists both of its models here for in-ground pools only. If you have an above-ground pool, the choice is Dolphin.

The Cayman ($1,129) is the cheapest corded robot in this comparison. It runs on a weekly timer, weighs about 14.6 lb and works in pools up to 40 ft. Maytronics does not list waterline scrubbing for it, there is no app, and its warranty is 2 years. The Pool Nerd rated it best value but noted it lacks an anti tangle swivel. The cordless EON 120d also works in above-ground pools.

Cordless: Polaris Freedom Plus vs Dolphin EON 120d

The Freedom Plus was PCWorld's top cordless pick. It averaged about 95% coverage over several weeks, weighs about 20 lb, parks at the waterline and comes with a LiFi handheld remote that steers it underwater. It runs up to 2.5 hours and takes up to 5 hours to charge. It has no scheduling, and The Pool Nerd says its suction and scrubbing fade as the battery drains.

The Nautilus EON 120d costs $200 less at $1,199. It cleans steps and sun ledges as shallow as 8 inches, has app scheduling and uses a DebrisLock ultra fine backwash filter. PCWorld found that filter trapped every kind of debris and coverage reached about 95% on the longest cycle, but emptying it was a big chore, and the robot missed corners and sometimes flipped onto its back. Maytronics lists only a 1 year warranty on the Nautilus EON 120d listing, though its store exclusive EON 120d listing shows 3 years.

Running costs

Corded robots have no battery to wear out, but brushes do. Maytronics says to swap Dolphin climbing brushes every 12 to 18 months, which our profiles price at about $100 over 3 years for the Sigma, $125 for the Premier and $40 for the Cayman. Polaris says to change VRX iQ+ rollers seasonally, about $150 over 3 years at $49.99 a pair. The Freedom Plus brush pair is $27.95 and lasts about two years per its manual.

Both brands sell fine filter add ons: a sand and silt canister for the VRX iQ+ at $99.99 and a fine filter canister for the Freedom Plus at $49.95.

Who should buy which

In-ground pool, want top cleaning and an app for the least money: Polaris VRX iQ+.
In-ground pool, want a 3 year warranty and the best fine filtering: Dolphin Sigma, or the Premier if you do not need an app.
Leafy in-ground pool and you want to set it and forget it: Dolphin Premier.
Above-ground pool or a tight budget: Dolphin Cayman, if your pool is under 40 ft.
Cordless with an easy underwater remote and quick retrieval: Polaris Freedom Plus.
Cordless with fine filtering, ledge cleaning and scheduling: Dolphin Nautilus EON 120d, but check the warranty.

Full profiles with 3 year cost

Pool · Polaris VRX iQ+ Best for in-ground pools wanting top cleaning $1,499 Check price →Full profile

Pool · Dolphin (Maytronics) Premier Best for leafy in-ground pools $2,4996.5/10 Check price →Full profile

Pool · Dolphin (Maytronics) Sigma Best for set and forget in-ground pools $2,999 Check price →Full profile

Pool · Dolphin (Maytronics) Cayman Best for small pools on a budget $1,129 Check price →Full profile

Pool · Polaris Freedom Plus Best for cordless buyers with in-ground pools $1,399 Check price →Full profile

Pool · Dolphin (Maytronics) Nautilus EON 120d Best for fine dirt and sun ledges $1,199 Check price →Full profile

Questions people ask

Is Dolphin or Polaris better?

Neither wins every case. The Polaris VRX iQ+ was PCWorld's best corded pick and costs less than Dolphin's top models. Dolphin offers longer 3 year warranties on the Premier and Sigma, stronger fine filtering and the only above-ground options in this comparison.

Dolphin Premier vs Polaris VRX iQ+: which is better?

The VRX iQ+ ($1,499) adds app scheduling and a lift system and tested very well at PCWorld. The Premier ($2,499) has no app but has a 3 year warranty against 2 years, swappable fine filters, and a 9/10 from Bob Vila.

Can Polaris robots clean above-ground pools?

Not the two in this comparison. Polaris lists both the VRX iQ+ and the Freedom Plus for in-ground pools only. The Dolphin Cayman and Nautilus EON 120d work in above-ground pools.

What warranty do Dolphin and Polaris give?

Dolphin gives 3 years on the Sigma and Premier, 2 years on the Cayman and 1 year on the Nautilus EON 120d listing. Leslie's lists a 2 year limited warranty on both Polaris models.

Where can I buy Polaris robots?

Polaris does not sell direct. We track Leslie's, which listed the VRX iQ+ at $1,499 and the Freedom Plus at $1,399 with a $100 mail in rebate through Dec 31, 2026, though both showed out of stock online when checked.