Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Cayman and Dolphin Premium 40 are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Quantum. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
Max-Series
Dolphin Cayman
Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
Premium
Dolphin Premium 40
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning with app scheduling and a caddy.
What we recommend instead
Dolphin Quantum
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
$1,649
Buy Dolphin QuantumDolphin Cayman or Dolphin Premium 40: our take
Dolphin Cayman and Dolphin Premium 40 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
Dolphin Cayman is intended for inground and above-ground pools, while Dolphin Premium 40 is intended for inground pools. Dolphin Cayman is rated for pools up to 40 ft; Dolphin Premium 40 is rated up to 50 ft. Dolphin Cayman cleans floor and walls; Dolphin Premium 40 cleans floor, walls, and waterline. Dolphin Cayman lists 1 active brush, SmartNav 2.0 navigation, and Dual 24-volt DC motors. Dolphin Premium 40 lists 2 active brushes and CleverClean navigation.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin Cayman includes MaxBin; Dolphin Premium 40 includes Basket and UltraFilter. Dolphin Premium 40 has the clearer documented edge for fine silt, pollen and sand.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin Cayman provides a weekly timer and power-supply controls; Dolphin Premium 40 provides a weekly timer and smartphone control. Dolphin Cayman uses a 50 ft corded cable, while Dolphin Premium 40 uses continuous corded power. Dolphin Cayman is listed at 14.6 lb versus 18.6 lb for Dolphin Premium 40; that 4.000000000000002 lb difference matters when lifting the robot from the pool.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Cayman is listed at $1,079 and Dolphin Premium 40 at $1,629; Dolphin Cayman is $550 less. Each lists a 2-year manufacturer warranty. Dolphin Cayman and Dolphin Premium 40 each have a specific fit, but neither is the Pool Express pick for this job. Our better alternative is Dolphin Quantum. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
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 Cayman | Dolphin Premium 40 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | Yes | Yes |
| Scrubs the waterline | No | YesEdge |
| Fine-debris filter included | No | YesEdge |
| Large-debris filter | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic scheduling | Yes | Yes |
| Smartphone app | No | YesEdge |
| Anti-tangle swivel | No | YesEdge |
| 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 Cayman stands out
Dolphin Cayman is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $1,079 starting price.
- Is listed $550 lower
- Weighs 14.6 lb versus 18.6 lb
Where Dolphin Premium 40 stands out
Dolphin Premium 40 is the better fit for pools up to 50 ft.
- Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
- Includes filtration for sand, pollen and other fine debris
- Uses 2 active brushes instead of 1
- Adds smartphone control
Dolphin Cayman vs Dolphin Premium 40 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 Cayman | Dolphin Premium 40 |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning. | Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning with app scheduling and a caddy. |
| Starting price | $1,079 | $1,629 |
| Pool type | Inground, Above-ground | Inground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 40 ft | Up to 50 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls | Floor, Walls, Waterline |
| Power | Corded | Corded |
| Filtration | MaxBin | Basket, UltraFilter |
| Scheduling | Weekly schedule | Weekly schedule + app |
| App and remote | Power-supply controls | App control |
| Cable | 50 ft | Not listed |
| Robot weight | 14.6 lb | 18.6 lb |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Cayman and Dolphin Premium 40 are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Quantum. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
More robotic pool cleaner comparisons
Keep comparing without rebuilding the same specification table yourself.
Clear UV vs Clear S
Pool Express pick: Clear UV
Dolphin Quantum vs Clear S
Pool Express pick: Dolphin Quantum
Dolphin Premier vs Dolphin Sigma
Pool Express pick: Dolphin Premier
Dolphin Premier vs Dolphin Quantum
Pool Express pick: Dolphin Quantum
Dolphin Sigma vs Dolphin Quantum
Pool Express pick: Dolphin Quantum
Dolphin Cayman vs Dolphin Escape
Pool Express pick: Dolphin Cayman