Hey what's up guys, it's Ryan with ActuallyUsed here, and today we're talking about a pool product I think everyone needs: the Dolphin Skimmi - a solar powered robotic pool skimmer.
If you're watching this video, you probably own a pool. And if you've owned a pool, you know just how annoying leaves, bugs, and debris on the surface of your pool can be. Taking out the old pool pole and net isn't fun. Especially when the tree next to your pool is dumping piles of leaves into it. Which is why you need one of these.
What is the Dolphin Skimmi?
The Dolphin Skimmi is a solar-powered, cordless robotic surface skimmer. And if you've seen any of my reviews on cordless robotic pool cleaners, you already know how I feel about them-constant charging, limited power, not my thing. But the Skimmi is different. Because it's just skimming the surface, the built-in solar panel actually works really well. It charges throughout the day and stays in the pool 24/7. No daily charging. No hassle. It just does its job.
That said-should you still have a robotic pool cleaner?
Absolutely. In fact, if you're starting from scratch, I'd always get a corded robotic pool cleaner first-like the Dolphin Premier or Dolphin Sigma. Surface skimmers are great, but it's way more work to manually vacuum your pool than it is to net the surface. A good corded cleaner gives you strong suction, better filtration, and the ability to schedule cleanings with a weekly timer. That's a huge time-saver.
So yes-Skimmi's great. But don't skip the essentials. Get yourself a serious robotic cleaner first. Then add the Skimmi to keep the surface spotless. I've got reviews on all the top models where I go in-depth and test each with our manometer and get the real suction power from the port. And you won't believe what I find - so make sure to check those out next!
But back to the Skimmi.
It glides across your pool surface, skimming up leaves, bugs, pollen-basically all the stuff you'd usually have to skim manually with a pool pole and net. The difference? You get to sit back and relax while the Skimmi cleans for you.
Yes, there's a remote control for manual steering if you want to use it, but the real magic is in its smart navigation. It moves around the pool, detects obstacles, and keeps cleaning without any micromanagement. It's constantly running, powered by the solar panel up top, and doesn't need to be charged or taken out of the pool.
I've tested a lot of pool equipment, and most of them fall into one of two camps: either they're overly complicated and require a PhD in pool science, or they're so basic they don't actually do much. The Skimmi hits that rare sweet spot-it's smart, effective, and super simple to use. No app tutorials. No confusing setup. Just toss it in and let it go to work.
First Impressions and Setup
When I first pulled this thing out of the box, my immediate thought was "okay, this looks way nicer than I expected for something that costs under 500 bucks."
The build quality feels solid - not like some cheap pool toy that's going to fall apart after a summer. Compared to some other pool skimmers I've tested, it is by far one of the better built skimmers. The propeller system looks robust, and the overall design has this clean, almost Tesla-like aesthetic going on.
Setup was honestly refreshing in how straightforward it was. You literally just rotate the propeller to unlock it, download the app, and the thing automatically powers on when you hit start. The Bluetooth pairing happened instantly - no weird connection issues, no having to put it in pairing mode, none of that frustration you usually get with smart devices.
I timed the whole process from box to water, and it was under three minutes. That includes downloading the app. Compare that to some of the other pool equipment I've tested where you're spending 20 minutes just trying to figure out which way the filter goes in.
It's designed for all pool types - inground, above-ground, gunite, fiberglass, you name it. It even works on infinity edge pools according to the manual. Thanks to its "Smart Sensing", it can detect walls and edges so can detect the drop off of an infinity edge pool - pretty neat if you ask me.
Actually Using It
Here's where things get interesting. The app gives you two main modes: automatic and manual. The automatic mode is what you'd expect - it just does its own thing, following some algorithm to cover your pool surface. But the manual mode? That's where this thing becomes a little remote control boat.
Controlling the Skimmi in manual mode feels exactly like driving an RC car, except it's floating on water and cleaning your pool. The responsiveness is surprisingly good - there's no noticeable lag between when you tap the controls and when it responds. You can do tight turns, quick direction changes, even make it do little spins if you want to show off to your neighbors.
And this isn't just a novelty - the manual control is a useful feature you may want to use. See a cluster of leaves in the corner? You can drive right over there and target them specifically. Notice the skimmer missed a spot? Just take control and clean it up yourself. It's like having the precision of manual cleaning without having to leave your pool chair.
How Well Does It Clean?
Now let's talk about what really matters - does this thing actually clean your pool? Short answer: yeah, it does, and it does it well.
The propeller system is where the Skimmi really shines. It's not just floating around hoping debris will magically stick to it. This front rotating propeller helps rake in leaves, bugs, small twigs, flower petals - it pulls all of that stuff in and traps it in the internal filter basket.
What impressed me most was watching it handle different types of debris. Those annoying mapple leaves? Gone. The weird fuzzy stuff that comes off certain plants? No problem. Even some of the heavier debris that usually sinks before you can skim it - the Skimmi was fast enough to grab it before it went down.
The trapping mechanism works really well too. Once debris gets sucked in, it stays in. I never had issues with stuff getting pulled in and then floating back out, which has definitely been a problem with some other skimmers I've tried.
The Filter
The filter is my only big complaint with the Skimmi. And the problem? It's bottom-loading.
It's not the end of the world, but compared to the top-loading Betta SE, it's not as easy to clean. And with it costing a couple hundred dollars more, it is something that I wish Dolphin did differently when designing the Dolphin Skimmi.
Besides that, the filter is a large mesh tray that slides out from under the solar panel. It's really easy to clean. You just slide it out, dump the debris out, and rinse. Then, you just pop it back in.
Performance vs. The Competition
So we actually tested the Skimmi alongside all the top robotic pool cleaners, and honestly for the money, it wasn't even close. The Skimmi just performed better for the price tag.
The power, performance, and app combine to create a solid skimmer that is super easy to use. And compared to the rest of the skimmers we tested, it landed right in the sweet spot of performance to value.
It outperformed the Betta SE, Aiper Surfer S2, and even gave the Beatbot iSkim Ultra a run for its money.
The pickup was more consistent, the navigation made more sense, and the build quality felt more solid.
Why is this?
Well, after taking a closer look at more than half a dozen skimmers - I noticed something. The propeller on the Skimmi was significantly larger than the other models. Up to 50% larger actually. With a 3 inch propeller, the Skimmi outclassed every other skimmer I tested. With the Betta SE having a 2 inch propeller, it results in the Skimmi having a lot more power than the SE. Even the Beatbot iSkim Ultra only had a 2.5 inch propeller. This gave the Skimmi an edge it seemed, as it appeared to be more powerful when compared side by side in the pool.
Plus, and this is a big plus, the Skimmi never got stuck. The other unit had this annoying habit of getting trapped in corners or against pool steps, just sitting there spinning its wheels - or propellers, I guess.
App Experience
The app deserves its own section because honestly, most pool equipment apps are terrible. They're either overly complicated with a million settings nobody understands, or they're so basic they might as well not exist.
The Skimmi app hits that perfect middle ground. The interface is clean and intuitive - you've got your manual controls that respond well, an automatic mode button, battery indicator, and that's pretty much it. No unnecessary features, no confusing menus, no trying to be smart in ways that make it harder to use.
The virtual joystick for manual control feels natural if you've ever played mobile games. The response time is good enough that you can actually navigate precisely around obstacles. And the "summon" feature is super useful - hit the button and the Skimmi comes right back to wherever you're standing. Perfect for when you're done cleaning and want to pull it out of the pool.
Solar Powered
Once the Skimmi hit the water, it didn't leave the pool. With the giant solar panel up top, you don't need to take it out to charge. With what Dolphin calls, "Smart Solar Recharge" - the Skimmi pauses during cleaning cycles and finds direct sunlight before pausing to charge.
Cleaning Cycles
Here is the kicker though - it doesn't just work during the day. It works day and night - as it stores enough battery to clean at night as well.
Dolphin says it has a battery preservation algorithm too, this helps it extend the battery life and keep it running. And I'll say - it works really well.
The Skimmi isn't always on - but actually cleans in cycles. It will run for 20 minutes on and take a 10-minute break to solar recharge during the day and will run 10 minutes at night with a 1 hour pause. And while some skimmers are constantly running during the daylight hours, I felt that with more power and better performance, this was more than enough.
Build Quality and Durability
This is where you can tell the difference between the Skimmi and cheaper alternatives. Everything feels substantial. The propeller housing is thick plastic that doesn't flex when you press on it. The propeller is 50% larger. The filter basket slides in and out smoothly but locks securely. The overall construction gives you confidence that this thing can handle being in a pool environment long-term.
The water sealing seems solid too. After several weeks of testing, I haven't seen any signs of water getting where it shouldn't be. The charging contacts are corrosion-resistant, and the whole unit still looks practically new despite weeks of use.
Who This Is Actually For
So here's the thing - the Skimmi isn't trying to replace your entire pool maintenance routine. It's specifically targeting surface cleaning, and it does that job really well. If you're someone who finds themselves skimming the pool every couple of days, this could save you a lot of time and effort.
It's also great if you have trees around your pool. Those constant leaves and debris that accumulate on the surface? That's exactly what the Skimmi was designed to handle. It's not going to scrub algae off your pool walls or balance your water chemistry, but it will keep your pool looking clean.
It's not a replacement for a robotic pool cleaner. And if you don't have a pool robot already, I'd recommend getting one first. But this is a great add on that I think every swimming pool owner needs.
The Value Proposition
At $499, the Skimmi sits in an interesting price point. It's not cheap enough to be an impulse buy, but it's not so expensive that it feels like a major investment either. When you compare it to the cost of pool service or even just the time value of doing manual skimming yourself, it starts to make sense pretty quickly.
The fact that it scored high on simplicity, affordability, and ease of use in our testing really shows. This isn't trying to be the most feature-packed pool skimmer on the market. Instead, it's focusing on doing one job really well, and doing it at a price point that doesn't break the bank.
Minor Complaints
Look, nothing's perfect, and the Skimmi has a few minor issues. The propeller can occasionally get wrapped up in larger debris like big leaves or string, though it's usually easy enough to clear. The Bluetooth range is good, but not amazing - you'll want to stay within maybe 30-40 feet for reliable connection.
Also, while the automatic mode works well, it's not as smart as some of the more expensive units. It doesn't learn your pool's layout or optimize its cleaning pattern over time. But honestly, for most people, that level of sophistication is probably overkill anyway.
The Bottom Line
The Skimmi really surprised me. In a market full of overcomplicated, overpriced pool equipment, here's something that just works. It's well-built, reasonably priced and super helpful for day to day cleaning. I wouldn't own a pool without one.
If you're tired of manual skimming, the Skimmi can fix that for you. It's not going to revolutionize pool maintenance, but it's going to make one annoying chore significantly less annoying.
And in the end, isn't that exactly what good technology should do?
That's the Skimmi. Thanks for watching, I'm Ryan - and I'll catch you in the next one.