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MultiMedia
Waterline Cleaning
Leaf Bag
Full Filter Indicator
Above Ground & In-Ground
SmartNav 2.0
MaxBin
Efficient
Waterline Cleaning
Oversized MaxBin
NanoFilters
Weekly Timer
MaxBin
Wall Climbing
Weekly Timer
Efficient
Gyroscope
Waterline Cleaning
NanoFilters
myDolphin Plus App
Wall Climbing
Efficient
Filter Bag
CleverClean
Filter Basket
Waterline Cleaning
Weekly Timer
Smartphone App
Wall Climbing
Efficient
Filter Basket
Above Ground Pools
Top-Loading Basket
Efficient
Filter Basket
Wall Climbing
Weekly Timer
Efficient
Filter Basket
Waterline Cleaning
Weekly Timer
myDolphin Plus App
Filter Basket
Waterline Cleaning
Weekly Timer
Efficient
Filter Basket
Waterline Cleaning
Weekly Timer
myDolphin Plus App
Waterline Cleaning
Smart Navigation
Top-Loading Basket
Smartphone App
The all-new Aquabot Rapids 2000 cleans your pool floor, walls, and waterline. With an included caddy and remote control, cleaning has never been easier.
Waterline Cleaning
Smart Navigation
Top-Loading Basket
Efficient
The Aquabot Rapids 2500 robotic pool cleaner paves the way with waterline cleaning, remote control, and caddy. Clean like never before.
Waterline Cleaning
Smart Navigation
Top-Loading Basket
Smartphone App
Waterline Cleaning
Smart Navigation
Top-Loading Basket
Efficient
Wall Climbing
Smart Navigation
Top-Loading Basket
Efficient
Commercial
Smart Navigation
Efficient
Commercial
Smart Navigation
Efficient
Commercial
Smart Navigation
Efficient
Commercial
Smart Navigation
Efficient
Commercial
Smart Navigation
Efficient
Designed for use in fountains, wading pools, and reflection pools, with the capability to function in water as shallow as 8 inches
Commercial
Smart Navigation
Efficient
Above Ground Pools
Smart Navigation
Top-Loading Basket
Efficient
Waterline Cleaning
Oversized Basket
NanoFilters
Weekly Timer
MultiMedia
Waterline Cleaning
Leaf Bag
Full Filter Indicator
Gyroscope
Waterline Cleaning
NanoFilters
myDolphin Plus App
Filter Basket
Wall Climbing
Weekly Timer
Efficient
Above Ground Pools
SmartNav 2.0
Top-Loading Basket
Efficient
Wall Climbing
Efficient
Filter Bag
CleverClean
Waterline Cleaning
Oversized Basket
NanoFilters
Weekly Timer
MultiMedia
Waterline Cleaning
Leaf Bag
Full Filter Indicator
Gyroscope
Waterline Cleaning
NanoFilters
myDolphin Plus App
Filter Basket
Wall Climbing
Weekly Timer
Efficient
Above Ground Pools
SmartNav 2.0
Top-Loading Basket
Efficient
Above Ground Pools
Top-Loading Basket
Efficient
Filter Basket
Wall Climbing
Weekly Timer
Efficient
Filter Basket
Waterline Cleaning
Weekly Timer
myDolphin Plus App
Filter Basket
Waterline Cleaning
Weekly Timer
Efficient
Filter Basket
Waterline Cleaning
Weekly Timer
myDolphin Plus App
Commercial
Smart Navigation
Efficient
Commercial
Smart Navigation
Efficient
Commercial
Smart Navigation
Efficient
Commercial
Smart Navigation
Efficient
Commercial
Smart Navigation
Efficient
Commercial
Smart Navigation
Efficient
Wall Climbing
Efficient
Filter Basket
Wall Climbing
Smart Navigation
Top-Loading Basket
Efficient
Pool steps are one of the most frustrating areas for any robot. Dirt, sand, and algae settle here—but most robots either skip steps entirely or can't clean them properly. The goal isn't finding a robot that perfectly cleans steps (none do), but one that gets as close as possible and handles everything around them effectively. The right robot cleans the floor, walls, waterline, and gets meaningful coverage on and around step areas.
Pool steps act as debris magnets. Their flat horizontal surfaces and vertical risers create pockets where dirt, sand, and organic matter accumulate. Water circulation pushes debris toward steps, and once it settles in the corners where risers meet treads, it stays there. This is why steps are almost always the dirtiest part of any pool—they're collecting debris the entire time the robot isn't running.
The intersection of steps with pool walls creates tight corners that are the hardest areas to clean in any pool. These step-wall junctions accumulate debris and develop algae faster than open surfaces because water flow is restricted. A robot with strong brush agitation and smart navigation covers these transition areas more effectively than random-pattern cleaners.
Cleaning on and around steps requires the robot to handle elevation changes, vertical surfaces, and tight transitions. Weak-traction robots slide off step surfaces or can't navigate the transitions between step treads and the pool floor. Strong climbing ability means the robot can approach, traverse, and clean around steps without getting stuck or losing contact.
Track-based robots with active brush systems have a clear advantage around steps. Tracks provide consistent grip on the smooth surfaces of pool steps, while brushes agitate settled debris that simple suction can't remove. Wheeled robots lose traction on wet step surfaces and can't generate the brush contact needed to dislodge debris from step corners and risers.
Random-pattern robots bounce off step edges and redirect into open water. The step area becomes a dead zone that the robot approaches but never cleans. Over time, this creates a visible cleanliness difference between the main pool (which the robot covers through probability) and the step area (which it consistently avoids).
SmartNav™ systems map the pool including the step area's location and geometry. Instead of bouncing off steps randomly, the robot incorporates the step zone into its systematic cleaning route. While no robot cleans every step surface perfectly, smart navigation ensures the areas around and on top of steps receive deliberate attention rather than being accidentally avoided.
Steps are important, but they're supplemental to the robot's primary job: cleaning the entire pool. A robot that handles steps well but misses walls and the waterline isn't solving your cleaning problem—it's just shifting it. The best approach is a full-coverage robot that cleans floor, walls, and waterline thoroughly, with strong performance around the step area as an added benefit.
No robotic pool cleaner perfectly cleans every step surface. The goal is a robot that cleans as much of the step area as possible while delivering complete coverage of everything else. Expecting perfect step cleaning sets unrealistic expectations. Expecting excellent overall cleaning with strong step-area coverage is achievable with the right robot.
Fine debris like sand and dirt settles on step treads faster than on the pool floor because steps are shallower and have less water circulation. This fine layer of sediment makes steps look dirty even when the main pool is clean. A robot with NanoFiltration™ captures these fine particles during its cleaning cycle, improving water clarity and reducing the visible sediment that accumulates on steps between cleans.
Expert-selected pool robots for pools with steps. Every robot ships free with a 30-day risk-free trial.
The Dolphin Quantum delivers the best combination of step-area coverage and overall pool cleaning. SmartNav™ 2.0 maps the pool including step zones, track-based mobility handles transitions, and full floor-to-waterline coverage ensures nothing gets missed. XXL MaxBin™ and NanoFiltration™ capture everything from leaves to fine sand that settles on steps.
Shop Dolphin QuantumThe Dolphin Premier is the top choice for pools with steps that also deal with heavy debris loads. The oversized leaf bag handles volume that would clog standard baskets, Multi-Media™ lets you swap filtration to match the debris, and commercial-grade triple motors provide the climbing power needed for strong step-area coverage. Waterline cleaning and a 3-year ProLine™ warranty included.
Shop Dolphin Premier
The Dolphin Sigma provides the most precise coverage around step areas. SmartNav™ 3.0 with gyroscopic stability navigates step transitions with the most accuracy, and app control lets you direct the robot to step zones for targeted spot cleaning. The best choice for pool owners who want maximum step-area coverage and premium overall performance.
Shop Dolphin SigmaPartially, not perfectly. No robotic pool cleaner fully cleans every step surface—the geometry of step risers and tight corners makes complete automated coverage extremely difficult. However, quality robots with smart navigation and strong climbing ability clean the top treads of steps, the areas immediately around steps, and maintain overall pool cleanliness that reduces how much debris accumulates on steps in the first place. Manual brushing of step risers is still occasionally needed for the best results.
Partially. Quality robots clean step treads and the areas around steps effectively, but no robot perfectly cleans every step surface. The geometry of risers and corners limits full automated coverage. Focus on overall pool cleanliness plus strong step-area coverage.
Most likely random navigation. Random-pattern robots bounce off step edges and redirect into open water. SmartNav™ mapping recognizes step areas and incorporates them into the cleaning route, dramatically improving step-area coverage.
The Dolphin Quantum is the best overall value. For heavy debris pools with steps, the Dolphin Premier is ideal. For maximum precision, the Dolphin Sigma with app-controlled spot cleaning is the premium choice.
Occasionally, yes. Even the best robots can't fully clean step risers and tight corners. A quick manual brush of step risers every few weeks, combined with daily automated robot cleaning, keeps steps consistently clean.
Steps are shallower with less water circulation, so fine particles settle here faster than on the pool floor. Daily automated cleaning with a robot that has NanoFiltration™ reduces sediment buildup between cycles.
See our guides for infinity edge pools and pools with tanning ledges. Also explore robots by pool size, pool type, or surface type.
Clean and reach the dirtiest part of your swimming pool. Found on only the top models, this is a feature you'll need if you are an inground pool owner.
Wall climbing is partial wall cleaning. These models do not clean the waterline, but still have excellent cleaning ability.
Schedule your robot to automatically clean every day, two days, or three days.
With a no-tangle swivel, the robot can travel freely throughout your pool without knotted cords.
The larger and easier to clean MaxBin™ is a 2nd gen update to the standard filters. Cleaning a pool robot filter has never been easier.
Read About MaxBin™ →
Clean small particles that the standard filter misses. This filter cleans deeper and with more precision than any other filter.
Premier's exclusive MultiMedia™ includes more filters than any other Dolphin: fine filter, NanoFilter™ + oversized leaf bag + exclusive disposable bag option.
Manually control, schedule, and read advanced stats about each clean right from Sigma's app.
Advanced gyroscopic sensors allow Sigma to clean deeper than any other pool robot.
Premier's real-time filter tracking, Media-Alert™, let's you know when it is time to clean the onboard filtration.
Built on the ProLine™, these motors are larger and boast more power than any other Dolphin robot.
Expert guides on pool robots, filters, and features—what to know before you buy and how to get the most from your cleaner.
Shopping for a pool robot can be infuriating. Here’s how to sift through the acronyms, filter options, and extra features to find the best one for you.
Trying to find the perfect pool robot for your pool? Read the Top 6 Best Pool Robots for 2026, helpful tips, and more.
We tested over 30+ different Dolphin robotic pool cleaners in our pools to bring you the 3 best inground, 3 best under $750, and best for above-ground pools.
Find the best pool vacuum for your pool. From robotic pool cleaners, pressure-side, suction-side, and handheld pool cleaners, let our pool experts help.
Dive into the best above ground pool robots. From Intex to Summer Wave, our pool experts will help you choose the perfect automatic pool vacuum.
Find the best Dolphin inground robotic pool cleaner. Our pool experts cover all the top Dolphin models for 2026 from Maytronics.
Whether you own a fiberglass, gunite, or tile in-ground swimming pool, we've tested and reviewed over 50+ pool robots to bring you the best of the best.
Which Dolphin pool robot is best for above-ground pools? Our pool experts compare all the top above-ground Dolphin robotic pool cleaners from Maytronics.
Compare the Dolphin Premier vs Polaris 280. Explore the differences between a pool robot vs pressure-side pool cleaner in our in-depth review & comparison.
Compare Aiper vs Dolphin Pool Robots. See the differences, which is the better pool cleaner, and explore the 2026 models.
From the Aiper Seagull SE to the Aiper Scuba N1 Pro, we dive into the top Aiper pool cleaners for 2026 to see which is right for your swimming pool
Aiper Elite Pro Recalled Due to Burn and Fire Harzards by the Consumer Product Saftey Commission. Read why!
Which is better, cordless or corded? Our pool expert, Joshua, breaks down his comprehensive guide to choosing between Cordless and Corded Pool Robots.
With multiple different users reporting the Aiper Seagull Pro allegedly starting house fires, we dive into what you need to know about this horrifying accident.
