Dolphin Proteus DX4 Review

Michael Porter

Robotic Pool Cleaner

Maintaining your pool doesn’t have to be a hassle. You don’t need to deal with subpar pool robots. You also don’t have to spend hundreds just to get your pool cleaned by a professional. Can’t there just be an efficient pool robot that simply gets the job done?

Meet the Dolphin Proteus DX4. This pool robot will clean your pool automatically, so you can ‘set it and forget it.’ But, does the Dolphin live up to what it promises? Let’s find out as we review the Dolphin Proteus DX4.

As one of the leaders in pool cleaning robots, Maytronics Dolphin offers the mid-grade Proteus DX4, along with many more pool robots in its enticing collection of automated pool cleaners.


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Dolphin Proteus DX4 Review Snapshot
Efficiency is crucial to pool cleaning, and that’s exactly what you get with the Dolphin Proteus DX4 pool robot. This machine works underwater and was made to clean in-ground pools with a depth of fifty feet in just two hours.

Armed with excellent scrubbing and filtering systems, a strong motor and powerful suction, the Dolphin will thoroughly clean your pool of all unwanted debris and dirt.

An intuitive control panel on the device allows you to program and schedule it to clean every day, every other day, or every three days.

Within the Dolphin product line, the DX4 is priced midrange. However, when compared to other products intended for large swimming pools, the Dolphin offers unprecedented value. As an added bonus, the DX4 comes with a 2-year warranty.

Pros
Precise navigation
Cleaning schedule can be programmed weekly
Intuitive controls
Cleans walls and floors of swimming pools
Large top-access filter baskets
User-friendly
Excellent value
Two-year warranty

Cons
Lacks Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capability
Lacks activation via app or remote control
Does not adequately clean pool steps

Dolphin Proteus Full Review
When it comes to cleaning swimming pools, robotic cleaners are absolute lifesavers. If you want to keep a pool clean, these will outperform other cleaner types, such as suction-side cleaners. In terms of outdoor or in-house pools, mere pool brushes and skimmer poles for scrubbing surfaces and scooping debris are not enough to keep everything clean.

Pool robots will clean a swimming pool in significantly less time than a person doing it manually. Overall, a pool cleaning robot will save you from the tedious work and stress of cleaning a big swimming pool. Simply program the cleaning schedule and let the robot work for you.

The main brand that comes to mind in terms of pool robots is the Maytronics Dolphin, and among its impressive product line of pool robots is the DX4.

In this review, we will be focusing on this machine in particular—a pool robot with a lightweight body, beautiful design, and state-of-the-art features that enable you to automate the cleaning and maintenance of your swimming pool.

This mid-grade robotic swimming pool cleaner offers PowerStream technology, a filtration basket which loads from the top, an active brushing system, power supply with multi-functionality control, a sixty-foot pivoting cable, and a two year warranty.

By design, the DX4 pool robot will clean a swimming pool in about two hours. Designed specifically for in-ground pools with a depth of fifty feet, it offers what all pool owners want—more time swimming and less time cleaning.

Removing the DX4 pool robot
How does the Dolphin Proteus DX4 pool robot work?
The DX4 uses an active, high-rotation brush with an efficient energy-saving motor. The brush powerfully scrubs away all kinds of debris stuck to the top and removes it with forceful friction.

With the scrubber at work, the motor moves over 3700 gallons of water per hour through the DX4’s integrated filtration system, leaving you with perfectly clear water.

The Dolphin Proteus DX4 touts the new PowerStream technology. This system creates a multi-directional flow of water, which allows the machine to grasp effectively onto vertical surfaces and remarkable climbing capabilities. Using powerful jets of water and sending them in different directions, the DX4 provides a strong and steady grip while working on pool walls, all the way to the top.

All in all, if you’re looking for a pool robot that is capable of wall, floor, and waterline cleaning the DX4 by Dolphin is a great buy.

Dolphin Proteus DX4 doing waterline cleaning
The DX4 comes with two extra large top-load filter baskets. The fine filter is used for filtering out large and small debris and the ultra-fine filter is used for capturing very small particles. The exceptional filtering capabilities of the DX4 give you a pool with crystal clean water after every session.

During the cleaning process, the DX4 gets the job done right the first time, by working efficiently and intelligently. This is due to the DX4’s Precision Navigation and scanning software for effective pool scanning and mapping. This takes care of everything from the pool walls all the way to the top.

When the Dolphin robot is in the pool, it uses the first 20 minutes to create a digital map and detect the quickest, most efficient cleaning route. This precise method of navigation saves time, energy, and reduces the chances of missing any spots.

As with most pool cleaners from the Dolphin line, the DX4 features the patented anti-tangle pivoting cable. This pivoting technology ensures effortless movement throughout the pool cleaning cycle. As the robot turns while cleaning, this 60 foot-long cable keeps it running without interruption. It does this by twisting and rotating—all without tangling.

One practical function that the DX4 comes with is a timer. With this timer, you can schedule cleanings weekly. The robot can clean daily, every other day, or every three days.

Performance
The DX4 pool cleaning robot from Dolphin will effectively clean out all kinds of debris from large in-ground pools within 2 hours. Its filter basket is able to capture large debris, twigs, small stones, leaves, and insects.

The fine filter basket can catch significantly smaller debris, like sand and just about anything else that ends up in your pool. It can clean the entire swimming pool surface, floors, walls and to the top. The DX4 also tries to clean the pool steps, but you may still have to scrub those manually.

Overall, the Dolphin Proteus DX4 is an exceptional mid-grade pool robot. Although it performs well at picking up debris and keeping your pool clean, it isn’t as effective at cleaning pool surfaces with a pebble finish. The DX4 really shows off its skills on smooth pool surfaces.

One advantage about this machine is that it does not get trapped on drains. Although the robot does a great job, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re off the hook when it comes to cleaning the steps or tanning shelves.

The DX4 keeps both your walls and floor astonishingly clean. It can also clean pools with a maximum depth of fifty feet (with a sixty foot cable plugged into a power supply) and can navigate around your swimming pool effortlessly.

The anti-tangle pivoting cable on the Dolphin Proteus DX4 swimming pool cleaner

Setup and ease of use
This machine does not need any actual setup, as it simply works right of the box. Getting your Dolphin Proteus DX4 up and running takes less than 10 minutes, including the time it takes to read through the user manual.

The Dolphin Proteus DX4 doesn’t have Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity, so it doesn’t work with a mobile app, and there is no remote control. Instead, it has a control panel with four buttons on it. These include the power, and three others in which the schedule can be set.

One button sets the robot to clean every day of the week, while another button sets it to clean every 2 days. The last button sets the robot to clean every 3 days.

Reliability
The DX4 from Dolphin is a robust and reliable robot for automatic pool maintenance. It comes packed with a two-year warranty from Maytronics. However, the DX4 doesn’t work too well if the impeller motor gets tangled up with hair and other debris.

This doesn’t happen with every Proteus DX4, and it certainly doesn’t mean that it is broken. But, since the Dolphin does come with a warranty, it is best to contact Maytronics in such situations, as opposed to fixing it yourself.

Maintenance
Proper care of the DX4 pool robot will increase its longevity. Fortunately, this is rather easy. Despite it functioning automatically, the DX4 is a simple machine with a low-maintenance design.

One important part of maintenance is cleaning out the filter baskets. Being top-loading filters, they’re easy to access and remove.

The filter baskets are also large enough to hold a lot of debris. This means that they won’t need to be emptied constantly. You can empty the filters every couple of days and wash them out with a hose or pressure washer.

Another significant maintenance point is to check for wear and to have worn or broken parts repaired or replaced.

Finally, to ensure a longer lifespan for your pool robot, make sure you follow the proper storage procedure for the off-season.

Extra/Ongoing Costs
Upon arrival, you can simply unpack your Proteus DX4 and start using it. There is nothing else you need to buy, unless you need a pool caddy.

The DX4 does not come with a pool caddy included. This usually isn’t a problem because the pool robot is lightweight and easy to carry.

However, if you would like the convenience and added mobility that comes with a caddy you can purchase one separately.

Additionally, at some point throughout the pool robot’s service life, you might have to replace some parts. Replacement parts are not too expensive and are widely available and easy to replace.

Comparison to the Dolphin Proteus DX3?
A more cost-effective version of the Dolphin is the Proteus DX3. Although it doesn’t offer the same range or as much cleaning power, the Dolphin Proteus DX3 is still a great choice for anyone looking to save some money.

FAQ
Will the DX4’s fine filter catch pollen, sand, and other small dirt particles from the bottom of the pool?
Yes. In fact, the DX4 excels at picking up pollen, sand, dirt and other fine particles that settle at the bottom of the pool. You may have to run a few cleaning cycles at first to get all the dirt, but in the end, the DX4 picks up everything.

Since the pool robot has a weekly schedule, can I leave it in the pool until the filter needs to be cleaned?
Yes, it’s perfectly fine to leave the robot in your pool between cleaning cycles and only take it out to clean out and wash the filter baskets. It’s important to note that the temperature of your pool water is appropriate for the robot. As long as the pool water isn’t freezing cold, there shouldn’t be any problems.

Are there any major differences between the Dolphin Proteus DX3 and the DX4?
The major difference between the two pool robots is that the DX3 is designed for smaller in-ground pools. It cleans pools no larger than thirty-three feet, while the DX4 is intended for large in-ground pools with a depth of fifty feet. Additionally, the DX3 comes with a 12-month warranty, while the DX4 comes with a 24-month warranty.

Is the Dolphin Proteus DX4 robot able to clean pool steps?
The DX4 is capable of climbing walls and cleaning other parts very well. The steps, however, will need to be brushed and cleaned manually.

Can I use the Dolphin for vinyl and fiberglass in-ground pools?
Yes. The pool robot can clean in-ground pools with fiberglass walls and vinyl lining. The Dolphin works well on a variety of surfaces, such as gunite, concrete, tile, fiberglass or vinyl. The DX4 also works well in saltwater swimming pools.

Does the DX4 include the cart caddy?
No. the DX4 does not come with a caddy included. Though it weighs 16 pounds, making it one of the lightest pool robots around, a pool caddy can be purchased separately.

Can I use my DX4 for a pool that is above ground?
According to Maytronics Dolphin, the DX4 is only for swimming pools that are built into the ground.

Dolphin Proteus DX4: final thoughts
The Dolphin Proteus DX4 is an excellent choice for anyone wanting a straightforward and reliable pool robot for a large in-ground swimming pool. This is a mid-grade robot, and may lack the extra features offered by other, more expensive pool cleaning robots, such as the ones offered by the Dolphin premium line.

However, it does a great job of keeping your pool clean after each cycle. And it does this with the added bonus of saving you time and money in the long run. No longer will you need to hire a company or do the cleaning yourself. Overall the DX4 is a reliable machine that you can essentially ‘set-and-forget.’ Easy to maintain, effective and efficient, the Dolphin Proteus DX4 is definitely a smart buy.

1 thought on “Dolphin Proteus DX4 Review”

  1. Brought three years ago. Loved cleaner but our inground pool with a five year old liner had 17 small holes throughout pool that the pool specialist said was caused by the cleaner. Losing 1/2 inch water everyday until patched. Why would this cleaner have put holes in liner? Cannot put back in pool. Please advise if I can get credit or replace for a different cleaner?

    Reply

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