Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Premium 20 and Niya Sonar Ray 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.
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.
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 Niya Sonar Ray: our take
Dolphin Premium 20 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 Premium 20 is rated for pools up to 33 ft; Niya Sonar Ray is rated up to 26 ft. Dolphin Premium 20 cleans floor and walls; Niya Sonar Ray cleans floor. Dolphin Premium 20 lists 1 active brush and CleverClean navigation. Niya Sonar Ray lists Sonar navigation.
Filtration and debris
Both models include Basket.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Both models provide one-touch starts and power-supply controls. Dolphin Premium 20 uses continuous corded power, while Niya Sonar Ray uses cordless battery power. Dolphin Premium 20 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 Premium 20 is listed at $899 and Niya Sonar Ray at $199; Niya Sonar Ray is $700 less. Dolphin Premium 20 lists a 2-year warranty compared with 1 years for Niya Sonar Ray. Dolphin Premium 20 and Niya Sonar Ray 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 | 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 | No | 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 Premium 20 stands out
Dolphin Premium 20 is the better fit for pools up to 33 ft.
- Adds wall climbing and scrubbing
- Carries a 2-year warranty instead of 1 years
- Is rated for pools up to 33 ft
- Runs from continuous plug-in power without a recharge between cycles
Where Niya Sonar Ray stands out
Niya Sonar Ray is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $199 starting price.
- Is listed $700 lower
- Weighs 7.1 lb versus 14.6 lb
Dolphin Premium 20 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 Premium 20 | Niya Sonar Ray |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 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 | $899 | $199 |
| Pool type | Inground, Above-ground | Inground, Above-ground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 33 ft | Up to 26 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls | Floor |
| Power | Corded | Cordless |
| Filtration | Basket | Basket |
| Scheduling | One-touch start | One-touch start |
| App and remote | Power-supply controls | Power-supply controls |
| Cable | Not listed | Cordless |
| Robot weight | 14.6 lb | 7.1 lb |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Premium 20 and Niya Sonar Ray 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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