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The Dolphin Proteus DX4 scrubs the floor, walls and waterline of inground and above-ground pools, with onboard scheduling for repeat cleaning. Dolphin rates it for pools up to 50 feet long. Its powered brush, top-access filtration and corded operation suit regular cleaning without a battery recharge between runs.
Who It's For
The Proteus DX4 suits an inground or above-ground pool where dirt collects on the bottom and along the walls, and you also want the band at the surface scrubbed. You prefer a built-in schedule and have room for the power equipment beside the pool. It also suits an owner who wants access to the debris basket from above. You are comfortable bringing the robot and its cable out after a clean.
Look Elsewhere If
You may want a different robot if you want to control cleaning from your phone, because the Proteus DX4 has no app. Dolphin's product page also rules out a handheld remote and a delayed start, so those ways of controlling a clean are unavailable. Its corded design will not suit you if removing the power cable is a priority. A pool longer than its stated maximum is another reason to choose a cleaner with a greater reach.
Where To Buy
Key Features
Active Brush And Suction. The powered brush scrubs the pool surface as the cleaner travels, and Dolphin rates suction at 4,000 gph. Its cleaning coverage includes the waterline as well as the floor and walls. Dolphin identifies the brush type as Standard Brush and confirms that it is active. The robot combines this brushing with suction to collect debris during its cleaning cycle.
Mapping And Traction. Smart mapping guides a patterned cleaning path through the pool. Tracks provide traction for floor travel and wall climbing as the robot moves between its cleaning areas. Rectangular, round and freeform layouts are supported, so its stated compatibility includes curved outlines alongside straight-sided pools.
Weekly Scheduling. A standard cycle lasts 2 hours, and the onboard weekly timer handles repeat starts. You can arrange regular cleaning without returning to switch it on for every cycle. The power cable supplies electricity for those repeat runs, so charging does not interrupt the schedule. You still clean the filter basket yourself, which the manual recommends after each cleaning cycle.
Basket And Filtration. Dolphin describes an extra-large, top-load fine filtration basket and specifies a Fine Filter Kit. The basket has top access. Its debris compatibility covers fine, medium and large material. Microscopic debris requires an ultra-fine filter setup. Dolphin's accessory section includes ultra-fine debris filter panels as an add-on, separate from the Fine Filter Kit specified for the robot. Fine debris filter panels are also offered as add-on accessories. An ultra-fine filter assembly with a seal appears in the same section.
Cable And Swivel. The cable is 60 feet long, and Dolphin's product page confirms an anti-tangling swivel. That fitting is intended to limit cable twisting as the cleaner changes direction during a run. The cable still needs space beside the pool when you take the robot out. For a pool within the maximum length, the cable gives room to reach the far end.
Specifications
| Type | Pool Cleaner |
|---|---|
| Power source | Corded |
| Budget tier | Pro |
| Pool size class | Large |
| Rated pool length | 50 ft |
| Cable length | 60 ft |
| Weight | 18.5 lbs |
| Runtime or cycle | 2 hours |
| Cleaning areas | Floor, Wall, Waterline |
| Cleaning type | Brush |
| Brushes | Active |
| Navigation | Patterned Path |
| Mapping | Smart Mapping |
| Scheduling | Onboard Scheduling |
| App connectivity | No |
| Flow rate | 4000 gph |
| Filter access | Top |
| Traction | Track |
| Rated incline | 15° |
| Warranty | 2 years |
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 | Yes |
| Leaves and large debris | Yes |
|---|---|
| Medium debris | Yes |
| Fine debris | Yes |
| Microscopic particles | Yes, with the ultra-fine filter |
Specs last verified 2026-11-01. 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 Explorer E50 Check Price on Amazon
Dolphin Explorer E50 adds app scheduling while keeping the same cleaning areas and pool-length rating, so choose it if you want to arrange repeat cleaning from your phone without needing greater pool coverage. Its longest cycle runs 2.5 hours and it weighs 19.3 pounds, so the change in control also comes with a heavier lift than the Proteus DX4.
Dolphin Wave 80 Check Price on Amazon
Dolphin Wave 80 is rated for longer pools than the Proteus DX4 and comes with a remote control and a caddy in the box, so it suits an owner who needs greater reach and wants those accessories included. It weighs 24.6 pounds, so choose it when that additional reach matters more than the lighter body you would otherwise be lifting out of the pool.
Dolphin Liberty 200 Check Price on Amazon
Dolphin Liberty 200 removes the power cable and covers pools up to 33 feet long, so it suits a smaller pool where cordless operation matters more than scheduling repeat starts. It weighs 17.9 pounds and runs for 2.5 hours, so the choice changes how you supply power and start each clean while retaining powered brushing across the same cleaning areas.
Worth Knowing
The Proteus DX4 supports floor inclines up to 15 degrees, so a sloping floor falls within its compatibility when it stays within that limit. It also supports hard and soft walls, mineral water and pools treated with ozone or UV. Dolphin's product page says there is no full-filter indicator, so you check the basket yourself after cleaning rather than waiting for an alert. Dolphin also specifies a standard cleaning cycle without enhanced cleaning cycles. Dolphin's product page also includes a universal caddy among the add-on accessories. The warranty lasts 2 years, according to Dolphin.
Care And Maintenance
From the Dolphin manual:
- Switch off and unplug the power supply before lifting or opening the cleaner for cleaning. Bring the cleaner to the edge with the floating cable. Lift by its handle, never the cable, and let it drain.
- After each cycle, hose the basket clean before the filter panels dry out.
- Monthly, rinse and refit panels, replace the basket and close the filter cover.
- If debris is trapped in the impeller, unplug the power supply, clear it and reassemble the compartment.
- Before off-season storage, drain the cleaner, clean and replace the basket and panels. Roll the cable without kinks. Store in a protected area out of direct sun, rain and frost.
Frequently Asked Questions
How large a pool can it clean?
Up to 50 feet long. That is Dolphin's maximum pool-length rating for the cleaner, and the 60-foot cable gives room to reach the far end.
How long does a cleaning cycle take?
2 hours. That is the standard cycle duration, and the onboard scheduling feature lets you arrange repeat cleans without manually starting the robot every time the pool needs cleaning.
Does it scrub the walls and waterline?
Yes. Both are included alongside floor cleaning. Its active brush provides powered scrubbing, and the tracks carry it up the walls to reach the band at the water's surface.
Can it work in a saltwater pool?
Yes, within the water limits in Dolphin's manual. Saltwater is included in its compatibility, as is conventional chlorine treatment.
How much does it weigh?
18.5 pounds.
Where is the filter basket?
It has top access. Dolphin describes an extra-large, top-load fine filtration basket, and its product specifications identify the filter type as a Fine Filter Kit.
Can it clean a vinyl pool?
Yes. Vinyl is among its supported surfaces. Its surface compatibility also includes gunite, fiberglass, tile and pebble, so the cleaning coverage extends across several common pool finishes.
Can it clean a round pool?
Yes. Round pools are among its supported layouts, along with rectangular and freeform designs. Its tracks and patterned navigation handle travel through the pool while the powered brush scrubs the surfaces.
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