Summary
The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is a robotic pool cleaner that utilizes advanced cleaning technology to scrub and suction debris from the bottom and sides of your pool. It is designed for in-ground pools of all shapes and sizes, and comes with a number of features that make it easy to use and optimize its performance.
The Nautilus CC Plus includes CleverClean Technology, which uses sensors to track the size, shape, and configuration of your pool in order to create a customized cleaning path. It also has a patented swivel cable that prevents tangling and allows for 360-degree rotation, as well as a Quick Drain System that quickly removes water from the cleaner after use.
Overall
-
Ease of Use
-
Quality Build
-
Features
-
Warranty
Pros
- Affordable
- Provides a very thorough clean.
- Can clean a pool in under two hours.
- It is suitable for nearly any pool
- Energy efficient
- Weekly scheduling options
- Climbs walls and floors.
- Easy to use
Cons
- Can sometimes get stuck
- Does not come standard with WiFi capability (WiFi model available)
- Will not clean the water line
Having a pool to enjoy with your family can be a great treat during the hot summer months. The downside of owning a pool is that they require so much time and energy to keep clean. It’s recommended that pools be cleaned once a week.
If you’re like most pool owners, you’d probably like to cut down on time spent cleaning and caring for your pool.
A robotic pool cleaner could be the answer to spending time that’s better spent swimming.
Let’s dig into one popular robotic pool cleaner, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus robotic pool cleaner.
Our Review of the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus
The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is a hassle-free cleaning solution of unmatched performance that’s very simple to use at a very affordable price.
It doesn’t require a hose or pump. Set up is fast, as the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus operates without any additional equipment. All you do is plug it in and put it in the pool, and the Dolphin Nautilus will have your pool clean in less than two hours. You could set it up before breakfast and be swimming before lunch.
Swivel Cable
One of the best features of this pool cleaner is its swivel cable, which prevents the cord from getting tangled. A common frustration for pool owners using robotic cleaners is finding their device stuck in a corner, wrapped up in its cord. As a result, the pool isn’t clean, and you have a machine to untangle.
Because the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus has a special swivel cable that is built to move with the machine, the machine rarely gets tangled in its own cord. There’s a buoy on the cord that helps to guide it, and this means that if you walk away from the machine, you know you’ll be coming back to a clean pool, not a robot trapped in a corner that’s been immobile for hours.
Dual-Layered Filter
Many pool cleaners have only one filter. Therefore, regardless of the size of the debris, it all goes into one bag. This can often mean that it takes the machine longer to clean the pool.
With the dual-layered filter of the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus, small debris and dirt particles are trapped in one layer of the fine filters, while larger pieces of debris are deposited into the larger compartment. These superior filtering capabilities are one of the reasons why this pool cleaner works so quickly, and cleaning out the filter is much less headache-inducing.
Dual Scrubbing Brushes
The brush is very durable and, depending on pool size and wear and tear, should last most consumers for a year or longer. In addition, this robot brushes and vacuums at the same time, so it catches much more grime and dirt than other robotic cleaners.
CleverClean Technology
The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus has sensors that will map out the size and layout of your pool. This means a very fast and accurate clean. By learning your pool’s unique layout and needs, this cleaner can figure out the most effective cleaning methods. It is also able to avoid any obstacles in the pool, such as ladders or slides.
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Pros and Cons
Pros of the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus
- It is affordable.
- It provides a very thorough clean.
- It can clean a pool in under two hours.
- It is suitable for nearly any pool. This robotic pool cleaner can clean both above-ground and in-ground pools as long as the pool isn’t larger than 50 feet. That being said, this cleaner makes the most sense for in-ground pools due to its price point and the huge range it covers. It is suitable for pools of many different shapes. The sensors allow it to navigate curves well. According to the manufacturer’s website, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus can clean pools of the following shapes: Oval, Kidney-Shaped, Rectangular, and Free Shapes.
- It is very energy efficient. The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus aims to use as little water and energy as possible. The energy efficiency should increase over time, as the device uses the Clever Cleaning system to adapt to your pool. This is an important feature as other robotic vacuum cleaners are energy hogs that can increase your energy bill.
- There is a weekly scheduling option. You can schedule it to clean up to three times a week. Ideally, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus should be removed from the pool and emptied in between uses, but if you opt to use the weekly scheduling option, it can be left in the pool for the week, as long as it is removed at the end of the week.
- This automatic cleaner climbs the walls and the floor of the pool. Not all robotic cleaners have the ability to climb walls. With the wall-climbing feature, you know every inch of the pool’s interior will be scrubbed clean.
- The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is easy to use and doesn’t need a hose or pump. You just plug it in, push a button, and put it in the pool. In less than five minutes, you could be on your way to a clean swimming pool.
Cons of the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus
- It can sometimes get stuck. Although the swivel cord and the sensors allow it to avoid obstacles, this robotic cleaner gets stuck far less often than others on the market.
- There is no smart system that allows you to control it via an app. Other, more expensive models come with the option to pair the robotic cleaner with your phone and control it yourself. Unfortunately, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus does not have this feature.
- This cleaner will scrub the pool floor, walls and vacuum debris, but it will not clean the water line.
Differences Between Above-Ground and In-Ground Pool Cleaners
As we already explained, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is most suitable for in-ground pools. This is because it is such a high-powered cleaner.
The only real difference between cleaners best-suited for above-ground pools and cleaners best-suited for inground pools is their range. For an in-ground pool, pool owners need a cleaner that can be submerged at depths greater than 8 feet.
The short explanation is this: most in-ground pool cleaners can be used in above-ground pools, but the opposite is not true. Most above-ground pool cleaners wouldn’t have the capability to clean an in-ground pool.
Also, pool cleaners best suited for above-ground pools tend to be far less expensive, so there’s really no reason to use a cleaner suited for an in-ground pool. It will cost a lot more when a less powerful cleaner would do the job just fine.
Dolphin Nautilus CC Alternatives
While we feel the Dolphin Nautilus CC is one of the best robotic pool cleaners on the market, our review wouldn’t be complete without looking at other alternatives that might fit best for your needs.
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus with WiFi
If you love everything about the original Dolphin Nautilus Plus CC, but can’t live without having a WiFi option, consider getting the Dolphin Nautilus Plus CC with WiFi.
This is the same exact system as the original Dolphin Nautilus but has the option of WiFi. From your app, you can control the pool cleaner functionality and get an alert once your pool is clean.
Dolphin Premier
The Dolphin Premier robotic pool cleaner is considered a higher end Dolphin pool cleaner.
Dolphin’s premier robotic cleaners are designed with a patented scrubbing system that scrubs your pool walls and floor for spotless results. The Dolphin Premier also has an in-ground cord, making it easy to plug in without worrying about getting wet! With Dolphin’s Premier robot pool cleaner, you can spend more time swimming and less time cleaning.
The features are comparable to the Sigma as they include: Tile Line scrubbing, Smart Navigation, and a tangle-free swivel. Dolphin’s Premier also offers a DolphinNXT filter system, which reduces the need for pool chemicals.
This robot helps you keep your pool spotless and healthy by removing debris that causes water clarity issues (like leaves) as well as reducing potentially harmful bacteria from forming in stagnant areas through its scrubbing brush action. A Dolphin Premier can clean an entire 24 ft x 36 ft surface area in under two hours–much faster than traditional pump-driven cleaners!
With over 1200 reviews of 4.5 stars (at the time of this writing), this is a popular Amazon Choice.
Polaris F9550
The Polaris F9550 Sport Robotic In-Ground Pool Cleaner is a new Polaris pool cleaner model. It is designed to clean the floor, walls, and water line of your in-ground swimming pool with its three different types of brushes:
- Turbine Brush for cleaning floors
- Wheel Brushes
- Scouring Pad for scratching up stubborn stains on the bottom or sides
The Polaris F9550 Sport Robotic In-Ground Pool Cleaner is built tough enough to handle any harsh winter conditions while still being able to find all those hard-to-reach corners that other cleaners can’t get to. Polaris even includes an exclusive chemical dispensing system, so you don’t have to worry about adding chemicals when it’s due! Polaris also has one more great feature.
Nautilus CC Plus FAQ
Can I Leave My Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus in the Pool?
This should be done sparingly. If you have a big event like an outdoor barbecue coming up, or you want to give your pool a thorough clean, you might choose to use the weekly scheduling option.
The robot can be left in the pool for one week so that you can schedule up to three cleanings at specific times. But the device should not be left in the pool indefinitely. Instead, you should remove it from the pool, empty the filters, and store it somewhere nearby, such as in a shed.
You should wrap the cord up carefully around the cable caddy. This will help you avoid damage or kinks. If you are storing the device for an extended period (such as over the winter months), then you should make sure it is completely dry before storing. Store it upside down in a weather-proof area out of direct sunlight.
How Long is the Warranty?
The warranty on the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is two years.
How Do I Set Up the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus for Its First Cleaning?
Setting this robotic cleaner up is incredibly simple.
Go to the center of the long side of your pool and position the power supply here. Stretch out the cord, ensuring there are no kinks. Connect the power supply, but don’t turn it on yet.
Then all you do is place the pool cleaner in the center of your pool and let it fall to the bottom.
Turn the power supply on.
You’re good to go! The robotic cleaner will now complete the first cleaning of your pool.
The first time the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus cleans your pool, it may take a little longer than average or not pick up all the debris. Because of how its Clever Cleaning sensors work, it can sometimes take a few cleanings for the device to really get to know your pool.
How Do I Empty the Water from it, Before Taking it out of the Pool?
You don’t have to! The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus doesn’t fill with water that needs to be drained. Instead, water will automatically be expelled from the device, meaning it’s nice and light. There’s no wrestling with a bulky, water-laden machine.
Is There Any Maintenance Required?
Each time you remove the Dolphin from the pool, the filters should be cleaned. You should open the filter covers and remove each filter cartridge. The manufacturer guidelines recommend rinsing these thoroughly with a hose.
You should also periodically unwrap the cord to ensure there are no bends or kinks. The cord should be completely unraveled and placed flat on the ground for a few hours. Doing this every so often greatly reduces the risk of damage or kinks.
How Long is the Cord?
The cord is 60 feet. The device can clean pools up to 50 feet across, meaning the power source can be kept several feet away from the pool’s edge at a safe distance.
Can the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Clean Steps?
Yes, it can! Numerous customer reviews report that this device cleans pool steps very well. One caveat is that the device will only clean steps if there is enough room on the step for the entire unit to stand on it entirely.
The manufacturer’s website recommends pre-brushing the steps if they are smaller in size. If you do this, the dirt will fall to the bottom of the pool and should then be collected by the device.
Can the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus be used with a Pool Liner?
Yes, it can! Many customers have found that this robotic cleaner works with pool liners very well. Of course, it can sometimes get stuck, but it does so far less often than other robotic cleaners on the market.
Will the Dolphin Vacuum Up Large Debris like Leaves?
The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is a very thorough robotic cleaner, but it sometimes struggles with larger debris pieces. Reviews referencing leaves have been mixed, with some customers reporting that their Dolphin has no problem cleaning up leaves and others noting it as a consistent problem.
You can expect a deep clean of your pool, but you may need to collect larger debris with a net, especially since the unit does not clean the pool’s water line.
Wrapping It Up
The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is a fairly high-powered and easy-to-use robotic pool cleaner that will keep the entire pool clean. For a robotic cleaner with so many features, it’s surprisingly affordable. It’s best suited for in-ground pools, although it can also be used for above-ground pools.
It cleans the pool’s floor and walls, both scrubbing the pool surfaces and vacuuming up the debris. You’ll get a fairly thorough clean with this unit, but steps may require pre-brushing, larger debris like leaves may be left behind, and the Dolphin does not clean the waterline.
If you’re looking for something that’s both affordable and powerful, this is one of the best robotic pool cleaners on the market. With only a five-minute set-up and no hose or pump required, it’s a great option for customers who value convenience. In addition, it’s incredibly fast, as most pool cleaning cycle time completes in under two hours.
It also comes with a two-year manufacturer warranty.
The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus pool cleaner may be a good choice for busy families who would rather spend more free time enjoying the pool than cleaning it.
Related:
Please note: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This will not cost you anything.
