Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus and Niya Sonar Ray 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.
Nautilus
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus
Inground and above-ground pools up to 50 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
Niya Sonar
Niya Sonar Ray
Flat-bottomed above-ground and small inground pools up to 26 ft that need the floor cleaned without a cord.
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 Nautilus CC Plus or Niya Sonar Ray: our take
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus and Niya Sonar Ray 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
Both robots are intended for inground and above-ground pools. Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is rated for pools up to 50 ft; Niya Sonar Ray is rated up to 26 ft. Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus cleans floor and walls; Niya Sonar Ray cleans floor. Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus lists 2 active brushes and CleverClean navigation. Niya Sonar Ray lists Sonar navigation.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus includes Standard filter; Niya Sonar Ray includes Basket. Niya Sonar Ray 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; Niya Sonar Ray provides one-touch starts and power-supply controls. Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus uses a 60 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel, while Niya Sonar Ray uses cordless battery power. Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is listed at 20 lb versus 7.1 lb for Niya Sonar Ray; that 12.9 lb difference matters when lifting the robot from the pool.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is listed at $949 and Niya Sonar Ray at $199; Niya Sonar Ray is $750 less. Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus lists a 2.5-year warranty compared with 1 years for Niya Sonar Ray. Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus and Niya Sonar Ray 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 Nautilus CC Plus | Niya Sonar Ray |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | YesEdge | No |
| Scrubs the waterline | No | No |
| Fine-debris filter included | No | No |
| Large-debris filter | No | YesEdge |
| Automatic scheduling | YesEdge | No |
| Smartphone app | YesEdge | No |
| Anti-tangle swivel | Yes | Not listed |
| 3-year warranty | No | No |
| No recharging between cycles | YesEdge | No |
| 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 pools up to 50 ft.
- Adds wall climbing and scrubbing
- Can start on a weekly schedule without a manual launch before every cycle
- Adds smartphone control
- Carries a 2.5-year warranty instead of 1 years
Where Niya Sonar Ray stands out
Niya Sonar Ray is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $199 starting price.
- Includes a large-debris bin or bag for leaves
- Is listed $750 lower
- Weighs 7.1 lb versus 20 lb
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus vs Niya Sonar Ray 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 | Niya Sonar Ray |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground and above-ground pools up to 50 ft that need floor and wall cleaning. | Flat-bottomed above-ground and small inground pools up to 26 ft that need the floor cleaned without a cord. |
| Starting price | $949 | $199 |
| Pool type | Inground, Above-ground | Inground, Above-ground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 50 ft | Up to 26 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls | Floor |
| Power | Corded | Cordless |
| Filtration | Standard filter | Basket |
| Scheduling | Weekly schedule + app | One-touch start |
| App and remote | App control | Power-supply controls |
| Cable | 60 ft with anti-tangle swivel | Cordless |
| Robot weight | 20 lb | 7.1 lb |
| Warranty | 2.5 years | 1 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus and Niya Sonar Ray 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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