The Dolphin Oasis Z5 is an expensive robotic pool cleaner for residential inground swimming pools. It has a 60-foot swivel cable, rubber tracks, split brushes and can turn like a tank. Can the Oasis Z5 make a contribution to keeping your inground swimming pool a peaceful watering place?
Introduction
The Dolphin Oasis Z5 is a big-budget pool cleaning robot with an online only suggested retail price that is greater than 1000 dollars, so be prepared to open your wallet wide. However, it does offer a lot of features and accessories to make it worth the price. My Dolphin Oasis Z5 review talks about its key features. I also compare it to the Z5i online only model and other Dolphin robotic pool cleaners.
Dolphin Z5: Key Features
Let me start with an overview of the main characteristics of the Dolphin Z5 robotic pool cleaner.
Power Supply
The power unit is small and easy to carry. It plugs into a standard 110-volt outlet. There seems to be no options or display on the power supply. Instead, you have to use the included remote control to start the cleaning cycle.
Caddy And Remote Control
The Dolphin Oasis Z5 might be expensive, but a caddy cart and a remote control are included in the package. The two-wheeled caddy makes it easy to move the robotic pool cleaner and power supply to the pool and back to storage. However, treat the caddy with care: it is mostly plastic and might break if handled roughly.
The remote control is basic and provides the option to select either a quick cleaning cycle or a full cleaning cycle. The manual directional controls might be useful for directing the pool robot to a dirty spot. This robotic pool cleaner does not have a weekly timer function.
Power Cable With Swivel Device
The Dolphin Oasis Z5 has a 60-foot floating power cable which is plugged into its power supply. This cable length is long enough for inground pool sizes up to 50 feet. The swivel device prevents the cord from becoming tangled (most of the time, but not always).
Top Access Cartridge Filters
The Oasis Z5 has a top loading cartridge filter, which is easier to reach and manage than bottom access filters.
Two sets of filter cartridges are included in the box with the robotic pool cleaner. The two spring net filters are used for removing leaves and debris from the pool. The two ultra-fine filter cartridges are used for getting the tiny stuff like sand and algae. The filter cartridges are lighter and easier to clean than filter bags. The internal pump motor provides vacuum power.
Track Drive And Split Brushes
The Oasis Z5 does not have wheels. Instead, it has two rubber tracks which are powered by DC motors. The tracks provide better traction than wheels. The DC motors also rotate the split brushes, which brushes off algae from the floor and walls. The track drive combined with the split brush system allows this pool robot to turn like a tank.
Dolphin Oasis Z5 vs. Premier
The Oasis Z5 and the Dolphin Premier have the following features in common: DC motors, rubber tracks, smart navigation software, anti-tangle cable swivel and 3-year warranty (if bought online from authorized dealer). However, the Premier has bottom loading filters. Still, you have a choice between using either micro-filter cartridges for fine particles or debris bags for leaves. The Premier does not have a split brush system.
The Oasis Z5 and Premier have similar sales prices, but a caddy and remote control are included in the price tag of the Oasis Z5. If you want a caddy and remote for the Premier, then you have to buy it separately.
Dolphin Oasis Z5 vs. Z5i
There is now an updated internet only model available which is called the Oasis Z5i. For the most part, the features are the same, but I want to mention the most important differences.
Foremost, it seems like the power supply of the Z5i has a weekly cleaning schedule option for once a day, once every two days or once every three days.
The second difference is that the Z5i has Wi-Fi connectivity. As a result, it can be controlled with the MyDolphin Plus app from a smartphone. The previous Z5 model was operated with a small handheld remote control unit.
A third difference is that a caddy cart is not included with the Z5i. You have to buy a Dolphin universal caddy separately. This is a disappointment when you consider the expensive list price of the Z5i robotic pool cleaner.
Dolphin Oasis Z5i vs. Sigma
The Oasis Z5i and the Sigma are some of the best internet only residential robotic pool cleaners made by Maytronics. Accordingly, it is not surprising that they have very similar specifications.
These Dolphin pool robots have the following things in common: 60-foot anti-tangle swivel cable for cleaning an inground pool size up to 50 feet, cleaning coverage from floor to waterline, standard 2.5-hour cleaning cycle, top-load cartridge filter, two brushes, Wi-Fi connectivity with MyDolphin Plus App and a weekly timer.
If you want to learn more about the Dolphin Sigma, then click here to read my Sigma review.
Dolphin Oasis Z5i vs. Nautilus CC Supreme
The Nautilus CC Supreme is an internet only model that is in a superior category. To illustrate, here is a comparison table of the Dolphin Z5i versus the Nautilus CC Supreme.
| SPECIFICATION | OASIS Z5i | NAUTILUS CC SUPREME |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-Tangle Cable | Yes | Yes |
| Automation Mode | No | Yes |
| Brushes | 2 | 3 (1 active brush) |
| Cable Length | 60 feet | 60 feet |
| Cleaning Cycle | 2.5 hours | 1.5, 2.5, 3.5 hours |
| Cycle Selector | No | Yes |
| Delay Mode | No | Yes |
| Filter | Cartridge | Cartridge |
| Filter Type | Fine, Ultra Fine | Fine, Ultra Fine |
| Full Indicator | No | Yes |
| Pool Size | Up to 50 feet | Up to 50 feet |
| Smartphone App | Yes | Yes |
| Weekly Timer | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes |
The Nautilus CC Supreme has more advanced features when compared to the Oasis Z5i, yet it also costs more money. You can read my review of the Nautilus robotic pool cleaners for more information on the subject.
Verdict
Maytronics has a few online only Dolphin robotic pool cleaners that look similar, but have a few minor differences. This makes it a little frustrating to recommend the right model. The Oasis Z5 and Z5i has some of the advanced features that you might expect in a residential robotic pool cleaner in such a high price range.
If you can get a good deal on the Dolphin Oasis Z5i, then you might consider buying it (click here to check pricing on Amazon). Otherwise, take a look at either the Dolphin Sigma or the Nautilus CC Supreme robotic pool cleaner models.