Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Explorer E40 and Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus 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.
Explorer
Dolphin Explorer E40
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor cleaning.
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 Cayman
Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
$1,079
Buy Dolphin CaymanDolphin Explorer E40 or Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus: our take
Dolphin Explorer E40 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 Explorer E40 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 Explorer E40 cleans floor; Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus cleans floor and walls. Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus's documented cleaning system includes 2 active brushes and CleverClean navigation.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus has documented included filtration—Standard filter—while the other model's included media is not fully published.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin Explorer E40 provides no fully published timer, app or remote specification; Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus provides a weekly timer and smartphone control.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Explorer E40 is listed at $1,599 and Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus at $949; Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is $650 less. Dolphin Explorer E40 lists a 3-year warranty compared with 2.5 years for Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus. Dolphin Explorer E40 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 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 E40 | Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | No | YesEdge |
| Scrubs the waterline | No | No |
| Fine-debris filter included | No | No |
| Large-debris filter | No | No |
| Automatic scheduling | Not listed | Yes |
| Smartphone app | Not listed | Yes |
| Anti-tangle swivel | Not listed | Yes |
| 3-year warranty | YesEdge | No |
| No recharging between cycles | Not listed | 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 E40 stands out
Dolphin Explorer E40 is the better fit for inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor cleaning.
- Carries a 3-year warranty instead of 2.5 years
- Cleans the pool floor
Where Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus stands out
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $949 starting price.
- Adds wall climbing and scrubbing
- Has documented smartphone control
- Is listed $650 lower
Dolphin Explorer E40 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 Explorer E40 | Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor cleaning. | Inground and above-ground pools up to 50 ft that need floor and wall cleaning. |
| Starting price | $1,599 | $949 |
| Pool type | Inground | Inground, Above-ground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 50 ft | Up to 50 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor | Floor, Walls |
| Power | Not listed | Corded |
| Filtration | Not listed | Standard filter |
| Scheduling | Not listed | Weekly schedule + app |
| App and remote | Not listed | App control |
| Cable | Not listed | 60 ft with anti-tangle swivel |
| Robot weight | Not listed | 20 lb |
| Warranty | 3 years | 2.5 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Explorer E40 and Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus 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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