This is the Dolphin Escape.

Say goodbye to your old pool brush and vacuum - and let this little guy take over. The Escape is a robotic pool cleaner that takes the heavy lifting out of pool cleaning.

It's lightweight, has constant power, and has some impressive suction power. But the real question is, can it compete with other pool robots in this price range?

Hey, I'm Ryan with Actually Used. And today, I'm talking about the Dolphin Escape.

I've been using the Dolphin Escape for a few weeks now, and I've got some thoughts. Let's talk about it and why this may be one of the best robotic pool cleaners for your pool. Especially at this price tag. (Want to see how it compares to other top picks? Check out our best robotic pool cleaners guide.)

For around $600, you can buy the Dolphin Escape. It's designed for above-ground AND inground pools. While the manual does say above-ground pools only, I reached out to Dolphin to confirm - and it will function exactly the same in inground pools without any issues. So, I threw it in the pool to try it out and it didn't disappoint.

Dolphin Escape Lowering Robot Into Bright Blue Water

What Pool It's For

So, first things first - who's this for?

Technically, it's marketed for above-ground pools. That's what the manual says. But it also works on inground pools. I called Dolphin just to be sure, and they confirmed it works perfectly fine in inground pools too. No difference in performance, no special settings.

And don't think that you're settling for less, the Escape still cleans like a pro. It has more power, more suction, and better scrubbing than all the other options in this price range. If you were considering a cheaper cordless unit, this is a huge upgrade that is well worth it.

If your pool is up to 30 feet, this is a solid option. Anything much bigger than that, and you might want to look at one of the more other models with a longer cable. But for a typical backyard pool? This thing cleans like a pro.

Dolphin Escape Underwater Robot Middle Of Pool Floor

Now with the lower price tag, there are a few things you'll be missing - like waterline cleaning and a weekly smart timer. I'll touch on this more at the end of the video. However, if you just want a cleaner that gets the job done, has constant power, and no recharging, the Escape may be the right pool cleaner for you.

Corded vs Cordless

So if you're in the market for a pool robot, you've probably been wondering - should you buy a corded or cordless pool robot?

Well, the answer is quite simple. Corded is the only way to go in my opinion.

And after testing a lot of the top cordless models in this price range, no other cordless pool robot comes close to the power that the Escape offers.

Dolphin Escape Underwater Angled View Treaded Wheels On Floor

How do I know?

Well, I hooked it up to a manometer to test the suction power compared to other Dolphin pool robots in this price range. And the results were kind of shocking.

The Dolphin Escape had a suction power of X PSI. That's X% more than other cordless brands in this price range like the Aiper Scuba which only had X.

The Dolphin Max-Series

The Escape is the entry-level robot of Dolphin's new "Max-Series," which is basically one of their higher-end lineups that have new Gen-2 filters, HyperBrushes, and powerful DC motors. But don't let "entry-level" fool you. This thing cleans just as well as robots that cost double.

They've added three major upgrades across this series: the Gen-2 MaxBin, the HyperBrush scrubbing system, and Dual DC motors. And those changes matter - it's not just marketing.

The Gen-2 MaxBin Filter

Let's talk filters - because I feel like this is where most pool robots screw it up.

The Escape comes with the new Gen-2 MaxBin, and it's one of my favorite things about it. First off, it's top-loading. No flipping the robot over, no fighting with bottom panels - just pop the top and pull it out. Easy.

Dolphin Escape Filter Basket Removal From Robot Top View

Second, it actually holds a lot of debris. I've filled this thing with leaves, dirt, bugs - the usual pool junk - and didn't need to empty it mid-clean.

You can also upgrade to NanoFilters if you want to catch finer stuff like pollen and dust. Totally optional, but worth it if you want crystal-clear water. You usually only find these NanoFilters included on the Dolphin ProLine, but you can purchase them separately and snap them right into the Escape's filter.

Trust me, upgrading to the NanoFilters is worth every penny. After installing them, I noticed my pool water turned from slightly cloudy to crystal clear almost immediately. They catch everything-from tiny pollen particles to algae-that standard filters miss.

Dolphin Escape Hand Holding Full Filter Basket Poolside

Compared to the standard mesh that you find on every other robot, it's a world of difference. And I'd add the NanoFilter to my cart if I was buying the Dolphin Escape again.

HyperBrush Active Scrubbing

This is another one of those upgrades you don't really appreciate until you've used it.

The Escape's HyperBrush spins twice as fast as regular brushes, and during my tests, I could see it actively scrubbing away algae and stubborn grime that other robots barely touched. It doesn't just passively sweep - it actively scrubs.

So that stubborn algae stuck on the bottom of the pool? Gone.

Dolphin Escape Underwater Angled View Cleaning Pool Wall

The HyperBrush does most of the heavy lifting. It's simple, but it works.

Dual DC Motors

Now this one surprised me. The Escape filters over 4000 gallons per hour - which is actually the exact same as some of the higher-end models.

You can feel the suction if you hold your hand near the bottom while it's running.

To confirm its performance, I tested the Escape's suction with a manometer. It held steady at , significantly higher than cordless competitors like the Aiper Scuba, which only managed . This isn't just marketing hype-it's real, verified performance

Dolphin Escape Underwater Pool Floor Close Up Tiled Edge

What you'll notice right away - especially if you've used cordless models - is how consistent the power is. Since the Escape is corded, the suction stays strong from start to finish. No drop-off, no slow fade.

Cordless pool robots? Most of them start off strong, but as the battery drains, the suction takes a hit. It's kind of like a cordless vacuum - great at first, but then you can feel it losing power as it dies.

With the Dolphin Escape, that's not an issue. You get full, constant power the entire time it's running - and honestly, that's a big reason it outperforms a lot of the competition in this price range.

What It's Missing

What's the catch? The Dolphin Escape doesn't do waterline scrubbing and lacks an automated weekly timer. You'll need to manually start it each cleaning cycle. If full automation or waterline scrubbing matters to you, consider stepping up to the Dolphin Cayman or Dolphin Quantum. Otherwise, it's hard to beat the Escape's value.

Dolphin Escape Hands Holding Full Filter Basket Above Pool

Is the Dolphin Escape Worth It?

Yeah. 100%. The Dolphin Escape is one of the best values I've found for a robotic pool cleaner. (See how it compares to other top picks in our best robotic pool cleaners guide.)

For around $600, the Dolphin Escape is kind of a no-brainer. You're getting solid cleaning performance, strong suction, and a filter system that's super easy to clean. It's not the biggest and best robotic pool cleaner, but it's reliable - and honestly, I think that matters more.

If you don't need a weekly timer or waterline scrubbing, the Escape is a great pick. Set it up, drop it in, clean the filter at the end of a week - and you're done.

Dolphin Escape Spraying Filter Basket With Garden Hose

Alternative Pool Robots

That said, if you want to spend a bit more and get more features, here are two I'd recommend:

  • Dolphin Cayman - Think of it as the Escape's older sibling. You still get the HyperBrush and MaxBin, but now you've got wall climbing and a Weekly Timer. That means you can set it to clean automatically on a schedule - no turn it on every day. If you're into the whole "set it and forget it" thing, the Cayman is a solid upgrade.

  • Dolphin Quantum - This one's a beast. It comes with a larger XXL MaxBin, built-in NanoFilters, and waterline cleaning. You also get a second scrubbing brush, a longer 60-foot cord, a swivel cable to prevent tangles, and a Weekly Smart Timer. It's part of Dolphin's ProLine and Max-Series - so it blends the pro-level features with the top-loading MaxBin and HyperBrush tech.

Dolphin Escape Underwater Front View On Pebble Pool Floor

It's usually around $1,000, so yeah, it's a jump in price - but the performance matches. If you've got a larger inground pool, the Quantum is absolutely worth it. But for smaller or above-ground pools? I'd stick with the Escape or Cayman. You won't really benefit from the extras in a smaller setup.

Final Thoughts

Bottom line-if you're looking for simplicity, reliability, and solid cleaning power at around $600, the Dolphin Escape is an outstanding value. It cleans better than cordless robots at the same price, and you'll spend way less time manually cleaning your pool. It's reliable, easy to maintain, and gets my full recommendation.

So that's the Dolphin Escape - no gimmicks, no nonsense. Just a straightforward, reliable pool robot that gets the job done. It's not packed with flashy features, but it nails the basics, and honestly, that's what most people actually need. If you want something affordable, low-maintenance, and that is way better than dragging out a manual vacuum every week, the Escape's an easy pick.

Want to see how the Escape compares to other top models? Check out our best robotic pool cleaners guide. Thanks for watching and I'll catch you on the next one!