The Dolphin Quantum is a robotic pool cleaner that claims to be user-friendly and efficient. Let’s find out if it’s worth the investment.
Overview of the Dolphin Quantum
The Dolphin Quantum (it has its own website) is a robotic pool cleaner suitable for in-ground pools up to 50 feet. It boasts a weekly scheduler that lets you choose cleaning frequencies: daily, every other day, or every third day.
This lightweight in-ground pool robot has anti-tangling swivel technology in its floating power cord, allowing for mostly a hassle-free experience when it comes to cord entanglements. It scrubs walls effectively with PowerStream mobility (water jets) and has fine and ultra-fine filters.
In spite of this, the original Quantum model didn’t gain much popularity. However, this Dolphin pool robot was upgraded in 2023 or 2024 (not sure exactly when it was upgraded). So, how does the upgraded Quantum model perform at pool cleaning? Keep reading to find out.
Does the Quantum Have Programmable Cleaning Modes?
Yes, the Dolphin Quantum allows you to set it up to clean as needed. Choose from daily, twice-weekly, or three times weekly cleaning modes. It’s a convenient feature for pool owners who want to keep their pool clean without constant attention.
Does the Quantum Have Smart Navigation Technology?
The Dolphin Quantum uses SmartNav 2.0 to navigate and map the best cleaning path. Despite the fancy name, some users find it’s not always smart in its movement. It may clean the same spot repeatedly or miss debris. Yet, it generally covers the pool well, except for the stairs, which it struggles to climb and clean.
What Type of Filter Does the Dolphin Quantum Have?
This robotic pool cleaner comes with a large top-loading filter basket for capturing leaves and small debris. It includes fine filters, but you can buy ultra-fine ones separately. It’s designed to clean most pool surfaces, including the waterline and tile, but it might not clean the steps.
How Does It Perform in the Pool?
The Dolphin Quantum is equipped with dual brushes for thorough wall scrubbing and internal jets to move sideways along walls and clean corners effectively. It’s good for 90-degree angled walls but doesn’t guarantee step cleaning.
Brief Summary of User Experiences
Real users have mixed feelings about the Dolphin Quantum. Some people say it is easy to use and maintains the pool nicely. Others find it often gets stuck, has poor suction power, and they think it’s not worth the money.
For the most part, it seems to clean the bottom, sides, and walls well for most users. Others users are disappointed by the overall performance of the Quantum, considering the costly price they had to pay.
Comparison to Other Dolphin Models
For those with heavy leaf problems, the Dolphin Premier (which I reviewed here) might be a better fit with its oversized leaf bag, even though it still has bottom-access filters. However, the Quantum’s top-loading basket is easier to empty than the Premier’s bottom-loading system. In that case, the Quantum and the Sigma are both better options if you prefer a top-loading filter system.
The Dolphin Sigma is more powerful and navigates pools better, but it’s also more expensive. If you’re looking for a reliable climber with strong suction, the Sigma might be a better choice, despite the higher price. It’s more powerful, has better navigation, a 2.5-hour cleaning cycle, and an anti-tangling swivel cable. All in all, the Dolphin Sigma might be worth the extra cost. To learn more, read my Dolphin Sigma review.
Dolphin Quantum: The Bottom Line
The Dolphin Quantum has its pros: it’s easy to use, cleans well, and has a decent filter system. But, it also has cons: some users find it gets stuck, the suction isn’t strong, and the climbing ability is inconsistent.
Another issue that I should mention is that the anti-tangling feature doesn’t always work as advertised. Of course, if you really do not want to have trouble with tangling cords, then you can now get a cordless Dolphin pool robot, such as the Dolphin Liberty 200. You can read my Dolphin Liberty review to learn more about it.
The Dolphin Quantum has a good cleaning performance, but it’s not perfect. It may need two cycles for large debris, and the climbing ability is a hit-or-miss.
Considering the feedback, the Dolphin Quantum isn’t a top pick for those with specific needs like step cleaning or very large debris. But for general maintenance, I guess it’s an okay choice.
To summarize, the Dolphin Quantum is a pricey robotic pool cleaner with a few drawbacks. It’s easy to use and generally does a good job, but the suction could be better, and it might not climb as well as some would like. Click here to read more on Amazon (paid link).