Two fantastic robotic pool cleaners. Which one is right for you.
The Dolphin Triton and the Dolphin Triton Plus are brother and sister when it comes to robotic pool cleaners. They are clearly related but have their own unique strengths. Originally I was going to focus only on the Dolphin Triton but realized that the Dolphin Triton Plus is so similar that it belongs in this review.
If you’re a swimming pool owner you already know how much effort and time is required to clean your pool properly. Well, in the 21st century cleaning your pool should be effortless — all you need is a robotic pool cleaner like the Dolphin Triton or Triton Plus. Trust me, you’ll never go back to cleaning your pool manually after owning an automatic pool cleaner.
Find out why.
Pool Cleaner Options
If you’ve never owned a robotic pool cleaner then I suggest watching the first video below so you can get acquainted with the basic operation and setup of the Dolphin Triton. It’s actually quite straightforward.
There are other types of pool cleaners like the Polaris 280 which are known as pressure-side pool cleaner, and require a separate booster pump to operate. Well, some can run without an external pump, like the Polaris 360, but my point is that there are different types of automatic pool cleaners. The Hayward TigerShark is another fantastic alternative to consider.
If you’re on a budget then the Dolphin Nautilus should be looked at. It’s also an excellent robotic cleaner but it’s less expensive and perhaps more suitable for your needs. Either way, you have many options.
Now, let’s talk about the Dolphin Triton and Dolphin Triton Plus.
Video | Maytronics Robotic Pool Cleaner
Watch this video by Maytronics on the basic operation of their robotic pool cleaners:
The days of having to scrub your pool manually are long gone but robotic pool cleaners have actually been around a lot longer than you think. In 1967 Robert B. Myers filed a patent for the very first robotic pool cleaner powered by electricity. They’ve evolved since then but the principles remain the same — the robot does the work while you do something useful with your time.
Maytronics is the manufacturer of the Dolphin line of pool cleaners and has been making them for over 25 years. These products have been developed and refined over the years. Sure, they’re not perfect. Nothing ever is, but I promise you that you will truly appreciate the value they bring to your life by freeing your from having to clean your own pool or pay someone else to do it for you.
Maytronics has their own proprietary technology that they incorporate into all of their robotic pool cleaners. They also pack their cleaners with great features, such as: Automatic weekly timer, patented swivel cable, full bag indicator, delayed start feature, rapid-clean cycle options, and gyroscopic navigation.
The best thing about these Dolphin pool cleaners is that they’re plug-and-play. You don’t need to have to worry about connecting them to your pool system. Anybody can use one of these pool cleaners.
Dolphin Triton | Robotic Pool Cleaner
Powerful, durable and effective and cleaning your entire pool.
The Dolphin Triton is straightforward when it comes to the setup and simple to use. It doesn’t require any additional hardware. Basically you just plug it in and watch it do all the dirty work for you. It makes owning a swimming pool much more enjoyable, reducing the dread of having to spend countless hours cleaning it.
I’m okay with a robot cleaning my pool, how about you?
The Dolphin Triton pool cleaner has one cleaning cycle that will take up to 3 hours to clean your entire pool, including the bottom, pool walls, steps and tile line. It filters and vacuums as it goes about its work. Yes, it does it all. It’s hard to imagine cleaning your own pool once you discover the beauty of owning a robotic pool cleaner.
If you get a lot of leaves and large debris then you might want to consider upgrading your Dolphin Triton with filter bag conversion kit (99954305-RK1). The Dolphin Triton will struggle to clean a lot of large leaves, and if that’s your situation then I would suggest buying the Polaris 280 or Polaris 360. These Polaris pool cleaners come with filtering bags and do an excellent job vacuuming large debris.
Just to be clear, the Triton will also do an excellent job of picking up leaves but you have to buy the Filter Bag Kit or you’ll be disappointed. That’s all I’m trying to communicate here.
Buy the filter bag kit if you have a lot of leaves.
It’s really important that you match your cleaning needs with the right robotic pool cleaner.
The time it takes for the Triton to clean your pool will depend on the overall size of your pool and the complexity of the surfaces. For example, steps will obviously slow down the Dolphin Triton, large unobstructed areas will be cleaned quicker.
This video shows you the filter bag, although it’s on a different model. It’s basically the same thing.
Comes with a Caddy
Maytronics has thankfully included a caddy with the Dolphin Triton. It really is a great accessory because it enables you to easily transport your pool cleaner to and from your storage location without breaking your back in the process. Not only that, but it keeps your Dolphin Triton neatly organized while keeping everything together and in one place. It’s a great organizational tool.
The Dolphin Triton weighs 18.75 lbs.
I like the fact that Maytronics gives you a caddy for moving your pool cleaner.
If you have a pool under 50 feet in length then you don’t have to worry because it has the range to cover your pool. It comes with a 60 foot cable which provides enough length from the included power supply to your pool surfaces for cleaning.
You might be wondering about the cost to operate this pool cleaner, well, according to Maytronics, they claim that it will cost you less than 15 cents to clean your pool. Basically, the electricity costs are negligible.
I know that the initial cost the Dolphin Triton is quite high but you have to look at the long-term in order to accurately evaluate your purchase. Just think of all the time you’ll save and the frustration that you’ll avoid. If you decide to spend the money and purchase a robotic pool cleaner you’ll be able to actually enjoy your weekends rather than stress out about cleaning your pool.
From my perspective, the cost of a robotic pool cleaner pays for itself because it allows me to spend time doing the things I care about. It’s that simple. Only you can decide what’s best for you. It’s your money. It’s your time.
View or download the Maytronics Dolphin Operating Guide.
Read the basic operating instructions on the Maytronics site: Online User Guide
Learn more about the Dolphin Triton Pool Cleaner at Amazon.
Features:
- Cycle time: 3 hours
- Cable length: 60 ft.
- Unit weight: 18.75 lbs.
- Scrubs, vacuums and filters all pool surfaces in less than 3 hours.
- Cartridge filter system.
- Swivel cable minimizes tangling.
- Comes with a caddy. Easy to move around & store.
- Just plug it in and watch it clean. Simple to operate.
- Self-programmed for optimal pool scanning.
- 24 month warranty : Spare parts and labor.
Replacement Filter Cartridges | 9991425-r4
Replacement filters for your Dolphin Triton. Part: 9991425-R4
Here’s a little more information if you’re someone who likes to know the technical details about the products you buy.
Technical Specs (Dolphin Triton):
- Part Number : 99996356
- Filter Type : Cartridge, Bag Kit Available
- Scrubs Tile Line : Yes
- Climbs : Yes
- Remote : Basic (optional)
- Weekly Timer : No
- Full Filter Indicator : No
- Delayed Start : No
- Caddy : Yes
- Filter Access : Bottom
- Suction Rate : 4,233 gal/hr
Dolphin Triton Plus | Robotic Pool Cleaner
Faster, more powerful and it comes with a remote control.
You’re probably wondering what’s the difference between the Dolphin Triton and the Dolphin Triton Plus? Well, here are the main differences between the two pool cleaner models:
One of the most important differences is that the Dolphin Triton Plus has two cleaning cycle modes — 1 hour and 2.5 hour. The 1 hour cleaning cycle is a quick clean which won’t be as thorough as the 2.5 hour cycle but if your pool is not particularly dirty then you don’t have to sit and wait for 3 hours to clean your entire pool. The Dolphin Triton only has one cycle, remember. So, you don’t have the option to do a quick cleaning of your pool with the Triton.
Another feature is that the Dolphin Triton Plus comes with a remote control that allows you to guide the pool cleaner from a distance. For example, if it were to get stuck or miss a spot, you can just use the remote to guide it or get it unstuck. It’s an extra convenience but not entirely essential. You can also buy the remote control separately for the Dolphin Triton.
Also comes with a caddy.
Yes, they both come with a caddy. Consider it a bonus.
It comes with a 24 Month Bumper-to-Bumper warranty, which means that it includes everything if something should happen to go wrong.
It’s heavier at 22 lbs but that’s because it’s more advanced and therefore a little larger, giving it a bigger cleaning surface.
The cleaning cartridges are accessed from the top making them easier to remove and clean. The filters can easily be cleaned by spraying them with your hose so they can be reused again and again until they’re finally worn out.
Basic setup.
Lastly, another fantastic feature of the Dolphin Triton Plus is the fact that you can set a variety of timers so you don’t have to manually set it up each time you want to clean. It has weekly timer cycles that include the option to clean every 24 hours, 48 hours, or 72 hours for 3 consecutive cycles. You can just leave the cleaner in your pool and when the scheduled time arrives it will turn on and clean while you’re away.
The Dolphin Triton and Dolphin Triton Plus are quite advanced and capable of cleaning any pool under 50 feet with ease and great efficiency. Obviously the Triton Plus has a few extra features that are also very practical and cost effective but it will also cost you more money. The best way to make a decision is to determine your budget and your pool cleaning needs then the decision will be much easier to make.
If you’re wondering about whether or not you should spend the money and buy a robotic pool cleaner then I suggest you ask yourself: “How much is my time worth?” At the end of the day, a pool cleaner will allow you to spend more time doing the things you enjoy in life as it frees you up from having to spend countless hours cleaning your pool.
Is it worth the price? Only you can make that decision. Personally, I think it is because time is precious and I don’t enjoy doing tedious back-breaking work, but that’s just me.
Learn more about the Dolphin Triton Plus at Amazon.
Features:
- Cycle time: 1 or 2.5 hours, depending on what you choose.
- Cable Length : 60 feet.
- Weight: 22 lbs.
- Scrubs, vacuums and filters all pool surfaces.
- For swimming pools up to 50 feet in length.
- Engineered for a variety of pool surfaces, such as: vinyl, cement, granite, tile, pebble, fiberglass and more.
- Top-access cartridge filter system. Easy to clean.
- Reduced tangling with its unique swivel cable.
- Includes caddy for portability and storage
- Weekly timer cycles including clean every 24 hours, 48 hours, or 72 hours for 3 consecutive cycles.
- Full cartridge indicator lets you know when the filter is full.
- No pre-installation needed, no connections to pool system. Plug it in and watch it go!
- Intelligent programming.
- Comes with remote control for guided steering and cycle selection.
- Quick water release allows water to exit the cleaner in under 6 seconds.
- Modular technology makes it easy for you to repair.
- 24 month warranty : spare parts and labor.
Technical Specs:
- Part Number : 99991079-PC
- DIY : Yes
- Filter Type : Cartridge
- Scrubs Tile Line : Yes
- Climbs : Yes
- Remote : Basic
- Weekly Timer : Yes
- Full Filter Indicator : Yes
- Delayed Start : No
- Caddy : Yes
- Filter Access : Top
- Warranty : 24 Month Bumper-to-Bumper
- Suction Rate : 4,233 gal/hr