This Dolphin Oasis Z5i vs. Premier comparison review is resourceful for pool owners who are not sure which is the best Dolphin robotic pool cleaner to buy in 2022. We have compared the two pool cleaners based on the important aspects considered when choosing robotic pool cleaners.
There’s no doubt Dolphin is one of the best pool cleaner brands on the market. The Dolphin Oasis Z5i and Dolphin Premier are two of the most popular models from the Israeli company. While they are both robotic pool cleaners for inground pools of up to 50ft, there are profound differences that should inform your purchase decision.
The Dolphin Oasis Z5i is a new model that comes with an enhanced navigation system that guarantees entire pool coverage and can clean an average pool faster than the Dolphin Premier. It also comes with a top-load filter system that makes maintenance a little bit easier. What’s more? The Dolphin Oasis Z5i is a smart robotic pool cleaner that allows pool owners to operate the robot remotely via a mobile app, a feature the Premier lacks.
The above are the significant differences between these two pool cleaners. For more, read along.
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Dolphin Oasis Z5i vs. Premier Face to Face Comparison Review
The Dolphin Oasis Z5i is among the latest pool cleaners from Maytronics. Released in 2018, it’s the successor of the Oasis Z5, which comes with a physical remote controller, but doesn’t offer mobile app operation. The Dolphin Premier, on the other hand, was released in 2013 and has undergone several upgrades. The model in this review surfaced in 2016 and comes with an enhanced navigation system and several other tweaks that make it a better cleaner than the earlier Dolphin Premier variant.
To help you make the perfect purchase decision, we have compared the two based on the essential factors considered when choosing a robotic pool cleaner. So, without further ado, let’s get into it.
1. What’s in the Box?
In the first round of this Dolphin Oasis Z5i vs. Premier comparison review, find out what to expect in the package of these two robotic pool cleaners.
- Dolphin Premier pool cleaner
- Power cord
- Power supply
- Cartridges
- Instructions manual
- Warranty card
In this first round, it’s hard to call the winner as both models are well equipped. But ultimately, the Oasis Z5i is the winner as it supports mobile app operation. Even though the Dolphin Premier also supports remote operation, it doesn’t come with the remote controller; you will have to purchase it separately.
2. Design and Aesthetics
In the second round, we compared the design and aesthetics of the two pool cleaners. As a buyer, you definitely want a lightweight pool cleaner with a small footprint. Besides, it’s essential to be in a position to identify the two pool cleaners from their aesthetics. So, which model wins this round?
The Dolphin Premier also has a stylish design. It is also finished in three colors, black, blue and grey. Regarding the dimensions and weight, the Premier measures 23.5 x 19.5 x 14 inches and weighs 20.3lbs. It also comes with a carry handle that comes in handy when lowering the cleaner into the pool and pulling it out.
As far as the design goes, it’s hard to call a winner because the two pool cleaners have almost the same dimensions and weight though the Dolphin Premier is lighter. In terms of aesthetics, they are both sleek pool cleaners.
3. Assembly and Installation
Unless you are a handyman, you definitely want a pool cleaner that won’t stress you to assemble it once it’s out of the box. So now, the big question is, which of the two Dolphin robotic pool cleaners is easy to get started with?
In this contest, it’s also hard to call a winner as both robotic pool cleaners are already assembled and don’t require any additional pool accessories to run. However, while they both feature a single button and have a plug-and-play design, the Oasis Z5i tags along with several sophisticated features that give users better control of the robotic cleaner.
4. Pool Type
As you may be aware, there are two main types of pools, inground and above ground. Besides, there are pools of different sizes and shapes and, importantly, different materials. Now, when it comes to selecting a pool cleaner, you need to make sure it’s the right fit for your pool. In this segment, we have analyzed the two Dolphin pool cleaners to determine what type of pool each is designed for.
The Dolphin Premier is similar to the Oasis Z5i when it comes to the type of pools it’s designed for. It’s also an inground robotic pool cleaner with a 60ft power cord and can handle pools of up to 50ft regardless of their shape.
As for the pool surface, the Premier will also handle all pool surfaces, including fiberglass, gunite, concrete, and vinyl, among others.
Both Oasis Z5i and Premier are inground pool cleaners that can handle up to 50ft pools. They are also ideal for any pool shape and all pool surfaces. However, the Dolphin Z5i has the upper hand when cleaning irregularly shaped pools because of the updated navigation and mapping system, so we feel it deserves the crown in this round.
5. Cleaning Orientation
Next up is the cleaning orientation. Here, buyers need to be aware of where the robot they are about to purchase cleans. Definitely, you want to go for a model that offers comprehensive cleaning, from the pool’s floor to the walls, waterline, and even the water surface. So, which of the two Dolphins is the best in terms of cleaning orientation?
The Dolphin Premier, just like the Oasis Z5i, will also clean pool floors satisfactorily. It picks up all kinds of dirt that sink to the pool floor. It has also been designed to scrub and clean pool walls, steps, and the waterline leaving your pool sparkling clean.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t clean the water surface, so you will have to work your way out with a skimmer or a pressure side pool cleaner, for example, the Vac-Sweep 280, 360, or 380.
The Oasis Z5i and Premier are suitable for cleaning pool floors, walls, steps, and even the waterline. None of them can clean the water surface. That said, this round ends in a draw.
6. Performance
For optimal cleaning, it’s vital to ascertain the performance of the robotic cleaner. Under the hood, these cleaners pack a set of motors and other components that generate the suction required to suck dirt and debris. But then, performance varies from one model to another depending on the quality of components used. So, how does the Dolphin Oasis Z5i stack up against the Dolphin Premier in terms of performance?
The Dolphin Premier is similar to the Oasis Z5i in terms of performance. Its impeller also sucks dirt and debris from the bottom of the unit and is driven by a low inertia 24V motor, though it also has two motors. We will explain the role of the other motor when assessing the robotic cleaner’s maneuverability. The Premier is also an energy-efficient robotic pool cleaner that uses 90% less energy than the old models without compromising the suction rate. For the record, the Premier has the same 4500 GPH suction rate as the Oasis Z5i.
As far as performance is concerned, there is no winner between the two. They come with the same energy-efficient motors that are highly energy-efficient compared to pressure and suction cleaners and have the same 4500 GPH suction rate.
7. Filtration System
The filtration system is another crucial consideration when choosing a pool cleaner. Here, there are two critical aspects to consider, the filters themselves and what they can filter One of the differences between Dolphin Oasis Z5i and Dolphin Premier is the filtration system. So, let’s find out how they compare.
On the other hand, the Dolphin Premier is designed with a bottom-load filtration system that works just fine but can make maintenance cumbersome. But the good thing is that the Premier has interchangeable filters (multi-media, oversized leaf bag, fine, and ultra-fine cartridge) to enable pool owners to catch all debris sizes efficiently.
Unlike the Oasis Z5i, which has two extra-large filter compartments, the Premier comes with one oversized bag. There’s also a full bin indicator, a feature the Oasis Z5i lacks.
As far as filtration is concerned, it’s hard to call a winner as both models have pros and cons. The Oasis Z5i comes with two filter compartments and features a top-load design which makes maintenance easier as you don’t have to flip the heavy pool cleaner to access the filters, as is the case with the Dolphin Premier. On the other hand, the Dolphin Premier has interchangeable filters (multi-media, oversized leaf bag, fine, and ultra-fine cartridge) for customized cleaning and has a full bin indicator.
8. Brush System
The brush is an integral part of robotic pool cleaners. They are responsible for scrubbing stuck-on dirt, including algae and waterline stains. That said, it’s crucial to find out which model in this Dolphin comparison review has a better brush system.
The Dolphin Premier, on the other hand, comes with a single passive brush that stretches from one end to the other. It’s just as effective as the Oasis Z5i’s brush as it can scrub all kinds of pool stains on the pool floor, walls, steps, and even the waterline.
However, it doesn’t enhance the turning ability of the pool cleaner as the Oasis Z5i’s split track brushes.
As far as scrubbing is concerned, there is no winner between the two as their brushes effectively remove stuck-on dirt, grime, algae, and other dirt that stick on the pool floors, walls, and the waterline. However, we feel the Dolphin Oasis is the best choice as its brush gives the robotic cleaner better turning abilities.
9. Navigation and Pool Mapping
The navigation and pool scanning system is another vital consideration when choosing a robotic pool cleaner. As their name suggests, robotic pool cleaners operate independently, so they must have a system that enables them to find their way around the pool. Now, one of the main differences between the Oasis Z5i vs. Premier is the navigation and pool scanning system. So, which model wins this round? Let’s find out.
The Dolphin Premier in this comparison review also has an intelligent navigation system compared to models released almost 10 years ago. But then, the technology is different from the Oasis Z5i’s.
Maytronics equipped the Premier with SmartNav 2.0, which also uses sensors and advanced algorithms to scan the pool and choose the best path to follow, thus ensuring entire level coverage, from the pool’s floor to the walls and waterline. However, SmartNav 2.0 is not as precise as CleverClean, which is why the Premier’s cleaning cycle is 3 hours.
There’s no doubt the Dolphin Oasis Z5i is the best choice in terms of navigation and pool scanning. It comes with CleverClean Technology that scans and maps pools more accurately, guaranteeing 100% coverage regardless of the size of the pool or its shape. It also cleans faster compared to Dolphin Premier.
10. Maneuverability
In this section, we will analyze how the two pool cleaners compare in terms of maneuverability. While navigation is essential, the robot’s maneuverability is fundamental and can be the deal maker or breaker. So, how do the two pool cleaners move around your pool and climb walls?
The Dolphin Premier also has rubber tracks instead of wheels. That means fewer moving parts and, consequently, lesser maintenance requirements. The rubber tracks on the Dolphin Premier are just the same as those you will find on the Oasis Z5i.
They are also driven by one of the two low inertia 24V motors as the other one drives the impeller.
The motor equipped in this robotic cleaner is also energy-efficient, so you won’t be hurting your wallet even if you run the pool cleaner daily.
It’s hard to say which model is best in terms of maneuverability as they both come with tracks instead of wheels, and the tracks are powered by the same low inertia 24V motor. But when you factor in the navigation and mapping systems of the two cleaners, i.e., CleverClean Technology vs. SmartNav 2.0, definitely the maneuverability of the Oasis Z5i is better. Still, the fact that the Oasis Z5i can make 360-degree turns makes it the best bang for the buck.
11. Controls
While the Oasis Z5i and Premier are both robotic pool cleaners, you need to give them commands to do their job. With that said, it’s important to assess the controls to know which model is more convenient. So, how do you control the Oasis Z5i and the Premier? That’s what this round is all about.
The Dolphin Premier also has an easy-to-use power supply, so operating the robot shouldn’t be an issue. But then, it doesn’t come with a remote in the package though you can purchase the remote separately.
The remote gives you pretty much all the control options and settings. You can also control the robot’s movement using the remote.
As far as controls are concerned, the Dolphin Oasis is the best choice. Even though the Premier works with a physical remote, the remote is not included, so you will have to spend more to get it. On the other hand, The Dolphin Oasis Z5i can work with the mobile app available on Google PlayStore and Apple AppStore, so there are no more expenses.
12. Smart Features and Automation
In this smart home era, you definitely want a smart pool cleaner that allows you to automate pool cleaning and ultimately get more time to focus on other important things, and not pool cleaning. Fortunately, Maytronics has been on the frontline in making pool owners’ lives easier without compromising on the quality of pool water. In this section, we have assessed the different smart and automation features that these two pool cleaners tag along with.
The Dolphin Premier, on the other hand, is not a smart robotic pool cleaner, so you can’t enjoy the convenience of remote operation via the mobile app. The only option is to purchase a remote. But at least it has the Weekly Scheduler, so you can set it and forget about cleaning, at least for the entire week.
Just like the Oasis Z5i, you can set it to clean every day of the week, every 2 days, or every 3 days. But there is no option to select specific days.
The Premier also lacks essential automation features such as cycle selector and delay mode.
It’s hard to call a winner now that the two pool cleaners have the Weekly Scheduler and Weekly Timer. However, we feel the Oasis is a better shot now that you can set the Weekly Scheduler without necessarily bending on the power supply as you would with the Premier (it lacks a remote).
13. Warranty, Aftersales, and Parts Availability
In this last round of this Dolphin Oasis Z5i vs. Premier comparison review, we will look at the warranty and aftersales of the two robotic pool cleaners. Here, the target is a model with the longest warranty and, importantly, readily available replacement parts.
The Dolphin Premier also tags along with a 3-year warranty. Now that it’s from the same brand as the Oasis Z5i, it’s safe to say that the warranty will be honored as long as it’s a genuine claim and the buyer has not voided the warranty. As for replacement parts, the Premier’s parts are also readily available and at fair prices.
Here, there is no winner as both models are from the same brand and are covered by the same warranty.
Wrapping Up
There you have it, folks, a detailed Dolphin Oasis Z5i vs. Premier face-to-face comparison review. As you have seen, these two models are pretty similar. They are both inground pools suitable for all pool types of up to 50ft. They also feature tracks driven by energy-efficient 24V motors.
But then, there are a few differences. The Oasis Z5i has better navigation and mapping and cleans an average pool faster. It is also a connected model that facilitates remote operation via the MyDolphin Plus App. Another advantage is that its maintenance is easier now that it has a top-load filter system, so there’s no need for lifting the unit to clean or change the cartridges. On the other hand, the Dolphin Premier is cheaper and has a much more efficient filtration system and a full bin indicator.
All said and done, the Oasis Z5i is the best choice if you are not on a budget, but if you are on a budget, the Dolphin Premier is also a worthy cleaner.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are Dolphin pool cleaners reliable?
2. How long does the dolphin pool cleaner run?
3. Can you swim with Dolphin pool cleaner?
4. How often should I run my Dolphin pool cleaner?
5. Can I leave my dolphin pool cleaner in the pool?
Hi! I’m Markus Robertson, and water is my passion.
Five years ago, I graduated from the University of California-Los Angeles and was going to become a professional marine biologist. However, my fate had other plans for me, and due to family problems, I had to find a more stable and well-paid job. I had only one wish for my job to be connected with water.
During this period of my life, I worked as a sales manager at Olympic Pool & Spa Supplies. The job helped me learn everything about swimming pools and related pool equipment, as well as how to choose the best option and what to pay attention to.