Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Active 40 and Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Quantum. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
Active
Dolphin Active 40
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
Nautilus
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus
Inground and above-ground pools up to 50 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
What we recommend instead
Dolphin Quantum
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
$1,649
Buy Dolphin QuantumDolphin Active 40 or Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus: our take
Dolphin Active 40 and Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus 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
Dolphin Active 40 is intended for inground pools, while Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is intended for inground and above-ground pools. Both are rated for pools up to 50 ft. Dolphin Active 40 cleans floor, walls, and waterline; Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus cleans floor and walls. Dolphin Active 40 lists 1 active brush and CleverClean navigation. Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus lists 2 active brushes and CleverClean navigation.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin Active 40 includes Basket and UltraFilter; Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus includes Standard filter. That gives Dolphin Active 40 the clearer documented edge for fine silt, pollen and sand. Dolphin Active 40 also has the better documented path for bulky leaves and larger debris.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Both models provide a weekly timer and smartphone control. Both use a 60 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Active 40 is listed at $1,799 and Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus at $949; Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is $850 less. Dolphin Active 40 lists a 2-year warranty compared with 2.5 years for Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus. Dolphin Active 40 and Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus each have a specific fit, but neither is the Pool Express pick for this job. Our better alternative is Dolphin Quantum. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
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 40 | Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | Yes | Yes |
| Scrubs the waterline | YesEdge | No |
| Fine-debris filter included | YesEdge | No |
| Large-debris filter | YesEdge | No |
| Automatic scheduling | Yes | Yes |
| Smartphone app | Yes | Yes |
| Anti-tangle swivel | Yes | Yes |
| 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 40 stands out
Dolphin Active 40 is the better fit for inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
- Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
- Includes filtration for sand, pollen and other fine debris
- Includes a large-debris bin or bag for leaves
Where Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus stands out
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $949 starting price.
- Uses 2 active brushes instead of 1
- Carries a 2.5-year warranty instead of 2 years
- Is listed $850 lower
Dolphin Active 40 vs Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus 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 40 | Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris. | Inground and above-ground pools up to 50 ft that need floor and wall cleaning. |
| Starting price | $1,799 | $949 |
| Pool type | Inground | Inground, Above-ground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 50 ft | Up to 50 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls, Waterline | Floor, Walls |
| Power | Corded | Corded |
| Filtration | Basket, UltraFilter | Standard filter |
| Scheduling | Weekly schedule + app | Weekly schedule + app |
| App and remote | App control | App control |
| Cable | 60 ft with anti-tangle swivel | 60 ft with anti-tangle swivel |
| Robot weight | Not listed | 20 lb |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2.5 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Active 40 and Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Quantum. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.
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