The Dolphin E10 and the Dolphin Nautilus CC are two noteworthy robotic pool cleaners from Maytronics. Both of these cleaners are designed to offer effective cleaning but come with their set of distinctive features and limitations. We purchased, tested, and reviewed each of these units extensively to provide you with an in-depth comparison and a clearer picture of what to expect from each.
The Dolphin E10 is an entry-level model aimed primarily at above-ground pools. It stands out for its affordability, ease of use, and reliability in performance when it comes to floor cleaning. However, it does have some downsides, such as the lack of wall cleaning and no built-in timer, which are important for a comprehensive cleaning experience. These drawbacks make it necessary to manually turn on the unit each time you want your pool cleaned, which can be a hassle.
On the other hand, the Dolphin Nautilus CC is designed for smaller in-ground and above-ground pools up to 33 feet. While it excels in both floor and wall cleaning, it lacks waterline cleaning capabilities and no longer includes the once-coveted programmable timer. Despite having a 2-year warranty, the lack of these critical features makes the Nautilus CC less compelling compared to some newer models available in the market.
Testing these units involved running them through multiple cleaning cycles, noting their performance in real-world conditions, and comparing the results. For the Dolphin E10, the absence of a weekly timer was quite noticeable, making the cleaning process more manual and less automated. In contrast, the Dolphin Nautilus CC, while more thorough in cleaning, disappointed with its lack of waterline cleaning and removal of the weekly timer—features that used to make it a standout model.
Our reviews aim to give you a *clear* and honest understanding of what each robotic pool cleaner brings to the table. If you are in the market for a reliable above-ground pool cleaner, the Dolphin E10 is adequate. However, if you need a more comprehensive solution, the Dolphin Nautilus CC might be a better choice, although both have their limitations. For those who prefer cleaners that offer more advanced features like waterline cleaning and programmable timers, there are other models you should consider.
With this overview in mind, let's delve into how we test these robotic pool cleaners and evaluate their performance across various metrics like pool coverage, filtration ability, and feature sets.
When it comes to testing robotic pool cleaners like the Dolphin E10 and Dolphin Nautilus CC, we follow a comprehensive approach to ensure each unit meets high standards. Our process involves multiple steps to evaluate different aspects of the cleaners and provide you with a detailed review.
We typically spend around three months testing each robotic pool cleaner. This allows us sufficient time to see how well each unit performs over a longer period, identifying any potential issues that may not be immediately apparent. We run each robotic cleaner through numerous cycles, assessing their effectiveness in multiple settings and conditions.
One of the primary metrics we evaluate is pool coverage. This involves observing how well the robot navigates the pool, including the floors, walls, and for some models, the waterline. In the case of the Dolphin E10, we noticed it excels at floor cleaning but lacks the ability to climb walls. This drawback significantly reduces its efficacy, particularly for comprehensive pool cleaning.
On the other hand, the Dolphin Nautilus CC does a better job covering both floors and walls but fails to clean the waterline. Our tests showed that while it offers decent coverage for smaller in-ground and above-ground pools, the lack of waterline cleaning is a notable downside.
Filtration ability is another crucial aspect we test. Our evaluation includes examining how effectively the robotic pool cleaner filters out debris of various sizes. For the Dolphin E10, the main limitation is its single filter type, which struggles with fine particles and cloudy water. In comparison, the Dolphin Nautilus CC also falls short because it doesn't offer multiple filter options like NanoFilters, seen in other advanced models.
One of the standout features for ease of use is a programmable timer. Celebrating units like the Dolphin Cayman, which has this feature, underscores the E10 and Nautilus CC's limitations. The Dolphin Nautilus CC no longer includes a programmable timer, making the cleaning process less automated and more manual, reducing convenience considerably.
Feature sets and warranties are also critical in our evaluation. Whether it’s the importance of having a good warranty backed by a reputable company or additional features like scrubbing brushes, we leave no stone unturned. The Dolphin Nautilus CC, for example, comes with a 2-year warranty, which is a standard offering, but the lack of advanced features makes it less compelling, particularly when weighing it against models with more substantial warranties and features.
Ultimately, our testing aims to give pool owners clear and honest insights into the strengths and weaknesses of each robotic pool cleaner. By running these comprehensive evaluations, we ensure our recommendations are rooted in real-world performance over an extended period, giving you the best advice on what pool cleaner suits your needs. For example, the Dolphin Cayman remains a strong contender due to its blend of features, performance, and warranty.
The Dolphin E10 is primarily targeted at above-ground pools, and it shines when it comes to floor cleaning. However, its limitations become apparent as it lacks the ability to climb walls or clean the waterline. This means that while it effectively handles the pool floor, debris on the walls and waterline is left untouched. Given these constraints, the E10 may not be the best option for those seeking a more comprehensive cleaning solution.
In contrast, the Dolphin Nautilus CC offers a more robust pool coverage solution. Designed for both smaller in-ground and above-ground pools, this model effectively cleans both the floor and the walls up to 33 feet in length. Despite its ability to scrub walls, it falls short by not being able to clean the waterline, which is an important area often neglected.
The coverage scores further highlight these differences. The Dolphin E10 received a coverage score of 7, mainly penalized for its inability to clean walls and the waterline. On the other hand, the Dolphin Nautilus CC also scored a 7, being adept at covering both walls and floors, but missing the waterline. Both robots offer decent coverage, yet neither provides a fully comprehensive cleaning solution.
When comparing the two robotic pool cleaners, it becomes clear that the Dolphin Nautilus CC offers superior pool coverage by including wall cleaning capabilities. However, the lack of waterline cleaning in both models leaves a gap for fully automated pool maintenance.
In summary, while both the Dolphin E10 and Dolphin Nautilus CC provide effective cleaning for pool floors, the Nautilus CC edges out the E10 with its wall cleaning capabilities. Nonetheless, both models are limited by their inability to address the waterline, making them less comprehensive compared to some advanced models in the market. For those needing complete pool coverage, considering models like the Dolphin Cayman or Dolphin Quantum might be worth the investment.
When it comes to the filtration systems of the Dolphin E10 and the Dolphin Nautilus CC, there are some notable differences. The Dolphin E10 relies on a single standard fine filter, which performs adequately for most above-ground pools. However, it struggles with fine particles and cloudy water, which somewhat limits its effectiveness.
In contrast, the Dolphin Nautilus CC also comes with a standard fine filter but doesn't offer the option for additional filters like NanoFilters found in more advanced models. This limits its ability to capture smaller particles and clear up cloudy water, making it less effective for comprehensive pool cleaning. Both units lack the multitude of filter options seen in higher-end models.
When comparing the debris each unit captures, both the Dolphin E10 and Dolphin Nautilus CC manage to handle larger debris like leaves and small twigs effectively. However, when it comes to capturing microscopic particles that cloud the water, they both fall short due to the lack of advanced filtration options.
In terms of user preference, I find multiple filter options, such as those in the Dolphin Quantum, to be far superior. Having access to both fine and ultrafine filters allows for a more thorough cleaning, capturing finer particles and ensuring clearer water. This makes models like the Quantum more appealing for those looking for superior filtration capabilities.
Given their respective filter scores— the Dolphin E10 at 3.5 and the Dolphin Nautilus CC at 3— the E10 slightly edges out the Nautilus CC in this category. However, neither model offers the advanced filtration found in higher-end cleaners, making them less effective for rigorous pool maintenance.
Ultimately, neither the Dolphin E10 nor the Dolphin Nautilus CC comes out as a clear winner for filtration. While the E10 scores marginally higher, both units lack the essential NanoFilters for capturing the finest particles. For effective pool cleaning, models like the Dolphin Cayman or other advanced models provide a more comprehensive filtration system, making them the preferred choice for thorough pool maintenance.
The Dolphin E10 and the Dolphin Nautilus CC have some distinct feature sets that cater to different needs. The Dolphin E10 is designed for simplicity and ease of use, targeting primarily above-ground pools. It offers a straightforward clean with basic functionality, which, while reliable, lacks several advanced features.
One significant advantage of the Dolphin E10 is its simple setup. You can get it up and running quickly. However, it falls short by only focusing on floor cleaning. It has no wall or waterline cleaning capabilities, which limits its overall effectiveness. Thus, users seeking an all-encompassing cleaning solution may find it wanting.
On the other hand, the Dolphin Nautilus CC was once known for its programmable timer, which allowed users to schedule cleans. However, with its recent downgrade, this feature has been removed, significantly impacting its ease of use and making it less attractive compared to previous iterations. Despite this, the Nautilus CC still retains its ability to clean floors and walls effectively, but notably lacks waterline cleaning.
The Dolphin E10 brings value through its affordable price point and basic functionality, but its lack of a built-in timer means you have to start it manually each time. The absence of NanoFilters also limits its filtration capabilities, making it less effective against fine particles and cloudy water. This lack of flexibility and automation could be a deal-breaker for many users.
Conversely, the Dolphin Nautilus CC, although similar in some aspects, offers floor and wall cleaning capabilities. It does make a compelling case with its effective cleaning reach but falls short with no waterline cleaning and removal of its once-included programmable timer. This transition impacts its perceived value, making newer models with more advanced features more appealing.
When evaluating the feature scores, the Dolphin E10 received a feature score of 6, reflecting its basic, user-friendly design but lack of automation and wall cleaning. The Dolphin Nautilus CC scored slightly lower with a feature score of 5 due to its downgrade and removal of essential functionalities like the programmable timer. Both units provide basic cleaning but lack the advanced features that could elevate their usability.
In conclusion, while both the Dolphin E10 and Dolphin Nautilus CC offer reliable floor cleaning, they miss several key features that make robotic pool cleaners truly great. Users looking for more comprehensive cleaning and automation capabilities should consider other models like the Dolphin Cayman or the Dolphin Quantum, which provide a more balanced blend of features, performance, and value.
Ultimately, the Dolphin E10 and Dolphin Nautilus CC present decent cleaning options with their respective feature sets, though each has limitations. Moving to more feature-rich models can offer the automation, advanced filtration, and overall superior performance that make a real difference in pool maintenance. Choose wisely based on your specific needs and pool type to get the best results.
In our comprehensive evaluation of the Dolphin E10 and Dolphin Nautilus CC, each robotic pool cleaner demonstrated its strengths and weaknesses but ultimately catered to different needs. The Dolphin E10, targeted mainly at above-ground pools, finds its strength in affordability and ease of use. However, it falls short in wall and waterline cleaning, significantly affecting its overall performance.
The Dolphin Nautilus CC, although designed for smaller in-ground and above-ground pools, slightly edges out the E10 with its ability to clean both the floor and walls. Yet, it also misses out on waterline cleaning and the recently removed programmable timer significantly affects its usability. Its lack of advanced features makes it less appealing, especially when there are newer models outshining it.
In terms of overall scores, both the Dolphin E10 and Dolphin Nautilus CC tied at 6.3 out of 10. While both models are decent, they ultimately fall short when it comes to comprehensive cleaning and advanced features. **Neither comes out as the clear winner** in this head-to-head comparison.
If you're looking for better performance and features, consider alternatives like the Dolphin Cayman, Dolphin Quantum, or Dolphin Premier. These models offer better filtration systems, comprehensive cleaning, and advanced features like waterline cleaning and programmable timers. They provide a more balanced blend of functionality and convenience, ensuring you get the most out of your pool cleaner.
In conclusion, while both the Dolphin E10 and Dolphin Nautilus CC offer reliable floor cleaning, they miss several key aspects that make robotic pool cleaners great. Users looking for more comprehensive cleaning and automation should look into the models mentioned above, ensuring a more efficient and hassle-free pool maintenance experience.
While the Dolphin E10 and Dolphin Nautilus CC have their merits, there are other highly-rated robotic pool cleaners that offer more advanced features and better overall performance. The three notable contenders that stand out are the Dolphin Escape, the Dolphin Quantum, and the Aquabot REVA.
Starting with the Dolphin Escape, this model is designed primarily for above-ground or smaller in-ground pools. It features a powerful HyperBrush, the MaxBin filtration system, and Smart Nav 2.0, which ensures it navigates the pool efficiently. Unlike the Dolphin E10, the Escape can climb partially up the pool walls, providing a more comprehensive cleaning solution.
For those seeking a more robust pool cleaner, the Dolphin Quantum should be on your radar. The Quantum comes with a larger XXL MaxBin and includes both fine and ultrafine NanoFilters, significantly enhancing its filtration capabilities. Additionally, the Quantum is capable of waterline cleaning, a feature that both the Dolphin E10 and Nautilus CC lack. This makes it a more comprehensive cleaning solution for in-ground pools.
The Aquabot REVA is another notable mention, especially for those on a budget. Despite its lower price point, the REVA includes a gyroscope for better navigation, waterline cleaning, and dual-layered standard filters. This combination offers a remarkable cleaning performance, often seen in higher-end models.
Based on our extensive testing and comparisons, if you’re looking for a balance of advanced features and robust performance, the Dolphin Quantum is a highly recommended option. Its ability to handle a wide range of debris, clear cloudy water, and clean the waterline sets it apart from more basic models like the Dolphin E10 and Dolphin Nautilus CC.
For more insights, check our detailed reviews on the Dolphin Escape, Dolphin Quantum, and Aquabot REVA.
