Maytronics
Maytronics Dolphin Quantum
- Autonomy
- III Conditional Autonomy
- Score
- 77/100 Strong
- Readiness
- Ready Now
- Price
- $1,549list
Comparison · 2 robots
Maytronics Dolphin Quantum · Polaris EPIC 8642 iQ
All robot pool cleaners. Every measure below is plotted against the full class, so a difference can be read against how much the class itself varies.
- Maytronics Dolphin Quantum
- Polaris EPIC 8642 iQ
Polaris
Polaris EPIC 8642 iQ
- Autonomy
- III Conditional Autonomy
- Score
- 64/100 Capable
- Readiness
- Ready Now
- Price
- $1,499list
Up to three
01 Classification
What each one does on its own.
The Autonomy Ladder is the same five rungs for every robot on the site. A rung describes the conditions a robot handles without you, not how good it is.
V
Generalized
Any task, any setting
IV
Environmental
Handles new obstacles without help
III
Conditional
Finishes familiar jobs on its own
Maytronics Dolphin QuantumPolaris EPIC 8642 iQ
II
Assisted
Runs preset routines, needs rescue
I
Manual
One action, on command
02 Assessment
Where they actually differ.
The Robovations Score is nine inputs across three pillars, each weighted as shown and each scored so that more is better. A robot can lead on one and trail on another, which is the point of showing them apart. Cost of ownership and data handling are reported on each robot's own page and are never averaged into the score.
Capability
Task completion16% of score
Does it finish the job it is sold to do, unattended
7275
- Maytronics Dolphin Quantum72
- Polaris EPIC 8642 iQ75
18median 72 across 354 scored robots100
Coverage and navigation10% of score
Does it work the whole area, and hold that between runs
5860
- Maytronics Dolphin Quantum58
- Polaris EPIC 8642 iQ60
15median 70 across 344 scored robots100
Edge-case recovery10% of score
Does it recover from the failures its category presents
2545
- Maytronics Dolphin Quantum25
- Polaris EPIC 8642 iQ45
18median 50 across 261 scored robots100
Operating envelope4% of score
How far conditions can vary before performance drops
8450
- Maytronics Dolphin Quantum84
- Polaris EPIC 8642 iQ50
25median 70 across 320 scored robots100
Dependability
Field failure rate16% of score
Documented hardware failures per owner-year
9773
- Maytronics Dolphin Quantum97
- Polaris EPIC 8642 iQ73
6median 70 across 344 scored robots100
Software stability14% of score
Whether updates fix more than they break
3365
- Maytronics Dolphin Quantum33
- Polaris EPIC 8642 iQ65
15median 65 across 275 scored robots100
Support longevity10% of score
Committed parts, service and updates, with dates
10082
- Maytronics Dolphin Quantum100
- Polaris EPIC 8642 iQ82
0median 63 across 354 scored robots100
Ownership burden
Routine maintenance12% of score
Hands-on time it asks for in normal operation
7256
- Maytronics Dolphin Quantum72
- Polaris EPIC 8642 iQ56
22median 68 across 355 scored robots100
Consumables8% of score
Parts that must be bought to keep it working
9143
- Maytronics Dolphin Quantum91
- Polaris EPIC 8642 iQ43
30median 69 across 354 scored robots100
03 Measured against the class
How far apart is a long way?
A number only means something next to the spread it sits in. Each track below is the real range across every classified robot in the class, with the median marked.
Price62 with a published figure
$1,549$1,499
- Maytronics Dolphin Quantum$1,549
- Polaris EPIC 8642 iQ$1,499
$249median $1,199$4,250
Not compared, because fewer than two of these robots carry a published figure: Suction, Runtime, Charge time, Noise, Weight, Height.
04 Ownership
What the numbers leave out.
The trade-off
What each design gives up to be good at what it is good at.
Maytronics Dolphin Quantum
Scheduling is real but blind. The power supply’s built-in weekly timer will start a cycle every day, every other day or every third day without anyone present, but there is no app, no status and no way to know the filter is loaded until the next time the unit comes out of the pool.
Polaris EPIC 8642 iQ
The iAquaLink app is real convenience, but corded operation is tethered convenience, cable management creates logistics that offset the app’s hands-off promise.
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 Quantum
- Pools longer than 50 ft
- Maytronics rates this SKU by pool length, up to 50 ft, and by shape (rectangular, round, free shape, kidney). It lists both in-ground and above-ground installation, so the installation type is not the constraint. Length and the 60 ft cable run are.
- Small pools where the capability goes unused
- Wall and waterline coverage and two filter kits are sized for mid-to-large residential pools. On a compact pool most of that capacity sits idle for the same purchase price.
- Remote or cable-constrained pool locations without cable storage
- Corded operation requires running cable from equipment room or storage location to pool. Cable management difficult in remote or open-design pools.
- Owners who want app control or remote status
- Maytronics lists no Wi-Fi, mobile app or remote control for this SKU. Scheduling is set on the power supply's built-in weekly timer, and there is no way to see or change a cycle from a phone.
Polaris EPIC 8642 iQ
- Above-ground pools and small in-ground pools.
- Polaris rates the EPIC 8642 iQ for in-ground pools up to 50 feet, and the 60 foot cable, control box and transport caddy are sized for that installation. On a compact pool the handling routine is the same as on a large one, and that routine is most of the ownership effort.
- Owners preferring cordless or minimal cable management.
- The 60 foot cable is not optional on this model. It runs from the cleaner to a poolside control box, the swivel reduces tangling rather than removing the cord from the routine, and the cleaner and caddy need storage between uses. As with any mains-fed cleaner, it comes out of the pool before anyone swims.
- Environments with heavy brush or concrete surface damage.
- Brush wear on rough surfaces accelerates; brush replacement intervals will increase and consumable costs rise.
What stays your job
The upkeep ownership hands back to you, whatever the autonomy level says.
Maytronics Dolphin Quantum
- After every cycle: Lift the filter kit out of the top-load housing and rinse it with a hose. A loaded filter costs suction directly.
- Monthly: Inspect the cable and swivel for damage and check the brushes for wear.
- Annually: Clean the motor intake and check the filter panels for tears. Both filter kits ship with the unit and are washable; Maytronics publishes no replacement interval or price for them.
- Seasonally: Drain residual water from the unit, then store it and the cable indoors, out of direct sun.
Polaris EPIC 8642 iQ
- After each run: Lift out the 4 L filter canister and rinse the debris (~10 min); check the cable swivel.
- Every 2-4 weeks: Deep-clean the canister if debris load is heavy; wipe the brush cartridge.
- Every 6-12 months: Replace brush cartridge (~$60-80 typical Polaris pricing).
- Annually: Replace filter canister (~$120).
- Seasonally: Store the cleaner, caddy and control box indoors and out of freezing conditions; inspect the cable and its connector for corrosion; check wall-climb wheels for algae film.
05 Evidence
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 Quantum | Pending | 1 | Aug 2026 |
| Polaris EPIC 8642 iQ | Verified | 5 | Aug 2026 |
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