Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Active 15 and Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Cayman. Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
Active
Dolphin Active 15
Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning, with fine debris.
Nautilus
Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up
Inground and above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor and wall cleaning, with heavy leaves.
What we recommend instead
Dolphin Cayman
Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
$1,079
Buy Dolphin CaymanDolphin Active 15 or Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up: our take
Dolphin Active 15 and Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up are compared on pool fit, cleaning reach, debris handling, controls and ownership details. The recommendation is based on the job the robot must do—not a simple feature count.
Pool fit and cleaning reach
Both robots are intended for inground and above-ground pools. Dolphin Active 15 is rated for pools up to 33 ft; Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up is rated up to 30 ft. Each cleans floor and walls, so coverage alone does not separate them. Dolphin Active 15's documented cleaning system includes 1 active brush.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin Active 15 includes Basket and UltraFilter; Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up includes Oversized leaf bag. That gives Dolphin Active 15 the clearer documented edge for fine silt, pollen and sand.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin Active 15 provides a weekly timer and power-supply controls; Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up provides one-touch starts and power-supply controls. Both use a 40 ft corded cable. Dolphin Active 15 is listed at 14 lb versus 18 lb for Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up; that 4 lb difference matters when lifting the robot from the pool.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Active 15 is listed at $849 and Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up at $499; Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up is $350 less. Each lists a 2-year manufacturer warranty. Dolphin Active 15 and Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up each have a specific fit, but neither is the Pool Express pick for this job. Our better alternative is Dolphin Cayman. Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
Feature check: what each robot actually has
A green check means the feature is documented as included. A red X means it is documented as absent. A dash means the source does not make the feature clear.
| Feature | Dolphin Active 15 | Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | Yes | Yes |
| Scrubs the waterline | No | No |
| Fine-debris filter included | YesEdge | No |
| Large-debris filter | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic scheduling | YesEdge | No |
| Smartphone app | No | No |
| Anti-tangle swivel | Not listed | Not listed |
| 3-year warranty | No | No |
| No recharging between cycles | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in UV-C water treatment | No | No |
Unknown is not treated as “no.” Specifications come from the product pages, current catalog records and manufacturer material collected for this site.
Where Dolphin Active 15 stands out
Dolphin Active 15 is the better fit for pools up to 33 ft.
- Includes filtration for sand, pollen and other fine debris
- Can start on a weekly schedule without a manual launch before every cycle
- Is rated for pools up to 33 ft
- Weighs 14 lb versus 18 lb
Where Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up stands out
Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $499 starting price.
- Includes an oversized leaf bag for bulky seasonal debris
- Is listed $350 lower
Dolphin Active 15 vs Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up specifications
Use pool fit first. Price and app control do not make up for a robot that cannot cover the length or surfaces you need cleaned.
| Specification | Dolphin Active 15 | Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning, with fine debris. | Inground and above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor and wall cleaning, with heavy leaves. |
| Starting price | $849 | $499 |
| Pool type | Inground, Above-ground | Inground, Above-ground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 33 ft | Up to 30 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls | Floor, Walls |
| Power | Corded | Corded |
| Filtration | Basket, UltraFilter | Oversized leaf bag |
| Scheduling | Weekly schedule | One-touch start |
| App and remote | Power-supply controls | Power-supply controls |
| Cable | 40 ft | 40 ft |
| Robot weight | 14 lb | 18 lb |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Active 15 and Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Cayman. Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
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