Help me choose
A stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up and Niya Sonar 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.
Niya Sonar
Niya Sonar 20
Above-ground pools up to 26 ft that need the floor cleaned without a cord.
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 Niya Sonar 20: our take
Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up and Niya Sonar 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
Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up is intended for inground and above-ground pools, while Niya Sonar 20 is intended for above-ground pools. Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up is rated for pools up to 30 ft; Niya Sonar 20 is rated up to 26 ft. Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up cleans floor and walls; Niya Sonar 20 cleans floor. Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up lists 1 active brush. Niya Sonar 20 lists Sonar navigation and Dual drive motors.
Filtration and debris
Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up includes Oversized leaf bag; Niya Sonar 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 Niya Sonar 20 uses cordless battery power. Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up is listed at 18 lb versus 10 lb for Niya Sonar 20; that 8 lb difference matters when lifting the robot from the pool.
Price, warranty and the decision
Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up is listed at $499 and Niya Sonar 20 at $199; Niya Sonar 20 is $300 less. Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up lists a 2-year warranty compared with 1 years for Niya Sonar 20. Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up and Niya Sonar 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 | Niya Sonar 20 |
|---|---|---|
| Cleans the pool floor | Yes | Yes |
| Climbs and cleans walls | YesEdge | No |
| 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 | Not listed |
| 3-year warranty | No | No |
| No recharging between cycles | YesEdge | No |
| 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 pools up to 30 ft.
- Adds wall climbing and scrubbing
- Includes an oversized leaf bag for bulky seasonal debris
- Carries a 2-year warranty instead of 1 years
- Is rated for pools up to 30 ft
Where Niya Sonar 20 stands out
Niya Sonar 20 is the better fit for shoppers prioritizing the lower $199 starting price.
- Is listed $300 lower
- Weighs 10 lb versus 18 lb
Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up vs Niya Sonar 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 | Niya Sonar 20 |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Inground and above-ground pools up to 30 ft that need floor and wall cleaning, with heavy leaves. | Above-ground pools up to 26 ft that need the floor cleaned without a cord. |
| Starting price | $499 | $199 |
| Pool type | Inground, Above-ground | Above-ground |
| Maximum pool length | Up to 30 ft | Up to 26 ft |
| Cleaning coverage | Floor, Walls | Floor |
| Power | Corded | Cordless |
| Filtration | Oversized leaf bag | Basket |
| Scheduling | One-touch start | One-touch start |
| App and remote | Power-supply controls | Power-supply controls |
| Cable | 40 ft | Cordless |
| Robot weight | 18 lb | 10 lb |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 years |
Consider the stronger Pool Express option
Dolphin Nautilus Pool Up and Niya Sonar 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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