Dolphin Explorer E40 Automatic Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner with Wi-Fi, Wall Climbing Capability, Waterline Scrubber Brush, Ideal for Inground Pools up to 50 FT in Length

Why it's worth it

The Dolphin Explorer E40 brings the same Wi-Fi scheduling, wall climbing, and waterline scrubbing as our top pick to a lower-priced package, and it's also rated for in-ground pools up to 50 feet. The main compromise is a smaller filter that you'll empty more often.

This is the Nautilus CC Supreme's core recipe with the edges sanded off. You get dual-drive steering, an active scrubbing brush, wall climbing, waterline scrubbing, and always-connected Wi-Fi scheduling — the four things that actually determine whether a robot keeps your pool clean. If your budget stops short of the CC Supreme, you're not giving up the navigation or the brushing, which are the parts that matter most.

The filter is where the savings come from, and you'll notice it. Owners describe the included cartridges as moderate in size and report seeing fine sediment blow back out the top vent once they load up. On a pool with fine sand or heavy pollen, that means emptying more often, or buying the finer cartridges separately. On a clean suburban pool with mostly leaves, it's a non-issue.

From our review of 7 pool cleaning robots, by Genevieve Dubois, Home & Living Expert

What we like

• +This is the Nautilus CC Supreme's core recipe with the edges sanded off
• +The filter is where the savings come from, and you'll notice it
• +The Wi-Fi has been a bright spot in owner feedback
• +One useful note from owners: it doesn't vacuum in water shallower than about 30 inches

What to know

• –It gets stuck on ledges
• –It's the heaviest Dolphin here at roughly 40 pounds shipping weight, and the corded power supply adds to the hassle of setup and…
• –Maytronics classifies tracks, brushes, and similar parts as wearable and excludes them from warranty coverage