Skip to main content

Free Shipping, 30-day trial and a low price guarantee on every robot. Talk to a Pool Pro

Free Shipping and a low price guarantee on every pump. Need help sizing a pump?

Hourly water readings and personalized guidance in the ICO app, with no subscription required. Ask a Pool Pro

UV systems are sized to your pump's flow rate. Talk to a Pool Pro before you order.

Can't find a part? We can usually source any pool or spa product.

Free tools for choosing and running pool equipment. See all tools or ask a Pool Pro.

Reviews are written by our in-house pool professionals from hands-on testing. How we test

Robotic pool cleaner comparison

Dolphin Explorer E30 vs Dolphin Nautilus AG

A side-by-side comparison of pool fit, cleaning coverage, filtration, controls and the better Pool Express option.

Dolphin Explorer E30 Dolphin Nautilus AG
Better alternative

A stronger Pool Express option

Dolphin Explorer E30 and Dolphin Nautilus AG 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.

A better alternative

What we recommend instead

Buying guidance

Dolphin Explorer E30 or Dolphin Nautilus AG: our take

Dolphin Explorer E30 and Dolphin Nautilus AG 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 Explorer E30 is intended for inground pools, while Dolphin Nautilus AG is intended for above-ground pools. Dolphin Explorer E30 is rated for pools up to 50 ft; Dolphin Nautilus AG is rated up to 30 ft. Dolphin Explorer E30 cleans floor, walls, and waterline; Dolphin Nautilus AG cleans floor. Dolphin Nautilus AG's documented cleaning system includes 1 active brush and CleverClean navigation.

Filtration and debris

Both models include Basket.

Controls and day-to-day ownership

Dolphin Explorer E30 provides a weekly timer and smartphone control; Dolphin Nautilus AG provides one-touch starts and power-supply controls. Dolphin Explorer E30 uses a 60 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel, while Dolphin Nautilus AG uses continuous corded power.

Price, warranty and the decision

Dolphin Explorer E30 is listed at $1,099 and Dolphin Nautilus AG at $568; Dolphin Nautilus AG is $531 less. Dolphin Explorer E30 lists a 2-year warranty compared with 1 years for Dolphin Nautilus AG. Dolphin Explorer E30 and Dolphin Nautilus AG 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 Explorer E30 Dolphin Nautilus AG
Cleans the pool floor Yes Yes
Climbs and cleans walls YesEdge No
Scrubs the waterline YesEdge No
Fine-debris filter included No No
Large-debris filter Yes Yes
Automatic scheduling YesEdge No
Smartphone app YesEdge No
Anti-tangle swivel YesEdge No
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 Explorer E30 stands out

Dolphin Explorer E30 is the better fit for pools up to 50 ft.

  • Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
  • Can start on a weekly schedule without a manual launch before every cycle
  • Adds smartphone control
  • Uses an anti-tangle swivel cable

Where Dolphin Nautilus AG stands out

Dolphin Nautilus AG is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $568 starting price.

  • Is listed $531 lower
  • Cleans the pool floor

Dolphin Explorer E30 vs Dolphin Nautilus AG 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 Explorer E30 Dolphin Nautilus AG
Best fit Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning. Above-ground and small inground pools up to 30 ft that need the floor vacuumed.
Starting price $1,099 $568
Pool type Inground Above-ground
Maximum pool length Up to 50 ft Up to 30 ft
Cleaning coverage Floor, Walls, Waterline Floor
Power Corded Corded
Filtration Basket Basket
Scheduling Weekly schedule + app One-touch start
App and remote App control Power-supply controls
Cable 60 ft with anti-tangle swivel Not listed
Robot weight Not listed 14.6 lb
Warranty 2 years 1 years
Final call

Consider the stronger Pool Express option

Dolphin Explorer E30 and Dolphin Nautilus AG 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.

Buy Dolphin Cayman

Keep comparing without rebuilding the same specification table yourself.