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Robotic pool cleaner comparison

Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up vs Dolphin T45

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

Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up Dolphin T45
Better alternative

A stronger Pool Express option

Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up and Dolphin T45 are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Quantum. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.

A better alternative

What we recommend instead

Buying guidance

Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up or Dolphin T45: our take

Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up and Dolphin T45 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 T45 is intended for inground pools. Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up is rated for pools up to 30 ft; Dolphin T45 is rated up to 50 ft. Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up cleans floor and walls; Dolphin T45 cleans floor, walls, and waterline. Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up lists 1 active brush. Dolphin T45 lists CleverClean navigation.

Filtration and debris

Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up includes Oversized leaf bag; Dolphin T45 includes Basket and UltraFilter. Dolphin T45 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 T45 provides a weekly timer and smartphone control. Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up uses a 40 ft corded cable, while Dolphin T45 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 T45 at $1,499; Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up is $1,000 less. Each lists a 2-year manufacturer warranty. Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up and Dolphin T45 each have a specific fit, but neither is the Pool Express pick for this job. Our better alternative is Dolphin Quantum. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.

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 T45
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 YesEdge
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 $1,000 lower

Where Dolphin T45 stands out

Dolphin T45 is the better fit for pools up to 50 ft.

  • Cleans the floor, walls and waterline instead of stopping below the tile line
  • Includes filtration for sand, pollen and other fine debris
  • Can start on a weekly schedule without a manual launch before every cycle
  • Adds smartphone control

Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up vs Dolphin T45 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 T45
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.
Starting price $499 $1,499
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 Basket, UltraFilter
Scheduling One-touch start Weekly schedule + app
App and remote Power-supply controls App control
Cable 40 ft 60 ft with anti-tangle swivel
Robot weight 18 lb Not listed
Warranty 2 years 2 years
Final call

Consider the stronger Pool Express option

Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up and Dolphin T45 are compared feature by feature below. For a stronger Pool Express option, consider Dolphin Quantum. Inground pools up to 50 ft that need floor, wall and waterline cleaning, with fine debris.

Buy Dolphin Quantum

Keep comparing without rebuilding the same specification table yourself.