Head-to-Head

Dolphin Escape vs Dolphin Wave 90i

A side-by-side comparison of the Dolphin Escape and Dolphin Wave 90i — price, filtration, cleaning coverage, brushes and warranty — to help you pick the right Dolphin robotic pool cleaner.

Feature Escape Wave 90i
Overview
Price $959$659 $3999$2399
LineupMax-Series™Wave™ Commercial
Best forAbove-ground & small poolsConnected commercial pools
Pool sizeUp to 33 ftUp to 68 ft
Cleaning coverageFloor onlyFloor + Walls + Waterline
Cleaning cycle1.5 hoursQuick, Standard or Enhanced
Suction4,000 GPH4,500 GPH
Scrubbing brushes2 (HyperBrush™)2 (active)
FiltrationMaxBin™Top-load multi-layer basket
Standout features
Waterline cleaning No Included
MaxBin™ filtration Included No
HyperBrush™ scrubbing Included No
App control No Included
Anti-tangle swivel No Included
Corded power Included Included
Navigation & ownership
NavigationSmartNav 2.0™Gyroscope-guided
Weekly schedulingOptional power supply upgradeWeekly timer
App controlNo app controlmyDolphin Plus (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth)
Cable40 ft (no swivel)80 ft with anti-tangle swivel
What is included
  • Gen-2 MaxBin™ basket
  • Power supply
  • 40 ft cable
  • Top-load filter basket
  • App-connected power supply
  • 80 ft swivel cable
  • Remote control
  • Caddy
Warranty2 years2 years
Cleaning coverage

Waterline cleaning

Why it matters

Dolphin Escape vs Dolphin Wave 90i: how they compare

The Dolphin Escape is part of the Max-Series™ lineup — the entry Max-Series™ robot for above-ground and small in-ground pools. It cleans pools up to 33 ft with floor only coverage and MaxBin™ filtration, backed by a 2-year warranty.

The Dolphin Wave 90i is part of the Wave™ Commercial lineup — the connected commercial Wave with app control, a remote and a caddy. It handles pools up to 68 ft with floor + walls + waterline coverage and Top-load multi-layer basket filtration, backed by a 2-year warranty.

Our verdict: the Dolphin Escape wins

The Dolphin Escape is our pick. As part of the Max-Series™ — one of our two top-recommended lineups — it steps ahead of the Dolphin Wave 90i with floor only coverage, MaxBin™ filtration and a 2-year warranty.

Best of all, it comes in at $659 — the same or less than the Dolphin Wave 90i — so it's the clear value winner too.

Not sure yet? We're here to help

Every Dolphin Max-Series™ and ProLine™ robotic pool cleaner ships free and is backed by a full manufacturer warranty — explore our top-recommended robots and find the right fit for your pool.

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