Maytronics
Maytronics Dolphin M700
- Autonomy
- IIIConditional
- Score
- 71/100Strong
- Readiness
- Ready Now
- Price
- $2,499list
ComparisonMaytronics Dolphin M700 and Wybot S3
Wybot
Wybot S3
- Autonomy
- IIIConditional
- Score
- 70/100Strong
- Readiness
- Ready Now
- Price
- $2,499.99list
Up to three
Autonomy Ladder
- IManual
- IIAssisted
- IIIConditional
- IVEnvironmental
- VGeneralized
All robot pool cleaners. Every figure below is placed against the whole class, so a gap can be read against how much the class itself varies.
Where each one suits you.
The conditions each robot was assessed against, side by side. Rows marked in gold are where these machines genuinely differ.
| Condition | Dolphin M700 | Wybot S3 |
|---|---|---|
| Pool type | ||
| In-ground | GoodDesigned for in-ground gunite and vinyl liner pools; dock positioning expects fixed structural installation. | GoodDesigned for in-ground gunite pools. Dock positioning and waterline reach optimized for standard depth/slope geometry. |
| Above-groundthey differ | PoorCable routing and dock anchoring assume in-ground pool features; above-ground pool walls and perimeter lack compatible attachment points. | DependsAbove-ground pools under 10,000 gallons risk over-capacity for dock footprint. Shallow models may limit wall coverage; confirm dock fit before purchase. |
| Mixed setup | GoodFlexible for any in-ground pool type; confirm dock location and cable routing before purchase. | GoodThis robot addresses both pool types. Verify dock placement and cable routing for your setup. |
| Pool size | ||
| Small (< 400 sqft) | GoodM700 is rated for 15,000+ gallon pools; smaller pools result in overlapping coverage and excessive filter cycling costs. | GoodUnder 5,000 gallons: flagship robot and self-emptying dock exceed small-pool maintenance needs. Overkill for compact pools; mid-range cordless models more economical. |
| Medium (400 – 800) | GoodOptimized for 15,000–25,000 gallon in-ground pools; weekly dual-mode schedule covers floor and waterline thoroughly. | Good5,000–15,000 gallons: ideal range. 90–120 min per charge handles single-pass coverage or multi-session cleaning for heavy debris weeks. |
| Large (> 800) | GoodPools 25,000–35,000 gallons benefit from M700's extended runtime; single cycle provides adequate floor and wall coverage. | Good15,000–30,000 gallons: dock automation and cordless freedom shine. Multi-session scheduling manageable; dock self-emptying reduces operator burden. |
| Debris load | ||
| Fine (sand / silt) | GoodFine-debris mode filter (pleated paper) excels at algae spores and silt; recommended for spring and summer use. | GoodSand and fine sediment: dock suction handles routine drainage; filter manageable with dock assist. Confirm filter mesh durability in high-silt environments. |
| Leaves / large debris | GoodLeaf-load mode filter (mesh screen) prioritizes rapid cycling over fine filtration; optimized for fall seasonal debris. | GoodLeaf-heavy pools: cordless operation supports frequent short runs without cable hassle. Large debris basket and dock capacity suit seasonal leaf management. |
| Algae / heavy fouling | DependsFine-debris mode reaches algae film but not thick blooms; pre-treatment of >2mm algae required. | DependsAlgae bloom recovery: robot aids removal, but chemical treatment required first. Dock filter may clog after algae cleanup; manual rinse likely needed. |
| Coverage you want | ||
| Floor only | GoodEnhanced grid navigation provides 95%+ floor coverage in standard in-ground layouts; consistency improved vs M600. | GoodFloor coverage only: 3D mapping optimizes floor paths. Waterline and wall features unused; simpler maintenance profile than full-reach model. |
| Floor + walls | GoodNarrower profile reaches walls up to 45° incline; corner access is 20–30% better than comparable models. | GoodFloor and wall cleaning: strong suit. 36-sensor suite maps vertical surfaces; dock placement matters for wall-reach consistency. |
| Floor + walls + waterline | GoodDual waterline brushes handle both light algae and mineral deposits; tile and plaster reach is consistent across both filter modes. | GoodFull waterline reach: designed for this mode. Dock automation minimizes manual waterline supplementation, though mineral buildup may persist in hard-water pools. |
A robot being poor for a condition is a fact about fit, not a fault. “Depends” means the record names a limit worth reading, not that the answer is unknown.
What the score is built from.
Nine inputs across three pillars, each weighted as shown and each scored so more is better. A robot can lead on one and trail on another, which is the point of showing them apart.
Capability
Task completion16% of score
Does it finish the job it is sold to do, unattended
7582
- Maytronics Dolphin M70075
- Wybot S382
18median 72 across 433 scored robots100
Coverage and navigation10% of score
Does it work the whole area, and hold that between runs
5578
- Maytronics Dolphin M70055
- Wybot S378
0median 70 across 421 scored robots100
Edge-case recovery10% of score
Does it recover from the failures its category presents
380
- Maytronics Dolphin M70038
- Wybot S30
18median 52 across 320 scored robots100
Operating envelope4% of score
How far conditions can vary before performance drops
8062
- Maytronics Dolphin M70080
- Wybot S362
28median 68 across 397 scored robots100
Dependability
Field failure rate16% of score
Documented hardware failures per owner-year
6470
- Maytronics Dolphin M70064
- Wybot S370
6median 70 across 359 scored robots100
Software stability14% of score
Whether updates fix more than they break
6545
- Maytronics Dolphin M70065
- Wybot S345
15median 65 across 342 scored robots100
Support longevity10% of score
Committed parts, service and updates, with dates
1000
- Maytronics Dolphin M700100
- Wybot S30
0median 62 across 429 scored robots100
Ownership burden
Routine maintenance12% of score
Hands-on time it asks for in normal operation
5682
- Maytronics Dolphin M70056
- Wybot S382
22median 67 across 434 scored robots100
Consumables8% of score
Parts that must be bought to keep it working
9468
- Maytronics Dolphin M70094
- Wybot S368
8median 69 across 434 scored robots100
How far apart is a long way?
A number only means something next to the spread it sits in. Each track is the real range across every classified robot in the class, with the median marked.
Price69 with a published figure
$2,499$2,499.99
- Maytronics Dolphin M700$2,499
- Wybot S3$2,499.99
$299median $1,249$4,250
Weight66 with a published figure
25.4 lbs46.3 lbs
- Maytronics Dolphin M70025.4 lbs
- Wybot S346.3 lbs
7.9 lbsmedian 20.9 lbs46.3 lbs
Not compared, because fewer than two of these robots carry a published figure: Runtime, Charge time, Noise, Height.
What the numbers leave out.
Written on each record, and the only thing here every robot on the site carries.
The trade-off
What each design gives up to be good at what it is good at.
Maytronics Dolphin M700
One extra-large cartridge takes fine and ultra-fine debris together, but changing which media is fitted is a physical swap: the standard and ultra-fine kits are exchanged by hand at the machine, not selected in the app.
The extra-large cartridge stretches the interval between emptyings, but emptying means lifting the whole robot out: 11.5 kg (25.4 lbs) out of the water, top open, rinsed with a hose.
Wybot S3
Cordless, self-docking, and self-emptying comes at flagship price: $2,999 regular, currently discounted to $2,499 on pre-order, places it above mid-range robotic cleaners; the upgrade premium is substantial if dock automation is not the point.
Waterline reach is mapped, not guaranteed: 3D mapping places cleaner at waterline, but scaling and mineral buildup may require supplemental manual brushing on heavy-stain pools.
Who each one is wrong for
Stated by the record itself. A robot being wrong for a household is a fact about fit, not a fault.
Maytronics Dolphin M700
- Above-ground pools or pools lacking fixed cable anchoring points
- M700 design assumes in-ground infrastructure identical to M600. No structural advantage for above-ground or semi-portable installations.
- Owners who do not want a cable in the pool
- The M700 is mains fed. An 18 m floating cable runs from a power supply set outside the pool. The anti-tangling swivel keeps it from twisting during a cycle, but the cable is in the water on every run and gets coiled after it.
- Pools without a protected outlet within reach
- The digital power supply plugs into a standard outlet and the manual prohibits extension cords, so the supply has to sit within its own lead of the pool. GFCI protection on that circuit is a code requirement, not an option.
- Pools longer than 15 m
- Maytronics rates the M700 for pools up to 15 m (about 50 ft) of length. Longer pools fall outside that rating.
- Owners who want the robot to decide when to clean
- Cycles are chosen by the owner from four fixed lengths: 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 hours. The robot does not read the pool's condition and pick for itself.
Wybot S3
- Above-ground pools under 5,000 gallons
- Flagship footprint and self-emptying dock designed for in-ground depth/slope. Minimal evidence for shallow above-ground use; manufacturer guidance unclear.
- Pools with complex obstacles or tight corners
- 3D mapping excels on open floor/wall geometry. Narrow steps, shallow ledges, or tight spa-adjacent areas may slow coverage. Dock placement must clear furniture/edges.
- Owners unwilling to manage dock placement and seasonal storage
- Self-emptying dock requires dedicated outlet, winter storage, or year-round protection in cold climates. Cable-free robot still needs dock positioning for effectiveness.
What stays your job
The upkeep ownership hands back to you, whatever the autonomy level says.
Maytronics Dolphin M700
- After every use: Lift the robot out, open the top, empty the filter cartridge and rinse it with a hose.
- After every use: Remove the cable from the pool and coil it; the anti-tangling swivel handles twist during the cycle.
- Weekly: Inspect the brushes for algae and matting; clean before the next cycle.
- As needed: Exchange the standard and ultra-fine filter media as the season’s debris changes.
- Annually: Check for firmware updates in the MyDolphin Plus app.
- Seasonally: In freezing climates, remove the robot and cable from the pool before the first freeze and store both dry, with the power supply indoors.
Wybot S3
- After every use: Empty debris basket if full; check dock inlet for clogs.
- Weekly: Rinse pre-filter (dock assists); visual brush inspection for wear.
- Monthly: Hand-rinse main filter cartridge if dock suction shows weakness; wipe the dock’s solar panel clear of leaves and waterline film so charging is not throttled.
- Seasonally: Full filter cartridge replacement (~$40-60); dock winterization cover or storage.
- Annually: Brush wear assessment (~$30-50 replacement if needed).
How much each of these is standing on.
Classifications rest on different depths of evidence. A pre-release assessment and a verified one are not the same kind of claim.
| Robot | Evidence status | Sources reviewed | Last assessed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maytronics Dolphin M700 | Provisional | 3 | Aug 2026 |
| Wybot S3 | Pending | 1 | Aug 2026 |
Evidence status counts the sources behind a classification, not their kind. A high count can be maker documentation and price coverage, so read it as how much was reviewed rather than as independent testing. How we weigh evidence.
Keep going.
The full recordMaytronics Dolphin M700Specifications, evidence, the Fit Check in full, and every tracked change.
The full recordWybot S3Specifications, evidence, the Fit Check in full, and every tracked change.Robovations classifies robots; it does not rank them. Nothing on this page is a recommendation, and no manufacturer influences a classification or its placement here.
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