Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Premium 20 and Dolphin S100 are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Cayman. Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
Premium
Dolphin Premium 20
Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
S-Line
Dolphin S100
Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning, with fine debris.
What we recommend instead
Dolphin Cayman
Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
$1,079
Buy Dolphin CaymanDolphin Premium 20 or Dolphin S100: our take
Dolphin Premium 20 and Dolphin S100 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. Both are rated for pools up to 33 ft. Each cleans floor and walls, so coverage alone does not separate them. Dolphin Premium 20 lists 1 active brush and CleverClean navigation. Dolphin S100 lists 1 active brush.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin Premium 20 includes Basket; Dolphin S100 includes Basket and UltraFilter. Dolphin S100 has the clearer documented edge for fine silt, pollen and sand.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin Premium 20 provides one-touch starts and power-supply controls; Dolphin S100 provides a weekly timer and power-supply controls. Dolphin Premium 20 uses continuous corded power, while Dolphin S100 uses a 50 ft corded cable. Dolphin Premium 20 is listed at 14.6 lb versus 14 lb for Dolphin S100; that 0.5999999999999996 lb difference matters when lifting the robot from the pool.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Premium 20 is listed at $899 and Dolphin S100 at $849; Dolphin S100 is $50 less. Each lists a 2-year manufacturer warranty. Dolphin Premium 20 and Dolphin S100 each have a specific fit, but neither is the Pool Express pick for this job. Our better alternative is Dolphin Cayman. Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
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 S100 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | Yes | Yes |
| Scrubs the waterline | No | No |
| Fine-debris filter included | No | YesEdge |
| Large-debris filter | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic scheduling | No | YesEdge |
| Smartphone app | No | No |
| Anti-tangle swivel | No | Not listed |
| 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 inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
- 2-hour cycle, pools up to 33 ft
- Active brush, 4,000 GPH suction
Where Dolphin S100 stands out
Dolphin S100 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $849 starting price.
- Includes filtration for sand, pollen and other fine debris
- Can start on a weekly schedule without a manual launch before every cycle
- Is listed $50 lower
- Weighs 14 lb versus 14.6 lb
Dolphin Premium 20 vs Dolphin S100 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 S100 |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning. | Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning, with fine debris. |
| Starting price | $899 | $849 |
| Pool type | Inground, Above-ground | Inground, Above-ground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 33 ft | Up to 33 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls | Floor, Walls |
| Power | Corded | Corded |
| Filtration | Basket | Basket, UltraFilter |
| Scheduling | One-touch start | Weekly schedule |
| App and remote | Power-supply controls | Power-supply controls |
| Cable | Not listed | 50 ft |
| Robot weight | 14.6 lb | 14 lb |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Premium 20 and Dolphin S100 are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Cayman. Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
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