The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus and the Dolphin Quantum are two popular robotic pool cleaners, each with its own set of strengths and weaknesses. We purchased and thoroughly tested both models to provide you with an in-depth comparison, guiding you to the best choice for your pool cleaning needs. Throughout this review, we'll refer back to our detailed individual reviews for each model.
Starting with the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus, we found it to be a solid performer for its price range. Its floor and wall coverage were impressive but ultimately fell short due to its inability to clean the waterline. The lack of NanoFilters and no HyperBrush were significant drawbacks. Despite these shortcomings, its weekly timer was a convenient feature. You can read more about our experience in our detailed review.
On the other hand, the Dolphin Quantum excelled in almost every category. With its larger XXL MaxBin, included NanoFilters, and superior waterline cleaning, the Quantum stood out as a more advanced option. Its HyperBrush and weekly timer further improved its performance. Our comprehensive Dolphin Quantum review provides all the details.
You might wonder why the Dolphin Quantum outperformed the Nautilus CC Plus. The primary reasons are its enhanced filter options and waterline cleaning capability. These features significantly reduce the time and effort required for manual pool maintenance. The Dolphin Quantum also includes Powerjet 3D mobility, making it highly efficient.
While the Nautilus CC Plus performs well within its limitations, the Quantum offers a more comprehensive solution. If you prioritize full pool coverage, efficient filtration, and advanced features, the Quantum is the clear winner. For more comparisons and insights, check out our list of the best robotic pool cleaners.
In the following sections, we'll break down how we test each robotic pool cleaner to ensure our reviews are accurate and reliable. From pool coverage to filtration ability and ease of use, we leave no stone unturned. Stay tuned as we dissect each aspect of these robotic pool cleaners and guide you toward the ideal choice for your needs.
We test each robotic pool cleaner thoroughly over a period of three months. This duration allows us to experience the product in various conditions and seasons, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of its performance and reliability. During this time, we focus on three primary categories: pool coverage, filtration ability, and feature set and warranty.
In terms of pool coverage, we observe how well a device navigates and cleans the pool. We examine its ability to cover every inch, from the floor to the waterline, and its skill in climbing walls. For instance, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus excelled in floor and wall coverage but failed to clean the waterline, a significant area of concern for many pool owners.
Filtration ability is another critical aspect we test. We evaluate how well the cleaner filters out large debris like leaves and smaller particles that cloud pool water. The Dolphin Quantum stood out with its large XXL MaxBin and included NanoFilters, providing superior filtration compared to the Nautilus CC Plus, which only offers standard fine filters.
Finally, we delve into the feature set and warranty. A programmable timer, ease of use, and robust customer support are all components we consider essential. For example, the Dolphin Quantum's weekly timer and two-year warranty make it a user-friendly and reliable choice. In contrast, the Nautilus CC Plus has a slim two and a half-year warranty and lacks certain advanced features.
After detailed testing, we compare each model to others in its category. This method allows us to provide honest reviews and recommend the best robotic pool cleaners tailored to specific needs. For in-depth reviews, check our list of the best robotic pool cleaners.
This rigorous approach ensures that our reviews are accurate, reliable, and offer practical guidance to help you select the ideal robotic pool cleaner for your needs. Whether it's tackling large debris or ensuring efficient daily cleaning, we aim to provide insights that make a difference.
Let's compare the coverage capabilities of the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus and the Dolphin Quantum. Both robotic pool cleaners offer different levels of coverage, which is crucial in determining their overall effectiveness. We'll dissect what parts of the pool each model can clean and how thoroughly they perform these tasks.
The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is proficient in cleaning the floors and walls of your pool. However, this model falls short when it comes to cleaning the waterline. By focusing only on the floor and walls, it misses a significant aspect of pool cleaning that many users find essential. Its inability to clean the waterline is especially disappointing at its price point.
On the other hand, the Dolphin Quantum demonstrates superior pool coverage. It can clean every part of your pool, from the floor to the waterline. The inclusion of two powerful scrubbing brushes and its Powerjet 3D mobility enable the Quantum to excel in reaching and maintaining the waterline, an area often neglected by other robotic cleaners.
This level of waterline cleaning sets the Dolphin Quantum apart from models like the Nautilus CC Plus. The Quantum's ability to stay and move along the waterline ensures a comprehensive clean, leaving no part of the pool untouched. This feature reduces the need for manual scrubbing, saving you time and effort.
In our scoring, the Nautilus CC Plus received a rating of 3.5/5 for pool coverage. Its performance is commendable for floor and wall cleaning but falls short without addressing the waterline. This gap in its capabilities highlights a significant limitation.
The Dolphin Quantum, however, earned a perfect score of 5/5 in pool coverage. Its advanced features like Powerjet 3D mobility and dual scrubbing brushes ensure a thorough clean across all surfaces, including the waterline. This comprehensive coverage significantly enhances its functionality.
In summary, while the Nautilus CC Plus performs adequately within its constraints, the Dolphin Quantum offers a more thorough and advanced cleaning solution. The Quantum’s ability to clean the entire pool, including the waterline, makes it the superior choice for those prioritizing comprehensive pool maintenance.
For more in-depth reviews and comparisons of the best pool cleaners, be sure to check our best robotic pool cleaners page.
The filtration systems in robotic pool cleaners significantly impact their performance and maintenance requirements. By analyzing the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus and the Dolphin Quantum, we'll determine which unit excels in filtering debris and provides a more user-friendly experience.
The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus uses a standard fine filter to collect debris. While this filter is good for everyday cleaning, it lacks the ability to capture smaller particles that cause cloudy water. This limitation means users might need to resort to additional pool chemicals or more frequent pump runs to maintain clear water.
In contrast, the Dolphin Quantum stands out by offering both standard fine filters and NanoFilters. These NanoFilters capture microscopic particles that the standard filters miss. This feature is crucial for pool owners who struggle with cloudy water. It ensures a high level of water clarity without the need for additional maintenance efforts.
Moreover, the Dolphin Quantum's XXL MaxBin offers over 400 square inches of filter capacity. This large bin allows it to hold more debris, reducing the frequency of filter cleaning. Its dual motors enhance filtration efficiency further by moving more water through the filters, ensuring thorough cleaning.
The Nautilus CC Plus scored a 4/10 for filtration in our reviews, mainly due to its reliance on the standard fine filter. While it performs adequately for basic cleaning tasks, it falls short in handling finer particles and larger volumes of debris. This shortcoming means more work for the user, who must deal with occasional cloudy water and frequent filter cleanings.
In comparison, the Dolphin Quantum received a perfect score of 5/5 in filtration. Its dual filter options, coupled with a large filter bin and efficient water movement, provide top-tier filtration. Users benefit from clearer water and less frequent maintenance.
Based on our assessment, the Dolphin Quantum emerges as the better option for filtration. Its ability to capture both large and microscopic debris makes it a comprehensive cleaning solution for pool owners.
For more insights into the best robotic pool cleaners, explore our detailed reviews and comparisons on the best pool robots page.
When comparing the feature sets of the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus and the Dolphin Quantum, it becomes evident why the Quantum stands out. Let's discuss the key features, usability, and any unique functionalities that set these two pool robots apart.
The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus includes some standard features like dual scrubbing brushes and a weekly timer, which is quite useful for scheduling automatic cleanings. However, it lacks more advanced features seen in newer models. One significant drawback is the absence of NanoFilters, which can lead to less effective cleaning of fine particles, resulting in a less clear pool.
On the other hand, the Dolphin Quantum comes with more extensive features that significantly enhance its usability. One of its standout features is the inclusion of both standard fine filters and NanoFilters. These filters capture particles that would typically escape the Nautilus CC Plus filters, ensuring cleaner and clearer pool water.
Another important feature of the Dolphin Quantum is its larger XXL MaxBin, which can hold more debris compared to other models. This larger capacity reduces the frequency of filter cleaning, making the Quantum more convenient for users. Additionally, its weekly timer allows users to set a regular cleaning schedule, similar to the Nautilus CC Plus, but with more effective cleaning results due to its enhanced features.
In terms of warranty, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus comes with a standard 2.5-year warranty, which is decent but not exceptional. On the other hand, the Dolphin Quantum includes a two-year warranty, showing confidence in its durability. Both warranties are backed by Maytronics, known for their excellent customer service.
When we score the features, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus receives a 3.5/5. While it has a programmable timer and dual scrubbing brushes, it lacks more advanced filtration options and waterline cleaning capabilities. The Dolphin Quantum, however, scores a 4.5/5. Its comprehensive features, including advanced filtration, larger debris capacity, and efficient cleaning mechanisms, make it a superior choice.
In conclusion, while the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is a reliable model with basic features suitable for standard cleanings, the Dolphin Quantum offers a more robust and effective solution. For users prioritizing advanced features and thorough pool maintenance, the Dolphin Quantum is the clear winner.
For more detailed comparisons and insights on the best pool cleaners available, visit our best robotic pool cleaners page.
In concluding our comparison, we see a clear distinction between the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus and the Dolphin Quantum. The Nautilus CC Plus scored a respectable 6/10 overall. Its strengths include impressive wall and floor cleaning, along with a useful weekly timer. However, its drawbacks, such as the lack of NanoFilters and waterline cleaning, impair its overall effectiveness.
Conversely, the Dolphin Quantum emerged as a superior choice with a high score of 9.7/10. This model excels in key areas like comprehensive pool coverage, advanced filtration with NanoFilters, and enhanced cleaning capabilities. Features such as its powerful HyperBrush, Powerjet 3D mobility, and weekly timer make it a standout option in the mid to high-end robotic pool cleaner market.
Ultimately, the Dolphin Quantum wins head to head. It offers a more thorough cleaning solution compared to the Nautilus CC Plus. For those seeking robust performance, minimal maintenance, and superior efficiency, the Quantum is the clear winner. This comparison highlights why the Quantum is a top contender on our list of the best robotic pool cleaners.
If you're looking for alternatives that also deliver excellent performance, consider models like the Dolphin Premier or the Dolphin Sigma. Both offer unique features and cutting-edge technology, ensuring your pool remains pristine with minimal effort.
Whether you choose the Dolphin Quantum or another high-performing model, our goal is to provide you with the information needed to make an informed decision that best suits your pool maintenance needs. For additional insights and reviews, visit our page on the best robotic pool cleaners.
As we delve into other highly-rated robotic pool cleaners, it's essential to highlight models that consistently perform well and offer reliable features. One notable mention is the Dolphin Premier. This model is celebrated for its powerful DC motors, which cut energy consumption by nearly 90% compared to suction or pressure-side cleaners. These motors provide outstanding scrubbing and climbing power, allowing the Dolphin Premier to clean from the pool floor up to the waterline effortlessly.
The Dolphin Premier is the only Dolphin cleaner featuring an oversized leaf bag, making it ideal for pools that frequently collect large debris like leaves and twigs. Its multi-media filtration system, which includes standard and NanoFilters, captures particles that smaller filters might miss. The Premier's Media-Alert system notifies users when the filter needs cleaning, ensuring optimal performance. This combination of features makes the Dolphin Premier an excellent choice for comprehensive pool maintenance.
Next, let's look at the Aquabot REVA. Known for its exceptional value, the REVA offers advanced features typically found in higher-end models. It includes a dual-layer filtration system capable of trapping larger debris and smaller particles, ensuring your pool stays clean and clear. The REVA's gyroscopic mobility enhances its ability to navigate tight corners and challenging pool shapes, delivering thorough coverage.
Unlike many mid-tier robotic pool cleaners, the REVA also comes with a smartphone app, allowing users to control and schedule cleanings remotely. This feature adds a layer of convenience that many pool owners appreciate. The REVA's ability to clean the waterline without the high price tag makes it a standout choice for those looking for effective and affordable pool maintenance.
One more exceptional model to consider is the Dolphin Escape. This model is particularly noted for above-ground and small inground pools. The Escape uses HyperGrip tracks instead of wheels, which allow it to stick to the pool floor and climb walls partially, unlike other models that might float away from debris. This feature ensures a thorough clean and reduces the need for manual scrubbing.
The Dolphin Escape features a SmartNav 2.0 system that maps out the pool, ensuring it doesn't miss any spots and avoids getting stuck in corners. Its MaxBin capacity is impressive for an entry-level cleaner, reducing the frequency of filter cleanings. The Dolphin Escape offers remarkable performance with a simple plug-and-play design, making it a convenient and effective option for pool owners.
When considering alternatives, each of these models—the Dolphin Premier, Aquabot REVA, and Dolphin Escape—offers unique features and performance advantages. For detailed insights and comparisons, visit our best robotic pool cleaners page.
