The Dolphin Premier is said to be Dolphin’s prime robotic pool cleaner for inground swimming pools. My review explores if this perception is still true.
Floating Power Cable With Anti-Tangle Swivel
The power cable is 60 feet long and has an anti-tangle swivel device. This is an important feature if you do not want to untangle the cord after every cleaning cycle. This translates into tangle-free operation. Maximum pool size is limited to about 50 feet due to the 60-foot floating power cable.
Multimedia Filtration System
One of the best features of the Dolphin Premier (website) is its adaptable filter system. This robotic pool cleaner is compatible with not one, but four different filter types:
- Disposable debris bag
- Extra large debris bag
- Standard cartridge
- Micro-filter cartridge (2-micron rating for removing algae)
The Dolphin Premier is shipped with micro-filter cartridges, standard cartridges and an oversized filter bag. You have to buy the disposable debris bags separately if you prefer to simply throw away dirty debris bags.
You can use the filter bag when there are leaves or other debris in the pool. If the pool is fairly clean of debris, then you may use the filter cartridges to remove fine dirt or algae.
Rubber Tracks For Better Grip
Unlike the Polaris 9550 Sport, the Dolphin Premier does not have wheels. It has rubber tracks which turn it into a little submarine tank that finds and eliminates its pool enemies: General Dirt and Major Debris.
The rubber tracks are powered by a direct drive system, which means there are no drive belts that can break. The pool cleaner has two 24-volt DC motors and scrubbing brushes, which make it very energy efficient when compared to running a booster pump for a pressure-side pool cleaner such as the Polaris Vac-Sweep 280.
Swimming Pool Surfaces
Scrubbing brushes on the front and back of the pool cleaner scrub the surface of the pool to remove dirt and algae. It is suitable for concrete, fiberglass, gunite, tile and vinyl-lined pools. The pool cleaner can reach all the surfaces of the pool: floor, walls and waterline. However, it does not clean the pool steps.
Scanning And Navigation
A microprocessor is built into the Dolphin Premier. This gives it a limited ability to learn the shape and size of the pool it has to clean. This robotic pool scanning function helps it to cover all the areas in the pool without wasting time cleaning the same area twice.
Dolphin Premier Warranty
It is covered by a three-year warranty. However, the warranty might be void if the pool cleaner is purchased from an online store instead of an offline store.
DIY Modular Design
The Dolphin Premier is designed to be simple to fix. It has five main component modules which can be replaced by a dealer. You might also buy the components and do it yourself. The modular design makes fixing the pool cleaner a lot easier.
Dolphin Premier vs. Triton
These Dolphin robotic pool cleaners might look the same at first glance, but there are differences.
The Premier and Triton have similar brush systems and flotation handles. Both pool cleaners have bottom loading filters, but the Premier offers multimedia filters and a debris bag. The Triton is limited to cartridge filters. However, the Triton includes a caddy, even though it is less expensive than the Premier. You may read my Triton review for more information.
Dolphin Premier vs. Quantum
Let us consider the Dolphin Quantum. It has continuous rubber tracks, pool scanning navigation and dual scrubbing brushes. The Quantum also offers multimedia filtration: nano, standard and oversized filter cartridges, but no filter bags. However, the Dolphin Quantum has a top loading filter cartridge system instead of the bottom loading filter system of the Premier. Top loading filters are easier to work with since you do not have to turn the pool cleaner upside down to gain access.
The Quantum does not have an optional remote control unit available. The Premier does have the option of being controlled by a Premier wireless remote control.
These Dolphin robotic pool cleaners both cost over $1000. A caddy is not included with the sales price, but it can be purchased separately.
The Premier and Quantum pool robots are similar in price, but the Quantum has newer design elements such as top loading filters and vortex jets located on the top and sides (read my review of the Quantum).
Dolphin Premier vs. Sigma
Here is a very short comparison between these two Dolphin robotic pool cleaners.
| FEATURE | PREMIER | SIGMA |
|---|---|---|
| Filtration | Multimedia | Cartridges only |
| Swivel cable | Yes | Yes |
| Suction | 4500 GPH | 4500 GPH |
| Cable Length | 60 feet | 60 feet |
| Weekly Timer | Yes | Yes |
| DC Motors | Two | Three |
| Remote Control | Handheld unit | Smartphone app |
The Dolphin Sigma does not have the multimedia filtration feature of the Premier, and yet it has top-loading filtration cartridges and smartphone app remote control. If you are not going to get the Dolphin Premier, then the Sigma might be a worthy alternative to look at. You can read my review of the Dolphin Sigma by clicking here.
How does the Dolphin Premier perform in the pool?
The pool cleaner performs well when it comes to removing leaves, twigs and seeds from the pool. The oversized filter bag can hold a lot of stuff. Cleaning the bag is the only annoying thing about it.
You can switch to the standard filter cartridges when there are no leaves in the pool. Do another cycle with the micro-filter cartridge to remove the finest particles and algae. Your pool should be pretty clean after using all three filter media.
The Dolphin Premier has the ability to receive commands from an optional remote control. However, directing the pool cleaner at a slow crawl to the dirty spot defeats the purpose of an automatic pool cleaner. I think it is not worth the extra money. Still, it might be useful to direct it to the edge of the pool when you want to remove it. I recommend that you rather spend extra money to buy the Premier caddy to make storage and transport easier.
The Premier will have no trouble cleaning the floor, walls and waterline of most pools. The steps will always be a problem: it might clean the bottom step but not the top step.
The Dolphin Premier is a top-ranking, expensive robotic pool cleaner. Its multimedia filter system is probably its best feature. Do not forget about its anti-tangle swivel and 3-year warranty. The Dolphin Premier is still a preeminent pool robot for inground swimming pools (check price on Amazon).