Dolphin Explorer e50 Review After 30 Days

Dolphin Explorer E50 Review: Worth Every Penny?

Look, I've been through my fair share of pool cleaners over the years. Some were downright disasters (I'm looking at you, unnamed suction cleaner that got stuck on my drain cover for THREE DAYS). So when Maytronics sent me their Explorer E50 to test out, I'll admit I was skeptical. Another fancy Dolphin pool robot with promises of app control and spotless waterlines? Yeah, sure.

But after three sweaty weeks of testing during the hottest June I can remember, I've changed my tune. This robotic pool cleaner is legit impressive, though it's not without a few annoying quirks.

Dolphin Explorer E50: What You Need to Know

Before I dive deeper into my Dolphin Explorer E50 review, here's what you should know about this premium Dolphin robotic pool cleaner:

The Basics

Unboxing and Setting Up the Explorer E50

When the Dolphin Explorer E50's box arrived, I was prepared for the usual hour-long setup headache that comes with swimming pool equipment. But I was pleasantly surprised.

The Explorer E50 comes mostly ready to go out of the box. The build quality immediately stood out - this thing feels substantial, not like the flimsy pool cleaners you find at the big box stores. At 16.5 pounds, it's got enough heft to stay planted on the pool floor but isn't so heavy that my wife can't pull it out when needed.

Setting it up took maybe 5 minutes:

• I unpacked everything and tossed aside what felt like a mile of plastic wrap
• Plugged the blue cable into the power supply
• Downloaded the MyDolphin app (more on that later)
• Tossed it into the deep end of my swimming pool and crossed my fingers

One annoyance right off the bat: they don't include the Dolphin Universal Caddy. For a robotic pool cleaner that costs as much as a decent used smartphone, you'd think they'd throw in the caddy. Nope - that'll cost you another hundred bucks or so. Not cool, Maytronics.

The instruction manual is surprisingly readable - a rarity in the pool world where translations often sound like they were done by someone who's never actually seen water before. I skimmed it while the Dolphin pool robot did its first cleaning cycle, more out of curiosity than necessity.

Cleaning Performance: Does It Actually Work?

Here's what really matters: does this Dolphin pool cleaner clean my swimming pool better than my old Hayward that finally died after five loyal years?

In a word: absolutely.

The Explorer E50 uses a smarter cleaning pattern than I expected. Rather than bouncing around randomly like my old cleaner, it methodically works its way around the pool floor in what seems like a planned route to cover the entire pool. I actually timed it once while having my morning coffee - it covered my pool's surface in about 75 minutes, then spent the rest of the cycle going back over spots and climbing walls.

In terms of what it picked up, I was genuinely impressed:

• The fine silt that collects along my north-facing wall? Gone.
• Leaves from my neighbor's stupid oak tree? Munched up.
• The stubborn algae spots that had been forming near the steps? History.

What really surprised me was the wall climbing capability. My swimming pool has slippery fiberglass walls that have defeated many a pool robot, but the E50 scaled them like a pro. Not every time, mind you - it occasionally slipped back down - but way more successfully than any other robotic pool cleaners I've tried.

The waterline cleaning actually works too. That gross ring of sunscreen, body oils, and whatever else that forms at the waterline floor transition? The Dolphin Explorer E50 did a solid job with its waterline scrubbing. Not perfect - I still needed to brush a few spots - but I'd say it got about 90% of it without me lifting a finger.

I tested the Explorer E50 after a weekend pool party (with 12 kids who apparently brought half the neighborhood's dirt with them), and it handled the aftermath beautifully. One cleaning cycle and the swimming pool was back to crystal clear. My previous pool cleaner would have needed at least two full passes and some manual spot cleaning.

Dual Layer Filter System: A Clean That Impresses

If you've owned robotic pool cleaners before, you know the filter situation can be a nightmare. Either they're impossible to access, you need tools to open them, or they spill debris all over your feet when you try to clean them.

The E50's dual layer filter setup is actually thoughtfully designed. It has two different mesh sizes - one for leaves and big stuff, and a finer filter bag for sand and small particles. This advanced filtration system makes a noticeable difference in water clarity.

What I love is the full filter indicator that lets you know when it's time to clean the filter. Both the power supply box and the app tell you when the filter's getting full. In my testing, the filter indicator was pretty accurate - it would alert me when the basket was about 80% full, which is exactly when you want to know.

Cleaning the dual layer filter is easy enough: pop open the top, lift out the cartridge, and hose it down. Takes maybe 2 minutes, and you don't end up with a puddle of gunk at your feet. Small victory, but I'll take it.

After a particularly messy day (thanks again, oak tree), I noticed the full filter indicator light come on mid-cycle. I was impressed that rather than just continuing with reduced suction like my old cleaner, the E50 actually alerts you when it needs attention. It's like the difference between a toddler silently smearing peanut butter on the walls versus one that actually tells you they're hungry.

Unlike some other Dolphin models, the E50 doesn't come with a standard filter option for different debris types, but honestly, the dual layer system handles everything from fine sand to large leaves without needing to swap filters. This means less frequent cleaning than I expected, which is a nice bonus for pool owners with busy schedules.

Smart Features and Weekly Timer

The E50 comes with a smartphone app that actually... works? I know, I was shocked too. Most swimming pool equipment apps are absolute garbage, but the MyDolphin app is surprisingly decent.

With the app you can schedule multiple cleaning cycles:

• Drive the Dolphin robotic pool cleaner manually (fun for about five minutes, then gets old)
• Set cleaning cycles for different durations
• Program the weekly timer for automatic schedule cleanings
• Choose cleaning modes (floor only, waterline, etc.)
• See when the filter needs cleaning

The connection was mostly stable if I stayed within about 30 feet of the power supply unit. Go inside the house, though, and all bets are off. The app would randomly disconnect sometimes, which was annoying but not a dealbreaker since the robotic pool cleaner continues working regardless.

The weekly timer feature is something I've grown to appreciate. I've set mine to clean Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, and I love coming home to a freshly cleaned swimming pool without having to remember to start it manually. That said, it did miss a scheduled cleaning once - not sure if that was a power flicker or app glitch.

I do have a love/hate relationship with the manual driving mode. It's great for touching up a specific spot before a pool party, but the controls are finicky. There's a noticeable lag between tapping a direction and the Dolphin pool robot responding, which makes precise movements feel like you're playing an arcade game with a broken joystick. Still, it's a nice option to have when you need it.

Anti-Tangle Swivel Cable: A Game-Changer

One thing that drove me NUTS about my old robotic pool cleaner was the constantly tangled cord. I'd spend 10 minutes every other day untangling the thing.

The Explorer E50 has an anti-tangle swivel connection that - miracle of miracles - actually works. In three weeks of testing, the cable never once got tangled up. Not once! For this anti-tangle swivel feature alone, I'd consider upgrading.

The 60-foot cable is plenty long enough for my 40-foot pool, and I suspect it would work fine for pools right up to the maximum ground pool size they recommend.

The cable itself has a nice rubbery feel that doesn't stiffen up in the sun like my old cleaner's cord did. It floats properly too, staying out of the way rather than sinking and creating tripping hazards for underwater explorers (aka my kids).

Navigation and Pool Floor Cleaning

The way the Explorer E50 navigates around different pool types is fascinating to watch. After a few runs, I started noticing patterns in how it approaches different areas:

• It seems to recognize the deep end versus the shallow end and adjusts its cleaning pattern accordingly
• It spends more time on high-traffic areas like steps and the area around the skimmer
• When it encounters an obstacle like my pool ladder, it carefully works around it rather than repeatedly bumping into it like my previous robot

One minor annoyance: it sometimes gets confused by the main drain cover in my swimming pool. It'll occasionally spend an excessive amount of time circling it like a shark that's found something interesting. Not a big deal, but occasionally I have to rescue it and redirect it to more productive areas.

Overall, the pool floor comes out impressively clean. My test? Walking barefoot across the bottom. With my old cleaner, I could always feel a slight grittiness. With the E50, it's smooth as can be.

Comparing to Other Dolphin Models

I haven't personally tested every model in the Dolphin lineup (my wife would kill me if I filled our yard with pool robots), but I've done my research and talked to other pool owners. Here's how the E50 compares to some other Dolphin models:

Explorer E50 vs. Dolphin Premier

The Dolphin Premier is one of the premium Dolphin models, and there are some notable differences:

• The Premier has slightly stronger suction power - you can feel the difference if you put your hand near the intake.
• Premier has more filter options, including an oversized leaf bag that's great if you have lots of trees.
• The Explorer E50 has WiFi and app control; the Premier doesn't.
• Premier comes with a 3-year warranty; E50 only has 2 years.
• The E50 is usually a couple hundred bucks cheaper.

If you have major debris issues or want the longer warranty, the Premier might be worth considering among other Dolphin pool cleaners.

Explorer E50 vs. Dolphin Sigma

The Dolphin Sigma is another high-end model in the Dolphin lineup:

• Sigma has THREE motors compared to the E50's two.
• Both have app control, but Sigma's app gives you more detailed options.
• Sigma's dual layer filter seems to need less frequent cleaning.
• Sigma offers more programming options for different cleaning cycles.
• Sigma costs quite a bit more than the E50.

The Sigma is definitely more advanced, but you'll pay for those privileges. When comparing other Dolphin models, you'll need to weigh these additional features against the price difference.

My neighbor has the Sigma (show-off), and while it's impressive, I'm not convinced the extra features justify the significant price difference for most swimming pools. It's like choosing between a BMW and a Mercedes - both are luxury options, and your choice comes down to personal preference and specific needs rather than one being objectively "better."

And just for the fun of it, check out my comparison of THESE two here:

Dolphin Sigma Vs. Premier: Pros & Cons of Each

Real-World Testing Results

I put the Dolphin Explorer E50 through some specific tests to see how it would handle typical swimming pool challenges:

For my debris test, I scattered a mix of leaves, sand, and my kids' sunken dive toys around the pool. After a single cleaning cycle:

• It picked up about 95% of everything
• Missed a couple leaves in the corners
• Got ALL the sand, which impressed me

I also tested energy usage with my Kill-A-Watt meter:

• Standard cleaning cycle: about 0.14 kWh
• Floor-only mode: around 0.11 kWh
• Waterline cleaning mode: approximately 0.09 kWh

At my electric rates, that's about 2-3 cents per cleaning. Not too shabby compared to running my pool pump longer for a manual vacuum.

As for noise level, it's quiet enough that you can sit by the pool while it's running without it bothering you - about as loud as a normal conversation.

The true test came after a nasty thunderstorm that left my swimming pool looking like a swamp. The Dolphin Explorer E50 handled it like a champ, requiring just two cleaning cycles to restore order. My previous robotic pool cleaner would have needed multiple cleaning cycles plus some manual intervention.

What I Love and What Drives Me Crazy

After three weeks of daily use, here's my honest assessment:

The Good Stuff:

• Cleans thoroughly, especially on the pool floor
• App control that actually works (most of the time)
• Weekly timer is great for lazy pool owners like me
• The dual layer filter system is well-designed and easy to clean
• That full filter indicator is surprisingly useful
• Anti-tangle swivel means no more untangling cords
• Energy efficient - costs pennies to run
• Build quality feels like it will last several seasons
• Advanced filtration system keeps water crystal clear

The Annoying Bits:

• No Dolphin Universal Caddy included - feels cheap for a premium product
• App loses connection if you go too far away from the power supply
• Occasionally misses spots at the waterline floor transition
• Price is definitely on the high side compared to basic pool cleaners
• 2-year warranty should be longer at this price point
• Some retailers charge a restocking fee if you return it (check before buying)
• Filter needs cleaning after almost every use in my debris-prone pool

Daily Life with the Explorer E50

After the novelty wore off, the Dolphin Explorer E50 settled into our routine beautifully. I've programmed it to run in the mornings when electrical rates are lower, and it's become just another appliance that quietly does its job without fuss.

My favorite unexpected benefit? My chemical usage has dropped significantly. With consistent cleaning, there's less debris decomposing in the swimming pool, which means less chlorine demand and more balanced water chemistry. I'm using about 20% less chlorine and far fewer shock treatments than last summer.

The Dolphin Universal Caddy issue still annoys me. I've rigged up a makeshift storage solution using a plastic milk crate, but it's not ideal. If you're considering this robotic pool cleaner, factor in the cost of the caddy - it's not strictly necessary, but it does make storage and transportation much easier.

Battery life on the power supply has been solid - even during a brief power outage, it remembered all my settings without any reset needed. That's a small detail, but one that shows Maytronics put some thought into the design of their Dolphin pool robot.

Is It Worth Your Hard-Earned Cash?

At around $1,000-1,200 depending on where you buy it, the Dolphin Explorer E50 isn't cheap. Is it worth it?

If you're like me and value your pool time more than your pool cleaning time, then yes. It has saved me about 2-3 hours per week of manual vacuuming and brushing. Over a summer, that's a lot of recovered leisure time for pool owners!

The cleaning performance is noticeably better than my previous mid-range cleaner. Everything from the smart navigation to the improved wall climbing and waterline cleaning adds up to a dramatically cleaner swimming pool with much less effort.

Plus, the energy savings are real. I've been able to run my main pool pump about 2 hours less per day since getting the E50, which saves electricity and wear on my pump.

If you have a smaller pool or don't mind a bit more manual intervention, there are certainly cheaper robotic pool cleaners out there. But for a set-it-and-forget-it solution that actually delivers, the Explorer E50 has earned its keep in my backyard.

One money-saving tip: I've found that Maytronics runs sales on their Dolphin pool robots a few times a year, typically in early spring and again in mid-summer. If you can wait for one of these promotions, you might save a couple hundred bucks. Just don't wait too long into the season - nothing worse than spending the first half of summer with a dirty pool while waiting for a sale.

Bottom Line on the Dolphin Explorer E50 Review

The Dolphin Explorer E50 isn't perfect, but it's the best robotic pool cleaner I've personally used. The combination of excellent cleaning performance, useful smart features, and quality construction makes it a solid investment for most in-ground pool owners.

If you value your time and want a genuinely effective Dolphin pool robot with modern features, the Explorer E50 is worth serious consideration. Just budget extra for that Dolphin Universal Caddy - you'll want it.

My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

What's your experience with Dolphin robotic pool cleaners? Drop a comment below - I'm curious if your experience matches mine!