The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus and the Dolphin Premier are two standout options in the realm of robotic pool cleaners. We purchased and rigorously tested both to provide an in-depth comparison, guiding you toward the best investment for your pool.
The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus has garnered popularity online, known for its affordability and effective cleaning for the floor and walls of your pool. However, it falls short with no waterline cleaning, no NanoFilters, and standard Gen-1 filters. These limitations became evident during our review, leading us to question its value compared to newer models.
On the other hand, the Dolphin Premier emerged as a clear leader in many aspects. A top-tier cleaner, the Premier excelled thanks to its dual scrubbing brushes, advanced filters, weekly timer, and dual stabilizer for waterline cleaning. It's built for those seeking an all-inclusive automated cleaning solution without sacrificing high performance.
Both robots have their strengths and weaknesses. While the Nautilus CC Plus is budget-friendly, its lack of advanced features such as waterline cleaning and NanoFilters make it less compelling compared to more comprehensive options like the Premier.
We conducted thorough tests on both models, scrutinizing their pool coverage, filtration ability, and additional features to provide a holistic view. The Premier’s advanced cleaning technology and comprehensive feature set made it our preferred choice, especially for those looking for hands-off pool maintenance. Next, let's delve into the specifics of how we evaluate these robotic pool cleaners to ensure you can make an informed decision.
Stay tuned to see which one comes out on top in the categories of pool coverage, filtration ability, and feature set and warranty.
Evaluating robotic pool cleaners requires time and thoroughness. We aim to test each model for at least three months to gather a comprehensive understanding of its performance. With the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus, we focused on its effectiveness in cleaning both the pool floor and walls, the ease of using its weekly timer, and the potential drawbacks of missing advanced features like NanoFilters and waterline cleaning.
Additionally, we scrutinized the Nautilus CC Plus's pool coverage. It managed to clean walls and floors effectively but faltered at the waterline, a crucial area that often collects the most grime. Our disappointment grew when comparing it to other models that offer complete coverage.
The filtration ability of the Nautilus CC Plus also fell under our lens. Utilizing only the standard mesh filters, it missed out on the superior NanoFilters that distinguish top-tier models. Especially for pools that deal with fine debris and algae, this shortcoming was significant.
Transitioning to the Dolphin Premier, our experience was markedly different. Over three months of use, this cleaner proved to be exceptional in both efficiency and feature set. With dual scrubbing brushes and a navigational system that ensures no spot is left unattended, the Premier truly stands out.
As for pool coverage, the Premier's ability to clean the waterline set it apart from the Nautilus CC Plus. This feature alone made a substantial difference in overall pool cleanliness, as we no longer had to manually scrub the scum line. Its comprehensive coverage is bolstered by the dual stabilizer, ensuring it clings to the walls effortlessly.
Filtration ability is another strong suit for the Premier. Equipped with multiple filter options, including an oversized leaf bag and NanoFilters, it handled varied debris types with ease. This versatility in filtration made the Premier an invaluable tool for maintaining crystal-clear pool water.
Our approach to testing filtration involves subjecting the cleaners to different debris types, from large leaves to fine dust. The Dolphin Premier, with its robust filtration system, consistently delivered excellent results across all debris categories.
Additionally, the feature set and warranty of the Premier bolstered its standing. The weekly timer and Media-Alert system for full filter indication made for a hands-off experience. It's backed by a three-year warranty, reflecting both the product's durability and Maytronics' commitment to their customers.
Comparing the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus to the Premier, the differences in performance and features were evident during our extensive testing period. While both have their merits, the Premier offers a more refined and efficient pool cleaning experience, making it our top recommendation for anyone seeking a comprehensive solution.
When comparing the coverage capabilities of the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus and the Dolphin Premier, some significant differences emerge. The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is capable of cleaning both the walls and floors of your pool. However, it noticeably lacks in its ability to clean the waterline.
On the other hand, the Dolphin Premier stands out with its full pool coverage, including the waterline. Equipped with dual scrubbing brushes, the Premier not only cleans the floor and walls but also ensures the waterline remains spotless. This feature is made possible by its dual stabilizer, allowing it to cling to the walls effortlessly as it works its way around the pool.
When evaluating the quality of cleaning, the Dolphin Premier again takes the lead. It follows a precise and efficient path, ensuring no spots are missed. This efficiency is often attributed to its advanced navigation system and well-designed brushes. The Premier's dual scrubbing brushes are a game-changer, ensuring that every inch of your pool gets a thorough clean.
In contrast, while the Nautilus CC Plus manages to clean the floor and walls well, its inability to tackle the waterline means that an essential part of the pool remains unattended. This was apparent in our testing, where the Nautilus CC Plus often failed to climb high enough to clean this critical area, leaving behind a visible line of grime.
Comparing their coverage scores, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus scores a 7 in coverage. It performs well in cleaning the floors and walls but fails to reach the waterline, which we deemed a significant oversight. On the other hand, the Dolphin Premier boasts an impressive coverage score of 10, reflecting its ability to clean the entire pool efficiently, including the waterline.
Overall, in the aspect of pool coverage, the Premier emerges as the clear winner. Its comprehensive cleaning capabilities, precision, and ability to handle both walls and the waterline make it a superior choice. This makes the Dolphin Premier our top recommendation for those seeking a thorough and efficient robotic pool cleaner.
The filtration systems of the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus and the Dolphin Premier offer distinct differences that can influence your choice depending on your pool's needs. The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus relies on standard mesh filters, which are decent but not exceptional. These filters are better suited for everyday cleaning tasks but struggle with more specific debris, such as fine particles or algae.
In contrast, the Dolphin Premier excels with its Multi-Media filtration system. The Premier includes multiple filter options, such as standard filters, NanoFilters, and an oversized leaf bag. This flexibility ensures superior cleaning efficiency, particularly for pools that struggle with different debris types. The NanoFilters are a standout feature, capable of capturing microscopic particles like dirt, sand, and algae.
From my experience, I prefer using the Dolphin Premier's NanoFilters because they significantly enhance the pool's water clarity. The oversized leaf bag is another game-changer, ideal for pools surrounded by trees and plants that frequently shed leaves. This bag can hold a substantial amount of debris, reducing the frequency of cleaning the filters.
When it comes to the types of debris each system captures effectively, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus can handle larger particles like leaves and twigs but falls short on finer debris. The Premier, with its versatile filtration options, can manage both large and small debris with ease. This versatility is crucial for maintaining a clean pool over varying conditions.
Comparing their filter scores, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus scores a 4, reflecting its basic yet functional filtration capabilities. The Dolphin Premier, however, achieves a perfect score of 10 due to its advanced and versatile filtration system. The clarity of water and overall cleanliness achieved by the Premier are unparalleled, making it the winner in this category.
In conclusion, the Dolphin Premier's superior filtration system stands out remarkably compared to the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus. If advanced filtration, versatility, and efficiency are top priorities, the Dolphin Premier is the clear winner. Its ability to handle a wide range of debris types and maintain water clarity makes it the best choice for comprehensive pool care.
The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus offers a solid set of features for an entry-level robotic pool cleaner. One notable highlight is its programmable timer, allowing users to set cleaning schedules for daily, every other day, or every three days. This feature ensures consistent pool maintenance with minimal effort.
In contrast, the Dolphin Premier takes the feature set to the next level. It includes a programmable weekly timer and introduces the Media-Alert system, which indicates when the filter is full and needs cleaning. This automated reminder is particularly useful for maintaining optimal performance. Moreover, the Premier includes an advanced navigation system, enabling more efficient cleaning paths.
A key difference between the two models lies in their brushing mechanisms. The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus uses standard rotating brushes, effective for everyday cleaning. However, the Dolphin Premier steps up with dual scrubbing brushes, offering enhanced scrubbing power to tackle stubborn debris and grime. This feature significantly improves the thoroughness of each cleaning session.
Regarding usability, the Dolphin Premier introduces an optional remote control, allowing for manual steering and spot cleaning. This remote control offers greater flexibility and control, enabling users to target specific areas that need extra attention. The Premier's usability is further enhanced by its user-friendly power supply and scheduling capabilities.
Warranty is another area where these models differ. The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus comes with a standard 2.5-year warranty, providing decent coverage but falling short of premium models. In comparison, the Dolphin Premier offers an impressive three-year warranty, a testament to its durability and performance. This extended warranty period provides peace of mind and underscores the Premier's quality.
In the realm of unique functionalities, the Dolphin Premier stands out with its Media-Alert system and dual stabilizer, which greatly improve the cleaning process. These features, combined with its advanced filtration options and enhanced usability, make the Premier a comprehensive and user-friendly choice.
Both models score differently in the feature set category, reflecting their targeted user bases. The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus scores a 3.5/5, delivering a good range of features for its price point but lacking in advanced functionalities. Conversely, the Dolphin Premier scores an impressive 4.7/5, showcasing its superiority in feature offerings and user experience.
Overall, the Dolphin Premier outshines the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus with its advanced features, enhanced usability, and robust warranty. For those seeking a more comprehensive and automated pool cleaning experience, the Dolphin Premier is the clear winner.
When concluding our comparison between the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus and the Dolphin Premier, several key factors come to light. With an overall score of 6/10, the Nautilus CC Plus falls short in several areas, particularly in its lack of advanced cleaning capabilities like waterline scrubbing and superior filtration options.
On the other hand, the Dolphin Premier shines with an impressive overall score of 9.8/10. Featuring dual scrubbing brushes, a comprehensive navigation system, and the ability to clean the waterline, it showcases top-tier performance. The Premier's versatility in filtration, with its NanoFilters and oversized leaf bag, further sets it apart, making it the more robust option for maintaining a pristine pool.
In this head-to-head comparison, the Dolphin Premier clearly wins, offering unparalleled efficiency and feature-rich capabilities. With its three-year warranty and a host of advanced features, it provides a more thorough and reliable cleaning experience.
If budget constraints lead you to consider alternatives, the Dolphin Quantum or the Dolphin Cayman are exceptional choices. These models offer enhanced filtration, pool coverage, and are known for their innovative features at a competitive price point.
Ensuring that you invest in a model that offers both value and comprehensive pool cleaning is crucial. With the Dolphin Premier, you get top-notch performance and features that justify its higher price tag. Therefore, for those seeking the best in pool cleaning technology, the Dolphin Premier stands out as the superior choice.
For more in-depth comparisons and insights on the best robotic pool cleaners, make sure to check out our reviews on the best pool robots of the year.
While the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus and Dolphin Premier each have their distinctive features, several other highly rated robotic pool cleaners are worth considering. These models offer a range of advanced functionalities that can cater to different pool maintenance needs, making them excellent alternatives.
One standout option is the Dolphin Quantum. Built with a larger Gen-2 filter bin and featuring NanoFilters, the Quantum excels in filtration ability. Its dual scrubbing brushes ensure thorough cleaning from the pool floor to the waterline. The programmable weekly timer enhances its usability, making it perfect for those looking for a balance of performance and convenience.
Another top performer is the Dolphin Sigma. Known for its commercial-grade motors and gyroscope, the Sigma provides exceptional cleaning efficiency. Its dual stabilizers ensure it adheres to walls, effectively cleaning the waterline. Additionally, the Sigma comes with a smartphone app for remote control, adding a layer of convenience that few robotic pool cleaners can match.
Our top recommendation among these alternatives is the Dolphin Cayman. This model stands out for its balance of value and features. With its HyperBrush and SmartNav 2.0 software, the Cayman ensures efficient and thorough cleaning of both pool floors and walls. It includes a programmable timer, providing the automation that many pool owners seek. While it lacks waterline cleaning, its overall performance and affordability make it an excellent choice.
In sum, while the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus and Dolphin Premier have their unique strengths, models like the Dolphin Quantum, Dolphin Sigma, and Dolphin Cayman provide robust alternatives worth considering. For a detailed look at the top robotic pool cleaners available this year, check out our comprehensive guide on the best pool robots.
