When it comes to maintaining a spotless pool with minimal effort, robotic pool cleaners have become an essential part of the modern homeowner’s toolkit. Among the high-end offerings from Maytronics, the Dolphin Active 40 vs Dolphin Active 60 represent two of the most advanced and feature-rich models in the Active series. Both cleaners provide floor-to-waterline cleaning, powerful scrubbing, smart scheduling, and advanced filtration—but key differences in control, mobility, and efficiency set them apart.
In this comprehensive comparison of the Dolphin Active 40 vs Dolphin Active 60, we evaluate every aspect that matters—from navigation algorithms and scrubbing performance to app connectivity, debris capacity, and user experience. Whether you’re seeking full automation or enhanced performance for larger pools, this guide will help you choose the right robotic cleaner to meet your expectations.
Contents
Differences Between Dolphin Active 40 vs Dolphin Active 60
Design, Weight, and Handling
The Dolphin Active 40 is designed for convenience and portability. Weighing only 17 lbs, it’s lightweight enough to lift in and out of the water with ease. It features a streamlined design with a top-mounted handle, and the robust plastic casing is UV-resistant and built to endure harsh outdoor environments.
The Dolphin Active 60 is noticeably heavier at 24 lbs, but this added weight comes from an internal gyroscopic navigation system and an enhanced motor assembly that improves cleaning performance. It still includes a well-placed handle for lifting, but the larger build is more suited to users who prefer maximum power over portability.
Winner: Dolphin Active 40
For homeowners prioritizing lightweight design and easier manual handling, the Active 40 is the more practical option.
Coverage and Cleaning Reach
Both models are designed for in-ground pools up to 50 feet in length, delivering complete cleaning of the floor, walls, and waterline. However, the Active 60 goes a step further by offering an enhanced waterline scrubbing mode, utilizing gyroscopic control and advanced propulsion to stay longer at the waterline, where grime and residue tend to build up.
This makes a significant difference in pools with heavy use, high evaporation, or those exposed to environmental contaminants like sunscreen, pollen, and oils.
Winner: Dolphin Active 60
With superior waterline precision and longer scrubbing time at the water surface, the Active 60 delivers a deeper, more thorough clean.
The Active 40 utilizes CleverClean™ Technology, a smart navigation system that maps the pool and calculates the most efficient path to clean it within a 2-hour cycle. It performs well in pools with regular geometric shapes and handles obstacles efficiently.
The Active 60 incorporates both CleverClean™ and an internal gyroscope, allowing for improved balance, precise turning, and enhanced route tracking. This gyroscopic assistance improves wall-climbing consistency, helps avoid missed spots, and delivers more accurate pathing in complex pool layouts.
Winner: Dolphin Active 60
Thanks to gyroscopic navigation, the Active 60 provides more refined cleaning coverage, especially in irregular or curved pools.
Scrubbing System and Cleaning Efficiency
Both models feature dual active brushes located at the front and rear of the unit. These high-speed brushes rotate independently of the movement wheels, scrubbing away algae, scale, and sediment with strong mechanical action.
The Active 60 includes a specific waterline cleaning mode, enhancing the robot’s ability to stay at the waterline for an extended period. This targeted performance is especially useful in pools with persistent waterline stains.
Winner: Dolphin Active 60
While both units offer excellent scrubbing, the dedicated waterline mode on the Active 60 makes it the superior performer for persistent edge cleaning.
Filtration and Debris Handling
Both cleaners use the same top-load multi-layer filter basket, capable of holding fine and ultra-fine debris at the same time. This dual-layer system captures everything from leaves and insects to fine dust and pollen, eliminating the need to switch filters between sessions.
Filter access is simple and mess-free with the top-loading design, and the baskets are large enough to handle full pool cycles without mid-clean emptying.
Winner: Tie
Identical filter systems deliver equally strong debris-capturing performance with user-friendly access.
Mobility and Traction
The Active 40 uses a standard wheel-based mobility system that performs well on flat and moderately sloped surfaces. It can climb walls reliably and traverse different pool textures, but it may lose traction on very slick or steep inclines.
The Active 60 employs PowerStream Mobility, which uses multi-directional water jets to improve grip and wall-climbing consistency. This system enables smoother transitions between floor and wall, better maneuverability in tight corners, and more stable wall contact during scrubbing.
Winner: Dolphin Active 60
With enhanced grip and better adaptability, PowerStream Mobility allows the Active 60 to outperform on complex pool surfaces.
Cable Design and Anti-Tangle Performance
Both the Dolphin Active 40 and Active 60 come with a 60-foot swivel cable, preventing tangling during extended cleaning cycles. This floating cable ensures that the robot can rotate and reverse direction freely without knots or twist buildup.
Whether you own a freeform or rectangular pool, the swivel design improves cleaning consistency and operational longevity.
Winner: Tie
Both models deliver top-tier anti-tangle performance with their 60-foot swivel cables.
Scheduling and Automation
The Active 40 and Active 60 both include a weekly scheduler, enabling you to program automatic cleaning sessions for daily, every other day, or every third day. Once set, the robot takes care of pool cleaning without requiring manual activation.
This makes either model a good choice for homeowners who travel frequently or simply want hands-free routine maintenance.
Winner: Tie
Both units offer identical smart scheduling capabilities for fully automated pool care.
Smart Features and App Connectivity
The Active 40 supports Bluetooth connectivity through the MyDolphin Plus App, allowing users to start and stop cleaning cycles, monitor status, and perform basic troubleshooting from a smartphone.
The Active 60 enhances this with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi integration, which means you can connect to the cleaner from virtually anywhere—not just within Bluetooth range. Through the same app, you can schedule sessions, check filter status, and receive updates remotely, giving users unmatched control and flexibility.
Winner: Dolphin Active 60
With full Bluetooth and Wi-Fi control, the Active 60 delivers a smarter, more connected cleaning experience.
Quick Rundown Of Dolphin Active 40
Quick Rundown Of Dolphin Active 60
Conclusion
Choose Dolphin Active 40 if you want a lightweight and reliable robotic pool cleaner that offers excellent cleaning performance with the convenience of Bluetooth control and scheduling. It’s a great option for homeowners seeking modern automation without the need for remote Wi-Fi access or waterline-specific programming.
Choose Dolphin Active 60 if you’re looking for a truly advanced robotic cleaner with smart mobility, gyroscopic navigation, enhanced waterline scrubbing, and Wi-Fi-enabled remote control. It’s the ideal choice for pool owners who want maximum coverage, power, and control—especially in large or irregular pool environments.
Overall Winner: Dolphin Active 60
With superior smart features, advanced navigation, better waterline performance, and unmatched control flexibility, the Dolphin Active 60 sets the bar for premium residential robotic pool cleaners. It stands as the most comprehensive and capable option for those seeking the very best in automated pool maintenance.