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The Dolphin Escape scrubs the floor of inground and above-ground pools with a powered brush and follows a mapped cleaning route. Dolphin rates it for pools up to 30 feet long. Its corded power and top-access basket suit owners who want floor cleaning without charging a battery between runs.
Who It's For
The Escape suits you if dirt and leaves collect on the bottom of your inground or above-ground pool and you want a powered brush to scrub that surface. Dolphin includes rectangular, round and freeform layouts among its compatible shapes. Its surface compatibility covers vinyl, gunite, fiberglass, tile and pebble. It is also compatible with pools treated by ozone or ultraviolet systems. You are comfortable connecting a power supply and lifting the cleaner out yourself when the cycle has finished.
Look Elsewhere If
You may want a different robot if you want the walls or waterline cleaned along with the floor. Dolphin lists floor cleaning only, so those surfaces still need separate cleaning. It has no app, and its standard power supply has no timer. That makes it less suitable if you want cleanings to begin while you are away. Quantum Robotic, a Dolphin dealer, lists a timer power supply as an upgrade.
Where To Buy
Key Features
Powered Brush And Suction. Dolphin specifies an active brush and suction of 4,000 gph. The brush is powered as the Escape travels across the bottom, so its cleaning includes scrubbing as well as collecting loose debris. This is useful if you want the floor brushed during a cleaning run. The suction carries debris into the onboard filter basket, which you remove from above.
Navigation And Tracks. The Escape uses mapping to guide its route and travels on tracks. Dolphin describes the Escape as navigating with CleverClean on its product page. That is relevant in a freeform pool as well as a rectangle, since both layouts are within its compatibility. You do not have to guide it across each stretch of floor as you would with a manual vacuum.
Power And Cycle. Each cleaning cycle lasts 1.5 hours, and the robot connects to its power supply through a 40-foot cable. There is no recharge interval between runs. You do need room to lay out the cable, and the manual asks you to place the supply back from the pool edge. For an owner who cleans frequently, plugging it in avoids carrying the robot indoors or to a charging point between cycles.
Basket And Finer Filtration. The filter lifts out through the top. Quantum Robotic describes a basket that holds leaves, dirt and sand. It also describes optional NanoFilter panels that snap into the basket for finer debris and algae. Those panels are relevant if fine particles are your main complaint, because the Escape needs an ultra-fine filter to collect microscopic debris.
Weight And Retrieval. The Escape weighs 14.2 pounds. The manual says to bring it to the edge with the floating cable, then lift it using the handle. Let the water drain at poolside before carrying it away. The cable is used to guide the robot toward you and must not carry its weight as you lift.
Specifications
| Type | Pool Cleaner |
|---|---|
| Power source | Corded |
| Budget tier | Premium |
| Pool size class | Small |
| Rated pool length | 30 ft |
| Cable length | 40 ft |
| Weight | 14.2 lbs |
| Runtime or cycle | 1.5 hours |
| Cleaning areas | Floor |
| Cleaning type | Brush |
| Brushes | Active |
| Navigation | Advanced Mapping |
| Mapping | Smart Mapping |
| Scheduling | No |
| App connectivity | No |
| Flow rate | 4000 gph |
| Filter access | Top |
| Traction | Track |
Pool Compatibility
| Inground | Yes |
|---|---|
| Above-ground | Yes |
| Onground | Yes |
| Vinyl | Yes |
|---|---|
| Gunite | Yes |
| Fiberglass | Yes |
| Tile | Yes |
| Pebble | Yes |
| Natural stone and other exotic finishes | Yes |
| Chlorine | Yes |
|---|---|
| Saltwater | Yes |
| Mineral | Yes |
| Ozone or UV | Yes |
| Rectangular | Yes |
|---|---|
| Round | Yes |
| Free-form | Yes |
| Steps | No |
| Slopes | No |
| Leaves and large debris | Yes |
|---|---|
| Medium debris | Yes |
| Fine debris | Yes |
| Microscopic particles | Yes, with the ultra-fine filter |
Specs last updated 2026-11-02. Based on the manufacturer's specifications and manual.
Specs provided for informational use only. Data may be incomplete or outdated. Read full disclaimer.
How It Compares
Dolphin Nautilus AG Check Price on Amazon
Dolphin Nautilus AG is a similar corded Dolphin, slightly heavier at 14.6 pounds, that otherwise matches the Escape's floor coverage, cycle length and powered brushing. On paper the two are close, so the choice may come down to availability if you want a manually started floor cleaner and do not mind the small difference in weight.
Dolphin Advantage Check Price on Amazon
Dolphin Advantage adds wall cleaning during its longer 2-hour cycle, so choose it if you want the cleaner to scrub beyond the floor and reduce the amount of pool surface you clean separately. Dolphin rates it for pools up to 33 feet long and supplies a 50-foot cable, so it also suits an owner whose pool is too long for the Escape.
Higgsinno ezSpirit 01 Check Price on Amazon
Higgsinno ezSpirit 01 removes the cable and adds app scheduling, so it suits someone who wants to set cleanings from a phone and would rather recharge a battery than lay out a cord. It has no brush, which is the trade-off if you are choosing the Escape specifically for powered floor scrubbing, but its 12-pound body is lighter to lift.
Worth Knowing
Dolphin's specification sheet says the cable has no anti-tangling swivel. The manual says to unwind it fully and remove kinks before use, then leave it clear of obstructions as the robot sinks to the floor. Use the original power supply and a ground-fault-protected outlet, and keep the supply out of standing water. The manual also says to keep swimmers out while the cleaner is running. Turn the power supply on after putting the Escape in the water, and unplug it before servicing the cleaner.
Care And Maintenance
From the Dolphin manual:
- Switch off and unplug the power supply after each cleaning cycle, as the manual directs.
- Let the cleaner drain at the pool edge before carrying it away.
- Hose the filter basket clean after every cycle, before the debris dries.
- Remove and hose down the ultra-fine filter panels at least monthly if your Escape has them. Clear any debris caught in the impeller.
- Before off-season storage, drain the cleaner, clean the basket and panels, put them back in place, and roll the cable without kinks. Keep it protected from direct sun, rain and frost.
Frequently Asked Questions
How large a pool can it clean?
Up to 30 feet long, according to Dolphin. That rating covers inground and above-ground pools, with rectangular, round and freeform layouts all included in its compatibility.
How long does a cleaning cycle take?
1.5 hours. The Escape runs from a power supply throughout the cycle, so you can start another run without first waiting for a battery to recharge.
Can I use it in a saltwater pool?
Yes. Saltwater, chlorine and mineral-water pools are compatible with the Escape. The manual also gives water-condition limits, so saltwater compatibility still depends on maintaining suitable pool chemistry.
How do I empty the filter?
Lift the basket out through the top. The manual says its handle rises when you open the cover, and a latch releases the bottom lid so you can empty the debris.
How much does it weigh?
14.2 pounds. The manual says to lift the Escape by its handle after bringing it to the edge. The floating cable must not be used to lift it from the water.
Does it need a booster pump or assembly?
No. Quantum Robotic's product page says neither is required. You connect the cleaner's cable to its power supply and use a standard outlet to power the robot. Its package description includes the robot, basket, cable and selected power supply.
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