Dolphin Escape versus Dolphin Premier®
Compare Features, Filters, and Warranty
Dolphin Escape
Dolphin Premier®
Is the Premier or Escape better?
Rated the Best Pool Robot for 2024 by USA Today, the Dolphin Premier is like no other. Only the Dolphin Premier includes Multi-Media™, an Oversized Leaf Bag, better pool coverage with waterline cleaning, an anti-tangle swivel, and a 50% longer warranty when compared to the Dolphin Escape. There is a reason the Dolphin Premier is the #1 selling premium robot and trusted by pool owners worldwide.
Compare Essential Features
Escape | Premier | |
---|---|---|
Cleans Waterline | No |
Yes |
Nano Filtration | Yes | Yes |
Multi-Media | No |
Yes |
Media-Alert | No |
Yes |
3 Year Warranty | No |
Yes |
No Restocking Fee | Yes | Yes |
30 Day Trial | Yes | Yes |
Shop Now | Shop |
Escape includes |
Premier® includes |
---|---|
Cleans floor and partial wall (no tile / waterline) | Ultimate Coverage - Full floor, wall, and waterline coverage |
Includes 1 filter option - Standard filter | Multi-Media™ - Includes Oversized Leaf Bag, NanoFilters™, & Standard Filter |
Filters 4000 GPH | Filters 4500 GPH - Powered by dual commercial grade motors |
2 Year Warranty | Best-in-class 3 year warranty |
Programmable Weekly Timer - Schedule cleanings every 24, 48, 72 hrs | Programmable Weekly Timer - Schedule cleanings every 24, 48, 72 hrs |
Anti-Tangle Swivel - Patented 360 Degree Rotation | |
Only Dolphin with a leaf bag | |
Media-Alert® - Premier lets you know when it's time to clean | |
Disposable Debris Bag Option |
Escape does not include |
Premier® does not include |
---|---|
No Multi-Media™ available | |
No Waterline Cleaning - Does not clean tileline, waterline, or scumline | |
No NanoFilters™ - Advanced filtration that captures fine particulate, green, and cloudy pool water | |
No 3 Year Warranty - 33% shorter warranty | |
No Full Filter Indicator - Lets you know when to clean filters | |
No Remote Control Capability |
Head To Head Review Analysis
Compare the Dolphin Escape to the Dolphin Premier
Both are designed to effectively clean your pool's floor and walls, but only the Dolphin Premier cleans the waterline. While the Dolphin Escape will miss the waterline. Breaking down their filters, the Dolphin Premier® includes 3 filter options (with a 4th optional). The Dolphin Escape includes only one filter option, the Standard Cartridge Filter, but won't include the Oversized Leaf Bag or the NanoFilter Filter. The Dolphin Premier has a 50% longer warranty compared to the Escape. The Premier has a 3-year best-in-class warranty, while the Dolphin Escape has a 2 year warranty.
Filter Options
What’s even better than having 2 sets of filtration options? How about 3 or 4. There’s only one Dolphin pool cleaner with this feature. Multi-Media is a Dolphin Premier exclusive feature. Premier includes Fine, NanoFilters, and a Leaf Bag. In addition, you can get disposable filter bags so you can just toss ‘em in the trash when you’re done. You can even subscribe to a service to ship these monthly.
Robotic pool cleaners with multiple filter media let you customize your pool’s cleaning job based on its needs that day. Use an NanoFilter filter to capture smaller particles, use a standard cartridge for a regular clean, use the oversized leaf bag after a storm, and perhaps disposable for the really dirty jobs.
The Escape comes with one filter option, while the Premier® has Multi-Media®, which offers four different filter media options. This gives you the ability to customize your cleaning based on your pool's needs. If you need to pick up leaves, you can use the oversized leaf bag or disposable leaf bag. If you need to clean up regular debris, you can use the fine filter cartridge. Finally, if you need to pick up fine dust and other micro particles, you can use the NanoFilter cartridge.
The Dolphin Premier includes:
- Oversized Leaf Bag
- Standard Cartridge Filter Set
- NanoFilter™ Cartridge Set
- Optional Disposable Debris Bag (sold separately)
The Dolphin Escape includes:
- Standard Cartridge Filter
Unlock Your Robot’s Full Potential
There are two types of filters available on modern robotic pool cleaners. The first generation robots will have a filter consisting of a large pore plastic mesh. The second generation type is the NanoFilter™ cartridge, which is a high-efficiency particulate filter. The large pore mesh filter is the more basic type and is found on many discount pool cleaners, while the Nanofilter is the more advanced option. Under a microscope, you can see the Nanofilter’s individual fibers intersecting to create a tight mesh. This webbed structure is able to sieve even the smallest of micron particles. Additionally, the filter’s deep pleats provide a larger surface area, meaning more waterborne particles can be trapped while having relatively low resistance to waterflow.
The NanoFilter™ also has the benefit of being able to absorb oil, which is beneficial for keeping sunscreen and scum lines from forming on the pool’s surface. Overall, the pleated Nanofilter is more efficient than the plastic mesh filter at capturing all types of microscopic waterborne particles, including pollen, algae, bacteria, pet dander, and other debris. Not only does this improve the amount of contaminants that are removed from the water, but it also leads to a higher level of clarity and sparkle in the pool. The Nanofilter serves as an important booster to the pool’s main filter, and for this reason, it is the preferred choice for many pool owners.
The NanoFilters™ capture more dirt, sand, and even oil out of your pool than the standard filter cartridges, making a NanoFilter™ a must-have for any pool robot. Without it, these particles will be left inside of your pool and can lead to poor water chemistry.
Ease of Use
Both robots have a similar setup process and weigh about the same. To set up either one, simply plug the power supply into an outdoor outlet, plug the unit into the power supply, drop the unit into the water, and press start. Both robots have a weekly timer with options for daily, every other day, and every three-day cycles.
Cleaning Performance
In terms of cleaning performance, the Dolphin Premier® is capable of cleaning pool floors, walls, and waterline (also called the scum line), which is the most vulnerable part of the pool to dirt, grime, and algae buildup. This is especially important for robotic pool cleaners because if the bot doesn't clean the scum line, you'll still need to manually brush the pool afterwards. The Dolphin Escape only covers the pool floors and walls, missing the waterline entirely. While it will clean your pool floors and walls, expect it to miss your waterline entirely.
Media-Alert®
The Premier® has an extra feature to improve user experience, a full filter bag indicator. This indicator will let you know when the filter bag is full and needs to be cleaned, as well as when it is partially blocked and needs to be cleared out. This indicator is not present on the Escape.
Anti-Tangle Swivel
Only the Dolphin Premier includes an anti-tangle swivel, which helps minimize cord tangling. The Patented Tangle Free Swivel from Maytronics allows the robot to rotate 360 degrees without your cord getting tangled. Without it, the Escape's cord can get tangled and caught up in your pool.
Warranty
The Premier® offers a longer warranty: 36 months (3 years) compared to the Escape' 24 month warranty (2 years).
Which is the better pool robot?
Overall, the Dolphin Premier offers more customizable filter options, an Oversized Leaf Bag, better pool coverage with waterline cleaning, an anti-tangle swivel, and a 50% longer warranty when compared to the Dolphin Escape.
Video
Features
Dolphin Escape |
||
---|---|---|
Waterline Cleaning | ||
Multi-Media™ | ||
Standard Filter | ||
Leaf Bag ($149.99 Value) |
||
Disposable Debris Bags (Optional) |
||
Ultra-Fine Filters | ||
Programmable Timer | ||
Full Filter Indicator | ||
Remote Control (Optional) |
||
Dual Stabilizer | ||
Cable Swivel | ||
3 Year Warranty |
Dolphin Premier® |
||
---|---|---|
Disposable Debris Bags (Optional) |
||
Programmable Timer | ||
Remote Control (Optional) |
||
Dual Stabilizer | ||
Cable Swivel | ||
Where To Buy
Certified Open Box and Certified Refurbished
Shop Dolphin Open Box and Dolphin Refurbished to save hundreds on a pool cleaner. With a full warranty, all original parts, and a risk-free 30 day trial, it is the easiest way to save big on a robotic pool cleaner for your pool.
Specifications
Part Number | 99996153-SPLF | 99996339-SPL |
---|---|---|
ASIN | B01I466H94 | B01BP8PLMM |
Waterline Cleaning | No | Yes |
Multi-Media™ | No | Yes |
# of Filters Included: | 1 | 3 |
Filter Cleaning | Filter Basket | Oversized Leaf Bag, Ultra-fine Cartridges, Standard Cartridges, & Optional Disposable Debris bag |
Cleaning Coverage | Floor | Floor, Walls, Waterline |
Cleaning Cycle | 1.5 hours | 3 hours |
Number of Brushes | 1 | 2 |
Cable Length | 40 ft | 60 ft |
Anti-Tangle Swivel | No | Yes |
Pool Types | Above Ground | In Ground |
Maximum Pool Size | 33 ft | 50 ft |
Pool Shape | Rectangle, Oval, or Freeform | Rectangle, Oval, or Freeform |
Obstacles | Steps, Ladder, Drain Cover, Ledges, Pop-Ups | Steps, Ladder, Drain Cover, Ledges, Pop-Ups |
Surface | Concrete, Plaster, Gunite, Pebble, Tile, Vinyl Liner, Fiberglass | Concrete, Plaster, Gunite, Pebble, Tile, Vinyl Liner, Fiberglass |
Media-Alert® | No | Yes |
Automated Weekly Timer | Yes | Yes |
Remote operation | No | Yes - Optional Physical Remote |
ProLine™ | No | Yes |
Restocking Fee | No |
No |
Warranty | 2 Years | 3 Years |
Price | $639$897Save $258 |
$1297$1747Save $450Save $450 |