Betta SE Plus vs Dolphin Escape
Researched by Riley Hart · prices checked Nov 4, 2026
As of Nov 4, 2026, the Betta SE Plus costs $390 and the Dolphin Escape has no store price on file. The Betta SE Plus scores higher in our ranking (9.0 vs 8.1 out of 10). Pick the Betta SE Plus for pools with lots of floating leaves. Pick the Dolphin Escape for above-ground pools up to about 30 ft. The Dolphin Escape wins 1 of 1 points we can measure.
- Cleans
- Water surface only:
- Power
- Solar
- Runtime
- 30+ hours of continuous
- Max pool
- Up to 40 x 60 ft
Solar surface skimmer with plug-in backup charging and a remote
Full Betta SE Plus review, pros and cons →- Cleans
- Floor only
- Power
- Corded
- Runtime
- 90 min cycle
- Max pool
- Up to 30 ft long
Simple corded floor cleaner for above-ground and small pools
Full Dolphin Escape review, pros and cons →Side by side
| Betta SE Plus | Dolphin Escape | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $390 | n/a |
| 3 year cost | $390 | n/a |
| Our score | 9.0/10 | 8.1/10 |
| Rank in Pool | #3 | #4 |
| Status | on sale | on sale |
| Warranty | 1 year | 2 years (per The Pool Nerd; not confirmed on a Maytronics page) |
| Cleans | Water surface only: leaves, bugs and floating debris (it does not clean floor or walls) | Floor only; no waterline scrubbing and limited wall climbing (The Pool Nerd, Bob Vila) |
| Power | Solar plus AC adapter backup (Betta); The Pool Nerd describes the backup as USB-C | Corded, 180 W with dual DC motors (The Pool Nerd); 40 ft cable with no swivel (Bob Vila, The Pool Nerd) |
| Runtime | 30+ hours of continuous cleaning on a full charge (Betta); The Pool Nerd says it runs around the clock when charged | 90 min cycle (Bob Vila) |
| Charge time | 5 to 6 h in direct sun, 3.5 h with the AC adapter (Betta) | None needed, corded |
| Filter | Large 200 micron fine mesh top load basket; capacity not published (Betta) | Top load MaxBin basket; up to 4,000 gph suction (The Pool Nerd) |
| Max pool size | Up to 40 x 60 ft, about 2,400 sq ft (Betta) | Up to 30 ft long (Bob Vila); The Pool Nerd says up to 33 ft in its roundup but advises against pools over about 30 ft |
| App | No app; wireless remote included (Betta). Bob Vila lists the lack of app control as a con | No app or weekly timer; one button start (The Pool Nerd, Bob Vila) |
| Motors | Twin salt chlorine tolerant (SCT) motors (Betta) | n/a |
| Warranty | 1 year (Betta) | 2 years (The Pool Nerd roundup) |
| Pool types | n/a | Above-ground pools, plus smaller in-ground pools (The Pool Nerd); gunite, plaster, vinyl and fiberglass floors (Bob Vila) |
| Weight | n/a | 14 lb (Bob Vila) |
| Best for | pools with lots of floating leaves | above-ground pools up to about 30 ft |
| Skip if | you want app control or floor cleaning | you need wall and waterline cleaning |
Specs are maker claims unless a reviewer is named. Prices from the stores we link, checked daily.
What reviewers found
Betta SE Plus
- The Pool Nerd: Used in the reviewer's own pool; the surface was clear of leaves, bugs and trash after a few hours, and he went weeks without skimming by hand. Rated Pool Nerd Approved. Says little changed from the SE beyond backup charging, for about $30 more. The site earns affiliate commissions. Source
- Bob Vila (tested) (4.6/5): Best Overall of seven skimmers tested over about two months in residential inground pools. Easy to set up and removed more leaves and floating debris than any other model. Rated ease of use 5/5, performance 4.9/5, value 4/5. The tester's earlier Betta SE stopped working after about 12 months. Source
Dolphin Escape
- The Pool Nerd: Pool Nerd Approved and named best above-ground and best entry level pick. The floor of an 8 x 20 ft test pool was much cleaner after about 30 minutes; it draws about 180 W. No timer, app, swivel or waterline scrubbing. The site earns affiliate commissions. Source
- Bob Vila (9.5/10): Tested in a 24 ft above-ground pool. Setup took under 5 minutes and a 90 minute cycle gave a thorough clean. It is heavy to lift when full of water, can stop mid pool at cycle end, and the control box must come inside when it rains. Source
Questions buyers ask
Which is better, the Betta SE Plus or the Dolphin Escape?
The Betta SE Plus scores higher in our ranking (9.0 vs 8.1 out of 10). Pick the Betta SE Plus for pools with lots of floating leaves. Pick the Dolphin Escape for above-ground pools up to about 30 ft.
What is the difference between the SE Plus and the Escape?
Cleans: Water surface only: leaves, bugs and floating debris (it does not clean floor or walls) on the SE Plus, Floor only; no waterline scrubbing and limited wall climbing (The Pool Nerd, Bob Vila) on the Escape. Power: Solar plus AC adapter backup (Betta); The Pool Nerd describes the backup as USB-C on the SE Plus, Corded, 180 W with dual DC motors (The Pool Nerd); 40 ft cable with no swivel (Bob Vila… on the Escape. Runtime: 30+ hours of continuous cleaning on a full charge (Betta); The Pool Nerd says it runs… on the SE Plus, 90 min cycle (Bob Vila) on the Escape.
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