Help me choose
Our pick: Dolphin Cayman
Dolphin Cayman is the Pool Express pick in this matchup. Dolphin Cayman adds wall climbing and scrubbing. Dolphin Cayman can start on a weekly schedule without a manual launch before every cycle.
Max-Series
Dolphin Cayman
Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
Niya Sonar
Niya Sonar Ray
Flat-bottomed above-ground and small inground pools up to 26 ft that need the floor cleaned without a cord.
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 Niya Sonar Ray: our take
Dolphin Cayman and Niya Sonar Ray 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. Dolphin Cayman is rated for pools up to 40 ft; Niya Sonar Ray is rated up to 26 ft. Dolphin Cayman cleans floor and walls; Niya Sonar Ray cleans floor. Dolphin Cayman lists 1 active brush, SmartNav 2.0 navigation, and Dual 24-volt DC motors. Niya Sonar Ray lists Sonar navigation.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin Cayman includes MaxBin; Niya Sonar Ray includes Basket.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin Cayman provides a weekly timer and power-supply controls; Niya Sonar Ray provides one-touch starts and power-supply controls. Dolphin Cayman uses a 50 ft corded cable, while Niya Sonar Ray uses cordless battery power. Dolphin Cayman is listed at 14.6 lb versus 7.1 lb for Niya Sonar Ray; that 7.5 lb difference matters when lifting the robot from the pool.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Cayman is listed at $1,079 and Niya Sonar Ray at $199; Niya Sonar Ray is $880 less. Dolphin Cayman lists a 2-year warranty compared with 1 years for Niya Sonar Ray. Pool Express pick: Dolphin Cayman. Dolphin Cayman adds wall climbing and scrubbing. Dolphin Cayman can start on a weekly schedule without a manual launch before every cycle. Choose Niya Sonar Ray when it is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $199 starting price.
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 | Niya Sonar Ray |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | YesEdge | No |
| Scrubs the waterline | No | No |
| Fine-debris filter included | No | No |
| Large-debris filter | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic scheduling | YesEdge | No |
| Smartphone app | No | No |
| Anti-tangle swivel | No | Not listed |
| 3-year warranty | No | No |
| No recharging between cycles | YesEdge | No |
| 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 pools up to 40 ft.
- Adds wall climbing and scrubbing
- Can start on a weekly schedule without a manual launch before every cycle
- Carries a 2-year warranty instead of 1 years
- Is rated for pools up to 40 ft
Where Niya Sonar Ray stands out
Niya Sonar Ray is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $199 starting price.
- Is listed $880 lower
- Weighs 7.1 lb versus 14.6 lb
Dolphin Cayman vs Niya Sonar Ray 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 | Niya Sonar Ray |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning. | Flat-bottomed above-ground and small inground pools up to 26 ft that need the floor cleaned without a cord. |
| Starting price | $1,079 | $199 |
| Pool type | Inground, Above-ground | Inground, Above-ground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 40 ft | Up to 26 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls | Floor |
| Power | Corded | Cordless |
| Filtration | MaxBin | Basket |
| Scheduling | Weekly schedule | One-touch start |
| App and remote | Power-supply controls | Power-supply controls |
| Cable | 50 ft | Cordless |
| Robot weight | 14.6 lb | 7.1 lb |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 years |
Choose Dolphin Cayman
Dolphin Cayman is the Pool Express pick in this matchup. Dolphin Cayman adds wall climbing and scrubbing. Dolphin Cayman can start on a weekly schedule without a manual launch before every cycle.
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