In this indepth review of the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus (now with WiFi), CC Base model and the latest model in the series — Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme, you’ll understand why this pool robot series has been on the top selling list for the past few years. Robotic pool cleaners are expensive and if they’re not engineered right, they become more trouble than they’re worth. Luckily, Maytronics, the manufacturer of these Dolphin pool robots are experts at what they do. They invented their first model all the way back in 1982. These are all excellent pool cleaners, so don’t worry about quality. The only thing you need to figure out is what set of features do you really need.
Only the Nautilus CC Supreme has waterline cleaning, among other features we’ll discuss. Be honest with yourself as to what features you truly value and then stick within your budget. We can’t always get the best of everything, unless we’re millionaires.
Besides the Nautilus models we also review some of the latest pool cleaning robots from Maytronics, and other competitive brands. Lucky for you there are a bevy of exceptional models for you to choose from. Your biggest decision is how much money you want to spend and what features you want. The final choice is yours.
Let’s start with comparing the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus vs the Dolphin Nautilus CC
Dolphin Nautilus CC Supreme
- 3 Brushes / CleverClean Technology
- 3 Modes : Quick – 1.5 hour, Standard : 2.5 hours, Enhanced : 3.5 hours
- Cleans the floor, walls, and waterline
- WiFi connected : Set advanced cleaning schedules, choose between cleaning cycles, delay start, and spot clean using the MyDolphin Plus App.
- Cleans pools : Up to 50 ft.
- Cleans all pool surface types
- MyDolphin Plus Mobile App Features: On/Off, Weekly Scheduler, Cycle Selector, Full Filter Indicator, Delay Start, Remote Steering.
- Easy to Clean Top Load Filter Cartridges
- Average operating cost of 5 cents per hour
Dolphin Sigma / Advanced Cleaning
- Gyroscope / microprocessor controlled / SmartNav 3.0
- SMART : Calculates optimal pattern
- PowerJet 3D Mobility for superior wall climbing and cleaning
- Vacuums leaves, debris, pollen & green algae
- scrubs & vacuums : doors, steps, walls, & water line
- Cleans Deep : 2 micron NanoFilter
- Triple 24-volt 3,000 RPM / Ultra energy-efficient
- HyperBrush spins 2X the speed of a typical brush
- Vacuums in reverse
- Fast Cleaning : 2.5 hours.
- Cleans pools up to 50 ft. / 360 degree swivel
- Gunite, concrete, tile, fiberglass or vinyl-lined up
- DIY serviceable in 10-15 minutes by the dealer or owner
Save Time with A Pool Robot
In this article we also review other pool robot cleaners that are also worth considering, most of them are from Maytronics because it’s the premiere brand for homeowners. There’s a lot of junk on the market when it comes to pool cleaners which is why I recommend you stick to reputable brands like : Polaris, Aquabot, Zodiac and Hayward — but as a general rule, the Maytronics Dolphin line are exceptional robotic pool cleaners for the money. Keep reading and you’ll see the diverse range of models for you to choose from. It’s your money; do with it as you wish. I’m just here to give you my recommendations based on the data. Hopefully you value the opinion of the majority as much as I do.
We’ll get into the details shortly, but in a nutshell, why is the Dolphin Nautilus CC worth your money? To put it simply, it’s an affordable robotic pool cleaner powered by state of the art technology (CleverClean) that does what you expect — to clean your inground and above-ground swimming pool, quickly, efficiently, predictably and most importantly, with minimal interaction from you. Let’s be honest, the whole point of buying an automated robotic pool cleaner is so you don’t have to do the dirty work and/or supervise the robot, otherwise, what’s the point, right?
Base Model : Dolphin Nautilus CC / Affordable but no special features
This article started out as Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus review but upon a few revisions we can’t help but share with you several new Dolphin models for 2023. Maytronics has been developing an unstoppable range of robotic pool cleaners for homeowners. Sure, they have some great competition but you can’t go wrong with any of these Dolphin pool robots. What I love about the series is that they’ve created a varied range to fit any budget. These are time-tested and proven robotic pool cleaners that customers absolutely love, which is the ultimate indication of quality.
We’ve put together this article to help you determine if they are right for you and to help you understand all the differences between the various Dolphin Nautilus models.
Intro | Robot Pool Cleaner
We live in a time or renaissance, especially for robotics and artificial intelligence. We truly are at the beginning of something grand. Robotic pool cleaners are an example of where our lives are heading. One day we’ll have robots for everything, or one singular robot to do all of our chores, shopping and walking the dog. Honestly, I wish I had a robot to walk my dogs on some mornings; and someday I probably will.
Why? Robotic Pool Cleaners
In a while we’ll talk about the revolutionary Dolphin Nautilus CC and Dolphin Nautilus Plus CC pool cleaners, the latest and greatest models to ever hit the market. First, let’s look at a few of the reasons why you’d want to consider a robot pool cleaner :
They’ll Save You Lots Of Money
Time : It’s true, robot pool cleaners like the Nautilus models can be expensive to a lot of people. They certainly aren’t cheap, but you have to factor in the time they save you over the long-run. Don’t discount the value of your time. Trust me, I’m 48 and there’s nothing I value more than my time.
Efficiency : Independent studies have shown robotic cleaners are roughly 93 percent more energy efficient than a standard swimming pool filtration system. When you break it down into money it sounds even better. For every hour your robotic cleaner is working it will only cost you around five cents.
Larger Double Filter | Dolphin Nautilus Plus with WiFi
You’ll Have Much Less Work To Do
We’re not even going to discuss the time it will take you to clean your swimming pool manually like you had to do last century. Suction side and pressure side pool cleaners are still a huge waste of your time. They have to be connected to your pool and one of them might require the assistance of a booster pump.
You could throw a Dolphin Nautilus CC in the water and it would get to work straight away. It will also do a better job of cleaning your pool saving you additional work, plus everything can be programmed to run automatically throughout the week. Even emptying the filter cartridge will save you a great deal of time.
Your Pool Pump Will Last Longer
The only possible explanation for people staying away from robotic pool cleaners is the initial cost involved, but we’ve already showed why it will save you hundreds of dollars per year. There is an even bigger benefit that has to do with how suction side and pressure side pool cleaners work.
They’ll have to be connected to the pump, which will need to be switched on. How much time and money do you think it will cost to replace your pool pump? It’s only going to shorten its lifespan when it’s cleaning your pool all the time. Suction side cleaners even rely on your pool filtration system to gather up debris.
►Top Selling Pool Robot | Dolphin Sigma (read review)
Features :
- 4500 GPH: Suction
- Pools up to 50 feet
- Dual High Capacity Filters
- Triple Motor Power + Dual Brushes
- Scrubs, Floor, Walls & Tile/Waterline
- Cleans : Gunite/Plaster, Vinyl, Fiberglass
- Smart Navigation with Gyro
- Gyroscope Mobility System
- Advanced Weekly Control
Maytronics Dolphin Nautilus CleverClean | Updated Models
Both Dolphin Nautilus robot pool cleaners have consistently ranked as the best in the world. They completely changed an entire industry when they first hit the market, so the hugely popular company knew they needed to pull something special out of the bag when they released the next-gen products.
It’s fair to say they have delivered the goods. The Dolphin Nautilus CleverClean and Dolphin Nautilus Plus CleverClean have taken their rightful place as the top pool cleaners on the planet. We’re now going to look at why the Dolphin Nautilus CC is so good and afterwards we’ll look at the extra features on the Plus CC model.
Dolphin Nautilus CC | Robotic Pool Cleaner | 99996113-US
Features:
- Thoroughly cleans the floor, walls. Won’t clean waterline.
- CleverClean Technology that systematically scans your pool to determine most efficient path.
- Cleans any shape pool.
- Single cleaning brush
- Active brush for effective scrubbing and cleaning. Spins at 2x speed of pool cleaner.
- Weekly timer.
- Easy to clean Top Load filter basket that captures debris and filters water. Hinged top with quick access to the large filter basket.
- Weight : 16.5 lbs.
Overview —
Clever Clean Pro 3D Sensing Technology
With each new upgrade in technology the ability to scan your pool gets better and better. When you put the Nautilus CC into the water it will automatically get to work figuring out the exact shape, size, and dimensions of your pool to maximize its efficiency.
It will then work a little like the GPS in your car letting you know the best route to take. It’s a more precise navigation system suited to swimming pools up to 40 feet in length. The older model had a cable 10 feet longer, so it could be used on pools a bit longer.
It’s Much More Aesthetically Pleasing
We’ve already mentioned the GPS system in cars, so let’s stay on the subject of vehicles for a moment. If you were to compare the original Dolphin Nautilus to a car it would be a Ford Focus. That might be a tad generous because it wasn’t known for its good looks.
The Dolphin Nautilus CC looks more like a Ferrari. If you care about the aesthetics of your pool cleaner you’re going to love it. It’s also been designed in such a way that everything is in the right place, but we’ll go into more depth on that in a few minutes.
Your Pool Will Be Cleaned Much Quicker
The old version of the Nautilus was capable of cleaning pools within 3 hours, which was breathtaking at the time considering all the surfaces it had to cover. The brand new Nautilus CC will be able to make its way around your entire pool within 2 hours.
Chopping a third of the time off is quite an achievement as I’m sure you’ll agree. Your robot cleaner will spend less time in chemical water helping it last longer, plus you’ll save money with each clean that will add up over time even if it seems insignificant now.
The Active Scrubbing Brush Spins Fast
A superior navigation system is all well and good, but your robot pool cleaner needs to be able to clean the surfaces properly. The last version of the Dolphin Nautilus was pretty good, but there was nothing setting it apart from the competition in this category.
They knew making it a priority on the Nautilus CC would be important and they finally landed on an active scrubbing brush. While your cleaner is making its way around the pool the active scrubbing brush will be turning twice as fast as the machine, so your walls will be completely free of grime.
Can Capture Both Fine And Large Debris
The brushes will make sure your walls are spotless, but how will the robot be able to ensure all the other debris is rounded up? It will be fitted with two filters allowing you to collect fine and large debris at the same time, because the water will be filtered through both of them.
For fine filtration down to around 2 microns (which can’t be seen with the naked eye) you will have a fine porosity filter. If you want to collect bigger debris like leaves the spring filter with mesh screen will scoop them up without any trouble.
It Has A Top Access Filter Compartment
You’ll love having easy access to the filters, because before the Dolphin Nautilus CC you would have to access them from the bottom of the machine if you didn’t have the Plus model. Even this basic latest model comes with a top access filter compartment as standard.
They’ll also have a quick release feature to let you reach them instantaneously, plus it has an Easy Clean Bottom Debris Release. Water can also be dumped out of the robot in 6 seconds making it lighter to lift out of the pool, which was lacking in the previous model.
Less Backwashing And Chemical Needs
The machine has 360 degree suction, so it’s going to suck in a lot more water than other robotic pool cleaners. As a rough estimate, you’ll need to backwash your pool filter 30 percent less than before and you’ll know all the benefits that come with it.
Due to the quality of the robot there is a good chance you’ll need to use a lot less chemicals than you’re putting into the pool at the moment. It will also come with many benefits, such as being less harmful to your skin and protecting the environment.
Swivel Cable Has Been Rendered Useless
One of the popular features in the old Nautilus Plus model was the swivel cable. It was required because it’s easy for cables to get tangled, which will waste your time because you’d normally have to untangle them manually when you’re using terrible robotic cleaners.
The Nautilus Dolphin CC has done away with the swivel functionality because it doesn’t need it. There is advanced anti-tangle software installed to help instead. It’s slightly beneficial because you have one less (but very important) moving part to worry about.
VIDEO | See How to Use the Dolphin Nautilus Plus
A Built-In Programmable Weekly Timer
Some people like to make their job a lot easier and the built-in programmable weekly timer will help. First you have to remember the voltage of a robot pool cleaner drops so low you can swim without being electrocuted, which means you can keep it submerged during the months you use the pool.
You’ll then be able to program the robot so it cleans your pool automatically at set intervals throughout the week. Don’t worry if you want to prolong the life of your machine by keeping it on land, because at only 14 pounds it’s lighter than the old model and effortless to carry around.
Handles Lots Of Different Pool Surfaces
Swimming pools come in all shapes and sizes, but don’t forget they come with different surfaces too. An in-ground pool could use vinyl, tile, pebble, cement, and a whole lot more. The surface of your pool doesn’t matter at all as long as your robot cleaner will be able to handle it.
Thankfully, the Nautilus CC will be able to tackle any surface you throw at it. One exception is any wall with an angle that makes it impossible to climb. The machine will even be able to maneuver around any obstacles like drains that get in its way during the cleaning cycle.
You Can Use It Almost Straight Away
Obviously it needs to be taken out its packaging first and reading the instruction manual would be advisable, but you can technically use it straight away because of the plug-and-play technology. Plug it into an outlet and when you drop it into the pool you’re ready to go.
This feature transcends the ability to help you save time, which it was intended for from the beginning. It also means even if the thought of robotic equipment scares you there is nothing to worry about. Ignoring the obvious exceptions, everyone will be able to use it confidently.
12-Month Warranty From The Manufacturer
So far we’ve mentioned the price of robot pool cleaners a number of times. Everyone is cautious when they’re spending more than a few bucks on a product. It’s even worse because the Dolphin Nautilus CC is new, so it doesn’t have a huge track record like its predecessor.
Don’t worry about a thing because you’ll be covered for up to 12 months after you’ve bought the robot pool cleaner. It’s a spare parts and labor warranty, so they’ll fix it very quickly. Being such a large company, it means they have authorized dealers in every corner of the country.
Learn more by visiting the Maytronics Dolphin site.
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Review
Features :
- Ideal Pool Length: Up to 50 ft.
- Cleaning Coverage: Floor and walls
- Cleaning Cycle Time: 2 hours
- Pool Surface Type: Cleans all pool surface types
- Smart Phone Connectivity: Wi-Fi connectivity with the MyDolphin Plus Mobile App
- MyDolphin Plus Mobile App Features: Weekly Scheduler
- Cable Length: 60 ft. Tangle-free cable
- Suction Rate: 4500 GPH
OVERVIEW / Nautilus CC Plus
There is also a bigger and better model called the Dolphin Nautilus Plus CC, but it isn’t drastically different. It just has a few additional features you won’t find on the other model. Before you decide which one you’d like to buy we’ll look at those main additional features:
It Suits Pools Up To 50 Feet In Length: The smaller model will work in 40 feet long pools, because it needs an extra 10 feet of cable to reach an outlet. They’ve made the length of this cable 10 feet longer, which means it can handle pools up to 50 feet long.
The Cable Has A Swivel Attached: The Plus CC comes with a swivel attached to the cable, which is lacking on the other one. It’s especially handy when you’re using it in larger and weird-shaped pools, because the cable won’t be able to get tangled up.
A Slightly Bigger Cartridge Filter System: The dimensions of the machine are slightly bigger and it’s a bit heavier, but it means the cartridge filter system is bigger. You won’t have to clean it out as often because it will be able to hold a lot more debris.
It Has Easy Fix Modular Technology: We’ve spoken about how aesthetic the design is, but the Dolphin Nautilus Plus CC is extremely practical too. Easy Fix modular technology allows you to remove and replace parts on your own without the help of a qualified technician.
There Are A Couple Of Rotating Brushes: The Nautilus CC only has a single active brush, but this one has two. When an area has been hit it will be blasted again a few moments later, so you’ll end up with a cleaner pool even though you might not be able to spot the difference.
24-Month Warranty From The Manufacturer: If you compare the price between each model there isn’t a lot in it. On top of all the other great features on the Nautilus Plus CC model, you’ll get a 24-month warranty from the manufacturer which might swing it for you.
Please Note: The Dolphin Nautilus Plus CC model is nearly twice as heavy coming in at 20.8 pounds. If you think you’ll struggle with the weight there is a caddy available, but it’s sold separately.
Dolphin Nautilus CC and Nautilus CC Plus are Too Good To Ignore
If you’ve never used a robot pool cleaner before you’ll be in for a treat. After looking at the features you’ll know it’s too good to ignore. The only hard decision will be whether or not to opt for the larger Dolphin Nautilus Plus CC model or the newer Supreme CC. Well, if you want the best the choice is easy — the Nautilus Dolphin Supreme CC is an exceptional robotic pool cleaner, and the only model out of these three that will clean your waterline.
The easiest way to figure things out is to click one of the links, which will take you to Amazon. Once there you’ll be able to read unbiased reviews talking about how superb each one is. There won’t be hundreds because they’re new models, but it means you’ll be one of the early adopters.
Learn more about Maytronics, the maker of the Dolphin Nautilus CC series of robot pool cleaners.
