Introduction
I've put a lot of robotic cleaners through their paces to help you buy smart. Today it's the new Aiper Seagull SE against the dependable Dolphin Cayman. Both have their own thing going, but the real question is which one's right for you.
I bought both and tested them hard. The Aiper Seagull SE has a sleek new look, but my review turned up several limitations. The Dolphin Cayman, meanwhile, won me over with strong cleaning and genuinely reliable automation.
My time with the Aiper Seagull SE left me feeling it's more toy than serious cleaner. No wall climbing, and a filtration system that just doesn't hold up. The Dolphin Cayman is the opposite — it climbs walls, runs on a programmable timer, and takes the hassle out of pool care.
On coverage, the Cayman shines with SmartNav 2.0, cleaning both floors and walls thoroughly. The Seagull SE only manages the floor and kept leaving debris behind. From my testing, the Cayman is the more reliable, efficient clean by a clear margin.
"Reliable automation and cleaning that actually holds up."
Filtration is another big split. The Dolphin Cayman uses the MaxBin filter basket — easy to clean and great at catching debris. The Seagull SE's flat filter disappointed, letting finer particles slip through.
The short version: the Seagull SE is the new cordless robot that looks great and cleans only the floor, and the Cayman is the proven workhorse that climbs walls and runs on a timer. Looks aside, one of these actually keeps a pool clean without you, and it's the Cayman.
Next, let me walk you through how I run these tests. Once you see the method, you'll understand why I lean the way I do.
How We Test
To give you reviews you can trust, I test each robot for about three months. That much time lets me see how they perform across different conditions and where the strengths and weak spots really are. The goal is honest, detailed help so you pick the right cleaner.
I watch a few key things. Coverage matters — a good robot should reach the whole pool, walls and waterline included. I check filtration, how well each one handles different debris. And I look at features and warranty to get the full picture of value and reliability.
Testing the Aiper Seagull SE, its coverage was floor-only — walls and waterline were left for me to handle. I also checked battery life and recharge time, and it needed frequent charging and gave less cleaning time than other models.
"Three months of testing is what makes the insights real."
The Dolphin Cayman went through the same tests and did much better. It adjusted to the pool's layout automatically thanks to SmartNav 2.0, cleaning floors and walls efficiently — though it doesn't reach the waterline.
On filtration, I watch closely how each robot traps debris. The Cayman's MaxBin stood out for being easy to clean and effective across debris types. The Seagull SE's flimsy flat filter underperformed and kept leaving finer particles in the water.
Usability matters too. Over three months I gauge setup, daily operation, and maintenance. The Cayman's programmable timer cut out the manual work, making it a genuinely hands-off option.
The testing also shows longevity. I keep watching how well the robots hold their cleaning efficiency and durability over the full period, so the reviews reflect real-world use.
"Real-world use over months is what proves durability and reliability."
Bottom line: three months of testing gives me a clear read on each robot, and it's why I can confidently point you to standouts like the Dolphin Cayman, Dolphin Premier, and Dolphin Quantum.
I always weigh how a robot feels to live with, not just how it scores on paper. The Seagull SE's daily retrieve-and-charge routine is the kind of small friction that makes people stop using a robot altogether. The Cayman's weekly timer removes that entirely — it runs on its own schedule, and you barely touch it. Over three months, that convenience gap became the story.
Check back with the Pool Pad team — I'm always sharing the best products and methods to keep your pool clean and healthy.
Coverage
On coverage, the Aiper Seagull SE and the Dolphin Cayman are far apart. The Seagull SE is built for floor cleaning only, and it can't climb walls or handle slopes.
The Dolphin Cayman offers much broader coverage. With SmartNav 2.0 it navigates and cleans both floors and walls. It doesn't reach the waterline, but it's far ahead of the Seagull SE.
"Broader coverage really does change the result."
The Cayman's wall climbing is a big deal if you want a thorough clean. Its Hypergrip tracks and strong motor let it cling to surfaces and scrub away debris.
The Seagull SE, by contrast, struggled even on flat ground. It missed spots often and left finer debris behind, thanks to no navigation software and weaker cleaning.
"Missed spots and leftover debris cap the Seagull SE's usefulness."
How each robot handles different terrain matters too. The Cayman's SmartNav 2.0 maps the pool so it cleans efficiently and avoids getting stuck.
The Seagull SE has no mapping. It cleans in a random pattern, which leaves inconsistent coverage — untouched areas and trouble with inclines.
On the scores, the Dolphin Cayman earns a 4/5 for solid floor and wall cleaning. The Seagull SE sits well below at 1.5/5, which reflects its limits.
For buyers, the practical line is simple: the Seagull SE leaves your walls to you, and the Cayman handles them. Wall cleaning is where a lot of the real grime lives, so the Cayman's coverage isn't a nice-to-have — it's the reason it earns its score and the reason I'd point most people toward it.
The Cayman is clearly the more reliable, more complete cleaner. Its navigation and stronger cleaning make it the better pick for anyone who wants a robust, efficient robot.
"SmartNav 2.0 gets the Cayman into every corner of your pool."
Filters
On filtration, the Aiper Seagull SE and the Dolphin Cayman are clearly different. The Seagull SE has a simple flat filter that just doesn't perform — it struggles with fine debris and lets smaller particles stay in the water.
The Dolphin Cayman's system is much more effective. Its MaxBin filter basket catches a range of debris, from fine particles to bigger stuff, and it's designed for easy cleaning — routine maintenance is quick.
In my tests the Cayman's MaxBin consistently outperformed the Seagull SE's flat filter. The Cayman pulled out the smaller particles and noticeably improved clarity. The Aiper's flat filter kept letting finer debris through.
"Good filtration is what gives you clearer, healthier water."
The Seagull SE's filtration scored just 1.5/5 in my testing — a direct result of its limited ability to filter fine particles. For a comprehensive clean, its filter simply falls short.
The Dolphin Cayman scored much higher at 3.8/5. Handling both fine and larger debris, plus easy maintenance, puts it well ahead on filtration. That means clearer water with less manual work from you.
On filtration, the Cayman is the clear winner. Its design catches a wider range of debris and keeps the pool cleaner longer. The Seagull SE is affordable, but it can't match the Cayman's efficiency.
"For the best filtration here, the Cayman is the one."
Taking both into account, the Dolphin Cayman is the better choice if filtration is a priority. It catches finer particles and manages larger debris for a cleaner pool with less effort.
If you want a reliable, complete cleaner, the Cayman is the stronger option. Its filtration keeps the water clear and debris-free, and on both the filter scores and overall performance, it's the winner in this category.
Feature Set
The Aiper Seagull SE and the Dolphin Cayman take different tacks on features. The Seagull SE is cordless with a focus on portability and price; the Cayman is all about strong cleaning and automation.
One big difference is charging. The Seagull SE has improved to a 2.5-hour charge, but it still spends more time charging than cleaning. The Cayman has no charging downtime, so it's more practical day to day.
On unique functions, the Cayman stands out. SmartNav 2.0 maps the pool and optimizes the cleaning route for thorough floor and wall coverage. The Seagull SE has no such navigation, so it misses spots and cleans less efficiently.
"SmartNav 2.0 plans the route so the Cayman doesn't waste a pass."
Usability is another clear contrast. The Seagull SE needs you to pull it out and recharge it daily. The Cayman has a programmable weekly timer, so it cleans on your schedule without daily hands-on work.
Filtration is a feature gap too. The Cayman's MaxBin basket catches a range of debris and is easy to clean. The Seagull SE's flat filter struggles with fine particles and bigger debris alike.
"Good filtration is central to keeping the water clean."
Even with its improvements, the Seagull SE scored a 3 on features — held back by limited durability and an inefficient cordless design. The Cayman scored a 4.5, thanks to the programmable timer, SmartNav 2.0, and strong cleaning.
That gap makes the Dolphin Cayman the pick for anyone who wants advanced functions and easy use. Its higher score reflects a genuinely better set of capabilities for a hassle-free clean.
So the Cayman beats the Seagull SE on features, usability, and unique functions. Its navigation, filtration, and automation make it the smart choice for an efficient, low-fuss clean.
Conclusion
Comparing overall performance and value, the Aiper Seagull SE and the Dolphin Cayman are far apart. The Seagull SE scores a disappointing 2.6/10; the Cayman scores an impressive 9.4/10. The Cayman led on nearly everything — coverage, filtration, features.
The Dolphin Cayman wins head to head, plainly. From SmartNav 2.0 to the practical MaxBin filter, it's a comprehensive, durable cleaner. Its wall climbing and programmable timer only reinforce its spot as a top-tier robot.
"The Cayman wins head to head on performance and reliability."
The Seagull SE has an attractive price and a cordless design, but it falls short on navigation, filtration, and overall performance. The frequent recharging and floor-only cleaning make it impractical for a real clean.
If you want alternatives beyond the Cayman, the Dolphin Premier, Dolphin Sigma, and Dolphin Quantum are all worth considering — advanced features, reliable performance, and superior filtration.
If it helps to simplify: the Seagull SE is the better-looking robot and the Cayman is the better cleaner. For a pool you actually want to keep clean without daily effort, that's not a hard choice.
So while the Aiper Seagull SE may appeal to budget buyers, its limits make it a weaker option. The Dolphin Cayman, with its robust features and better cleaning, is the clear winner and the better value. For the best cleaners of the year, check my list of top-rated robotic pool cleaners.
Alternate Robots
Beyond the Aiper Seagull SE and the Dolphin Cayman, a few other robots I've tested deserve a look, each with features to match different pool needs.
First, the Dolphin Sigma. This top-of-the-line Maytronics model brings a gyroscope, multiple filtration options, and Wi-Fi for remote control. Its three commercial-grade motors give it serious power and efficiency — one of the best robots you can buy.
Another great choice is the Dolphin Premier. Its Multi-Media filtration includes NanoFilters, standard filters, and an oversized leaf bag, so it handles fine particles up to full leaves. Add powerful motors and waterline cleaning, and you've got comprehensive maintenance with minimal effort.
"Versatility and power make the Premier an easy one to recommend."
For value and practicality, the Dolphin Escape is a solid option. HyperBrush scrubbing and a large filter basket, built for above-ground pools. It's floor-only, but SmartNav 2.0 maps the pool and optimizes the path for efficient cleaning.
Each of these is a genuine step up depending on your pool. The Sigma is the top-tier pick with app control, the Premier is the versatile full-coverage option, and the Escape is the value choice for above-ground pools. Any of them clears the bar the Seagull SE struggles to reach.
All of these make great alternatives to the Seagull SE and Cayman, each tuned to different needs. Depending on your pool, one of them could be the ideal fit.