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Robotic pool cleaner comparison

Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up vs Dolphin Premier

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

Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up Dolphin Premier
Pool Express pick

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.

Pool Express pick

ProLine

Dolphin Premier

Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris and heavy leaves.

Current price $1,999MSRP $2,499 Save $500
Pool Express pick

Why Dolphin Premier is our pick

Buying guidance

Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up or Dolphin Premier: our take

Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up 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 Pool Up is intended for inground and above-ground pools, while Dolphin Premier is intended for inground pools. Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up is rated for pools up to 30 ft; Dolphin Premier is rated up to 50 ft. Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up cleans floor and walls; Dolphin Premier cleans floor, walls, and waterline. Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up lists 1 active brush. Dolphin Premier lists 2 active brushes, SmartNav 2.0 navigation, and Dual commercial-grade motors.

Filtration and debris

Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up includes Oversized leaf bag; 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.

Controls and day-to-day ownership

Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up provides one-touch starts and power-supply controls; Dolphin Premier provides a weekly timer, power-supply controls, and optional remote control. Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up uses a 40 ft corded cable, while Dolphin Premier uses a 60 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel. Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up is listed at 18 lb versus 20.3 lb for Dolphin Premier; that 2.3000000000000007 lb difference matters when lifting the robot from the pool.

Price, warranty and the decision

Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up is listed at $499 and Dolphin Premier at $1,999; Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up is $1,500 less. Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up lists a 2-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 Pool Up when it is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $499 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 Pool Up 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 Yes Yes
Automatic scheduling No YesEdge
Smartphone app No No
Anti-tangle swivel Not listed 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 Pool Up stands out

Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $499 starting price.

  • Is listed $1,500 lower
  • Weighs 18 lb versus 20.3 lb

Where Dolphin Premier stands out

Dolphin Premier is the better fit for pools up to 50 ft.

  • 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
  • Uses 2 active brushes instead of 1

Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up 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 Pool Up Dolphin Premier
Best fit Inground and above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor and wall cleaning, with heavy leaves. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris and heavy leaves.
Starting price $499 $1,999
Pool type Inground, Above-ground Inground
Maximum pool length Up to 30 ft Up to 50 ft
Cleaning coverage Floor, Walls Floor, Walls, Waterline
Power Corded Corded
Filtration Oversized leaf bag Standard filter, NanoFilters, Oversized leaf bag, Multi-Media
Scheduling One-touch start Weekly schedule
App and remote Power-supply controls Power-supply controls
Cable 40 ft 60 ft with anti-tangle swivel
Robot weight 18 lb 20.3 lb
Warranty 2 years 3 years
Final call

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.

Buy Dolphin Premier

Keep comparing without rebuilding the same specification table yourself.