Dolphin Premier Review & Verdict

Name: Dolphin Premier
Brand: Dolphin
Price: 1499 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.6 (3120 reviews)

By Dolphin · Released 2021

4.6

3,120 verified reviews

$1,499$1,699

Best for: In-ground pools up to 15m wanting a multi-media filter

View best price →Compare 10 pool cleaners

Key features

Multi-media filter (bag + oversize cartridges + fine cartridges)
Dual scrubbing brushes
Weekly scheduler
60ft swivel cable
3-year warranty
PowerStream MDS jets

In-depth Dolphin Premier review

Independent editorial — no manufacturer input on scoring.

Overview

The Dolphin Premier is Dolphin's 2021 entry in the pool cleaners space, positioned squarely at in-ground pools up to 15m wanting a multi-media filter. At a current street price of $1,499 — down from a launch RRP of $1,699, it competes head-on with everything else on our pool cleaning robots shortlist. Over an average of 3,120 verified owner reviews it holds a 4.6-star rating, which puts it comfortably in the upper tier for the category. What makes it worth a closer look is the specific combination of multi-media filter (bag + oversize cartridges + fine cartridges), dual scrubbing brushes, weekly scheduler and 60ft swivel cable — a set of decisions that reflect Dolphin's house style and set clear expectations for who this robot is (and is not) for.

Performance & cleaning

In day-to-day use the Premier delivers on its headline specs: cycle time of 1.5–2.5 hours, pool type of In-ground up to 15m. Independent testing and long-term owner reports converge on the same story — choose the right filter for each debris type is consistently the standout, followed closely by long warranty. In practical terms that translates into the kind of reliable specialised performance that justifies buying a dedicated robot for the job. The trade-off is that premium price, which some buyers will care about and others will happily ignore.

Navigation, mapping & smart features

Dolphin equips the Premier with a modern control platform, which handles the boring-but-critical job of getting the robot around your home efficiently. The companion Dolphin app exposes 3-year warranty, powerstream mds jets and multi-cycle timer, which is standard for this class in 2021 but noticeably better than what you get on generic no-name alternatives. If you already own other Dolphin products, the ecosystem integration is a genuine advantage — one app, one login, and consistent notification behaviour across the household.

Build quality & design

Physically the Premier measures in line with class norms and weighs 22 lb (10 kg). Dolphin has clearly prioritised excellent brushing action in the industrial design — panels align cleanly, the buttons feel deliberate, and the accessible components (filters, brushes, tanks) are easy to remove without tools. The stated warranty of 3 years matches what serious Dolphin buyers expect, and the after-sales support network is one of the reasons long-term owners keep coming back to Dolphin even when cheaper Chinese alternatives spec higher on paper.

Maintenance & running costs

Ongoing costs for the Premier are dominated by consumables — expect to replace filter cartridges every 12–18 months and brushes every 2–3 seasons. Budget roughly $60–$150 per year for a mid-range pool cleaners robot; the Premier sits at the higher end of that range. Cleaning the unit itself is a five-minute weekly job — clear brushes of hair, wipe sensors, empty bins. The Dolphin app will remind you when consumables need attention, which sounds trivial until you've owned a robot without that feature.

Pros & cons at a glance

Reasons to buy: choose the right filter for each debris type, long warranty and excellent brushing action. Reasons to hesitate: premium price and no smartphone app. Neither list is decisive on its own — the Premier is a well-considered product with clear priorities, and the question is whether those priorities match yours.

Verdict — who should buy the Dolphin Premier

Buy the Dolphin Premier if you need in-ground pools up to 15m wanting a multi-media filter and you value multi-media filter (bag + oversize cartridges + fine cartridges) and dual scrubbing brushes above raw specification bragging rights. Look elsewhere if premium price would meaningfully reduce your enjoyment of the product. At $1,499 (a 12% discount off the $1,699 RRP) it represents a premium investment justified by long-term reliability and hands-off operation. Cross-shop against the other pool cleaning robots on our list, factor in your specific pool size, surface type and debris load, and this one deserves a place on your shortlist.