In the competitive world of robotic pool cleaners, the Dolphin Cayman vs Dolphin Premier stand on opposite ends of the performance spectrum. While the Cayman is a lightweight, cost-effective option for smaller pool owners, the Premier represents the top tier of Maytronics’ in-ground pool cleaning technology, delivering unmatched versatility, deep-clean power, and customizable filtration. This comprehensive comparison will explore every technical distinction between the two, helping you determine which model best suits your specific pool cleaning needs.
Contents
Differences Between Dolphin Cayman vs Dolphin Premier
Below is a summary of the specifications:
Design Comparison
The Dolphin Cayman is built with simplicity and portability in mind. Weighing only 14 pounds, it is among the lightest robotic cleaners in the Dolphin lineup. The integrated handle and slim, rectangular body make it especially easy to transport, store, and maneuver. It is ideal for small to medium-sized pools up to 33 feet, making it a great option for above-ground or modest in-ground installations where mobility is a priority.
By contrast, the Dolphin Premier is built for durability and scale. Weighing 22 pounds, it features a reinforced chassis, rugged wheels, and a 60-foot swivel cable, designed to clean larger in-ground pools up to 50 feet in length. The Premier’s heavy-duty build gives it more traction and stability during vertical climbs and waterline scrubbing. While the added weight can make it harder to lift, it is purpose-built for owners of complex pools who require elite cleaning power and range.
Winner: Dolphin Premier
With a longer cable, larger supported pool size, and a sturdier structure, the Premier is clearly the better choice for users with large or irregularly shaped pools.
Cleaning Performance Comparison
The Dolphin Cayman is powered by a high-speed HyperBrush™, which spins at twice the speed of traditional brushes. This allows it to dislodge debris, algae, and dirt from the floor and walls effectively. It does not offer dedicated waterline scrubbing, but its wall-climbing ability ensures a high percentage of vertical surface coverage. With a suction rate of 4,000 GPH and a 2-hour cycle, it’s efficient for smaller pool spaces and mild to moderate debris levels.
The Dolphin Premier is built for deep-cleaning performance. It features dual scrubbing brushes, which rotate independently and tackle tough dirt across floors, walls, and especially the entire waterline — a critical area often missed by lighter models. With a suction rate of 4,500 GPH and a 3-hour cleaning cycle, the Premier excels in large pools with heavy leaf loads, pollen, fine sand, or algae. Its increased runtime ensures maximum coverage, even in freeform or deep-end pool designs.
Filtration is another major differentiator. The Cayman uses a top-loading fine basket, which is easy to clean but limited in capacity and versatility. The Premier offers three interchangeable filter media options: a standard cartridge, an oversized debris bag for large leaves, and an ultra-fine microfilter for small particles. This modular system gives users control over how the cleaner handles seasonal or environmental changes in debris load.
Winner: Dolphin Premier
With full waterline scrubbing, longer runtime, stronger suction, and customizable filtration, the Premier dominates in cleaning performance.
Feature Comparison
The Dolphin Cayman operates with SmartNav 2.0, a streamlined scanning system that maps the pool and ensures non-random cleaning coverage. It is intuitive and efficient in small to mid-size pools but lacks any form of connectivity or scheduling. Its interface is limited to plug-and-play with a single start button on the power supply.
The Dolphin Premier uses an enhanced version of SmartNav™, capable of mapping larger pools and navigating more complex layouts with precision. Like the Cayman, it lacks app integration and remote control but offers more advanced onboard algorithms and multiple cycle modes — including floor-only, wall-only, and full-clean modes, providing greater flexibility.
Ease of use also favors the Cayman for casual users. Its lighter design and single basket make daily maintenance fast and simple. Meanwhile, the Premier, while more powerful, requires users to choose and manage filter types, making it better suited for experienced pool owners who want full control over the cleaning process.
Winner: Dolphin Premier
With advanced mapping, multiple cleaning modes, and filtration modularity, the Premier offers a higher level of customization and automation.
Quick Rundown Of Dolphin Cayman
Quick Rundown Of Dolphin Premier
Conclusion
Choose the Dolphin Cayman if you want a reliable, lightweight cleaner designed for small pools with straightforward cleaning needs. It’s a powerful plug-and-play unit that offers exceptional scrubbing performance for its size, especially on floors and walls.
Choose the Dolphin Premier if you need a commercial-grade cleaning solution for a large in-ground pool with a high volume of debris. With full waterline cleaning, interchangeable filters, and dual-brush technology, it’s ideal for homeowners who expect professional-level performance and customization.
Overall Winner: Dolphin Premier
With its superior cleaning reach, more advanced filtration system, and ability to tackle complex pool layouts, the Dolphin Premier stands out as the most capable and future-proof robotic pool cleaner in this comparison. It’s the clear choice for users who want power, precision, and pool-wide coverage without compromise.