Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Premium 20 and Dolphin Proteus DX5i 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.
Premium
Dolphin Premium 20
Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
Proteus
Dolphin Proteus DX5i
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.
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 Premium 20 or Dolphin Proteus DX5i: our take
Dolphin Premium 20 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 Premium 20 is intended for inground and above-ground pools, while Dolphin Proteus DX5i is intended for inground pools. Dolphin Premium 20 is rated for pools up to 33 ft; Dolphin Proteus DX5i is rated up to 50 ft. Dolphin Premium 20 cleans floor and walls; Dolphin Proteus DX5i cleans floor, walls, and waterline. Dolphin Premium 20 lists 1 active brush and CleverClean navigation. Dolphin Proteus DX5i lists 1 active brush.
Filtration and debris
Both models include Basket.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin Premium 20 provides one-touch starts and power-supply controls; Dolphin Proteus DX5i provides smartphone control. Dolphin Premium 20 uses continuous corded power, while Dolphin Proteus DX5i uses a 60 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Premium 20 is listed at $899 and Dolphin Proteus DX5i at $1,299; Dolphin Premium 20 is $400 less. Each lists a 2-year manufacturer warranty. Dolphin Premium 20 and Dolphin Proteus DX5i 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 Premium 20 | 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 | No | 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 Premium 20 stands out
Dolphin Premium 20 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $899 starting price.
- Is listed $400 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 Premium 20 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 Premium 20 | Dolphin Proteus DX5i |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning. | Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning. |
| Starting price | $899 | $1,299 |
| Pool type | Inground, Above-ground | Inground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 33 ft | Up to 50 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls | Floor, Walls, Waterline |
| Power | Corded | Corded |
| Filtration | Basket | Basket |
| Scheduling | One-touch start | Not listed |
| App and remote | Power-supply controls | App control |
| Cable | Not listed | 60 ft with anti-tangle swivel |
| Robot weight | 14.6 lb | Not listed |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Premium 20 and Dolphin Proteus DX5i 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.
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