The Dolphin Quantum was introduced in 2016. I review its features and answer a few questions to decide whether it really is a top-of-the-line robotic pool cleaner.
Warranty
Dolphin provides the Quantum robotic pool cleaner (website) with a two-year warranty if bought from an authorized seller.
However, these days, the Dolphin company states that the warranty is not valid if a pool cleaner was bought from an unauthorized online retailer. Nevertheless, some owners have complained about poor customer service, so how much the warranty is actually worth is always a gamble.
Vortex Jets On The Side
That’s right, the Quantum has vortex jets on both sides. It also has jet propulsion on its top. Why should we care about this? Well, the placement of these vortex jets give it lateral movement across the pool wall instead of only the usual vertical climbing pattern. It can therefore clean in a horizontal line along the pool wall. This might lead to better wall and waterline cleaning performance.
Continuous Tracks
The continuous tracks of the Dolphin Quantum give it better traction when compared to pool robots with wheels (such as the Polaris 9550 Sport). The tracks also give it a better turning radius. It moves over obstacles more easily and climbs walls very well.
Spinning Scrubbing Brushes
The front and back of the Dolphin Quantum is equipped with spinning brushes that spin twice as fast as brushes on other Dolphin pool cleaners. This removes the film of algae and bacteria that clings to the surface of the swimming pool. The brushes run at high RPM to remove stubborn biofilm deposits.
Extra Large Cartridge Filter Basket
The Dolphin Quantum has a top-loading filtration system that uses an extra large cartridge filter basket. The four sides of the cartridge filter basket can be snapped in and out of place. The bottom panel is hinged, so you can easily drop the debris into a dust bin. There are LED lights on the power control unit that warn you when the filter cartridge is full.
You can choose between two types of filter screens. Use the standard cartridges for maximum suction to remove leaves and bigger debris. Do a snappy change to the micro-filter screens to remove tiny algae and bacteria from the water.
Leaner Pool Cleaner
The Dolphin Quantum is designed to provide less resistance in the water while keeping its weight within acceptable limits. The pool cleaner weighs only 22 pounds.
Power Control Unit
The power supply unit provides a few cleaning cycle program modes: daily, two times per week or three times per week. It uses preset programs, so it is not really all that programmable.
Smart Pool Navigation
The Dolphin Quantum has a microprocessor with SmartNav 2.0 robotic scanning software which maps the pool surfaces of the swimming pool. What does this do? The robotic pool cleaner gains information about where it has cleaned and where it still has to clean. The pool robot does not wander aimlessly around the pool. The Dolphin Quantum cleans quicker and more efficiently due to this smart navigation system. It completes a cleaning cycle in about two and a half hours.
Does the power cable have an anti-tangle device?
The 60-foot floating power cable does not have an anti-tangle swivel device. This is a disadvantage. The pool cleaner will still clean the pool, but you might have to untangle the cord after every cleaning cycle.
What is the maximum pool size it can clean?
The Quantum comes with a 60-foot floating cable, so a maximum pool size of 50 feet is recommended.
Does the Dolphin Quantum include a caddy and remote control?
The Dolphin Quantum is not shipped with a caddy. We are not sure if it even has its own caddy. You might have to buy the Dolphin Premier caddy as a substitute.
The Quantum does not have the capacity for remote control or Bluetooth connectivity. There is no remote control for this pool cleaner. Even so, we do not think this is a big problem. A robotic pool cleaner should be able to clean the pool on its own without having to receive directions from a remote control.
Where do you plug it in?
The short power cord of the control box needs to be plugged into a 115-volt GFCI outlet. Do not use an extension cord because this will void the warranty, and it might not be safe. The Dolphin Quantum pool cleaner has 24-volt DC motors. It is very energy efficient and uses only 180 watts.
Does the Dolphin Quantum get rid of debris?
The pool cleaner can remove leaves and other pieces of pool debris when using the standard filter cartridges. It gets rid of fine algae when using the micro-filter cartridges. It will clean.
What is the biggest advantage of the Dolphin Quantum?
Its top-loading, extra large filter cartridge basket might be its biggest advantage. This makes the pool cleaner a monster at removing stuff from the pool.
Its unique feature is probably the three vortex jets located on its top and sides. This improves it ability to cling to and clean the walls and waterline.
What are its disadvantages?
An anti-tangle swivel cord would have been a nice touch. For example, the Nautilus CC Plus has an anti-tangle swivel cable. Surely it is possible to provide the Quantum with a similar swivel cable. I hope that a swivel cable will be added as a standard feature for the Quantum in the future.
Dolphin Quantum vs. Premier
First, the Quantum has an extra large cartridge filter basket, which holds more debris than the smaller filter cartridges of the Premier. The Quantum will still be collecting leaves when the Premier needs to be stopped and cleaned. The Quantum simply gives you more cleaning hours in the swimming pool before its filter basket needs emptying and washing.
Another thing to consider is the filter access points. The Quantum has a top access filter system, while the Premier has a harder-to-reach bottom access filter system.
The Premier is compatible with a large debris bag. Nonetheless, we think that the extra large cartridge basket of the Quantum is easier to remove and clean than a debris bag.
There are three features that the Premier has that the Quantum does not have. The Premier has a patented swivel cable device. It also has an optional Premier caddy and an optional remote control unit.
The Premier comes with a 3-year warranty, while the Quantum has a 2-year warranty.
You may also read my Dolphin Premier review for more information.
Dolphin Quantum: Top-Of-The-Line?
The Quantum is close to the top, but does not quite make it. Why?
I think that to occupy the top-of-the-line position it unfortunately needs to have the following features: a swivel device for the floating cable, its own caddy and Bluetooth connectivity for a smartphone application. The power control box does not support Bluetooth connectivity.
Nonetheless, the rest of the pool cleaner gets top marks for the following reasons:
- extra large filter cartridge basket.
- vortex jets and continuous tracks for better movement.
- clings like a limpet to the walls and waterline.
- pool scanning and microprocessor for smart navigation.
- superfast scrubbing brushes.
The Dolphin Quantum is an expensive robotic pool cleaner with lots of good features. However, due to an increasing amount of negative comments about its reliability, I currently refrain from recommending it to pool owners. Instead, I recommend the Dolphin Sigma robotic pool cleaner as a better choice for inground swimming pools (click here to read my Sigma review).