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.
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 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 Niya Sonar Ray: our take
Dolphin Premier 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
Dolphin Premier is intended for inground pools, while Niya Sonar Ray is intended for inground and above-ground pools. Dolphin Premier is rated for pools up to 50 ft; Niya Sonar Ray is rated up to 26 ft. Dolphin Premier cleans floor, walls, and waterline; Niya Sonar Ray cleans floor. Dolphin Premier lists 2 active brushes, SmartNav 2.0 navigation, and Dual commercial-grade motors. Niya Sonar Ray lists Sonar navigation.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin Premier includes Standard filter, NanoFilters, Oversized leaf bag, and Multi-Media; Niya Sonar Ray 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; Niya Sonar Ray provides one-touch starts and power-supply controls. Dolphin Premier uses a 60 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel, while Niya Sonar Ray uses cordless battery power. Dolphin Premier is listed at 20.3 lb versus 7.1 lb for Niya Sonar Ray; that 13.200000000000001 lb difference matters when lifting the robot from the pool.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Premier is listed at $1,999 and Niya Sonar Ray at $199; Niya Sonar Ray is $1,800 less. Dolphin Premier lists a 3-year warranty compared with 1 years for Niya Sonar Ray. 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 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 Premier | Niya Sonar Ray |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | YesEdge | No |
| 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 | Yes | Not listed |
| 3-year warranty | YesEdge | 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 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
- Can start on a weekly schedule without a manual launch before every cycle
Where Niya Sonar Ray stands out
Niya Sonar Ray is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $199 starting price.
- Is listed $1,800 lower
- Weighs 7.1 lb versus 20.3 lb
Dolphin Premier 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 Premier | Niya Sonar Ray |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris and heavy leaves. | Flat-bottomed above-ground and small inground pools up to 26 ft that need the floor cleaned without a cord. |
| Starting price | $1,999 | $199 |
| Pool type | Inground | Inground, Above-ground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 50 ft | Up to 26 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls, Waterline | Floor |
| Power | Corded | Cordless |
| 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 | Cordless |
| Robot weight | 20.3 lb | 7.1 lb |
| Warranty | 3 years | 1 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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