If you're tired of manually cleaning or scrubbing your pool, this is the robotic pool cleaner for you. This is the Dolphin Cayman, and I put it to the test - and it has more suction power than robots that cost 3 times as much.
Hey what's up guys - Ryan here from ActuallyUsed. Today we're talking about one of my favorite bang-for-your-buck pool robots: the Dolphin Cayman.
It's Pool Cleaning on Autopilot. You plug it in once, set the Smart Weekly Timer, and it automatically turns on and cleans every day of the week.
No charging. No dragging it out every time. No reminders on your phone. Just a consistently clean pool, without lifting a finger.
Plus, it's loaded with some features you won't find on other pool robots: Automation Plus, optional NanoFilters, a top-loading MaxBin that's super easy to clean, and it even climbs and cleans the walls. For the price? It's one of the best pool cleaners I've tested.
I've tested a bunch of these things - including cordless ones - and here's the deal: recharging a cordless robot every day gets real old, real fast. That's why I always recommend corded models for people who want true automation. And the Cayman? It nails that sweet spot - powerful, reliable, and affordable.
How It Performs
So how does it actually perform in the pool? I've been running the Cayman in this pool for the past few weeks - and I'll be honest - it surprised me.
The suction power is strong, it picks up everything from fine dust to leaves, and the NanoFilters make a huge difference if your pool gets a lot of small particles.
Plus, wall-climbing? Legit. It gets the waterline and tile band way better than some cleaners that cost twice as much.
And here's my favorite part - once you set the Weekly Smart Timer, you don't even have to think about it. You can go out of town, come back a week later, and your pool still looks spotless. That's the kind of automation I'm looking for.
Cleaning Made Easy
So, just how easy is it to clean the Cayman? Let's me show you.
The Cayman automatically will turn on and scrub your pool for you, so you don't have to lift a finger. After a week of cleaning, you just gently tug on the cable and lift the Cayman out of the water. With a Quick Water Release and lightweight design, it is significantly easier to get in and out of the pool.
And let me tell you - the combination of a lightweight design and weekly timer is a game changer. I was tired of constantly pulling cordless pool robots out of the pool every single day. I'd have to pull it out in the morning to charge and take it back out at night to start the cleaning cycle. For those of you out there counting, that's over 14 different interactions with the robot in one week! Compare that to just 1 interaction a week with the Dolphin Cayman, it is the difference between night and day - and I'd never go back to a cordless pool cleaner.
Pool Coverage
So the Cayman is easy to clean and use, but just how well does it clean?
It cleans like a pro. I've used the upgraded ProLine models and it is right there with them. It gives up a little bit of power and precision, but don't underestimate it. If you have a smaller pool, this robot can get the job done.
It cleans your entire pool. From the pool floor to the walls. With over 4,000 gallons per hour of suction, it had no problem vacuuming leaves, twigs, bugs, dirt - you name it.
HyperBrush
I've gotta say-one of my favorite things about this robot is the HyperBrush. It scrubs the pool floor twice as fast as a normal brush, and you can see it spinning like crazy as it goes around the pool. It's not just sliding over the surface like some of those cheap robots, it actively scrubs your pool. The way it grips the floor and walls and actually scrubs off all the grime is really satisfying to watch. Honestly, for the price, the scrubbing power you get here is pretty impressive.
Suction Power
All this debris gets pulled in through the bottom of the robot - right here through this 5-inch-wide suction path. And it's not just a weak little vacuum - it creates a vortex as it moves, which really helps pull in both large and fine debris.
So, whether it's big leaves, twigs, or that fine dust and dirt that settles on the floor and walls, the Cayman grabs it all and sends it straight into the filter. And what I like is that it doesn't clog easily - you can run it multiple days in a row, and it just keeps going. It's super-efficient and larger than most robots in this price range.
Filtration
Which leads me into filtration, one of the most important parts of any robotic pool cleaner. The Cayman uses the Max-Series' exclusive MaxBin. Dolphin claims this is their 2nd generation filter that is larger and easier to clean.
How do you clean the Cayman?
Well, it's easy. There is this latch on top of the robot that you just lift up, and the filter handle pops right up - ready to be cleaned.
You simply lift, dump, rinse, and repeat - which is one of the things I love about this robot. Some of the robots I've tested, you have to flip over, fumble around with cartridges or bags, but not the Cayman.
The MaxBin has this latch on the bottom, so the debris just drops out. Or you can just flip the basket upside down to empty it. If you haven't used another robotic pool cleaner before, you may not notice how easy it is to clean - but it makes a world of difference.
NanoFilters
If you've seen of any of my other reviews, these filters are a MUST-HAVE. Why?
It simply helps the Cayman capture what other robots don't.
These filters are a huge upgrade to the standard mesh that's included. You just swap them out in a few seconds, and you'd be surprised how much they capture.
From dirt, leaves, to microscopic debris, it catches everything.
They don't come but are an optional accessory. I got my robot from Poolbots.com, and it included it with them for free - you just had to add them to the cart and enter the code. So it is definitely something to look for.
When should you use the NanoFilter?
If you pool doesn't have piles of leaves on the floor, it's a good idea to use the NanoFilters. The standard mesh filters help maximize flow and large debris pickup, while the NanoFilters help really capture the nitty gritty stuff in your pool.
What's the Downside?
Honestly.... Not much. The Cayman packs it all in one small robot. There are a few things to be aware of though before you buy
- Shorter Cable and No Swivel: The Cayman's cord is 50ft long - meaning it is rated for pools about 35 feet in length. This robot won't work for every pool, but it will work for most.
- No Waterline Cleaning: While it does clean the walls, it won't move horizontally along the waterline like some of Dolphin's Professional grade robots will, like the Dolphin ProLine.
But outside of that, the Cayman really has it all. The upgradeable NanoFilters are something you'll want to add to your cart, so don't miss out on those.
So, is the Dolphin Cayman worth it?
Yes - it deserves more praise than it's getting online. It kind of sneaks under the radar, but it's a hidden gem in the pool cleaning world. With powerful suction, a Weekly Smart Timer with Automation Plus, and the top-loading MaxBin, it really makes pool cleaning easier.
With full automation, you'll only have to go out once a week to empty the bin - and won't have to go outside twice a day to recharge it - unlike cordless pool robots I've tested. I give it 5 stars for this reason alone.
Now, is it perfect? No robot is. It doesn't have app control, and it's missing a swivel cable, which premium models like the Dolphin Sigma include.
And while its MaxBin is super easy to clean, if you want an even larger debris basket and true ProLine performance, the Dolphin Quantum is a great step up - plus it adds full waterline cleaning for pools that tend to get that stubborn tileline.
Bottom line: If you want a dependable, affordable pool robot that you can "set and forget," the Cayman hits that sweet spot. I'd recommend it for anyone with an inground or above-ground pool under about 40 to 35 feet, especially if you're tired of babysitting a cordless robot.
If your pool collects a ton of debris or you want the best possible wall and waterline scrubbing, look at the Quantum. And if you want full smart control and the absolute top-of-the-line experience, the Sigma is still my go-to.
But for the money? The Cayman is one of the best values out there - and yes, I'd absolutely buy it again.
That's my take on the Dolphin Cayman. Thanks for watching and I'll see you next time!