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Robotic pool cleaner comparison

Dolphin Nautilus CC vs Dolphin W20

A side-by-side comparison of pool fit, cleaning coverage, filtration, controls and the better Pool Express option.

Dolphin Nautilus CC Dolphin W20
Choose by pool type

Residential and commercial pools need different robots

Dolphin Nautilus CC and Dolphin W20 serve different kinds of pools, so there is no honest one-size-fits-all winner. Choose Dolphin Cayman for residential use. Choose Dolphin Wave 60 for commercial use.

Right robot for each job

Choose residential and commercial cleaners separately

Buying guidance

Dolphin Nautilus CC or Dolphin W20: our take

Dolphin Nautilus CC and Dolphin W20 can be compared on specifications, but they are designed for different jobs. Start with residential versus commercial use, then use the details below to understand the tradeoffs.

Pool fit and cleaning reach

Dolphin Nautilus CC is intended for inground and above-ground pools, while Dolphin W20 is intended for commercial pools. Dolphin Nautilus CC has a published maximum pool length of 33 ft; the other model does not have a verified length in our source material. Dolphin Nautilus CC cleans floor and walls; Dolphin W20 cleans floor, walls, and waterline. Dolphin Nautilus CC lists 1 active brush. Dolphin W20 lists Commercial-grade motors.

Filtration and debris

Dolphin Nautilus CC has documented included filtration—Basket—while the other model's included media is not fully published. Dolphin Nautilus CC also has the better documented path for bulky leaves and larger debris.

Controls and day-to-day ownership

Dolphin Nautilus CC provides one-touch starts and power-supply controls; Dolphin W20 provides no fully published timer, app or remote specification. Dolphin Nautilus CC uses a 50 ft corded cable, while Dolphin W20 uses continuous corded power.

Price, warranty and the decision

Dolphin Nautilus CC is listed at $699 and Dolphin W20 at $1,999; Dolphin Nautilus CC is $1,300 less. Dolphin Nautilus CC lists a 2-year warranty compared with 3 years for Dolphin W20. These robots are built for different jobs, so pool type and facility capacity decide the comparison before individual features do. For a residential pool, the Pool Express pick is Dolphin Cayman. Inground and above-ground pools up to 40 ft that need floor and wall cleaning. For a commercial facility, the Pool Express pick is Dolphin Wave 60. Commercial pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline 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 Dolphin W20
Cleans the pool floor Yes Yes
Climbs and cleans walls Yes Yes
Scrubs the waterline No YesEdge
Fine-debris filter included No No
Large-debris filter YesEdge No
Automatic scheduling No Not listed
Smartphone app No Not listed
Anti-tangle swivel No Not listed
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 stands out

Dolphin Nautilus CC is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $699 starting price.

  • Includes a large-debris bin or bag for leaves
  • Is listed $1,300 lower

Where Dolphin W20 stands out

Dolphin W20 is the better fit for commercial pools that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.

  • Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
  • Carries a 3-year warranty instead of 2 years

Dolphin Nautilus CC vs Dolphin W20 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 Dolphin W20
Best fit Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning. Commercial pools that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.
Starting price $699 $1,999
Pool type Inground, Above-ground Commercial
Maximum pool length Up to 33 ft Not listed
Cleaning coverage Floor, Walls Floor, Walls, Waterline
Power Corded Corded
Filtration Basket Not listed
Scheduling One-touch start Not listed
App and remote Power-supply controls Not listed
Cable 50 ft Not listed
Robot weight Not listed Not listed
Warranty 2 years 3 years
Final call

Choose for the pool you operate

Dolphin Nautilus CC and Dolphin W20 serve different kinds of pools, so there is no honest one-size-fits-all winner. Choose Dolphin Cayman for residential use. Choose Dolphin Wave 60 for commercial use.

Keep comparing without rebuilding the same specification table yourself.