For homeowners seeking elite performance and intelligent automation in robotic pool maintenance, both the Dolphin Explorer E70 vs Dolphin Sigma represent two of the most advanced options available. Engineered for in-ground pools up to 50 feet, these premium machines offer exceptional waterline scrubbing, smart navigation, and powerful suction. However, they diverge in brush systems, smart control capabilities, and user flexibility, making each better suited to specific pool types and user preferences.
In this detailed comparison, we break down the Explorer E70 and Sigma across every critical category to help you determine which robotic cleaner best aligns with your maintenance expectations and pool environment.
Contents
Differences Between Dolphin Explorer E70 vs Dolphin Sigma
Design Comparison
The Dolphin Explorer E70 is crafted with a modern, ergonomic chassis that emphasizes both usability and durability. It weighs 22 pounds, features dual carrying handles, and includes a 60-foot tangle-free swivel cable that enhances navigation in large or irregular pools. Its slim profile allows for smooth climbing on vertical walls and efficient movement across corners, while the top-loading multi-layer filter basket offers straightforward access for easy cleaning.
The Dolphin Sigma carries a more robust, high-performance design, weighing in at 24 pounds. Its reinforced body is engineered for heavy-duty use and houses three powerful motors, enhancing both brush rotation and propulsion. The Sigma’s dual cartridge filter system is slightly more complex to clean, but it provides high filtration efficiency for ultra-fine debris. With a wider footprint and triple active brushes, the Sigma maintains superior balance and traction on steep inclines or deep ends, making it particularly well-suited for larger, dirt-prone pools.
Winner: Dolphin Sigma
Its triple motor layout, wider brush coverage, and durable build make the Sigma a powerhouse in physical design, especially for high-debris and complex pool layouts.
Cleaning Performance Comparison
The Explorer E70 offers excellent 3-zone coverage, scrubbing the floor, walls, and waterline using dual high-speed active brushes that rotate independently of its movement. It features 4,500 GPH suction power, and its multi-layer filtration system captures both fine particles and large debris in a single session. The E70 includes IntelliScan™ smart navigation, which maps the pool and adapts the cleaning pattern for more efficient coverage. Users can choose from multiple modes, including wall-only, floor-only, or full clean, and select from 1.5-, 2-, or 2.5-hour cycles, giving complete control over cleaning duration and intensity.
The Dolphin Sigma sets the bar even higher with its triple active brush system and 5,000 GPH suction rate, providing a wider scrubbing footprint and faster dirt collection. It features gyroscopic navigation, allowing the robot to maintain orientation, improve wall climbing angles, and reduce overlap during its 2.5-hour fixed cycle. The dual-cartridge filtration captures ultra-fine silt effectively, although the lack of a multi-layer basket means you can’t separate debris types in the same run. The Sigma’s cleaning power is especially apparent in pools with complex layouts, where its sensors continuously adjust navigation to improve efficiency.
Winner: Dolphin Sigma
With triple active brushes, stronger suction, and gyroscopic mapping, the Sigma delivers superior cleaning performance in challenging or debris-heavy pools.
Feature Comparison
The Explorer E70 features full Wi-Fi connectivity and is controlled via the MyDolphin™ Plus App, which allows users to schedule cleanings, select cleaning modes, adjust cycle durations, and receive maintenance alerts. Its IntelliScan™ navigation builds a digital map of your pool, which it uses to calculate the most efficient cleaning route. The customizable modes provide flexibility for partial cleanups or detailed deep-cleans based on pool usage or debris buildup. This makes it a strong choice for users who want tailored control over each cycle.
The Dolphin Sigma also integrates with the MyDolphin™ Plus App, supporting scheduling, remote start/stop, and diagnostics. However, it relies on gyroscopic navigation and internal sensors to dictate cleaning behavior. The fixed 2.5-hour cycle removes user-adjustable durations, and it lacks specific manual cleaning mode selection. Still, it compensates with intelligent automation that requires very little interaction after setup.
Winner: Dolphin Explorer E70
The Explorer E70 provides more detailed user control and customizable cleaning logic, making it the better choice for those who want full command over every cleaning session.
Quick Rundown Of Dolphin Explorer E70
Quick Rundown Of Dolphin Sigma
Conclusion
Choose the Dolphin Explorer E70 if you want full control, adaptive mapping, and customizable cleaning routines backed by excellent brush performance and app integration. It’s a strong choice for tech-savvy users who want to manage pool care down to the finest detail and prefer to optimize cleaning based on specific pool conditions.
Choose the Dolphin Sigma if you need maximum cleaning power, intelligent gyroscopic control, and a large-scale solution that operates with minimal input. It’s ideal for high-use pools or challenging environments where cleaning depth and consistency matter most.
Overall Winner: Dolphin Sigma
With stronger suction, broader scrubbing capability, and smarter orientation control, the Dolphin Sigma emerges as the most capable, powerful robotic pool cleaner in this matchup. For pool owners who value raw performance and high-end automation, the Sigma stands as the definitive premium solution.