Beatbot vs Dolphin: which pool robot should you buy?

By the RobotDoorstep team. Based on spec sheets, FCC filings and owner reports; see how we pick. Prices seen Oct 29, 2026. No affiliate links: every price links to the brand or retailer page it came from.

Short answer: buy the Beatbot AquaSense 2 ($799) if you want cordless cleaning and 36 months of coverage on the body and battery. Buy the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus ($829) if you want a corded robot that runs as long as you like, and accept Maytronics' 1-year warranty. Prices seen Oct 29, 2026 on each brand's store.

What's the main difference between Beatbot and Dolphin?

The cord. The AquaSense 2 is cordless and charges on a wireless dock. Most Dolphins run on a floating cable from a power supply, so they never stop to charge, but you need an outlet near the pool. Maytronics' manual asks for a GFCI circuit, no extension cord and a power supply at least 12 ft from the water. Maytronics does sell a cordless line: the LIBERTY 400 carries a 3-year warranty and is sold through local dealers; check price (dealer).

Which has the better warranty, Beatbot or Dolphin?

Beatbot, at this price. Beatbot's warranty policy covers the AquaSense 2's main body, battery included, for 36 months. Maytronics lists 1 year on the Nautilus CC Plus. Dolphin's higher models close the gap: Maytronics' comparison table lists 3 years on the Sigma and Premier and 2 on the Quantum.

Which lasts longer, Beatbot or Dolphin?

Dolphin has the longer record. CC Plus owners on r/pools and r/swimmingpools report 3 to 6 years, and the common failures are the power supply and the cable at the swivel. Beatbot's current robots are newer, so multi-year owner data is thin. That's why the 36-month battery term matters: it covers the part you can't replace yourself. Our lifespan guide has terms for every brand.

What do owners say about Beatbot and Dolphin?

AquaSense 2 owners on r/Beatbot_Tech mention 3 to 4.5 hour runs and good results on irregular pools, and complain about the small basket and no finish alert. Owners of the pricier AquaSense 2 Ultra report floating on sloped pools and snagging on raised drain covers. Dolphin owners praise cleaning and longevity, and several say Maytronics replaced a failed power supply or cable under warranty.

What does each cost to keep running?

The running costs split the same way the designs do. On the Beatbot side, beatbot.com listed the optional ClearWater clarifier kit at $59.99 for two cartridges on Oct 29, 2026; PCWorld says each cartridge covers four treatments. The battery and body sit under a 36-month warranty, so the big bills are covered for three years.

On the Dolphin side, there's nothing to refill, but the 1-year warranty on the Nautilus CC Plus runs out fast. Maytronics' US parts store listed a 2-wire swivel cable at $229.99 and power supplies from $209 to $399.99 on Oct 29, 2026, and those are the parts owners report replacing most. Match the part number to your serial before ordering.

Which is better for a Florida salt pool?

Close to a tie on salt. Both list a 5,000 ppm limit, well above the 2,700 to 3,400 ppm Hayward lists for its salt systems. Maytronics says rinse the Dolphin with tap water after salt-water use. Beatbot's wireless dock means no charging pins to corrode. For a screened lanai, Beatbot's help center offers a 3 micron ultra-fine basket free on request for fine pollen. Florida pools run all year, so a corded Dolphin's unlimited run time helps an open pool under oaks. More in vinyl liner and saltwater pools.

How do the Beatbot and Dolphin flagships compare?

Robot	Price, seen Oct 29, 2026	Power	Cleans	Warranty
Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra	$2,299, beatbot.com	Cordless	Floor, walls, waterline, surface	36 months, battery included
Dolphin Sigma	$2,999, maytronics.com	Corded, anti-tangle swivel	Floor, walls, waterline; pools to 50 ft	3 years
Dolphin Premier	$2,499, maytronics.com	Corded, anti-tangle swivel	Floor, walls, waterline; pools to 50 ft	3 years
Dolphin LIBERTY 400	Check price (dealer)	Cordless	Floor, walls, waterline; pools to 33 ft	3 years

The AquaSense 2 Ultra is the only one here that skims the surface, and it costs $700 less than the Sigma ($2,999 minus $2,299). Read our AquaSense 2 Ultra review roundup, or compare all of these in the pool robot database.

Is a Beatbot or Dolphin worth it over a pool service?

It depends on what you pay now. Take the robot price, divide by the years you expect, and compare with what a weekly service charges you; the robot vs pool service calculator does that math. Not sure which brand fits your pool? Try the pool robot finder, or read the Beatbot and Dolphin hubs. For the other big rival, see Aiper vs Beatbot.

US availability side note: models the FCC authorized before its July 2026 robot rule can still be sold here. Read the FCC robot rule explained or use the US availability check.

Related: Pool robots hub | Beatbot hub | Dolphin hub | Pool robot finder | Pool robot comparison | Cordless vs corded | How we research | Aiper vs Beatbot | Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus | Robot vs pool service calculator