Taking a dip in your own backyard swimming pool is many people's idea of complete and utter relaxation.
But that can quickly turn into a tedious workload if you don't keep your pool clean!
Germs, algae, leaves, hair and all manner of nasty contaminants can end up in your backyard pool and you might feel you are fighting a constant battle to keep it clear.
Of course, it's important to keep the filter systems clean and the chemical balance right. But to actually do a physical clean you need power hungry vacuum pumps and expensive pool guys and gals to do the work. Until now that is.
Enter the swimming pool superhero - the pool cleaner robots!
Sounds like something out of a science fiction movie, but these helpful machines are very real and have been around for decades. The first version was actually patented in 1967!
However, it's only been since the 1980s that the true robotic cleaners we know today have become available. Maytronics were right at the leading edge of design, launching the first domestic and commercial robotic pool cleaners in 1983 under the Dolphin brand.
Dolphin robotic pool cleaners continue today and are now one of the most trusted names in the pool cleaning world.
You might find though, that trying to pin down exactly which model you should go for is far from easy! Maytronics supply many similar models to big retailers under different names. In fact, it can seem like an impossible task working out which one is best for you and your pool.
If you arrived here searching for information to help you choose, that’s exactly what you will find! This review will cover four of their top selling, easily available models so you can be sure you purchase the right one.
How does a Dolphin Robotic pool cleaner work?
Before we take a look at the individual robots, it’s worth delving a little deeper into what makes them work.
The Dolphin robotic cleaner is a self-contained device that does not need a long hose or external pump and filter. They’re also simple to operate and economical.
The basic setup is as simple as plugging the external digital power supply into your GFCI outdoor socket and placing your robot in the pool. Then you switch it on and leave it to do its work!
The pool robot will spend the first 20 minutes zipping about like a thing possessed. What it's doing here is learning your pool shape and dimensions.
It will go and poke its nose into the deepest corners of your pool, scoot up the wall and generally seem to go about things in a completely random fashion. This is all part of the process. The Dolphin robots are famous for their superior scanning and learning capability.
Once it has completed this process it will then set about cleaning the pool until the end of the cleaning cycle. This can take another 2 to 2.5 hours depending on the model.
Just to complete the picture, the long power cable has a unique swivel device that stops the cable from tangling up as the robot moves around the pool. Very ingenious.
You’re probably thinking to yourself by now, ‘So how do they actually clean the pool?’ Glad you asked.
All the featured robots here have hyper grip tracks that move them along and a spinning cleaning brush front and rear. Underneath you will find a couple of non-return vacuum holes where all the muck raked in by the brushes is sucked through.
The cleaners use super-efficient DC motors to drive the tracks and brushes. They also drive something called an impeller which is the thing that sucks the water and debris in.
The water passes through some removable filters which collect all the stuff you don't want in your pool and pushes it out the top of the machine. Using this water jet and vacuum system is what allows the robot to hug the floor and climb the walls so effectively.
Everything works together incredibly well and you will be amazed at how clean your pool will be even after just one cycle.
Another bonus you may not have even considered is that it can reduce the need to backwash your pool filter by up to 30%. This amazing trick happens because as it goes about its business, it is constantly filtering the water that passes through. That could even help bring down your chemical costs as well.
The energy hit of running these little mini tanks? Not as much as you might think.
Maytronics estimate they cost around 5c per hour to run. So, a typical 3-hour cycle costs you just 15c.
At the end of the cycle, some folk leave the robot in the pool ready for the next run if the pool was not too dirty to start with. Most people though prefer to take it out, clean the filters and put it away. A process that takes no more than 5 to 10 minutes!
By now you’re going to be keen to find out all about the different models, so let’s dive into that right now (pun very much intended!).
Dolphin Nautilus
Note this model has now been updated to the Nautilus CC Supreme
Features
- 3-hour cleaning cycle
- Basic self-programming for efficient pool cleaning
- Scrubs, vacuums and filters floors, cove and walls
- Cleans up to the waterline
- 60 feet of floating cable with underwater 360-degree swivel
- Designed for in-ground pools only up to 50 feet in length
- Bottom access cartridge filter
- Fine and spring clean-up filters included
- Optional large debris filter bag kit available
- All-surface combination brushes
- Optional specialist surface brushes available
- Suitable for all pool surfaces
- Digital 30V power supply
- Dual drive 24V DC motor
- Dry weight 18.75 lbs.
- Energy efficient and Eco-friendly
- Dealer repairable parts
- 1-year warranty
Say hello to the Nautilus
If you want a simple, straightforward robot that's going to clean your pool from top to bottom with no fuss, the Nautilus is the one for you.
You can say goodbye to those hours spent scrubbing and vacuuming the pool several times a week.
This neat little robot will clean a pool up to 50 feet long in just 3 hours.
It might be the entry-level machine in our review, but entry-level does not mean lacking in features!
It uses the same advanced technology as many of its big brothers to give your pool a thorough clean but at a lower price.
As we said earlier, all the Dolphin robots are ridiculously easy to use. Just, make sure the filters are in place, place it in the pool and plug it in.
Then switch it on at the power supply and let it do its stuff. Floor, walls, cove, steps - the Nautilus can go everywhere.
To be fair, it will struggle with narrow steps or anywhere that is too shallow, but it will not stop.
It will just reverse itself until it gets back into the water and carries on.
If it does seem to have a problem with a particular step, or seems to miss a certain spot just try dropping the bot in at a different place to start the cycle.
The Nautilus will then have a different starting point and work out a slightly different pattern that may solve the problem.
Just one tiny negative point to note, this robot only cleans up to the waterline, it does not clean the tiles above it.
Pulling the robot out involves a little bit more effort but is still straightforward.
Just use the power cable to pull the robot to the side of the pool, but not out of the water. Then use the handles to grab the cleaner and lift it out.
Sometimes you may get a little bit of debris wash out of the bottom as you pull it out. Try pulling it up slowly to minimize this if you can.
How do you get at the filters?
Access to the filter compartment on the Nautilus is through the bottom plate. Just turn the robot over, flip the two catches and off it comes.
Inside you find will two sets of filters in a tent shape. These just unclip and can be removed easily for cleaning.
What filters come with the pool robot?
There are two sets of filters included in the kit. One is a mesh screen type used for opening up the pool in the spring. This provides coarse filtration to collect up larger debris.
The other is for fine filtering and is a pleated polyester type. Use this one once you've run the bot a couple of times with the mesh filter and got the pool clear of debris. It will provide exceptional filtering of the water and remove all the microscopic organisms such as algae etc.
You can also buy an optional bag kit for your Nautilus. This replaces the entire bottom plate and filter holders with one designed specially to hold a filter bag.
This will hold a larger amount of debris, leaves etc. than the standard filter so is great if you have overhanging trees.
Cleaning the filter is as simple as taking them out of the machine and hosing them down. They will last for a long time if you clean them out regularly.
What brushes come with it?
The pool cleaner comes with two standard all surface combination brushes.
One fits at the front and one at the back and they are a combination of PVC bristles with a white foam ring at each end.
The bristles provide the cleaning and scrubbing of the pool surfaces. The white foam rings provide a seal so that the robot can get enough suction.
One tip if the robot doesn't seem to pick up as well as it should is to make sure the foam rings are fully saturated before starting. If they feel hard and stiff they may need to sit in the water for 10-20 minutes first.
There are two other optional brushes available for specific surfaces. One for PVC, concrete, fiberglass and liner, the other for smooth ceramic tiles. Most people find they get great results with the standard combination brushes supplied.
They are very effective as well. Not only do they sweep up loose debris but they remove bacteria, algae and that slimy biofilm you often find on the walls of pools.
Does the Nautilus have wheels or tracks?
The traction to drive the bot along is provided by two hyper grip rubber tracks. Use of a track system is far superior to using wheels as it provides improved traction and directional control.
You will find this thing grips far better than other robots. Even when climbing up the wall it seldom fails to get to the top.
How does the scanner work?
The Nautilus has a clever scanning system that resets itself each time it's powered up. As we described in our introduction, it spends the first 20 minutes scanning and measuring the pools barriers. Then it calculates how to do the rest of the pool and continues with the cleaning cycle.
You may notice that during the first 20 minutes it goes up the wall every 2 minutes but during the rest of the cycle does a vertical climb every 4 minutes. This is normal and is just part of the cleaning algorithm.
What power supply and cables are included?
The power supply is a digital one with an output rated at 30V/180W and has an IP54 rating which means it's unaffected by splashing water. Make sure its far enough away from the pool to not be in standing water. A distance of 10 feet is recommended.
The supply plugs into a normal outdoor socket or extension. The lead from the supply to the wall outlet is around 7 feet long, just in case you were wondering!
The supply with this model has just one button, an on/off switch. Once the robot is in position in the pool, press the on/off switch to start it.
The floating cable to the robot is 60 feet long and is made from tough thermoplastic rubber. This reduces frictional drag on the pool surface.
Sounds like a lot of cable to get tangled up in knots as the robot goes back and forth! But not with this machine. The Maytronics engineers have come up a unique cable swivel device that sits in water just above the cleaner.
This swivel connection allows a full 360-degree rotation which works exceptionally well. No more tangles thankfully.
It’s worth laying the cable out as straight as you can and leaving it in the sun sometimes before coiling it up. This helps straighten out any kinks that may have developed over time.
Is there a caddy included?
Unfortunately, no. To keep the price down Maytronics have not included a caddy with the Nautilus but you can buy one for around $120.
They are actually really useful so you may want to consider getting one as it has a space for the power supply and a cable tidy.
Many people do without though and just use a little hand cart which costs around $50.
Whatever you decide on make sure to follow the instruction manual on how and where to store your pool cleaner when not in use.
Does it come with a warranty?
The Nautilus comes with a 12-month parts and labor warranty. Most customers find the company responsive and easy to deal with so you should not have problems getting help.
Is it easy to fix when out of warranty?
The Nautilus features what Maytronics call DIY Maintenance. This means a dealer should be able to fix your machine within around 10 minutes as all parts are modular. Modular stands for easy to replace!
If you are technically minded, you may be able to also do this yourself.
Summing Up
By now you have probably picked up on just how good the Nautilus is, but let's just recap on the pros and cons. Note some of the cons will relate to other models in this review we haven't covered yet.
Pros
- Cleans up to a 50-foot pool in 3 hours
- Easy to change and clean the filters
- Spring cleanup and fine filters included
- Fast and easy to set up. No connections to the pool filtration or pump systems needed
- Self-programming and intelligent scanning
- Very efficient. Electricity costs are around 15c per cleaning cycle
- Can reduce pool chemical costs
- Anti-tangle swivel device prevents cable problems
- 1-year full warranty
- DIY maintenance means easy repair
Cons
- No caddy included
- Basic power supply does not have timer functions and filter full warning
- Very rarely can get stuck on certain steps
- Filters included will not hold large amounts of debris
- Does not clean above the waterline
- This robot pool cleaner is a great buy, no doubt about it. The cheapest robot in our review, it still does everything it needs to without any fuss.
If you are in the market for a pool robot but are on a tight budget, this could be the one for you.
Dolphin Nautilus Plus
The Nautilus Plus is very similar to the Nautilus reviewed earlier, but has a few upgrades:
Upgraded Features
- 2.5-hour cleaning cycle (Nautilus has 3-hour cycle)
- IntelliScan Technology to provide even better self-programming.
- Extra-large top access cartridge filter for easier access and more capacity
- Ultra-fine and spring cleanup filters included (Fine filter and spring cleanup with the Nautilus)
- Current model now cleans above the waterline
- Rapid water release - filtered water exits in 6 seconds when removed from the pool (Not available on the Nautilus)
- Top handle to aid removing from pool (the base model only has grab handles on the side)
- 2-year warranty as opposed to 1 year on the non-Plus model
Meet the Nautilus Plus
This robot needs no introduction as it does everything the cheaper Nautilus does but with a few important differences.
The main one is that it will now clean above the waterline. The Nautilus does not do this; it will just get to the surface and go back down.
The Plus will come up above the surface and scrub along the section of wall above it. This seems to be an improvement since around 2015 as before that it performed the same as the basic Nautilus.
This robot comes with a top handle which helps when lifting it out of the pool full of water.
It also has something called rapid water release. This allows filtered water to drain from the machine at the end of the cleaning cycle when you pull it out of the pool.
You may find this handy, especially when you think how heavy the machine is when full up with water. It will also help lessen the problem of debris leaking out when lifting the robot out of the pool.
How do you get at the filters?
Access to the filter compartment on the Nautilus Plus is through the top rather than the bottom. Many people find this an improvement over the cheaper model as it makes cleaning the filters easier.
Inside you find will still find two sets of filters in a tent shape. These are larger than the Nautilus so can hold more debris.
What filters come with the pool robot?
There are still two sets of filters included in the kit. One is a mesh screen type used for opening up the pool in the spring. This provides coarse filtration to collect up larger debris.
The other is now an ultra-fine filter for even better filtering of bacteria and algae.
It does not appear at present that you can buy a filter bag option for this model, but with the larger capacity cartridge filters, you may not need it.
What brushes come with it?
The Plus pool cleaner comes with two standard all surface combination brushes, same as the base model.
Does the Nautilus Plus have wheels or tracks?
The traction system is the same as the Nautilus.
How does the scanner work?
The Nautilus Plus has an improved scanning system with IntelliScan Technology.
This provides for quicker and more optimal cleaning.
What power supply and cables are included?
The power supply and cable are exactly the same as those provided with the Nautilus.
Is there a caddy included?
Even though the Plus is a little more expensive it still does not come with a caddy. Check out the notes on the base model for what we recommend.
Does it come with a warranty?
Maytronics have extended the warranty on the Plus model and it now comes with 2 years of worry free cleaning.
Is it easy to fix when out of warranty?
The Nautilus Plus also features Maytronics DIY Maintenance. A dealer should be able to fix your machine in around 10 minutes as all parts are modular.
Summing Up
The Nautilus Plus is certainly an upgrade to the base model. Here are some pros and cons to recap:
Pros
- Cleans up to a 50-foot pool in 2.5 hours
- Top access makes it even easier to change and clean the filters
- Spring clean-up and ultra-fine filters included
- Fast and easy to set up. No connections to the pool filtration or pump systems needed
- Improved self-programming and intelligent scanning
- Rapid water release allows water to drain out in under 6 seconds
- Extremely efficient. Electricity costs are around 15c per cleaning cycle
- Can reduce pool chemical costs
- Anti-tangle swivel device prevents cable problems
- Now cleans above the waterline
- 2-year warranty on parts and labor
- DIY maintenance means easy repair
Cons
- No caddy included
- Basic power supply does not have timer functions and filter full warning
- Can get stuck on certain steps (Very rarely)
If you can afford the little bit extra, the Dolphin Nautilus Plus is definitely worth getting over the base model.
Larger capacity filters, improved scanning, and above waterline cleaning are all valuable extras. The Plus is only around $60 more at the time of writing which is a small price to pay for the upgrades.
Add in the top filter cartridge access, handle and shorter cleaning cycle then the Plus is an excellent pool robot at little more than a budget price.
Dolphin Triton
Features
- 3-hour cleaning cycle (more choices if you get the remote)
- Intelligent self-programming for efficient pool cleaning
- Remote control ready - Basic remote
- Float mechanism for improved vertical cleaning
- Large handle for easier removal from the pool
- Scrubs, vacuums and filters floors, cove and walls
- Cleans up to and above the waterline
- 60 feet of floating cable with underwater 360-degree swivel
- Designed for in-ground pools only up to 50 feet in length
- Bottom access cartridge filter
- Fine and spring clean-up bag filters included
- Optional large debris bag kit available
- All-surface combination brushes
- Optional specialist surface brushes available
- Suitable for all pool surfaces
- Caddy included
- Digital 30V power supply
- Dual drive 24V DC motor
- Dry weight 18.75 lbs.
- Energy efficient and Eco-friendly
- Dealer repairable parts
- 2-year warranty
Introducing the Dolphin Triton
Continuing our journey through the Dolphin automatic pool cleaners we now come to the Triton.
Sharing the same awesome capabilities as the Nautilus models the Triton builds on this by packing in some extra features.
One of the main advantages over the previous two models is a float mechanism in the handle. This improves the performance of vertical cleaning by adjusting it to match the cleaning brushes being used.
Check the manual for the different settings.
Another major plus is that it comes with a caddy!
The other difference is that the Triton is the first of our review bots that have a remote control capability.
You will need to buy this separately, just make sure you get the basic remote control rather than the pro one as that will not work with this model.
The basic remote control will give you access to a shorter cleaning cycle of 1 hour which just cleans the floor of the pool.
It will also give the capability of remote controlling your robot in case you just want to clean one area it missed for example.
Most reviews suggest it's very hard to direct the cleaner using the remote so question the usefulness of it. Check out the reviews before buying.
The Triton also comes with a large handle which will help to lift it out of the water.
How do you get at the filters?
Access to the filter compartment on the Triton is through the bottom plate. As with the Nautilus, just turn the robot over, flip the two catches and off it comes.
What filters come with the pool robot?
There are two sets of filters included in the kit. One is a mesh screen type used for opening up the pool in the spring. This provides coarse filtration to collect up larger debris.
The other is for fine filtering and is a pleated polyester type. Use this one once you've run the robot a couple of times with the mesh filter and got the pool clear of debris.
You can also buy an optional large debris bag kit for your Triton.
What brushes come with it?
The Triton pool cleaner comes with the same two standard all surface combination brushes as the other robots in our review.
One fits at the front and one at the back and they are a combination of PVC bristles with a white foam ring at each end.
There are two other optional brushes available for specific surfaces.
Does the Triton have wheels or tracks?
The traction to drive the pool cleaner along is provided by two hyper grip rubber tracks as with other Dolphin models.
The float mechanism in the handle helps the robot cling to the wall as it climbs vertically and scrubs around and above the waterline.
How does the scanner work?
The Triton has an intelligent scanning system that works in a similar way to the Nautilus models.
Most Dolphin robots use the same navigation technology with just some subtle differences most users will not notice.
What you can be sure of is that it will guide the pool robot in a carefully calculated pattern that is worked out just for your pool shape and size.
What power supply and cables are included?
The power supply is the same one provided with the Nautilus models, a digital one with an output rated at 30V/180W.
The supply with this model has just one button, an on/off switch. Once the robot is in position in the pool, press the on/off switch to start it.
The floating cable to the robot is also the same at 60 feet long and made from tough thermoplastic rubber to reduce frictional drag on the pool surface.
The patented swivel connection in the cable stops the cleaner from getting in a tangle. a unique piece of technology that works very well.
Is there a caddy included?
The Triton, unlike the previous two models, does indeed include a caddy.
With dedicated spaces for the robot and a cable tidy to store the long cable, you may wonder what you would do without it!
There is also a permanent space for the power supply so you will not need to take it off the caddy at all.
Does it come with a warranty?
The Triton comes with a 24-month parts and labor warranty. Most customers find the company responsive and easy to deal with so you should not have problems getting help.
Is it easy to fix when out of warranty?
The Triton features what Maytronics call DIY Maintenance. This means a dealer should be able to fix your machine within around 10 minutes as all parts are modular.
If you are technically minded, you may be able to also do this yourself.
Summing Up
The Triton is another step up from the Nautilus models with a corresponding hike in price. Is it worth it? Let's take a look at the pros and cons to remind ourselves:
Pros
- Cleans up to a 50-foot pool in 3 hours
- Easy to change and clean the filters
- Spring cleanup and fine filters included
- Fast and easy to set up. No connections to the pool filtration or pump systems needed
- Self-programming and intelligent scanning
- Float mechanism in the handle for improved vertical cleaning
- Cleans above the waterline
- Caddy included
- Remote control ready
- Very efficient. Electricity costs are around 15c per cleaning cycle
- Can reduce pool chemical costs
- Anti-tangle swivel device prevents cable problems
- 2-year full warranty
- DIY maintenance means easy repair
Cons
- Remote control is an additional cost option
- Basic power supply does not have timer functions and filter full warning
- Very rarely can get stuck on certain steps
- Filters included will not hold large amounts of debris
If you want a pool robot that comes with a caddy, this would be a good option. The cost of buying a Nautilus Plus and the caddy will be around the same price as the Triton.
Then you get the little extras such as the float mechanism (which does make a difference) and being remote control ready. That adds up to a great package and one well worth considering.
Dolphin Premier 2016
Features
- 1, 2.5 or 3-hour cleaning cycles
- SmartNav advanced self-programming for efficient pool cleaning
- Weekly timer function
- Clogged filter indicator
- Remote control ready - pro version
- Scrubs, vacuums and filters floors, cove and walls
- Cleans up to and above the waterline
- Overhead float function in the handle for improved vertical climbing and cleaning
- Large handle for easier lifting out of the pool
- 60 feet of floating cable with underwater 360-degree swivel
- Designed for in-ground pools only up to 50 feet in length
- Bottom access cartridge filter
- Fine, spring clean-up and large debris bag filters included
- All-surface combination brushes
- Optional specialist surface brushes available
- Suitable for all pool surfaces
- Digital 30V power supply
- Dual drive 24V DC motor
- Dry weight 22 lbs.
- Energy efficient and Eco-friendly
- Dealer repairable parts
- 3-year warranty
Say hello to the 2016 Dolphin Premier
The final automatic pool cleaner in our lineup is a top of the range model and naturally, it comes with its fair share of extra features.
The robot itself is very similar to the Triton we've reviewed already. The difference comes in the form of extra control functions and accessories.
The first of these is a weekly timer function accessed through the power supply unit or optional remote control. You can leave the Premier in the pool and set it to run daily, 2x or 3x during the week ahead. At the end of the 7 days, it shuts off so you will need to set it again but handy nonetheless.
Next, we have a choice of cleaning cycles. Again, these are accessed on the power supply unit or remote control. You have a choice of a fast cycle (1 hour), normal (2.5 hours) or long (3 hours). Check the user manual for what each cycle does to see if they are suitable for your pool.
The last extra function is a clogged filter indicator, again on the power supply unit. This will light up if your filters become clogged during the cleaning cycle, allowing you to clean them before it causes any problems.
The final additional feature is the inclusion of the large debris bag filter as standard.
The pro version remote control you can buy will give you access to all the functions available on the power supply unit. That may be worth the convenience to you if you want to set the functions from inside the house for example.
It will also give the capability of remote controlling your robot in case you just want to clean one area it missed for example.
Most reviews suggest it's very hard to direct the cleaner using the remote so question the usefulness of it. Check out the reviews before buying.
How do you get at the filters?
Access to the filter compartment on the Premier is through the bottom plate. Just turn the robot over, flip the two catches and off it comes.
Inside you find will two sets of filters in a tent shape. These just unclip and can be removed easily for cleaning.
What filters come with the pool robot?
There are three sets of filters included with the Premier pool cleaner. One is a mesh screen type used for opening up the pool in the spring. This provides coarse filtration to collect up larger debris.
Then you have a fine filter which is a pleated polyester type. Use this one once you've run the robot a couple of times with the mesh filter and got the pool clear of debris.
You also now have the large debris bag kit, which is usually a cost option. This replaces the entire bottom plate and filter holders with one designed specially to hold a filter bag.
This will hold a larger amount of debris, leaves etc. than the standard filter so is great if you have overhanging trees.
For further information on filters and how to clean them please see the dedicated section further on.
What brushes come with it?
The pool cleaner comes with two standard all surface combination brushes.
One fits at the front and one at the back and they are a combination of PVC bristles with a white foam ring at each end.
The bristles provide the cleaning and scrubbing of the pool surfaces. The white foam rings provide a seal so that the robot can get enough suction.
There are two other optional brushes available for specific surfaces. Most people find they get great results with the standard combination brushes supplied.
Does the Premier have wheels or tracks?
Like all the other Dolphin robots in our review, the traction to drive the robot along is provided by two hyper grip rubber tracks.
You will find this thing grips far better than other robots. Even when climbing up the wall it seldom fails to get to the top.
The wall climbing ability has been improved over the Nautilus robots by the addition of dual floats in the overhead handle.
This makes the Premier more agile and stable in the water.
How does the scanner work?
The Premier has a similar scanning and navigation system to the other review models except that in this model it's called ‘SmartNav’.
It works in the same way, scanning and mapping out the optimal way to trundle around the pool so that it provides the most efficient clean possible.
What power supply and cables are included?
The power supply is a digital one with an output rated at 30V/180W and has an IP54 rating which means it's unaffected by splashing water.
The unit provided with this model though has all those extra functions we mentioned above.
The supply plugs into a normal outdoor socket or extension. The lead from the supply to the wall outlet is around 7 feet long.
The unit with this model still has an on/off switch for simple operation if desired. Once the robot is in position in the pool, press the on/off switch to start it.
The floating cable to the robot is 60 feet long and is the same as provided with the other models.
It has the same swivel connection that allows a full 360-degree rotation that works exceptionally well.
Is there a caddy included?
Unfortunately, no. This is a shame as if it did have one, as the Triton does, the package would be almost unbeatable.
As you will know from the Triton review above, they are a very useful accessory so you may want to consider buying one.
Does it come with a warranty?
The Premier comes with a full 36-month warranty. That's 50% longer than you will find with most other automatic pool cleaners.
It's also unlimited use so no matter how much work your robot is put through, the warranty will cover any problems.
Is it easy to fix when out of warranty?
The Dolphin Premier features that Maytronics DIY Maintenance plan like the other review robots have. This means a dealer should be able to fix your machine within around 10 minutes as all parts are modular.
If you are technically minded, you may be able to also do this yourself.
Summing Up
The Dolphin Premier certainly has a lot going for it. Let's review our pros and cons to see if it’s worth the extra money over the Triton.
Pros
- Cleans up to a 50-foot pool in 2.5 hours
- Easy to change and clean the filters
- Spring cleanup, large debris bag, and fine filters included
- Weekly timer function
- Extra cleaning cycle options
- Clogged filter indicator
- Remote control ready - Pro version
- Cleans above the waterline
- Dual floats for better vertical cleaning and stability
- Large handle for easier lifting
- Fast and easy to set up. No connections to the pool filtration or pump systems needed
- SmartNav self-programming and intelligent scanning
- Very efficient. Electricity costs are around 15c per cleaning cycle
- Can reduce pool chemical costs
- Anti-tangle swivel device prevents cable problems
- 3-year full warranty
- DIY maintenance means easy repair
Cons
- No caddy included
- Very rarely can get stuck on certain steps
- Remote control is an additional cost
Overall, even without the caddy, the Premier automated pool cleaner is great value. Especially if you need the timer functions and extra cycle times.
The included large debris bag is something you may get a lot of use out of that you would otherwise have to buy separately. The comprehensive 36-month warranty is also very much worth having.
If your budget will stretch to this model it's worth it and if you can afford a bit extra for a caddy, then you have the perfect package.
So, which Dolphin pool cleaner robot is right for you?
We've covered a lot of ground here so just to bring it all together, here are our recommendations.
If you're on a budget and want the best robot cleaner available at the lowest price, then go for the Dolphin Nautilus. It has all the features you really need and just, well, works!
If you can stretch just a little bit more (around $60 at the time of writing) then you may want to go for the Nautilus Plus. Quite a few extra, and very useful features, make this an excellent buy.
The only model in our review that comes with a caddy is the Dolphin Triton. If that's important to you then the extra features this model has over the Nautilus Plus make it a great value package. The cost would be around the same as buying the Plus together with getting the caddy as an extra.
Finally, if you want the extras such as a weekly timer, 3-year warranty, clogged filter indicator etc. you will be looking at the Premier model. It’s a shame it doesn't come with a caddy as well, but even so is still a great value package for everything you get.
It all boils down to what you want from your pool cleaning robot and how much you're prepared to pay. Hopefully, we've made your decision easier now that you have all the information to make the right choice.
Related Post
Check out these pool cleaners from Polaris