What's up guys! Ryan here from ActuallyUsed. So, I've been testing the Dolphin Premier pool cleaner for a few weeks now and... This thing is insane. If you want the best robotic pool cleaner, this is it. (Want to see how it compares to other top models? Check out our best robotic pool cleaners guide.)
If you're on the fence on this cleaner, keep watching. With suction power 160% stronger than other cleaners, it's definitely worth the extra money. And let me show you why.
Why I'm Impressed
After testing lots of pool robots, I have to say - this one stands out. Most pool cleaners feel just okay, but the Premier immediately feels premium.
A lot of pool robots on the market right now are cheap, made in China, and cut corners to cut costs. From exposed foam to thin plastic, not all pool robots are built the same.
But the Premier is different. It's substantial, well-made, and built to last. I've been running it consistently for weeks, and it's handling everything well.
When I measured the suction power, and I'll touch more on that later, I found the Premier has 160% more power than similar competitors. That's not the manufacturer numbers - I put the Premier to the test in my pool against its top competitors and gathered the data myself. And it blew all the other pool robots away.
Filtration
The Multi-Media filtration system is a standout feature. Instead of one basic filter like most robots have, the Premier comes with three different options in the box:
- Leaf bag for leaves
- NanoFilters for the smallest particles
- Standard filters for everyday cleaning
This is a feature I really loved. For crystal clear water, use the NanoFilters that seem to catch everything. Whether it's algae or leaves, it captures everything effortlessly.
Most pool robots just have one filter - and it is typically mesh. But what a lot of people don't tell you is the mesh filters suck.
If you look closely at the mesh filters from other brands, you can see right through them. Premier includes mesh filters too, but the NanoFilters are way more effective when it comes to cleaning.
You won't find them in other pool robots because the motors aren't strong enough to handle them. But with the Premier's commercial-grade motors, it has no issues at all.
The amount of junk and debris it picks up is pretty shocking. From algae, dirt, leaves, and sand, it gets all of it in one filter.
AutoStart with Weekly Smart Timer
This is where the Premier really outperforms the competition. While other pool cleaners need constant recharging or to be restarted daily, the Premier has AutoStart with its Weekly Smart Timer.
What does that mean?
The Premier automatically turns on and cleans daily for you. Just press the button, set a schedule, and you're good to go. It's super simple.
You don't have to recharge it or constantly babysit. Just rinse the filter at the end of the week.
Corded vs Cordless
Let's talk about cordless vs. corded cleaners. There's a lot of marketing around cordless pool robots right now. They look clean in ads with no cable. But after testing both extensively, I prefer corded models like the Premier. Here's why:
CONSISTENT POWER
The main advantage of corded cleaners is consistent power. With cordless models, you deal with battery fade - strong suction at first that gradually weakens. The Premier maintains full 2.6 PSI suction throughout the entire cleaning cycle.
It's similar to your cordless vacuum at home - remember how it starts losing suction as the battery drains? The same happens in pool robots, but underwater where you can't see it.
THE DAILY ROUTINE
This is what became frustrating when I was testing and reviewing cordless models. Every day you have to:
- Fish out the robot
- Carry a dripping, heavy unit to an outlet
- Charge it for hours
- Come back out later in the day and throw it back in
All to just have it clean once a day. That's two trips a day to use a cordless pool cleaner. After a week, this gets tedious.
With the Premier, I simply can set and forget it for a week at a time. That's 13 fewer trips to the pool per week.
LONGER CLEANING CYCLES
Most cordless robots run for 60-90 minutes before needing a charge. The Premier runs for two and a half hour cycles, which means more time cleaning. And that means a cleaner pool.
When I measured suction power, the numbers were clear:
- The Dolphin Premier: 2.6 PSI
- The Aiper Scuba X1: 1.0 PSI
- The Beatbot AquaSense 2: 1.6 PSI
That's a significant difference that shows up in cleaning performance.
Wider Intakes
The dual intake design is effective. At 9.5 inches wide, the cleaning path is 37% larger than the Beatbot AquaSense 2 Ultra.
This means it captures debris efficiently rather than just pushing it around. The intakes are positioned perfectly relative to the brushes, so loosened debris gets sucked up immediately.
SmartNav 2.0
The Premier uses SmartNav 2.0 technology that works well. Unlike random-pattern cleaners that miss areas, this system maps your pool and creates efficient cleaning paths.
It's interesting to watch it work through your pool, climbing walls all the way to the waterline, something many robots struggle with, and navigating around obstacles.
Some advantages I noticed:
- It doesn't get stuck in corners like cheaper robots
- It creates efficient paths that reduce redundant cleaning
- It navigates around obstacles effectively
"What about the cord tangling?" This is the main concern with corded models. The Premier's anti-tangle swivel cable works surprisingly well. During weeks of testing, I didn't have any tangling issues.
The 60-foot cable combined with the swivel allows it to move freely throughout the pool without knotting up. It's a good example of solving a problem through design rather than removing features.
Performance
After several weeks of daily use, the performance has been consistently good. The filtration system makes a noticeable difference in water clarity - even in a pool that looked clean before.
It handles challenging debris like leaves and pollen that give other robots trouble. Instead of pushing the debris around the pool, it actually captures it.
Time is money, right? Well, here's my time comparison with other cleaning methods:
- Manual cleaning: 1-2 hours per week
- Cordless robot: 10 minutes daily (70 minutes weekly)
- Dolphin Premier: 10 minutes once per week
I saved over an hour a week thanks to the Premier. That's something I've noticed a lot of other reviews of the Premier doesn't cover - but it is a huge difference and testament to how easy the Premier is to actually use and own.
What's the Downside?
No product is perfect. But the Premier is pretty close.
The Price
At around $1,500, this is definitely an investment. It's more expensive than entry-level options, which might be hard to justify if you haven't used one. But after using several cordless models and other corded robots, the Premier is a sweet spot that is worth every single penny.
No Smartphone App
There's no smartphone app-but honestly, after using other pool robots with flaky apps, it wasn't something I missed.
I've found a lot of pool robots app are completely useless anyways. Robots like the Beatbot and Aiper lose connection as soon as it hits the water anyways.
But if you want an app, look into the Dolphin Sigma - the top model in the ProLine. It's a little more, but has a smartphone app.
The Long Term Value
When considering the total cost of ownership rather than just the initial price, the Premier makes more sense:
- Less time spent on maintenance (40+ hours saved per year)
- Reduced chemical usage
- Lower energy consumption than a pressure-side or suction-side cleaner
- Longer lifespan and warranty
Over a 5-year period, the cost difference between this and cheaper models becomes less significant when factoring in replacement costs and time savings.
Is the Dolphin Premier worth it?
Bottom line: the Dolphin Premier isn't just hype.
After testing it, the Dolphin Premier is the best pool robot I've used. It's a fantastic value and worth every penny. If you're on the fence about whether it is worth the upgrade, it is.
It's a benchmark for residential pool robots, with commercial-grade power, smart navigation, and practical features that make pool maintenance easier.
For pool owners tired of constant vacuuming, brushing, and headaches, this robot delivers what good tech should: not just good specifications, but actual improvement that makes owning a pool easier.
That's my take on the Dolphin Premier. Want to see how it compares to other top models? Check out our best robotic pool cleaners guide. Thanks for watching and I'll see you next time!
