When it comes to premium robotic pool cleaners built for in-ground pools, two top-tier models from Maytronics consistently stand out—the Dolphin Explorer E50 vs Dolphin Premier. Both are engineered to deliver powerful suction, advanced navigation, and reliable coverage across floor, wall, and waterline. However, while they may appear similar in function at a glance, they cater to different user preferences in filtration, customizability, and control. For discerning pool owners seeking maximum cleanliness with the least amount of effort, understanding their differences is essential.
This in-depth comparison explores every critical area, from design and scrubbing performance to filter flexibility and smart features. Our goal is to help pool owners decide which model is better suited for their maintenance needs, usage style, and pool environment.
Contents
Differences Between Dolphin Explorer E50 vs Dolphin Premier
Below is a summary of the specifications:
Design Comparison
The Dolphin Explorer E50 is engineered with a compact, balanced body that delivers durability and user-friendly handling. Weighing 19 pounds, it offers excellent portability with an integrated ergonomic handle and a top-load filter system for quick debris disposal. The E50’s 60-foot swivel cable ensures smooth movement across large pools without tangling, ideal for irregular layouts or deep ends. Its outer shell is sleek, resistant to corrosion, and built for daily operation without physical degradation over time.
On the other hand, the Dolphin Premier is more robust and heavier at 22 pounds, featuring a larger frame built for rugged durability and adaptability. Its standout design feature is its modular filtration system, which lets users switch between a leaf bag, micro-filter cartridges, or a fine filter for different cleaning needs. Though highly versatile, the Premier’s bulk makes it less convenient to lift and deploy frequently. Its sturdy construction suits high-debris environments or larger pool properties, but for lighter day-to-day tasks, it may feel cumbersome.
Winner: Dolphin Explorer E50
With a more refined, lighter design and a hassle-free top-load filter, the E50 offers easier handling and streamlined operation for residential users.
Cleaning Performance Comparison
Both models provide comprehensive 3-zone cleaning, effectively scrubbing the floor, walls, and waterline of residential in-ground pools. The Dolphin Explorer E50 is equipped with dual active brushes that rotate faster and independently from the drive tracks. This allows the E50 to deliver superior agitation of algae, biofilm, and stubborn deposits, making it particularly effective on textured pool surfaces like pebblecrete or tile. The E50 also features a multi-layer filtration basket, enabling it to trap both large debris and ultra-fine particles in a single cleaning session without compromising suction flow.
The Dolphin Premier uses dual standard brushes that rotate passively and rely more on suction than scrubbing force. While still effective on smooth surfaces, the lack of active brushing makes it slightly less efficient on tougher residues or in high-algae conditions. The Premier compensates with its interchangeable filter media system: users can choose between oversized debris bags for leaves, standard cartridges for daily use, or ultra-fine filters for fine silt. This provides greater filtration control but requires manual swapping before each cleaning cycle, depending on debris type.
The E50 also supports three selectable cleaning durations—1.5, 2, or 2.5 hours—while the Premier uses a fixed 3-hour cycle with no adjustable modes. This makes the E50 more flexible for quick cleans after light use or extended cycles after heavy use.
Winner: Dolphin Explorer E50
With active brushes, adjustable cycle times, and integrated multi-layer filtration, the E50 provides more aggressive and adaptive cleaning in less time.
Feature Comparison
The Explorer E50 is built for smart pool ownership, featuring full integration with the MyDolphin™ Plus App. Through Wi-Fi connectivity, users can start and stop cleanings remotely, schedule weekly cleanings, select preferred cycle times, and monitor real-time cleaner status. This level of automation brings pool care into the modern era, allowing homeowners to manage cleaning from anywhere, whether at home or away. App integration also supports updates, diagnostics, and enhanced remote support if needed.
In contrast, the Dolphin Premier does not support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or app connectivity. All scheduling is done manually through the power supply. While it does include a basic weekly timer with preset intervals (every day, every other day, every third day), there is no way to customize durations, view cleaner status, or interact remotely. This simplicity appeals to users who want a “set-it-and-forget-it” system but limits advanced control.
For users looking to integrate their cleaner with smart home routines or automate their pool schedule down to the hour, the E50 stands out as a far more capable solution.
Winner: Dolphin Explorer E50
With full smart control and Wi-Fi scheduling via the MyDolphin™ Plus App, the E50 offers the most advanced feature set for tech-savvy pool owners.
Quick Rundown Of Dolphin Explorer E50
Quick Rundown Of Dolphin Premier
Conclusion
Choose the Dolphin Explorer E50 if you want smart control, aggressive scrubbing, and all-in-one filtration in a sleek, easy-to-use design. Its active brushes, app connectivity, and selectable cycle times make it the superior choice for pool owners who prioritize both cleaning performance and automation.
Choose the Dolphin Premier if you need high-capacity filtration options for large debris, prefer rugged build quality, and don’t require app-based control. It’s a great fit for owners dealing with leaves, acorns, or irregular debris loads and who favor simple scheduling over smartphone integration.
Overall Winner: Dolphin Explorer E50
With better scrubbing technology, advanced scheduling via Wi-Fi, a more user-friendly filtration system, and cycle customization, the Explorer E50 stands out as the smarter, more efficient choice for today’s pool owners. It combines high-end cleaning power with intuitive controls for a maintenance-free, crystal-clear pool all season long.