The Dolphin Premier is our most favorite automatic pool cleaner. It has excellent cleaning performance, it is easy to maintain, and it lasts long.
It cleans in-ground swimming pools up to 50 feet long with full coverage up to the waterline.
It is one of the more expensive Dolphin pool cleaners. But for in-ground pool owners looking for the best-cleaning pool robot, it’s worth it.
Read on for our full Dolphin Premier review.
If you this is not what you are looking for, read our reviews of other robotic pool cleaners.
If you are specifically looking for a Dolphin pool cleaner, read our reviews of the best Dolphin pool robots.
Pros
- Dual brushes and powerful suction deliver excellent cleaning performance.
- Full pool coverage, including waterline scrubbing.
- Multiple filter media.
- Convenient weekly scheduler.
- Swivel cable.
- 3-year warranty.
Cons
- Expensive.
- Heavy and doesn’t come with a caddy.
- No remote control.
- Bottom-loading filters – they are harder to access.
Product Specifications
Specifications
- Weight: 37.2lbs
- Pool type: In-ground pools up to 50 feet
- Mobility: Track-driven
- Pool scanning: Yes
- Swivel cable: Yes
- Filter type: Bottom-loading fine & ultra-fine cartridges + debris bag
- Pool coverage: Floor, walls and waterline
- Weekly scheduler: Yes
- Remote control: No
Best Features
1. Powerful Dual Motors
Two highly efficient DC motors power the Dolphin Premier. They power the dual scrubbing brushes, the powerful suction, and the robot’s tracks.
They also provide enough power for the robot to reach almost every inch of the pool, including the walls and waterline.
2. CleverClean Pool Scanning
Instead of cleaning the pool in a random pattern, which wastes energy and leaves uncleaned spots, the Dolphin Premier first scans the pool to determine size and layout.
The CleverClean software then guides the robot on the best cleaning path. This reduces cleaning time and saves energy. It also reduces the chances of missed spots.
3. Dual Scrubbing Brushes
Most of the dirt in the pool is not the one you see floating around in the water. The worst of it is stuck on the pool walls and floor. This includes slimy algae, scale, biofilm, and dirt.
This is the most dangerous kind of dirt since it can encourage the growth of bacteria and other harmful microbes. It also increases your pool’s chemical demand.
The Dolphin Premier tackles dirt stuck on the pool lining using two scrubbing brushes that dislodge even the most stubborn of grime.
Because the Dolphin Premier is an excellent wall climber, the brushes scrub the entire wall as well as the tile line.
4. Multiple Filter Options
Once the brushes dislodge the dirt, the powerful onboard vacuum sucks the water through the filters.
The Dolphin Premier gives you the option of switching the filter media depending on the type of debris in the water.
There are three options: a fine filter cartridge for small debris like pebbles and small leaves, an ultra-fine filter cartridge for sand, and silt and a debris bag for large debris like leaves and twigs.
For daily cleaning, you can use the first two filters. When the pool is really dirty, such as at the start of the season, or if your pool is surrounded by trees, the debris bag is the best option.
The only thing we don’t like about the filters is that they are accessible from the bottom. You have to turn over the robot, which is quite heavy.
5. Auto-Cleaning Scheduler
Want to clean the pool more often but don’t have time to set up the Dolphin Premier every day or every two days?
You can leave it in the pool (only for a few days at a time), and it will clean automatically at the set time.
To set the cleaning time, configure the weekly scheduler on the power unit. You can set the Premier to clean every day, every two days, or every three days, depending on how dirty your pool gets.
Issues & Concerns
It’s Heavy
Poor Instructions
Maytronics could have done a better job writing the user manual. It’s scarce on important details forcing many users to resort to YouTube videos.
You can also contact customer support – they are very beneficial – but a well-detailed manual would save time.
Struggles with Pool Steps
If you are lucky, the Premier will clean the first couple of steps. But in most pools, it doesn’t clean the steps at all.
This is a common limitation with robotic pool cleaners.
It's Pricey
With the price at well over a thousand bucks, the Dolphin Premier is on the pricey side compared to other robotic pool cleaners.
If you are on a budget, consider cheaper alternatives such as the Dolphin Nautilus CC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Dolphin Premier get stuck on drains?
No, it doesn’t. Even if it seems to get stuck, it will free itself eventually.
Power from the dual motors and the high-traction tracks allow the Premier to move over obstacles and pool features without getting stuck easily.
Do I use the bag or the filter cartridges in the Dolphin Premier?
You can switch between the two (the two cartridges go in together) depending on the type of debris in your pool.
For small leaves, pebbles, dust, silt, and algae, use the cartridges. For leaves and twigs, use the bag.
Does the Dolphin Premier come with a caddy and remote?
Unfortunately, no. You have to buy the caddy and remote separately.
Our Bottom Line
The Dolphin Premier is the best robotic pool cleaner for most in-ground pool owners.
If you don’t mind spending a bit more money to get the best performance and reliability, we highly recommend the Dolphin Premier.
