Dolphin Cayman Review

The all-new Dolphin Max-Series is here. Packed with value and features, the Dolphin Cayman is an all-in-one automated robotic pool cleaner like never before. This unit costs about $829. Dolphin calls it a value cleaner because it’s packed with features you’d find on pool robots that cost twice as much.

Introducing the Dolphin Cayman: The Affordable Robotic Pool Cleaner

Things like wall-climbing, active brushing, and HyperGrip tracks, just to name a few. We’ll walk you through the Cayman’s performance from start to finish, and you can decide for yourself if this budget cleaner is the best buy for you.

What Comes with the Dolphin Cayman?

Let’s take a look at what all comes with the Cayman.

The unit itself looks a lot like the Dolphin Quantum. That’s one of the brand’s higher-end models. The Cayman also comes with this 60-foot rubber cable, but it doesn’t have an anti-tangle swivel.

A Programmable Power Supply

The power supply is programmable. That’s rare for a cleaner in this price range. You can set it to run every day, or every 2 or 3 days. But it has a little Bluetooth icon on the power supply. That’s confusing, because the Cayman doesn’t have Bluetooth compatibility. Our guess is this is a power supply unit that Dolphin uses across several different models. But that little icon may confuse some users.

Easy Setup and Simple Operation

Getting the Cayman started is simple. Like most of Dolphin’s units, just drop the cleaner into the water and let it sink, then plug it in and start a cleaning. We like how the design of the Cayman makes placing it in the water easier with this handle. And on the underside, it has these quick-purge ports. They release water quickly so the Cayman is easier to pull out of the pool.

SmartNav 2.0 Technology for Enhanced Cleaning Coverage

The Cayman has what Dolphin calls SmartNav 2.0. It’s a scanning software that’s supposed to improve cleaning coverage. It’s a feature you find on pricier robots, so it’s surprising to see it here.

Effective Wall Climbing and Floor Cleaning

Overall, the Cayman delivers solid cleaning coverage. It’s supposed to climb walls and clean floors. During our test runs, it climbed walls very well, even from the bottom of the deep end. We saw it pop up to the tile line once or twice, but that’s not a standard feature. The Cayman definitely won’t scrub your waterline for you like higher-end models such as the Dolphin Sigma and Dolphin Premier.

HyperGrip Tracks for Maximum Traction

It has these HyperGrip tracks that do a really great job of clinging to pool surfaces. That’s good for both floor and wall cleaning. On the floor, the tracks help maintain traction so the Cayman doesn’t slip or float. On the wall, they grip the surface and use the internal motors to stay lateral. Without the tracks, the Cayman definitely couldn’t clean pool walls.

Advanced Brushing and Filtration for a Cleaner Pool

The front HyperBrush spins at twice the speed of the Cayman’s movement. So while the tracks maintain grip, the brush is actively scrubbing debris from the pool surface. And it works on fiberglass, gunite, even vinyl pools. We saw the power of the HyperBrush and suction especially when we opened up the filter basket.

Top-Loading Filter Basket for Easy Maintenance

The filter is top-loading and easy to reach. Most cleaners in this price range have bottom-loading bags. Those are outdated and really annoying to get clean. This filter basket is huge and snaps apart for the easiest cleaning.

One Filter Media Option with Impressive Performance

Even though the Cayman has just one filter media option, it does a solid job on many sizes of debris. The lining is fine enough to get particles as small as 2 microns, like algae and pollen. And it’s big enough to capture goggles or a loose pool toy. Very impressive.

Optional NanoFilter Panels for Enhanced Filtration

For pool owners looking for even finer filtration, the Cayman is compatible with optional NanoFilter panels, which are designed to capture the smallest debris that can escape other filters. These panels are part of Dolphin's innovative approach to maximizing cleanliness, giving you the flexibility to handle both large debris and tiny particles such as dust, silt, and small insects. The NanoFilter panels are particularly useful in environments with high pollen levels or algae growth.

Efficient and Cost-Effective Operation

Operating the Cayman is easy and simple. At 14 lbs, it’s about 30% lighter than more expensive models. It’s easy to clean the filtration system, and it’s especially easy on your wallet. The Cayman uses just 180 watts. Old-school pressure and suction side cleaners use 1800 watts. And with a standard 2-hour cleaning, each cleaning job adds up to about 10 cents.

Self-Sufficient Filtration System

Plus, the Cayman is mostly self-sufficient. Many pool owners looking for a cleaner in this price range may be tempted to get one of those old-school cleaners, but they’re outdated and inefficient. The Cayman is its own filtration system – it won’t wear out your pool’s filter. And it doesn’t require a booster pump. So it takes a lot of wear and tear off of your pool equipment.

Potential Downsides of the Dolphin Cayman

Unfortunately, the 60-foot cord can get tangled up. It doesn’t have Dolphin’s patented anti-tangle swivel, so you may notice tension build-up after every few cleanings. Dolphin says the SmartNav should help with this, but it’s not nearly as effective as a swivel like in other units such as the Dolphin Quantum, Premier, or Sigma.

Is the Dolphin Cayman the Best Budget Pool Cleaner for You?

So, could the Cayman be the budget robotic pool cleaner of your dreams?

It definitely packs a punch with high-end features. It climbs walls, has a programmable timer, excellent filtration, and it’s about as energy efficient as the best robotic pool cleaners on the market.

But it doesn’t have the same capabilities as truly premium cleaners like the Dolphin Sigma or Premier. It has only a 1-year warranty, one cleaning cycle option, one HyperBrush, one filter media, and no cable swivel, to name a few.

Final Thoughts on the Dolphin Cayman

The Cayman gives you a taste of premium robotic pool cleaning at just a fraction of the price. As long as you know what it is capable of doing for you and your pool and don’t expect more, you’ll be happy with the Cayman.

As always, you can read real reviews and learn more about the Dolphin Cayman and dozens of other robotic pool cleaners at poolbots.com. Visit our website to find the best deals, tips, and tricks for pool ownership, and special buys that’ll help you enjoy your pool to its full potential.