Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Active Solo and Dolphin Premium 20 are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Cayman. Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
Active
Dolphin Active Solo
Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning at the lowest Active-series price.
Premium
Dolphin Premium 20
Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
What we recommend instead
Dolphin Cayman
Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
$1,079
Buy Dolphin CaymanDolphin Active Solo or Dolphin Premium 20: our take
Dolphin Active Solo and Dolphin Premium 20 are compared on pool fit, cleaning reach, debris handling, controls and ownership details. The recommendation is based on the job the robot must do—not a simple feature count.
Pool fit and cleaning reach
Both robots are intended for inground and above-ground pools. Both are rated for pools up to 33 ft. Each cleans floor and walls, so coverage alone does not separate them. Dolphin Active Solo's documented cleaning system includes 1 active brush and CleverClean navigation.
Filtration and debris
Both models include Basket.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Both models provide one-touch starts and power-supply controls. Both use continuous corded power. Both are listed at 14.6 lb, so lifting effort is effectively the same.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Active Solo is listed at $599 and Dolphin Premium 20 at $899; Dolphin Active Solo is $300 less. Each lists a 2-year manufacturer warranty. Dolphin Active Solo and Dolphin Premium 20 each have a specific fit, but neither is the Pool Express pick for this job. Our better alternative is Dolphin Cayman. Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
Feature check: what each robot actually has
A green check means the feature is documented as included. A red X means it is documented as absent. A dash means the source does not make the feature clear.
| Feature | Dolphin Active Solo | Dolphin Premium 20 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | Yes | Yes |
| Scrubs the waterline | No | No |
| Fine-debris filter included | No | No |
| Large-debris filter | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic scheduling | No | No |
| Smartphone app | No | No |
| Anti-tangle swivel | No | No |
| 3-year warranty | No | No |
| No recharging between cycles | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in UV-C water treatment | No | No |
Unknown is not treated as “no.” Specifications come from the product pages, current catalog records and manufacturer material collected for this site.
Where Dolphin Active Solo stands out
Dolphin Active Solo is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $599 starting price.
- Is listed $300 lower
- 2-hour cycle, 33 ft pools
Where Dolphin Premium 20 stands out
Dolphin Premium 20 is the better fit for inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
- 2-hour cycle, pools up to 33 ft
Dolphin Active Solo vs Dolphin Premium 20 specifications
Use pool fit first. Price and app control do not make up for a robot that cannot cover the length or surfaces you need cleaned.
| Specification | Dolphin Active Solo | Dolphin Premium 20 |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning at the lowest Active-series price. | Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning. |
| Starting price | $599 | $899 |
| Pool type | Inground, Above-ground | Inground, Above-ground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 33 ft | Up to 33 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls | Floor, Walls |
| Power | Corded | Corded |
| Filtration | Basket | Basket |
| Scheduling | One-touch start | One-touch start |
| App and remote | Power-supply controls | Power-supply controls |
| Cable | Not listed | Not listed |
| Robot weight | 14.6 lb | 14.6 lb |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Active Solo and Dolphin Premium 20 are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Cayman. Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
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