Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Explorer E40 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.
Explorer
Dolphin Explorer E40
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor cleaning.
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 Explorer E40 or Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up: our take
Dolphin Explorer E40 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
Dolphin Explorer E40 is intended for inground pools, while Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up is intended for inground and above-ground pools. Dolphin Explorer E40 is rated for pools up to 50 ft; Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up is rated up to 30 ft. Dolphin Explorer E40 cleans floor; Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up cleans floor and walls. Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up's documented cleaning system includes 1 active brush.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up has documented included filtration—Oversized leaf bag—while the other model's included media is not fully published. Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up has the better documented path for bulky leaves and larger debris.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin Explorer E40 provides no fully published timer, app or remote specification; Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up provides one-touch starts and power-supply controls.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Explorer E40 is listed at $1,599 and Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up at $499; Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up is $1,100 less. Dolphin Explorer E40 lists a 3-year warranty compared with 2 years for Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up. Dolphin Explorer E40 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 Explorer E40 | Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | YesEdge |
| Automatic scheduling | Not listed | No |
| Smartphone app | Not listed | No |
| Anti-tangle swivel | Not listed | Not listed |
| 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 pools up to 50 ft.
- Carries a 3-year warranty instead of 2 years
- Is rated for pools up to 50 ft
Where Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up stands out
Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $499 starting price.
- Adds wall climbing and scrubbing
- Includes an oversized leaf bag for bulky seasonal debris
- Includes a large-debris bin or bag for leaves
- Is listed $1,100 lower
Dolphin Explorer E40 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 Explorer E40 | Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor cleaning. | Inground and above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor and wall cleaning, with heavy leaves. |
| Starting price | $1,599 | $499 |
| Pool type | Inground | Inground, Above-ground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 50 ft | Up to 30 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor | Floor, Walls |
| Power | Not listed | Corded |
| Filtration | Not listed | Oversized leaf bag |
| Scheduling | Not listed | One-touch start |
| App and remote | Not listed | Power-supply controls |
| Cable | Not listed | 40 ft |
| Robot weight | Not listed | 18 lb |
| Warranty | 3 years | 2 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Explorer E40 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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