The brand name Dolphin has long been associated with quality robotic pool cleaners, and the Dolphin Triton is a good example of this. If you’re thinking of buying a robotic pool cleaner, this is as good an option as any.
Although Dolphin’s Triton models have been around for years, the latest version was released in 2017 and improves on its predecessors in a few areas. There are a couple of shortcomings with the Triton, but as our review will show it’s a solid pool cleaner overall.
Features
- The Triton is equipped with a full complement of cleaning features. After you put the machine in the pool, it’s going to clean, scrub and vacuum the floor, walls and steps. The Triton also has filters that capture the debris and remove them from the pool. This is possible because of its cartridge mechanism which has been specifically designed for this task.
- The Triton shares many features found in other Dolphin robotic pool cleaners and the most important of these is the plug and play mechanism. Since you don’t have to link it up to your pool, the Triton is more energy efficient.
- The Triton is self-programmed. What this means is you don’t have to adjust any complicated features to make it work. Once the Triton is in the pool, it’s going to start cleaning and turn off automatically after three hours.
- Optimal scanning is built in. This feature enables the Triton to choose the best approach for your pool. Because pools come in different shapes and sizes, it’s easy to understand how the Triton is able to clean different pools.
- 3 hour cleaning cycle: this means the Triton can run for 3 hours before shutting down automatically. This is a convenient feature if you’ve got a large pool, as 1 hour is too short. At three hours, it is more than enough to remove the dirt on even large pools. The suction rate is 4,233 gallons per hour.
- PowerStream Technology – this new feature in this latest version of the Triton provides constant grip on vertical surfaces for superior wall and waterline cleaning. This is achieved by water propelling out in multiple directions as the robot climbs walls, creating a constant grip.
- Dual scrubbing brushes provide a deeper cleaning.
- A 60 ft. cable is included, and it is long enough for use on large pools up to 50ft. The length might seem like overkill if you have a medium size pool, but there’s no need to use the entire cable.
Check out this detailed 10 minute video review of the Dolphin Triton robot pool cleaner, showcasing some of the key features we have given above:
Pros
- Excellent cleaning: the Triton cleans pools of varying sizes and shapes. Unlike other pool cleaners, it doesn’t leave any traces. The Triton isn’t without faults, but most of the time it’ll clean your pool without leaving any dirt behind.
- Well implemented cable system: if you have used robot pool cleaners before, you know how frustrating the cable can be. The Triton’s cable system has been implemented so it doesn’t get twist.
- No frills setup: the Triton uses Dolphin’s plug and play system so you don’t have to do any pre-installation. If you’ve been having issues with your pool cleaner, then you’ll like the Triton’s convenient configuration. Older robotic pool cleaners take too long to set up, so this is a welcome feature.
- Navigates pools without hassle: the Triton performs a comprehensive analysis of your pool before cleaning. This doesn’t take too long, but it’s comprehensive and provides the robot all the information needed by the Triton. This is what allows the Triton to navigate your pool and remove dirt.
- 2 year warranty for peace of mind
Cons
- The filters are well-designed, but after extensive use, require lots of cleaning.
- Sometimes the Triton would clean the same area repeatedly.
Comparison
There are lot of robotic pool cleaners, including the Aquabot Turbo T and the iRobot Mirra 530, so let’s compare them with the Triton.
Dolphin Triton vs Aquabot Turbo T
The Turbo T and the Triton do a comparable job cleaning pool floors and walls. They’re also both quiet. However the Triton is easier to clean because the flaps on the Turbo T keep opening making it a bit tricky.
The Turbo T manual also lacks information about the cleaner, and this can frustrate new users. When the Turbo T runs it’s going to clean your pool, but it’s a bit more difficult to get it going.
Dolphin Triton vs iRobot Mirra 530
The iRobot Mirra 530 has the same problem with the instructions. Basically it just tells you to put it in the poll and activate it and you have to figure the rest out.
When the Mirra 530 runs, cleaning is comparable to the Triton, but it’s not intuitive. You also have to use foam inserts so the Mirra can make a 90 degree rotation, but the manual doesn’t explain how many to use.
Verdict
The Mirra 530 and the Turbo T are decent robotic pool cleaners, but there are issues which affect their performance. The Triton runs without a hitch so it’s more convenient and practical. Since their prices aren’t far apart, the Triton is the better choice as its operation is straightforward.
Conclusion
If you’ve been cleaning your pool by hand, it’s time you go automatic, and we recommend the Dolphin Triton Robotic Pool Cleaner. It cleans pools consistently and rarely leaves debris behind. The design is ideal for residential in-ground pools and it also compares well with other pool cleaners, so it’s a buy.