Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up and Dolphin Premium 20 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 Pool Up
Inground and above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor and wall cleaning, with heavy leaves.
Premium
Dolphin Premium 20
Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning.
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 Pool Up or Dolphin Premium 20: our take
Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up and Dolphin Premium 20 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 Pool Up is rated for pools up to 30 ft; Dolphin Premium 20 is rated up to 33 ft. Each cleans floor and walls, so coverage alone does not separate them. Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up lists 1 active brush. Dolphin Premium 20 lists 1 active brush and CleverClean navigation.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up includes Oversized leaf bag; Dolphin Premium 20 includes Basket.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Both models provide one-touch starts and power-supply controls. Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up uses a 40 ft corded cable, while Dolphin Premium 20 uses continuous corded power. Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up is listed at 18 lb versus 14.6 lb for Dolphin Premium 20; that 3.4000000000000004 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 Premium 20 at $899; Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up is $400 less. Each lists a 2-year manufacturer warranty. Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up and Dolphin Premium 20 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 Pool Up | Dolphin Premium 20 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | Yes | Yes |
| Scrubs the waterline | No | No |
| Fine-debris filter included | No | No |
| Large-debris filter | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic scheduling | No | No |
| Smartphone app | No | No |
| Anti-tangle swivel | Not listed | No |
| 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 Pool Up stands out
Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $499 starting price.
- Includes an oversized leaf bag for bulky seasonal debris
- Is listed $400 lower
Where Dolphin Premium 20 stands out
Dolphin Premium 20 is the better fit for pools up to 33 ft.
- Is rated for pools up to 33 ft
- Weighs 14.6 lb versus 18 lb
Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up vs Dolphin Premium 20 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 Premium 20 |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground and above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor and wall cleaning, with heavy leaves. | Inground and above-ground pools up to 33 ft that need floor and wall cleaning. |
| Starting price | $499 | $899 |
| Pool type | Inground, Above-ground | Inground, Above-ground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 30 ft | Up to 33 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls | Floor, Walls |
| Power | Corded | Corded |
| Filtration | Oversized leaf bag | Basket |
| Scheduling | One-touch start | One-touch start |
| App and remote | Power-supply controls | Power-supply controls |
| Cable | 40 ft | Not listed |
| Robot weight | 18 lb | 14.6 lb |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up and Dolphin Premium 20 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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