Help me choose
Our pick: Dolphin Cayman
Dolphin Cayman is the Pool Express pick in this matchup. Dolphin Cayman is listed $220 lower. Dolphin Cayman cleans floor and walls.
Max-Series
Dolphin Cayman
Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
Proteus
Dolphin Proteus DX5i
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.
Why Dolphin Cayman is our pick
Dolphin Cayman
Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
$1,079
Buy Dolphin CaymanDolphin Cayman or Dolphin Proteus DX5i: our take
Dolphin Cayman and Dolphin Proteus DX5i 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 Proteus DX5i is intended for inground pools. Dolphin Cayman is rated for pools up to 40 ft; Dolphin Proteus DX5i is rated up to 50 ft. Dolphin Cayman cleans floor and walls; Dolphin Proteus DX5i cleans floor, walls, and waterline. Dolphin Cayman lists 1 active brush, SmartNav 2.0 navigation, and Dual 24-volt DC motors. Dolphin Proteus DX5i lists 1 active brush.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin Cayman includes MaxBin; Dolphin Proteus DX5i includes Basket.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin Cayman provides a weekly timer and power-supply controls; Dolphin Proteus DX5i provides smartphone control. Dolphin Cayman uses a 50 ft corded cable, while Dolphin Proteus DX5i uses a 60 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Cayman is listed at $1,079 and Dolphin Proteus DX5i at $1,299; Dolphin Cayman is $220 less. Each lists a 2-year manufacturer warranty. Pool Express pick: Dolphin Cayman. Dolphin Cayman is listed $220 lower. Dolphin Cayman cleans floor and walls. Choose Dolphin Proteus DX5i when it is the better fit for pools up to 50 ft.
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 Proteus DX5i |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | Yes | Yes |
| Scrubs the waterline | No | YesEdge |
| Fine-debris filter included | No | No |
| Large-debris filter | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic scheduling | Yes | Not listed |
| 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 $220 lower
- Cleans floor and walls
Where Dolphin Proteus DX5i stands out
Dolphin Proteus DX5i is the better fit for pools up to 50 ft.
- Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
- Adds smartphone control
- Uses an anti-tangle swivel cable
- Is rated for pools up to 50 ft
Dolphin Cayman vs Dolphin Proteus DX5i 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 Proteus DX5i |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Starting price | $1,079 | $1,299 |
| 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 |
| Scheduling | Weekly schedule | Not listed |
| App and remote | Power-supply controls | App control |
| Cable | 50 ft | 60 ft with anti-tangle swivel |
| Robot weight | 14.6 lb | Not listed |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
Choose Dolphin Cayman
Dolphin Cayman is the Pool Express pick in this matchup. Dolphin Cayman is listed $220 lower. Dolphin Cayman cleans floor and walls.
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