Dolphin pool cleaner vs. Polaris pool cleaner: Which is better?

Comparing the Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner to the Polaris F9550 Sport Pool Cleaner

Pool ownership can be a ton of fun, especially in the summer months when the sun is high and the days drag on. Keeping that pool swimmable, however, requires regular cleaning and maintenance. Luckily, pool owners can buy self-guided pool cleaners that will regularly circulate through the water and remove debris all along the walls and floors. These pool cleaners aren’t cheap, but they do enable pool owners to take a more hands-off approach to keeping their pool tidy.

Dolphin and Polaris are two of the top pool-cleaning brands, producing automated pool cleaners that will routinely scrub every square inch of your pool, keeping the water clear and the surfaces algae-free. The Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner uses SmartNav technology to roam around your pool, cleaning as it goes, and comes with a multi-filter system to ensure debris of all sizes is caught. Meanwhile, the Polaris F9550 Sport Pool Cleaner can clean a slightly larger pool and comes standard with a remote control to program your device to your liking.

Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner

The Dolphin Premier Pool cleaner uses three different filters to wrangle the various bits of debris in any pool up to 50 feet. This premium product runs on a three-hour cleaning cycle and has a 60-foot, swiveling anti-tangle cable to allow it to maneuver around your pool without issue. The Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner costs around $1,300 and is available at Amazon.

Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner pros

The Premier’s motors have been updated since the previous model Dolphin put out, meaning energy use has been significantly reduced in this model. This should help you save on your energy bill, as pool cleaners aren’t typically known to be energy efficient.

The Premier uses dual-scrubber brushes to attack the dirt and debris polluting your pool, and it uses SmartNav technology to determine the best path toward achieving that goal.

This pool cleaner comes with the ability to program it for weekly cleanings so you don’t have to manually set up cleanings every few days. It has a warning light when the filter bag is full so you know exactly when to empty it.

The Dolphin Premier also uses multiple filters so it is able to eliminate as much debris from your pool as possible, from fine bits of dirt to large leaves. A tangle-free swivel cord means your pool cleaner shouldn’t get stuck because it has tangled the cord around itself. Perhaps best of all, this product comes with three-year quality assurance.

Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner cons

Unlike other pool cleaners, this model doesn't come with a caddy for easy storage when the device is not in use. A caddy and a caddy cover can both be purchased separately, however.

This pool cleaner does not come standard with a remote control to easily manipulate the machine from afar. A remote can be purchased separately.

The Dolphin Premier comes with a higher price tag than other similar products.

Polaris F9550 Sport Robotic Pool Cleaner

The Polaris F9550 Sport Robotic Pool Cleaner is a high-tech, efficient machine that will get and keep your pool clean. Use the included remote control to set your pool cleaner from a distance and, when the job is done, set the device to rest in the provided storage caddy until it's needed again. The Polaris F9550 Sport Robotic Pool Cleaner costs around $1,100 and is available at Amazon.

Polaris F9550 Sport Robotic Pool Cleaner pros

This particular Polaris pool cleaner has been loaded with Vortex Vacuum technology, which means it has powerful suction capabilities to attack even the biggest and most stubborn bits of debris in your pool. Unlike other pool cleaners, this one comes with an included remote control, giving you maximum control over your device’s route and routine. The Polaris pool cleaner has a 70-foot cable, meaning it can clean a slightly larger pool than some of its competitors.

The Polaris uses four Aqua-Trax tires to maneuver around your pool, cleaning and sweeping as it goes. These tires make navigating your pool and all of its surfaces quick and easy.

As the Polaris gets to work, it uses ActivMotion Sensor Technology to determine where it should go and which spaces need the most attention. This feature, combined with the device’s agility courtesy of its rear water-propulsion system, can easily navigate over and under any obstacle in its path.

This pool cleaner has two cleaning cycle options and a tangle-free swivel cord. It also has a full-bag warning light to let you know when it is time to clean your filter. This product comes with a two-year warranty.

Polaris F9550 Sport Robotic Pool Cleaner cons

The Polaris F9550 Sport Robotic Pool Cleaner costs more than other products from the same manufacturer.

Some users report that their Polaris cleaner sometimes gets flipped over in the water after cleaning a vertical wall and can not right itself. The pool owner may have to get in the pool in order to flip it back over and get it working again. Others have reported that the seam of the filter basket tore after minimal use.

Should you get the Dolphin Premier Robotic Pool Cleaner or the Polaris F9550 Sport Robotic Pool Cleaner?

The Polaris pool cleaner is the better choice here. Not only is it slightly less expensive than its Dolphin competitor, but it can also manage a slightly larger pool than the Dolphin pool cleaner. It also uses more impressive technology to navigate and clean your pool. The bonus addition of the included caddy and remote control makes the Polaris F9550 Sport Robotic Pool Cleaner the obvious winner.

Stephanie Jarrett is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

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