Help me choose
Our pick: Dolphin Premier
Dolphin Premier is the Pool Express pick in this matchup. Dolphin Premier cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line. Dolphin Premier adds swappable Multi-Media filtration and an oversized leaf bag for changing debris.
ProLine
Dolphin Premier
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris and heavy leaves.
Premium
Dolphin Premium 20
Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
Why Dolphin Premier is our pick
Dolphin Premier
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris and heavy leaves.
$1,999
Buy Dolphin PremierDolphin Premier or Dolphin Premium 20: our take
Dolphin Premier 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
Dolphin Premier is intended for inground pools, while Dolphin Premium 20 is intended for inground and above-ground pools. Dolphin Premier is rated for pools up to 50 ft; Dolphin Premium 20 is rated up to 33 ft. Dolphin Premier cleans floor, walls, and waterline; Dolphin Premium 20 cleans floor and walls. Dolphin Premier lists 2 active brushes, SmartNav 2.0 navigation, and Dual commercial-grade motors. Dolphin Premium 20 lists 1 active brush and CleverClean navigation.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin Premier includes Standard filter, NanoFilters, Oversized leaf bag, and Multi-Media; Dolphin Premium 20 includes Basket. That gives Dolphin Premier the clearer documented edge for fine silt, pollen and sand.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin Premier provides a weekly timer, power-supply controls, and optional remote control; Dolphin Premium 20 provides one-touch starts and power-supply controls. Dolphin Premier uses a 60 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel, while Dolphin Premium 20 uses continuous corded power. Dolphin Premier is listed at 20.3 lb versus 14.6 lb for Dolphin Premium 20; that 5.700000000000001 lb difference matters when lifting the robot from the pool.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Premier is listed at $1,999 and Dolphin Premium 20 at $899; Dolphin Premium 20 is $1,100 less. Dolphin Premier lists a 3-year warranty compared with 2 years for Dolphin Premium 20. Pool Express pick: Dolphin Premier. Dolphin Premier cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line. Dolphin Premier adds swappable Multi-Media filtration and an oversized leaf bag for changing debris. Choose Dolphin Premium 20 when it is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $899 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 Premier | Dolphin Premium 20 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | Yes | Yes |
| Scrubs the waterline | YesEdge | No |
| Fine-debris filter included | YesEdge | No |
| Large-debris filter | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic scheduling | YesEdge | No |
| Smartphone app | No | No |
| Anti-tangle swivel | YesEdge | No |
| 3-year warranty | YesEdge | 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 Premier stands out
Dolphin Premier is the better fit for pools up to 50 ft.
- Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
- Adds swappable Multi-Media filtration and an oversized leaf bag for changing debris
- Includes filtration for sand, pollen and other fine debris
- Uses 2 active brushes instead of 1
Where Dolphin Premium 20 stands out
Dolphin Premium 20 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $899 starting price.
- Is listed $1,100 lower
- Weighs 14.6 lb versus 20.3 lb
Dolphin Premier 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 Premier | Dolphin Premium 20 |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris and heavy leaves. | Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning. |
| Starting price | $1,999 | $899 |
| Pool type | Inground | Inground, Above-ground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 50 ft | Up to 33 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls, Waterline | Floor, Walls |
| Power | Corded | Corded |
| Filtration | Standard filter, NanoFilters, Oversized leaf bag, Multi-Media | Basket |
| Scheduling | Weekly schedule | One-touch start |
| App and remote | Power-supply controls | Power-supply controls |
| Cable | 60 ft with anti-tangle swivel | Not listed |
| Robot weight | 20.3 lb | 14.6 lb |
| Warranty | 3 years | 2 years |
Choose Dolphin Premier
Dolphin Premier is the Pool Express pick in this matchup. Dolphin Premier cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line. Dolphin Premier adds swappable Multi-Media filtration and an oversized leaf bag for changing debris.
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