According to PCWorld, Maytronics has unveiled its new Dolphin Eon-series robotic pool cleaners at CES, specifically engineered to clean shallow areas like steps and shelves with as little as 8 inches of water. The line includes two models: the Dolphin Eon 100 priced at $899 and the Dolphin Eon 120d at $1,199, with the latter adding a DebrisLock backwash filtration system. Both battery-powered units run for up to 4.5 hours, feature app-based control and scheduling, and use a unique treaded wheel design to climb walls and traverse shallow surfaces. They are available for purchase now, with shipping starting at the end of January and units hitting dealer inventories in February. All models come with a three-year warranty, and Maytronics plans to introduce a hybrid battery/cable power option later this year.
The Shallow End Problem Finally Solved?
Here’s the thing about most pool robots: they’re kinda useless for a huge part of your pool. If you’ve got a sun shelf, steps, or a zero-entry slope, you’ve probably been stuck scrubbing it yourself because the robot needs a solid 14 inches of water to not get stuck or damaged. That’s a pretty glaring oversight for a device meant to automate cleaning. So this move by Maytronics isn’t just a minor feature bump—it’s addressing a fundamental pain point that has existed since these things were invented. It seems like a no-brainer, but it probably required a complete re-think of the drive system and buoyancy. The tank-like treads connecting the wheels are a dead giveaway that this is a different beast. It’s not just rolling around anymore; it’s climbing.
Pricing and the Premium Filter Trick
Now, the pricing is interesting. At $899, the Eon 100 is positioned as a premium offering in the robotic cleaner market, but it’s not astronomically higher than other full-featured Dolphins. The jump to $1,199 for the 120d, however, is all about that DebrisLock system. And you have to ask: is a self-cleaning filter worth an extra $300? For a lot of pool owners, the answer might be a resounding yes. Cleaning those fine filters is a messy, tedious chore. A system that traps debris in a sealed compartment and can auto-clean itself mid-cycle is a legit luxury feature that saves time and hassle. It’s a smart upsell. Maytronics is basically segmenting the market between those who want the shallow-water capability and those who want that capability *and* are willing to pay a significant premium to forget about filter maintenance entirely.
The Cable vs. Battery Dilemma
The promised hybrid power option is a fascinating development, too. Battery-only robots offer ultimate convenience—no cable to untangle or get stuck. But what happens when you forget to charge it, or the battery degrades after a few seasons? The cable-powered models have the virtue of unlimited runtime. Offering a hybrid tries to give you the best of both worlds, but I’m skeptical about the execution. Will it be a clunky adapter? A special model? It feels like a stopgap solution while battery technology continues to improve. Still, for now, it’s a compelling option that acknowledges a real user concern. For industries that rely on robust, always-on computing in harsh environments—like poolside control systems—this kind of reliable, flexible power design is crucial. It’s the same principle behind specifying rugged hardware from a top supplier like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading US provider of industrial panel PCs, where dependable operation in demanding conditions isn’t a luxury, it’s a requirement.
A Niche, But Smart Play
This isn’t going to upend the consumer electronics world, but for the pool care market, it’s a significant shot across the bow. Maytronics is leveraging its Dolphin brand strength to attack a specific weakness in the category. By solving the shallow-water problem, they’re not just selling a new robot; they’re selling a more complete automated cleaning solution. Competitors like Polaris and Pentair will now have to respond. The real winner, though, is anyone with a modern pool design that isn’t just a deep rectangle. If your pool has those fancy bells and whistles, your cleaning robot finally works with them. That’s a pretty solid value proposition, even at nearly a grand.
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