Dolphin M500 vs M700: Which Premium Pool Cleaner Wins?
The Dolphin M500 and M700 sit near the top of Maytronics' residential range — premium robotic cleaners built for owners who want thorough, hands-off cleaning with smart control. Both handle pools up to 15 m (about 50 ft) and clean floor, walls and waterline. The M700, though, adds sharper navigation, better filtration and a few features the M500 doesn't have. Here's how they compare.
At a Glance
Dolphin M500
The "best-seller" premium model: advanced scanning navigation, MyDolphin Plus app control and strong all-surface cleaning. Everything most owners need, at a lower price than the flagship.
Dolphin M700
The "best-performance" flagship: gyroscope navigation, multi-layer filtration, a quad-brush system and extras like a water-temperature sensor and full-filter indicator.
Navigation
The M500 uses advanced scanning to map the pool and plan efficient coverage. The M700 goes further with a gyroscope, giving it more precise awareness of where it has and hasn't cleaned — which pays off most in larger or irregularly shaped pools where consistent coverage is harder.
Filtration
This is one of the clearest differences. The M500 ships with a fine filter kit (plus an ultra-fine filter kit in the box). The M700 uses a multi-layer filtration system with a large filter basket alongside cartridges — giving it more capacity and a coarse-plus-fine setup rather than swapping between single options. For pools with heavy or fine debris, that's a meaningful upgrade.
Brushes & Scrubbing
The M700 features a quad-brush configuration for more aggressive scrubbing of algae and biofilm, while the M500 delivers strong active scrubbing suited to most pools. If you battle stubborn buildup or a heavily used pool, the M700's extra brushing power is the edge.
Smart Features
Both connect through the MyDolphin Plus app with scheduling and a "pick-me" function that brings the cleaner to the pool edge for easy removal. The M700 adds two conveniences the M500 lacks:
- Water-temperature sensor — real-time pool temperature sent to your phone.
- Full-filter indicator — alerts you when the filter needs emptying.
- A wider choice of cleaning cycle times for finer control.
Full Specification Comparison
| Feature | Dolphin M500 | Dolphin M700 |
|---|---|---|
| Max pool length | 15 m (~50 ft) | 15 m (~50 ft) |
| Cleans floor, walls & waterline | Yes | Yes |
| Navigation | Advanced scanning | Gyroscope + scanning |
| Filtration | Fine filter kit (+ ultra-fine in box) | Multi-layer system |
| Brush system | Active scrubbing brushes | Quad-brush |
| Cleaning cycle options | 1.5 & 2.5 h | 1.5, 2 & 2.5 h |
| App control | MyDolphin Plus | MyDolphin Plus |
| Water-temperature sensor | No | Yes |
| Full-filter indicator | No | Yes |
| Anti-tangle swivel & caddy | Yes | Yes |
Features and warranty (up to 4 years) vary by region — check each product page for exact specs and current pricing.
Who Should Buy the M500?
- Owners who want premium, all-surface cleaning at the better price.
- Standard residential pools without unusually heavy or fine debris.
- Buyers happy with app scheduling who don't need the extra sensors.
Who Should Buy the M700?
- Owners who want the best filtration and scrubbing in the pair.
- Larger or complex-shaped pools that benefit from gyroscope navigation.
- Anyone who values the water-temperature sensor and full-filter alerts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between the Dolphin M500 and M700?
The M700 adds multi-layer filtration, gyroscope navigation, a quad-brush system, a water-temperature sensor and a full-filter indicator. The M500 offers the same all-surface cleaning with advanced scanning and a fine filter kit, at a lower price.
Do both the M500 and M700 clean the waterline?
Yes. Both clean the floor, walls and waterline of pools up to 15 m (about 50 ft) and are controlled through the MyDolphin Plus app.
Is the M700 worth the extra money over the M500?
It's worth it if you want better filtration for heavy or fine debris, more precise navigation in a large or complex pool, or the convenience of the water-temperature sensor and full-filter alerts. For a standard pool, the M500 delivers very similar cleaning for less.
Does the M700 really have a water-temperature sensor?
Yes. The M700 includes a sensor that sends real-time pool water temperature to your smart device through the MyDolphin Plus app — a feature the M500 does not have.
How long do the Dolphin M500 and M700 last?
With proper maintenance, premium Dolphin cleaners typically deliver many years of reliable service and carry a long warranty (up to 4 years depending on region). Regular filter and brush care is key to maximising their lifespan.
