Dolphin Explorer E30 versus Dolphin Premier®

Compare Features, Filters, and Warranty

Dolphin Explorer E30
Dolphin Premier Pro Line Pool Robot Best Pool Robot USA Today

Dolphin Explorer E30

Dolphin Premier®

Is the Premier or Explorer E30 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™, NanoFilters, an Oversized Leaf Bag, and a 50% longer warranty when compared to the Dolphin Explorer E30. There is a reason the Dolphin Premier is the #1 selling premium robot and trusted by pool owners worldwide.

Compare Essential Features

Dolphin ProLine
Dolphin Logo Explorer E30 Premier
Cleans Waterline Yes Yes
Nano
Filtration
No
Yes
Suction Power
No
Yes
Multi-Media
No
Yes
Media-Alert
No
Yes
3 Year Warranty
No
Yes
No Restocking Fee
No
Yes
30 Day Trial
No
Yes
Shop Now Shop

yes Explorer E30 includes

yes Premier® includes

Full floor, wall, and waterline coverageUltimate 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 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

yes Explorer E30 does not include

yes Premier® does not include

No Multi-Media™ available
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
Possible Restocking Fee - Typically 20%+

Head To Head Review Analysis

Compare the Dolphin Explorer E30 to the Dolphin Premier

Both the Dolphin Premier and Dolphin Explorer E30 are designed to clean your pool's floor, walls, and waterline. Breaking down their filters, the Dolphin Premier® includes 3 filter options (with a 4th optional). The Dolphin Explorer E30 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 Explorer E30. The Premier has a 3-year best-in-class warranty, while the Dolphin Explorer E30 has a 2 year warranty.

Dolphin Premier Waterline
Ultimate Pool Coverage of the pool floor, walls, and waterline

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.

Dolphin Premier Multi-Media®
Premier's Multi-Media® Technology - 3 Filter Options Included

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 Explorer E30 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 Explorer E30 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.

Dolphin Premier Multi-Media®
NanoFilter™ vs Standard Filter

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.

Dolphin Premier Oversized Leaf Bag
Oversized Leaf Bag, a Dolphin Premier Exclusive

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 Explorer E30 also covers your entire pool, including the pool floor, walls, and waterline.

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 Explorer E30.

Anti-Tangle Swivel

Both models come with an anti-tangle swivel to minimize cord tangling. This helps both robots clean with power and precision in your swimming pool. The Patented Tangle Free Swivel from Maytronics allows the robot to rotate 360 degrees without your cord getting tangled.

Warranty

The Premier® offers a longer warranty: 36 months (3 years) compared to the Explorer E30' 24 month warranty (2 years).

Which is the better pool robot?

Overall, the Dolphin Premier offers more customizable filter options, an Oversized Leaf Bag, and a 50% longer warranty when compared to the Dolphin Explorer E30.

Video

Features

Dolphin Explorer E30

Waterline Cleaning yes  
Multi-Media™ yes  
Standard Filter yes  
Leaf Bag
($149.99 Value)
yes  
Disposable Debris Bags
(Optional)
yes  
Ultra-Fine Filters yes  
Programmable Timer yes  
Full Filter Indicator yes  
Remote Control
(Optional)
yes  
Dual Stabilizer yes  
Cable Swivel yes  
3 Year Warranty yes  

Dolphin Premier®

Waterline Cleaning yes  
Multi-Media™ yes  
Standard Filter yes  
Leaf Bag
($149.99 Value)
yes  
Disposable Debris Bags
(Optional)
yes  
NanoFilters™
($79.99 Value)
yes  
Programmable Timer yes  
Full Filter Indicator yes  
Remote Control
(Optional)
yes  
Dual Stabilizer yes  
Cable Swivel yes  
3 Year Warranty yes  

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Certified Dolphin Open Box Certified Dolphin Open Box

Specifications

Dolphin Explorer E30 Dolphin Premier

Part Number 99996240-XP 99996339-SPL
ASIN B08T1XTQMK B01BP8PLMM
Waterline Cleaning Yes Yes
Multi-Media™ No Yes
# of Filters Included: 1 3
Filter Cleaning Top Access Oversized Leaf Bag, Ultra-fine Cartridges, Standard Cartridges, & Optional Disposable Debris bag
Cleaning Coverage Floor, Walls and Waterline Floor, Walls, Waterline
Cleaning Cycle 2 hours 3 hours
Number of Brushes 2 2
Cable Length 60 ft 60 ft
Anti-Tangle Swivel Yes Yes
Pool Types In Ground In Ground
Maximum Pool Size 40 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 Gunite, Fiberglass, Vinyl, Liner 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
$999
$1099
Save $100
$1297
$1747
Save $450
Save $450

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