A swimming pool can be very tricky to clean and maintain. Traditionally, owners needed to spend lots of time and effort just to keep contaminants, leaves, and gunk away from these areas. However, we now have a huge advantage in that war on gunk with fully autonomous robots to do this task for us.
Choosing the most efficient one can be very hard especially if you are not familiar with popular models. This robotic pool cleaner comparison was created to help you decide between Dolphin Premier vs Aquabot Elite, both among the best robotic pool cleaners on the market.
By the end of the article, you should be enlightened on which of the two fits your lifestyle perfectly.
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At a glance
Last update on 2023-01-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Dolphin Premier vs Aquabot Elite: The quick answer
Getting one of the two robotic pool cleaners in this guide is on a case-to-case basis. They both have their own sets of strengths and weaknesses.
If you want more options regarding cycle options, longer power cord or cable, better all-around cleaning, as well as enhanced filtering, then the Dolphin Premier will be a good swimming pool companion.
On the other hand, if you desire a pool cleaner that is easier to clean, has instantly removable filters, lots of replacement parts, and a portable cart, then the Elite Pro is the best one for you.
The price difference between the two is not a real issue since it is significantly small. Thus, the final verdict will highly depend on your pool type, environment, as well as your needs as an owner.
Product Overviews
Maytronics Dolphin Premier
The Dolphin Premier is a robotic pool cleaner that features a dual scrubbing brush and several filter choices. It is mainly used for pools that are up to 50-feet in length, as well as in-ground ones. The plug-and-play nature of the device means that it can be easily used and set up by anyone who purchases it.
The Dolphin Premier makes use of CleverClean for navigation and an Anti-tangle cord to prevent electrical hazards. The brushes attack any type of contaminant, giving it a thorough clean from the walls down to the floor. It also has one of the best filter selections in the market, making it a worthy robot cleaner for its price.
Read the full review: Dolphin Premier Review
Here are the pros and cons of the product:
• Adjustable cycle options
• Long anti-swivel cable
• Enhanced filters and filter cartridges
• Powerful Suction System
• Caddy not included
• Remote Control Only
• Hard to remove the filters installed
Last update on 2023-01-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Aquabot Elite Robotic Pool Cleaner
The Aquabot Elite Pro is a robotic pool cleaner that boasts power, reliability, and effectiveness. It has multiple scrubbing brush bristles to help in dealing with contaminants stuck on tiles, as well as large cartridge filters that can remove the need for annoying bags. The robot also utilizes Smart DC Motors for powerful rotations.
The Aquabot Elite Pro is capable of weekly scheduling, and this improves user experience in terms of autonomy. It can also be controlled using the App through Bluetooth. This robot can manage deep cleaning procedures which can last up to 2 and a half hours. The Aquabot comes with an Anti-Tangle Swivel cord to help prevent electrical accidents.
Read the full review: Aquabot Elite Pro Review
• Powerful Suction and Vacuum Path
• Easier to maintain
• App controls
• Portable
• Fragile Parts
• Prone to repeated spot-cleaning
Side by side: similarities
Here are the main features of both robot devices that are very similar in nature:
Energy Saving
Both the Aquabot Elite Pro and the Dolphin Premier are designed to operate at low energy usage. Compared to traditional pool cleaners which cost hundreds of dollars to run, the Dolphin Premier robot only requires 180 watts of power, meaning that owners will be able to save more energy in the long run. This is possible due to the efficient DC Motor Drives designed by Maytronics.
Aquabot Elite Pro is not behind the Dolphin in terms of power-saving, as it also has a 24-Volt Motor capable of trimming rates up to 80%. Despite the voltage, rotations are not compromised as it is still capable of 3000 rpm. It even has an auto-terminate feature as a method to help further increase energy efficiency.
Logical Cleaning
The Dolphin Premier makes use of sensors for a complete pool cleaning experience with the help of the Smart Nav System. It can scan the entire space and create logical patterns that it will follow. This enables the robotic pool cleaner to never miss a spot, whether it be on the floor or wall.
The Aquabot Elite Pro operates in the same manner. With the aid of Smart Navigation Drive, it makes use of sensors and visual image receivers to gauge the orientation of the swimming pool. It does not matter what type of pool design you have, the Aquabot will surely deal with it.
Multiple Brushes
Brushes are an important part of any robotic pool cleaner as they help remove stubborn gunk, leaves or dirt stuck between walls. The Dolphin Premier boasts a dual scrubbing brush that has a very powerful force, enabling it to get rid of debris that is present in the area.
Like its competitor, the Aquabot Elite Pro also has a pair of brushes to help with the scraping operation. The product claims that it does not only remove contaminants but also bacteria and algae that are settled in floors. Nevertheless, both pool cleaners are mighty in terms of brushing abilities.
Vertical Movement
Wall and waterline cleaning is not an issue for both of these robotic pool cleaners, as they can handle vertical navigation and movement. The Dolphin Premier makes use of the HyperGrip Technology which ensures that it does not fall off when climbing a wall. It even has a balancing mechanism to keep it in place.
On the other hand, the Aquabot Elite Pro utilizes the EverGrip system as its main rubber tracks movement. With this, it can effortlessly go through obstacles or even climb any type of wall. These features from both devices are very beneficial in terms of waterline cleaning.
Anti-Swivel Cords
Cables and cords are the make-or-break features of any robotic pool cleaner. Thankfully, both robot devices display anti-tangling cable benefits to enable smooth operations and functioning. This greatly helps in maintaining safety during the cleaning task, as well as ensuring that the robots will endure for a long time.
Aquabot Elite vs Dolphin Premier: key differences
Number of Filters
When it comes to the choice and number of filters, the Dolphin Premier has a very clear advantage. It has three types of cartridges that can be used depending on your needs such as micro, standard, and oversized debris ones. This means that you get more flexibility in cleaning in any type of weather condition.
On the other hand, the Aquabot Elite Pro only has one, but it does come with the added benefit of ClearView panels meaning that owners can see whether it is full or not. The robot is also capable of instant disposal, and this helps in removing the cartridge even if it is still in the pool. It may not have the same versatility as the Dolphin Premier, but it is a lot easier to clean and maintain.
Portability
The Dolphin Premier is not that heavy, but the robotic pool cleaner does not have a caddy present with the package. This can make portability a bit of a problem especially if you are not used to lifting robotic pool cleaners. On the other hand, the Aquabot Elite Pro comes with a caddy to help with mobility, and it is significantly lighter than its competitor. This makes transport a breeze, especially during maintenance or disposal times.
Programmable Cycles
Scheduling is not a problem for both the Aquabot Elite and Dolphin Premier as they can be set up for automatic cleaning. A user can choose cleaning frequencies, and this removes any need for human intervention except when disposal is necessary. However, the Aquabot Elite is more superior in this aspect as the robotic pool cleaner has more specific cycles that anyone can benefit from. Simply run the Programmable Weekly Timer system and enjoy the robot’s intelligence when it comes to autonomy.
Cable Length
While both devices have sufficient cable lengths, Dolphin Premier takes the win in this area. It has a 65-foot anti-swivel cable which gives more room in case you need a little bit of boost. This makes cleaning of a 50 feet in-ground pool a breeze since the cord will be more than enough to make up for depth,
On the other side of the coin, the Aquabot Elite has only a 60-feet cable length. While it can be enough for a 50-feet swimming pool, it cannot be extended to more than that. Yes, 5 feet might seem small, but length is always a valuable feature for a robotic pool cleaner.
App-control
Both devices feature a physical remote control to aid in operations. However, the Aquabot Elite is superior in this aspect as it can connect through any smartphone device with the help of the native application.
All you need to do is install the application through Playstore or App Store, and you will have freedom of control at the tip of your fingers. You can schedule, terminate cleaning processes, initiate manual control, and even choose modes through the app.
The Dolphin Premier does not have this capability as only the more expensive units are smartphone-ready. Users will be left with the physical remote control as the only means for connection, and this can be disadvantageous considering that both products are at the same price point.
FAQs
Do the products have a gyroscope?
The Aquabot Elite Pro has an internal gyroscope which greatly helps in vertical navigation. This also aids in maintaining balance to keep the device from falling over. However, the Dolphin Premier does not have this feature as it only relies on sensors for orientation and direction both in the x and y-axis.
Do the products need to be dropped to the pool to start cleaning?
Yes, both robotic pool cleaners need to be dropped in the middle of the swimming pool to start the cleaning process. However, there is no need to worry as they have plug-and-play features that help in easy set-up and usage. All you need to do is find an electrical socket and connect the power cord to the robotic pool cleaners.
Where can I buy parts of the robots?
Replacement parts of the robots are available on their official sites. However, they are not always in stock so there might be a need to check the sites regularly. There are also other sellers for the parts, but I do not recommend them since you might end up receiving faulty components that can harm the device.
Will the robots get stuck on the drain or stairs?
Both robots are equipped with smart navigation scanning systems, meaning that they can choose logical cleaning paths. Yes, they can be stuck in drains or stairs but only in very rare cases. Nevertheless, there is no need to worry even if the cleaners get stuck as they can be removed easily.
Can the robots clean the waterline?
Yes, both devices are capable of waterline cleaning, thanks to the vertical navigation scanning as well as grip systems. These enable them to climb any surfaces without tipping over. Not only that, but the vertical grip also helps maintain proper distance between the brushes and tiles.
Conclusion
When faced against each other, the Dolphin Premier vs Aquabot Elite Pro match-up goes neck to neck, and there is no clear winner between the two. They have certain strengths where they shine and weaknesses where they falter.
For environments that require heavy cleaning such as those that are surrounded by trees, I recommend getting the Dolphin Premier as you will get the option to swap filters.
Emma Marie is a valued writer at the Little Robot Shop. She studied robotics and deeply understands technology, which shows in her writing. She consistently produces high-quality content, making her a perfect fit for the Little Robot Shop team.
While not writing, Emma works in a popular electronics retail chain. Emma also enjoys running and has two dogs with whom she loves spending time.
