Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus and Dolphin Premium 40 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.
Nautilus
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus
Inground and above-ground pools up to 50 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
Premium
Dolphin Premium 40
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning with app scheduling and a caddy.
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 Nautilus CC Plus or Dolphin Premium 40: our take
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus and Dolphin Premium 40 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 Premium 40 is intended for inground pools. Both are rated for pools up to 50 ft. Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus cleans floor and walls; Dolphin Premium 40 cleans floor, walls, and waterline. Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus's documented cleaning system includes 2 active brushes and CleverClean navigation.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus includes Standard filter; Dolphin Premium 40 includes Basket and UltraFilter. Dolphin Premium 40 has the clearer documented edge for fine silt, pollen and sand. Dolphin Premium 40 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. Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus uses a 60 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel, while Dolphin Premium 40 uses continuous corded power. Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is listed at 20 lb versus 18.6 lb for Dolphin Premium 40; that 1.3999999999999986 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 Premium 40 at $1,629; Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is $680 less. Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus lists a 2.5-year warranty compared with 2 years for Dolphin Premium 40. Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus and Dolphin Premium 40 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 Nautilus CC Plus | Dolphin Premium 40 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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 Nautilus CC Plus stands out
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $949 starting price.
- Carries a 2.5-year warranty instead of 2 years
- Is listed $680 lower
Where Dolphin Premium 40 stands out
Dolphin Premium 40 is the better fit for inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning with app scheduling and a caddy.
- 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
- Weighs 18.6 lb versus 20 lb
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus vs Dolphin Premium 40 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 Premium 40 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 app scheduling and a caddy. |
| Starting price | $949 | $1,629 |
| 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 | Basket, UltraFilter |
| Scheduling | Weekly schedule + app | Weekly schedule + app |
| App and remote | App control | App control |
| Cable | 60 ft with anti-tangle swivel | Not listed |
| Robot weight | 20 lb | 18.6 lb |
| Warranty | 2.5 years | 2 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus and Dolphin Premium 40 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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