Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up and Dolphin Proteus DX4 are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Premier. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris and heavy leaves.
Nautilus
Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up
Inground and above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor and wall cleaning, with heavy leaves.
Proteus
Dolphin Proteus DX4
Inground pools that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.
What we recommend instead
Dolphin Premier
Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris and heavy leaves.
$1,999
Buy Dolphin PremierDolphin Nautilus Pool Up or Dolphin Proteus DX4: our take
Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up and Dolphin Proteus DX4 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 Proteus DX4 is intended for inground pools. Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up has a published maximum pool length of 30 ft; the other model does not have a verified length in our source material. Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up cleans floor and walls; Dolphin Proteus DX4 cleans floor, walls, and waterline. Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up's documented cleaning system includes 1 active brush.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up includes Oversized leaf bag; Dolphin Proteus DX4 includes Basket.
Controls and day-to-day ownership
Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up provides one-touch starts and power-supply controls; Dolphin Proteus DX4 provides a weekly timer and power-supply controls. Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up uses a 40 ft corded cable, while Dolphin Proteus DX4 uses a 60 ft corded cable with an anti-tangle swivel.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up is listed at $499 and Dolphin Proteus DX4 at $1,199; Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up is $700 less. Each lists a 2-year manufacturer warranty. Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up and Dolphin Proteus DX4 each have a specific fit, but neither is the Pool Express pick for this job. Our better alternative is Dolphin Premier. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris and heavy leaves.
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 Proteus DX4 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic scheduling | No | YesEdge |
| Smartphone app | No | No |
| Anti-tangle swivel | Not listed | 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 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 $700 lower
Where Dolphin Proteus DX4 stands out
Dolphin Proteus DX4 is the better fit for inground pools that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning.
- Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
- Can start on a weekly schedule without a manual launch before every cycle
Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up vs Dolphin Proteus DX4 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 Proteus DX4 |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground and above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor and wall cleaning, with heavy leaves. | Inground pools that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning. |
| Starting price | $499 | $1,199 |
| Pool type | Inground, Above-ground | Inground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 30 ft | Not listed |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls | Floor, Walls, Waterline |
| Power | Corded | Corded |
| Filtration | Oversized leaf bag | Basket |
| 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 | Not listed |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up and Dolphin Proteus DX4 are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Premier. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris and heavy leaves.
More robotic pool cleaner comparisons
Keep comparing without rebuilding the same specification table yourself.
Clear UV vs Clear S
Pool Express pick: Clear UV
Dolphin Quantum vs Clear S
Pool Express pick: Dolphin Quantum
Dolphin Premier vs Dolphin Sigma
Pool Express pick: Dolphin Premier
Dolphin Premier vs Dolphin Quantum
Pool Express pick: Dolphin Quantum
Dolphin Sigma vs Dolphin Quantum
Pool Express pick: Dolphin Quantum
Dolphin Cayman vs Dolphin Escape
Pool Express pick: Dolphin Cayman