Help me choose
Our pick: Dolphin Premier
Dolphin Premier is the Pool Express pick in this matchup. Dolphin Premier cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line. Dolphin Premier adds swappable Multi-Media filtration and an oversized leaf bag for changing debris.
Nautilus
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus
Inground and above-ground pools up to 50 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
ProLine
Dolphin Premier
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris and heavy leaves.
Why Dolphin Premier is our pick
Dolphin Premier
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris and heavy leaves.
$1,999
Buy Dolphin PremierDolphin Nautilus CC Plus or Dolphin Premier: our take
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus and Dolphin Premier 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 Nautilus CC Plus is intended for inground and above-ground pools, while Dolphin Premier is intended for inground pools. Both are rated for pools up to 50 ft. Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus cleans floor and walls; Dolphin Premier cleans floor, walls, and waterline. Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus lists 2 active brushes and CleverClean navigation. Dolphin Premier lists 2 active brushes, SmartNav 2.0 navigation, and Dual commercial-grade motors.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus includes Standard filter; Dolphin Premier includes Standard filter, NanoFilters, Oversized leaf bag, and Multi-Media. Dolphin Premier has the clearer documented edge for fine silt, pollen and sand. Dolphin Premier has the better documented path for bulky leaves and larger debris.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus provides a weekly timer and smartphone control; Dolphin Premier provides a weekly timer, power-supply controls, and optional remote control. Both use a 60 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel. Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is listed at 20 lb versus 20.3 lb for Dolphin Premier; that 0.3000000000000007 lb difference matters when lifting the robot from the pool.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is listed at $949 and Dolphin Premier at $1,999; Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is $1,050 less. Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus lists a 2.5-year warranty compared with 3 years for Dolphin Premier. Pool Express pick: Dolphin Premier. Dolphin Premier cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line. Dolphin Premier adds swappable Multi-Media filtration and an oversized leaf bag for changing debris. Choose Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus when it is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $949 starting price.
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 Nautilus CC Plus | Dolphin Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | Yes | Yes |
| Scrubs the waterline | No | YesEdge |
| Fine-debris filter included | No | YesEdge |
| Large-debris filter | No | YesEdge |
| Automatic scheduling | Yes | Yes |
| Smartphone app | YesEdge | No |
| Anti-tangle swivel | Yes | Yes |
| 3-year warranty | No | YesEdge |
| 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 Nautilus CC Plus stands out
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $949 starting price.
- Adds smartphone control
- Is listed $1,050 lower
- Weighs 20 lb versus 20.3 lb
Where Dolphin Premier stands out
Dolphin Premier is the better fit for inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris and heavy leaves.
- Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
- Adds swappable Multi-Media filtration and an oversized leaf bag for changing debris
- Includes filtration for sand, pollen and other fine debris
- Includes a large-debris bin or bag for leaves
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus vs Dolphin Premier 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 Nautilus CC Plus | Dolphin Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground and above-ground pools up to 50 ft that need floor and wall cleaning. | Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris and heavy leaves. |
| Starting price | $949 | $1,999 |
| Pool type | Inground, Above-ground | Inground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 50 ft | Up to 50 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls | Floor, Walls, Waterline |
| Power | Corded | Corded |
| Filtration | Standard filter | Standard filter, NanoFilters, Oversized leaf bag, Multi-Media |
| Scheduling | Weekly schedule + app | Weekly schedule |
| App and remote | App control | Power-supply controls |
| Cable | 60 ft with anti-tangle swivel | 60 ft with anti-tangle swivel |
| Robot weight | 20 lb | 20.3 lb |
| Warranty | 2.5 years | 3 years |
Choose Dolphin Premier
Dolphin Premier is the Pool Express pick in this matchup. Dolphin Premier cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line. Dolphin Premier adds swappable Multi-Media filtration and an oversized leaf bag for changing debris.
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