Head-to-Head Comparison

Dolphin Proteus DX5i vs Dolphin Active 20

Our pool experts compare features, filtration, specs, and value to help you pick the right robotic pool cleaner.

Dolphin Proteus DX5i

Explore Dolphin Proteus →

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (41)

$1399

View Proteus DX5i

Dolphin Active 20

Explore Dolphin Active →

$1199

View Active 20

Dolphin Active 20 or Dolphin Proteus DX5i — which wins?

Our Recommendations

Neither the Dolphin Proteus DX5i nor the Dolphin Active 20 is one of the cleaners our pool experts promote. Consider a proven ProLine, Max-Series, or Clear model instead — each is backed by its full manufacturer warranty and our 30-day in-pool trial.

Top RecommendationMax-Series

Dolphin Cayman

★★★★☆ 4.4 (103)

$1079$1299

Save $220

Open Box $1059 Refurbished $999

Free NanoFilter Panels with Purchase
Active Brush - Scrubs 2X Faster
2 Year Warranty
Built for Above Ground and Inground Pools Up to 33ft

View Cayman

Max-Series

Dolphin Escape

★★★★☆ 4.7 (315)

$669$999

Save $330

Open Box $649 Refurbished $589

Free NanoFilter Panels with Purchase
Active Brush - Scrubs 2X Faster
2 Year Warranty
Built for Above Ground and Inground Pools Up to 33ft

View Escape

ProLine

Dolphin Quantum

★★★★☆ 4.4 (84)

$1649$1799

Save $150

Open Box $1529 Refurbished $1419

myDolphin Plus App with Weekly Timer
XXL MaxBin™ with NanoFilters
2 Year Warranty
Built for Inground & Above Ground Pools up to 50ft

View Quantum

More ways to save on the Cayman

Certified & warranty-backed

Save $20

Certified Open Box · $1059

Save $80

Certified Refurbished · $999

More ways to save on the Escape

Certified & warranty-backed

Save $20

Certified Open Box · $649

Save $80

Certified Refurbished · $589

More ways to save on the Quantum

Certified & warranty-backed

Save $120

Certified Open Box · $1529

Save $230

Certified Refurbished · $1419

What Sets Them Apart

Key Differences

Proteus DX5i

Not Sold by Poolbots - Sold on Amazon and through dealers, without a 30-day in-pool trial
2-Year Warranty - The Dolphin Premier and Sigma carry 3 years

Active 20

No NanoFilters™ - Cannot clean smaller debris and algae
Overshadowed by the newer Gen 2 models with more features - such as the ProLine and Max-Series
Shorter Warranty - Shorter warranty compared to the Dolphin ProLine

Side by Side

Feature Comparison

The features that matter most when comparing the Dolphin Proteus DX5i and Dolphin Active 20.

Feature	Proteus DX5i	Active 20
Standard Filter
NanoFilters™
Multi-Media™
Oversized Leaf Bag
Wall Climbing
Waterline Cleaning
Hands-Off Weekly Timer
Hands-Off Daily Cleaning	✓ No manual recharge	✓ No manual recharge
Smartphone App Control
Full Filter Indicator
Gyroscope Navigation
Dual Stabilizer
Anti-Tangle Swivel
3-Year Warranty

Explained

Compare Features in Detail

Hands-Off Weekly Timer

An automatic pool cleaner should be automatic. A true weekly timer runs a complete pool-cleaning cycle on schedule — every day, every other day, or a few times a week — without you retrieving or recharging the robot between cycles.

Dolphin Proteus DX5i includes this

Dolphin Active 20 includes this

Smartphone App Control

App connectivity can put scheduling, cycle selection and cleaner status on your phone, although the exact controls vary by model.

Dolphin Proteus DX5i includes this

Dolphin Active 20 does not

Anti-Tangle Cable Swivel

Say goodbye to tangled cords. An anti-tangle swivel lets the robot move 360° around your pool without the cord getting tangled, so you can sit back while it cleans. Learn more ›

Dolphin Proteus DX5i includes this

Dolphin Active 20 includes this

Warranty Coverage

A robot is only as good as its warranty. Buying through an Authorized Dealer like Poolbots gets you the full manufacturer warranty — never pro-rated or limited by cleaning cycles — plus a 30-day in-pool trial with no restocking fees. Learn more ›

Dolphin Proteus DX5i 2-year warranty

Dolphin Active 20 2-year warranty

The Details

Specifications

	Proteus DX5i	Active 20
Part Number	99996212-LSWIF	99996203-USW
Waterline Cleaning	Yes	Yes
Multi-Media®	No	No
Filters Included	1	Ultra-Fine Filter Kit
Filter Cleaning	Top Access	Top Access
Cleaning Coverage	Floor, Walls and Waterline	Floor, Walls and Waterline
Cleaning Cycle	2 hours	2 hours
Number of Brushes	2	2
Cable Length	60 ft	60 ft
Anti-Tangle Swivel	Yes	Yes
Pool Types	In Ground	In Ground
Maximum Pool Size	50 ft	40 ft
Pool Shape	Rectangle, Oval, or Freeform	Rectangle, Oval, or Freeform
Obstacles	Steps, Ladder, Drain Cover, Ledges, Pop-Ups	Steps, Ladder, Drain Cover, Ledges, Pop-Ups
Surface	Gunite, Fiberglass, Vinyl, Liner	Gunite, Fiberglass, Vinyl, Liner
Media-Alert®	No	No
Hands-Off Weekly Timer	Yes	Yes
Daily Recharging Required	No	No
Smartphone App	Yes	No
Remote Operation	No	No
Restocking Fee	No	No
Warranty	2 Years	2 Years