Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner Review

Why on earth would you consider investing in a robotic pool cleaner? Good question if you’ve never owned a pool before. Why spend an arm and a leg on pool boy services when you can make a one-time purchase for a robot that will do your bidding every time without question?

Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner Review
Dolphin Premier

If your backyard swimming pool needs regular cleaning, a robotic pool cleaner is a perfect solution.

When it comes to robotic pool cleaners, there’s one brand everybody looks up to Maytronics. We’ve reviewed different Maytronics robotic pool cleaners, many of them belonging to the Dolphin family.

This time around, we’re going to see what the Dolphin Premier, a compact little robot with a powerful suction and twin motors, is all about. Spoiler alert: this is a fantastic robot!


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Cleaning Performance

The first thing you’ll want to know about a robotic pool cleaner is how well it cleans. No need to worry about a thing; we’re telling you that the Dolphin Premier’s performance is in part with most high-end robotic pool cleaners.

Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner
Dolphin Premier

This tiny robot features twin DC motors that power twin scrubbers. The scrubbers then touch the surface of your pool’s lining and remove any algae spots, any embedded dirt, or any piece of debris that makes your swimming pool look dirty. The vacuum then takes in 4,500 GPH of water and spits it back out, passing the dirty water through a series of filters for effective cleaning.

The back-facing jets combined with the tracks allow the Premier to move vertically up walls for maximum coverage. It can even have the robot remain afloat while the scrubbers work away at cleaning your pool’s waterline.

Pair this with the anti-tangle 360° swivel cord and you’ve got a reliable robot that can move freely underwater. It doesn’t get any better than that!

CleverClean Navigation for Maximum Coverage

Like most modern Dolphin models, the Premier relies on CleverClean Navigation software to find its way around your pool. This system consists of a series of sensors that create a map of your pool. Using a combination of algorithms and magic, the Premier can then create the most efficient cleaning path to make the best use of its allotted cleaning schedule.

Dolphin Premier
Dolphin Premier

However, the problem that exists with CleverClean is the inability to adapt to sudden changes in terrain.

The Premier will most likely get stuck on pool steps and even topple over. Sadly, there’s no way around it—you’ll have to rely on good old-fashioned elbow grease to scrub your pool’s staircase.

Numerous Filtration Options

What sort of pool gunk are you having trouble cleaning? Algae? Embedded dirt? Dead leaves? It doesn’t matter; the Premier can handle them all thanks to the four filtration options. The standard filter cartridge is used to trap dirt and other debris of up to 90 microns in size. Swap it out for the ultra-fine filter for pollutants as small as 50 microns.

Dolphin Premier Review
Dolphin Premier

But the ability to remove deal leaves is what makes the Premier remarkable. The oversized filter bag traps large pieces of debris and stores them for disposal later on. You can reuse the bag simply by dumping the contents and rinsing it with running water.

If you don’t have the time, you can use Maytronics’ disposable bags for quick and effortless discarding.

Programmable Weekly Scheduler

The programmable weekly scheduler in the Premier is pretty much standard in all Dolphin models. You can set this robot to clean every day, every two days, or every three days depending on your pool-cleaning needs.

The robot needs to remain in your pool for the scheduler to work. All that’s left to do is monitor the full-basket indicator on the control module.

Dolphin Robotic Pool Cleaner Review
Dolphin Premier

Optional Remote Control

The Premier does not support Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity so controlling it from your smartphone is out of the question. Instead, there’s an optional infrared remote control to send instructions to the robot while chilling at the side of your pool.

This remote control is sold separately and if we’re honest, unnecessary since the controller module is included with your purchase.

Related Dolphin Robotic Pool Cleaner Articles
Single Reviews
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Cleaner
Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner
Dolphin Oasis Z5i Robotic Pool Cleaner
Dolphin Proteus DX3 Robotic Pool Cleaner
Dolphin Sigma Robotic Pool Cleaner

Comparison Articles
Dolphin vs. Polaris
Dolphin Premier vs Oasis Z5i
Dolphin Sigma vs. Dolphin Premier


Dolphin Premier Specs
Pool SizeUp to 50 Ft
Pool TypeIn-Ground
Cleaning Cycle3 Hours
Tangle-free SwivelYes
Cable Length60 Ft
Weight22 lbs
Dimensions23 x 19 x 14 in
FiltrationMulti-Layer
FilterBag/Cartridge, Bottom-load
Cleaning CoverageFloor, Walls, Waterline
Brushes2 Brushes
Bluetooth / Wi-FiNo
Release/First SeenMar, 2016
PriceCheck Price


Dolphin Premier Video


Verdict: Is the Dolphin Premier Worth the Investment?

There’s no doubt about it: the Dolphin Premier, like every other Dolphin model we’ve reviewed, is a penny’s worth. The convenience of automated pool cleaning is reason enough to invest in a robotic pool cleaner, and the Premier is an excellent option for those with 50-foot long pools (or smaller) who are looking for high-quality performance and complete self-sufficiency housed in a cute little plastic shell.

Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner Review
Dolphin Premier

Our Recommended Robotic Pool Cleaners

"Budget" Pick
Best of the Best!
Also Great
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner — Wall Climbing Capability —...
Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner with Wi-Fi Control — Wall...
Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner with Powerful Dual Scrubbing Brushes and...
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus
Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme
Dolphin Premier
• In-ground Swimming Pools
• In-ground Swimming Pools
• In-ground Swimming Pools
• Pool Size: Up to 50 ft.
• Pool Size: Up to 50 ft.
• Pool Size: Up to 50 ft.
• 2h Cleaning Time
• 1,5 | 2,5 | 3,5 hrs Cleaning Time
• 3 hr Cleaning Time
The Nautilus CC Plus is perfect for all pool types. From gunite to tile, and everything in between; you name it and Dolphin will clean it.
Equipped with a center scrubbing brush, this cleaner pushes the limits for wall and waterline cleaning.
Smart Nav software delivers highly optimized scanning and coverage for a new level of clean. Advanced algorithms clean 100% of the pool floor, wall & tile/waterline and pool floor.
"Budget" Pick
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner — Wall Climbing Capability —...
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus
• In-ground Swimming Pools
• Pool Size: Up to 50 ft.
• 2h Cleaning Time
The Nautilus CC Plus is perfect for all pool types. From gunite to tile, and everything in between; you name it and Dolphin will clean it.
Best of the Best!
Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner with Wi-Fi Control — Wall...
Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme
• In-ground Swimming Pools
• Pool Size: Up to 50 ft.
• 1,5 | 2,5 | 3,5 hrs Cleaning Time
Equipped with a center scrubbing brush, this cleaner pushes the limits for wall and waterline cleaning.
Also Great
Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner with Powerful Dual Scrubbing Brushes and...
Dolphin Premier
• In-ground Swimming Pools
• Pool Size: Up to 50 ft.
• 3 hr Cleaning Time
Smart Nav software delivers highly optimized scanning and coverage for a new level of clean. Advanced algorithms clean 100% of the pool floor, wall & tile/waterline and pool floor.

Last update on 2023-06-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API



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