When selecting a premium robotic pool cleaner, discerning homeowners often find themselves comparing two of Maytronics’ most advanced models: the Dolphin M600 vs Dolphin S400. These high-end units offer best-in-class performance, intelligent navigation, and app-enabled control, but they serve slightly different needs depending on pool size, user expectations, and required features.
The Dolphin M600 is the flagship model in the M-series, engineered for maximum automation and hands-free operation. It incorporates powerful navigation, multi-surface scrubbing, and dynamic mobility with robust cloud-based features. The Dolphin S400, while slightly more compact, offers impressive cleaning power, WiFi control, and deep filtration in a lighter package.
In this comprehensive, side-by-side analysis, we’ll break down the real-world differences between the Dolphin M600 and Dolphin S400 across key performance categories, helping pool owners make the best possible decision for their needs.
Contents
Differences Between Dolphin M600 vs Dolphin S400
Cleaning Performance and Coverage
Both the Dolphin M600 and S400 are designed to clean in-ground pools up to 50 feet long, delivering thorough scrubbing across floors, walls, and the waterline. However, the M600’s superior SmartNav 3.0™ system uses more advanced sensors and an intelligent drive system that dynamically adapts its cleaning path in real-time. This ensures complete and optimized coverage—even in irregularly shaped pools or those with unique design features like tanning ledges and benches.
The S400 performs well with its CleverClean™ technology and built-in gyroscope, mapping a logical route and maintaining consistent coverage. While highly effective, it lacks the real-time recalibration and smarter pathing found in the M600.
Winner: Dolphin M600
Its enhanced navigation software and superior multi-directional mobility offer more precise and adaptive cleaning, especially in large or uniquely shaped pools.
Filtration Capacity and Debris Management
The Dolphin M600 features an extra-large top-loading filter basket with dual-layer filtration. This configuration separates and traps large debris like leaves and acorns from ultra-fine particles such as sand, algae, and pollen. The high-capacity design reduces cleaning frequency and ensures consistent suction throughout each cleaning cycle.
The S400 includes a multi-layer filter basket that integrates fine and ultra-fine filtration into a single component. It delivers impressive filtration performance, but the total volume is smaller than that of the M600. In high-debris pools, the S400’s filter may fill faster, requiring more frequent rinsing.
Winner: Dolphin M600
With greater capacity and dual-layer separation, the M600 provides longer runtimes and superior performance in heavily polluted pools.
Brush Technology and Scrubbing Efficiency
Both units are equipped with dual active scrubbing brushes, located at the front and rear. These brushes spin at higher RPMs than the robot’s movement, allowing them to scrub away algae, dirt, and biofilm with aggressive power. This ensures that even slick pool surfaces like tile or fiberglass are thoroughly cleaned.
While both units perform equally in brush design and contact pressure, the M600’s enhanced drive power and heavier frame ensure more consistent contact and slightly deeper scrubbing, especially at the waterline and along vertical surfaces.
Winner: Dolphin M600
With greater motor strength and weight-enhanced traction, it edges ahead in scrubbing intensity and consistency.
Waterline Cleaning Performance
Both cleaners provide excellent waterline cleaning, using advanced buoyancy and directional control to maintain traction while scrubbing along the tile line. The M600, however, benefits from Lift-Out Assist combined with better wall-climbing mobility, which enables it to reach, cling, and clean the upper waterline zone with more force and consistency.
The S400 also features Lift-Out Assist and does a commendable job with waterline cleaning, though in some complex pools or under high debris loads, it may not be quite as consistent.
Winner: Dolphin M600
Slightly superior wall adhesion and cleaning force make it more effective at maintaining a spotless waterline.
Smart Features and App Control
Both the M600 and S400 are WiFi-enabled and connect seamlessly with the MyDolphin Plus App, allowing users to remotely start and stop cleaning, schedule weekly cycles, and monitor filter status.
The M600’s Pro Mode unlocks additional customization options, such as manual navigation, performance logging, and real-time temperature monitoring. These features are particularly useful for pool owners who want to track usage patterns or tailor cleaning modes to their specific environment.
The S400 offers most core smart features, including cycle selection and scheduling, but lacks Pro Mode, manual navigation, and environmental sensors.
Winner: Dolphin M600
Its advanced app integration offers greater control, deeper insights, and a more personalized cleaning experience.
Cable Design and Mobility
Both models use a 60-foot tangle-free swivel cable, a critical feature for robotic pool cleaners that cover large surface areas. This prevents the robot from tangling during directional changes and long cleaning sessions, ensuring uninterrupted performance.
The S400, being lighter, is slightly more agile when climbing or pivoting. However, the M600’s enhanced propulsion system gives it better force distribution, enabling superior navigation in deep ends and on steep pool inclines.
Winner: Tie
Both models excel in cable design and mobility, though they achieve this balance in slightly different ways.
Handling, Weight, and Storage Convenience
The S400 weighs 18.5 lbs, making it one of the lightest full-featured robotic cleaners in the Dolphin premium class. It’s easy to lift manually and store away after each cleaning cycle. However, it does not come standard with a caddy, which may need to be purchased separately.
The M600 weighs more at 24.6 lbs, but includes Lift-Out Assist, which drives the robot to the waterline and ejects water for easy retrieval. Additionally, it comes bundled with a premium caddy, providing convenient storage and transport.
Winner: Dolphin M600
Despite the higher weight, the included caddy and retrieval automation make handling easier and more user-friendly.
Quick Rundown Of Dolphin M600
Quick Rundown Of Dolphin S400
Conclusion
Choose Dolphin S400 if you want a smart, lightweight robotic cleaner that provides excellent cleaning coverage, waterline scrubbing, and app-based scheduling without stretching your budget. It’s a great match for pool owners who want premium features in a compact, cost-effective package.
Choose Dolphin M600 if you expect maximum automation, top-tier filtration, stronger scrubbing power, and deeper smart integration. With its unmatched intelligence, build quality, and convenience-focused design, it’s the best choice for owners seeking a truly hands-free pool cleaning solution.
Overall Winner: Dolphin M600
With more power, smarter navigation, larger filtration, and unmatched connectivity, the Dolphin M600 represents the pinnacle of robotic pool cleaning technology. For those who demand the very best in performance and convenience, it is the clear and decisive winner in this comparison.