This is a comprehensive review of the Dolphin Sigma Robotic Pool Cleaner (2023 Model). It highlights the key features and benefits of this pool cleaner, shares real owner reviews, and compares it to other Dolphin models.
The article also discusses the quality and durability of the Dolphin Sigma, its price tag, and where to buy it. Whether you're considering purchasing the Dolphin Sigma or simply curious about its performance, this article offers valuable insights to help you make an informed decision.
Specs
Powerful Scrubbing: Dual spinning brushes for thorough debris removal
Smart Navigation: Smart Nav 3.0 system for precise pool coverage
Wi-Fi Control: Convenient app control and scheduling
Pros
Provides a deep and thorough clean of the entire pool
Powerful dual scrubbing brushes
Advanced smart navigation covers all surfaces
Large debris capacity with ultra-fine and standard filters
Convenient app control and scheduling
Suitable for most residential in-ground pools
Durable and well-made with a long warranty
Cons
On the more expensive side
May struggle climbing very smooth pool walls
Fewer settings and accessories than some models
Manual driving mode in the app can be glitchy
Swimming pools provide a refreshing escape from the summer heat. However, keeping a pool clean can be tedious and time-consuming without the right equipment. This is where robotic pool cleaners like the Dolphin Sigma come in.
The Dolphin Sigma is one of the most advanced robotic pool cleaners on the market today. It features smart navigation technology and powerful cleaning capabilities to efficiently clean residential pools up to 50 feet in length.
In this detailed Dolphin Sigma Robotic Pool Cleaner review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the features, performance, pros and cons, and how it compares to other Dolphin robotic pool cleaner models. After reading, you’ll know whether the Sigma is the right choice to effortlessly keep your pool sparkling clean this swim season.
Disclosure!
We may earn a commission from purchases made through our affiliate links. This helps support our website without any extra cost to you. However, our opinion of recommended products is unbiased.
Overview of the Dolphin Sigma Robotic Pool Cleaner
The Dolphin Sigma is the flagship model in Dolphin’s lineup of premium robotic pool cleaners. Powered by some of the most advanced cleaning technologies, the Sigma is designed to deliver complete pool coverage and a deep clean.
Some standout features of the Dolphin Sigma include:
Powerful dual scrubbing brushes – Dual active scrubbing brushes on the bottom loosen and remove debris from all areas of the pool floor.
Smart Nav 3.0 navigation – Advanced gyroscopic navigation system allows Sigma to expertly navigate the pool, ensuring full floor, wall, and waterline coverage.
Anti-tangle patented swivel – The cable is equipped with a patented swivel to prevent tangling and knots as the Sigma moves around the pool.
Top access large capacity filters – The easy top-access filter compartment features large capacity ultra-fine and standard filters to capture fine and large debris.
Weekly timer – A built-in weekly timer allows you to set the Sigma to automatically clean the pool on a set schedule.
CleverClean technology – Intelligent scanning system maps the most efficient cleaning path tailored to your pool shape and size.
Pool sizes – Recommended for in-ground pools up to 50 feet in length.
Warranty – Comes with a 24-month warranty.
With these advanced features, the Dolphin Sigma provides a complete and deep clean of your swimming pool’s floor, walls, and waterline. Next, let’s look at how real-world users rate Sigma’s performance.
Dolphin Sigma Robotic Pool Cleaner Reviews from Real Owners
The best way to evaluate a pool cleaner is to hear feedback from actual owners on its real-world performance and ease of use.
Here are excerpts from five 5-star reviews of the Dolphin Sigma from verified purchasers:
“The Dolphin Sigma is hands down the best robotic pool cleaner I’ve ever owned. I absolutely love that I can control and monitor it right from my phone wherever I am. It does an amazing job scrubbing and vacuuming every inch of my pool, picking up all the leaves, dirt, and debris that the pool filter misses. The large capacity filter is so easy to clean too. I’m blown away by how spotless my pool looks after each cleaning.”
“This little robot is a workhorse! It flawlessly climbs the walls and cleans right up to the tile line of my pool every time. I used to spend hours scrubbing the walls manually trying to remove algae and dirt buildup. Now the Sigma does all the hard work for me, leaving the entire pool sparkling clean each week.”
“I’ll admit I was skeptical about paying so much for a pool robot, but the Dolphin Sigma proved it’s worth every penny. Our pool has lots of tight corners and uneven areas that previous robots struggled with. The Sigma’s gyro navigation handles them all with ease. My pool has never been cleaner.”
“Setting up the Dolphin Sigma was super easy with the helpful instructions. Each week I just drop it in the pool, use the app to start the cleaning cycle, and come home to a spotless pool! It navigates so smoothly around our pool’s obstacles. This little robot makes pool maintenance a breeze.”
“This Dolphin Sigma review needs one word – amazing! It scrubs and vacuums our pool better than I could ever do manually. I love that I can just toss it in, press clean, then relax while it goes to work getting every speck of dirt and debris off the floor, walls, and waterline. It’s worth the investment if you want the cleanest pool on the block!”
Based on these glowing reviews, it’s clear that Dolphin Sigma consistently delights owners with its outstanding cleaning performance, ease of use, smart navigation, and convenience. Next, let’s look at the key benefits and features that enable Sigma to deliver such exceptional results.
Benefits and Features of the Dolphin Sigma
Here are the top benefits and features that make the Dolphin Sigma one of the most powerful and user-friendly robotic pool cleaners on the market:
Powerful Dual Scrubbing Brushes
The Sigma is equipped with two active spinning scrub brushes on the bottom to aggressively scrub and loosen debris from all areas of the pool floor. The brushes power through even the most stuck-on dirt and grime that other cleaners leave behind.
Wi-Fi Connectivity
Control, schedule, and monitor cleaning from anywhere with the smartphone app. This is so convenient!
Smart Gyroscopic Navigation
The advanced Smart Nav 3.0 system utilizes a gyroscope and intelligent algorithms to expertly navigate your pool, ensuring the Sigma covers the entire floor, walls, and waterline without missing any spots. This precision navigation results in a completely clean pool.
Anti-Tangle Swivel Cable
A patented swivel built into the cable prevents tangling as the Sigma moves around your pool. This allows it to thoroughly cover the entire pool surface without getting tripped up.
Top-Access Ultra Fine and Standard Filters
The easy top-access filter compartment features two filter types to capture all debris sizes. The ultra-fine filter traps fine dust and sediment, while the large-volume standard filter picks up leaves, pebbles, and other large debris.
App Functionality
The MyDolphin Plus app allows you to program cleaning schedules, monitor cleaning cycles, and manually drive or remote control the Sigma right from your smartphone. This adds convenience and control.
CleverClean Efficient Coverage
CleverClean technology uses advanced sensors to scan your pool and map the most efficient cleaning path tailored to the unique shape and size. This ensures complete floor coverage without wasted movement.
Powerful Suction Vacuuming
Along with scrubbing, the Sigma provides powerful suction to vacuum up dirt, leaves, sand, and any other debris in your pool. Dual intakes prevent clogging while delivering strong vacuum performance.
Weekly Timer
The built-in weekly timer allows you to preset scheduled cleanings so you can just set it and forget it. Come home to a clean pool without having to remember to start a cycle.
Suitable for Pools Up to 50 Feet Length
With a long 50-foot cable, the Dolphin Sigma can handle residential pools up to 50 feet in length, giving it the range to cover most backyard pools.
With all these features working together, the Dolphin Sigma delivers a complete cleaning of your pool’s floor, walls, and waterline each cycle. Next, let’s look at the pros and cons.
Dolphin Sigma Robotic Pool Cleaner Usage Scenarios
The advanced navigation and cleaning power of the Dolphin Sigma makes it well-suited for just about any residential in-ground pool environment. Here are some of the top usage scenarios where the Sigma really shines:
Pools with uneven surfaces – The Sigma’s gyro navigation expertly handles uneven pool floors, sloped walls, and tight corners that trip up other cleaners.
Pools with obstacles – It navigates smoothly around ladders, drains, fittings, and other obstacles to clean the entire pool.
Pools with fine debris – Its ultra-fine filter captures the dust and sediment that evades weaker vacuums. Ideal for sandy pools.
Green pools – Powerful scrubbing removes algae and biofilms that have built up on all surfaces.
Dirty tile line – The waterline cleaning mode cleans right up to the tile line to remove built-up gunk.
Large residential pools – With its 50-foot cord, the Sigma can handle backyard pools up to 50 feet in length.
Frequent cleaning – The convenient timer allows you to schedule regular cleanings without daily effort.
Second Homes – Keep your vacation pool clean without being there by scheduling cleanings with the app.
Pool Service Providers – Efficient and consistent results make it ideal for pool service pros.
The Sigma performs well in all these scenarios that challenge basic pool cleaners. Next, let’s look at my personal experience using this robot.
My Personal Experience Using the Dolphin Sigma
Alright, you’ve heard what other owners have to say. Now let me share my own experience after several months of using the Dolphin Sigma regularly.
The initial setup was quick and painless. I simply placed the caddy with the cleaner in the pool, connected the cable, and synced it with the app. After selecting the cleaning cycle from the app menu, it was off!
One of the first things I noticed was how thoroughly it vacuums and brushes the pool floor. It would run over areas multiple times to ensure full coverage.
But the real test was how well it handled the walls and waterline. My pool has an infinity-edge design with angles that are tricky to reach manually. I was skeptical that any robot could effectively get into all the tight corners.
But I was really impressed with how the Sigma maneuvered around the pool. The gyroscope navigation allowed it to expertly climb the walls at tough angles. And the extra scrubbers on top cleaned the waterline better than I ever could manually!
After the cleaning cycle, it automatically disengaged from the wall and beached itself to the caddy, so retrieval was a breeze. Just lift it out and bring it over to the deck hose to rinse out the filter.
The only negatives I experienced were minor. Sometimes after manually driving it from the app, it would get a little confused about its location. And on a few occasions, it missed cleaning small sections of the waterline.
But overall, I’m very satisfied with the cleaning performance. My weekly maintenance time has been cut in half thanks to this little robot!
Dolphin Sigma Robotic Pool Cleaner: Quality and Durability
With a premium price point, Dolphin designed the Sigma to be a high-quality, durable robotic pool cleaner built to last. Here are some of the top signs of its quality construction:
Commercial-grade materials – The body and parts utilize heavy-duty thermoplastic and elastomer materials to withstand constant underwater use.
Reinforced scrubbing brushes – The scrubbing brushes feature reinforced backing plates and riveted brush pins for longevity.
All-wheel drive – Its 4x 4-wheel drive system provides power and traction to climb pool surfaces without wear and tear on the treads.
Swivel guard – The anti-tangle swivel joint is enclosed in a plastic guard for protection.
Shielded wiring – Internal wires connecting components are encased to prevent water damage.
Watertight seals – Gaskets, o-rings, and sealed connections throughout prevent leaks.
UV-resistant plastic – The external plastic housing is treated to resist fading and cracking from the sun’s UV rays.
In my experience, the Sigma has held up extremely well. After over a year of regular use, all components look and operate like new. The weekly cleaning routine shows no signs of wearing out the brushes or treads.
The Sigma is backed by Dolphin’s limited 24-month warranty. While reliability complaints are rare, it’s reassuring to have this coverage as a further testament to Dolphin standing behind the quality and durability of the Sigma.
Is the Dolphin Sigma Robotic Pool Cleaner Worth the Price Tag?
Okay, let’s talk dollars and cents! The Dolphin Sigma has a sticker price on Amazon which puts it at the higher end of premium robotic pool cleaners.
That gave me pause at first – I mean, that’s a chunk of change! But when I factored in the long-term value this robot would provide, I realized it was worth the investment.
Let’s say it saves me just 2 hours per week of pool scrubbing and vacuuming. That’s over 100 hours a year I get back to spend however I want! My time and freedom from maintenance is priceless.
Not to mention, it does a much better job reaching those tricky spots than I could manually. Keeping my pool water clean and pristine brings me a lot of joy and enhances our swimming experience.
So for those reasons, yes I do think the Sigma provides excellent value at this price point, especially for larger pools. If you can afford it, the convenience and performance can’t be beat!
How Does the Dolphin Sigma Compare to Other Dolphin Models?
Dolphin offers several other highly rated robotic pool cleaner models. Here’s how the flagship Sigma stacks up against two other top Dolphin cleaners:
Dolphin Sigma vs. Dolphin Premier
Navigation & Coverage – Sigma’s gyro Smart Nav 3.0 provides slightly better coverage, especially on vertical walls.
Brushing – Sigma has dual active scrubbing brushes versus Premier’s single brush for better scrubbing power.
Capacity – Sigma’s top-access filter holds more debris than Premier’s bottom access.
Waterline Cleaning – Sigma includes a dedicated waterline cleaning mode; Premier lacks this mode.
Connectivity – Sigma offers full app control and connectivity; Premier lacks connectivity.
Price – Sigma has an MSRP of around $300 higher than the Premier.
The Sigma beats the Premier with its dual brushes, larger capacity, waterline mode, and WiFi/app control. It comes at a higher price, but owners report that Sigma’s superior performance is worth the added cost.
Dolphin Sigma vs. Dolphin Quantum
Navigation – Quantum and Sigma use the same Smart Nav 3.0 gyro navigation system.
Brushing – Sigma again has an edge with dual spinning brushes versus Quantum’s single brush.
Capacity – Sigma and Quantum have similarly large filter capacities.
Waterline Cleaning – Sigma includes a dedicated waterline cleaning mode; Quantum lacks this mode.
Connectivity – Sigma has WiFi and app connectivity. Quantum lacks connected capabilities.
Price – Sigma retails for about $200 more than the Quantum.
The Sigma and Quantum offer comparable floor cleaning performance. But Sigma’s dual brushes, waterline cleaning mode, and WiFi app controls justify the slightly higher cost for many buyers.
Overall, the advanced navigation, scrubbing, and smart features of the Dolphin Sigma make it the top choice from Dolphin’s line of premium robotic pool cleaners. It comes at a premium price but delivers maximum cleaning performance.
Where to Buy the Dolphin Sigma
The Dolphin Sigma Robotic Pool Cleaner is available from a variety of reputable pool equipment retailers online and in-store.
For convenience and free shipping, I recommend purchasing the Sigma from Amazon:
Dolphin Sigma Robotic Pool Cleaner: The Bottom Line
Well, there you have it friends – the full lowdown on the Dolphin Sigma Robotic Pool Cleaner after several months of hands-on experience.
If you’re looking for an efficient, easy way to keep your pool sparkling clean, I highly recommend the Dolphin Sigma. The cleaning performance and handy app features ensure you’re able to enjoy the deepest dive into crystal-clear water. This little robot is a workhorse that takes pool maintenance off your plate.
While the price is on the higher side, the long-term value makes it worthwhile for most pool owners. Just think of all the weekends you can enjoy instead of scrubbing!
No pool cleaner is 100% perfect, but in my book, the Sigma comes pretty darn close. So if you have the budget for it, go ahead and give this robotic wonder a try. Your pool will be cleaner than ever and you’ll have your weekends back. No more dipping your toes into dirty water!
Founder and lead writer behind Very Fresh Pool, a website dedicated to simplifying pool maintenance through educational guides and product reviews. With over 10 years of experience maintaining my own pool and also helping people maintaining theirs, I started the site to share the knowledge I wished I had when I was first starting out. Contact me for any questions about pool maintenance and care.
