Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Review: Is The Robotic Pool Cleaner Worth The Money?

Speaking of the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus, if you are a swimming pool owner like us, you would know we’d all love to get a Dolphin in there…

Now, this one isn’t a real dolphin, but it’s equally good, and dare I say even better when it comes to getting a quality robotic pool cleaner!

Simply put, The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is hard to match; robot pool cleaners hardly come better than this. However, the fact that it’s only available online means that you won’t see it for yourself before the package knocks your door.

Don’t sweat it, that’s what I’m here for. I’ll show you everything you need to know about the device before adding it to your cart.

Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus at a Glance

If you’re in a hurry or have somewhere to be, skim through the Dolphin’s specifications and decide for yourself if it’s worth it. I’ll also give you a sneak peek into its pros and cons.

The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is an inground-pool robot cleaner. It works for various pool designs, including round, rectangular, and square shapes. Moreover, it can clean 50-feet pools just fine.

Specifications

• Power supply: 180W
• Weight: 19 pounds
• Dimensions: 16”x10”x16”
• Warranty: 2.5 years
• Cord length: 60 foot
• Cleaning technology: CleverClean

Pros

• Relatively moderate price
• Automatic turn off
• Dual brushes
• High efficiency
• Built-in timer
• Multi-functional power supply

Cons

• Short power cord
• Non-waterproof power supply

An Overview of the Dolphin Nautilus’ Features

These three features are present in all robot pool cleaners. Let’s see how the Dolphin managed to get itself on top of the list.

Design

The Dolphin’s aerodynamic design is its most standing-out feature. It’s the reason why the device plunges into the water with minimal resistance. Plus, the black color adds to the sleek look of the unit.

The outer frame is made out of high-quality plastic, and the bottom is adorned with round brushes for scrubbing. Additionally, the Dolphin features a hidden buoy for floating. And what makes it even more functional is the handle on the top. It enables you to easily maneuver it out of the water. It also helps you effortlessly lift it.

As for power, the Dolphin has a power supply unit that takes up to 25% of its size. The Dolphins power supply is not waterproof, so it doesn’t dive in with the device. Furthermore, the power cord has a length of 60 feet, which should let the device roam around just fine. Besides, it has an anti-tangle feature that lets it swivel freely. 

I know what you’re thinking. The cord will tempt you to pull it when you want to lift the device out of the water. But that’s what the top handle is for. Plus, pulling the cord will damage the power supply in the long term.

Robotic Setup

Even in the digital era, robotic devices usually require some effort on your part for assembly and setup. That’s not the case with the Dolphin Nautilus, though. You order a robot cleaner, you get a fully robotic cleaner!

In other words, the Dolphin operates dependably. Once you turn it on and drop it in your pool, it takes it as its cue to start working. You won’t have to do any extra effort, unlike other robot cleaners which may need directing from you. It’ll even shut off on its own when it finishes.

On top of that, the built-in timer enables you to set the cleaning time and go your way. You can choose from three options; clean one time daily, one time every two days, or twice in seven days. Afterward, the Dolphin will operate on its own.

Functionality

When it comes to functionality, the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is one of the leading pool cleaners on the market. It fights swimming pool dirt like a champ. Plus, it covers large spaces despite its compact size.

Thanks to CleverClean technology, the Dolphin creates a passage for itself while cleaning. It doesn’t move around randomly sweeping whatever it finds. Instead, it scans the pool’s length and determines a path that’ll allow it to clear the pool out completely. Afterward, it follows its course until it finishes cleaning.

In addition to that, the Dolphin has an obstacle-detecting feature that allows it to move freely without getting hit. If it finds an old toy floating deeply in the pool, it’ll move around it.

The 3 Features That Matter the Most

These three features are the reason that the Dolphin is now globally recognized among the leading robot cleaners. See for yourself how each of them works.

CleverClean Technology

The CC in the name stands for CleverClean; the technology that’s responsible for the high functionality of the Dolphin. It enables the unit to fully clean a pool in around two hours. Plus, the technology saves energy by consuming minimal electric supply in each clean.

CleverClean technology works as follows; the sensors scan the length of the pool to detect a course to follow. The path is then lined, and that’s the device’s cue to start cleaning. Once it’s done, it shuts off automatically and waits for you to lift it out of the pool.

Filtration Process

Most pool cleaners have one common problem. They filter the water by expelling powerful jets from the bottom. While this method proved effective, it has one major side effect. The water that gets thrust out usually carries tiny dirt particles. As a result, the pool’s corners pile up unseen dirt that’s almost impossible to clean.

That’s not the case with the Dolphin Nautilus. It works in the opposite way; the water passes by the bottom and gets pushed out of the top. That way, less debris is expelled with it. Additionally, the Dolphin comes fully equipped with two sets of filters, along with a top-loading filter that wasn’t present in the original Dolphin Nautilus.

The first filter set is a polyester sieve. It’s responsible for large waste, such as tree leaves and insects. On the other hand, the second set consists of ultra-fine filters that clean tiny dirt and dust. 

You can switch them whenever you like. However, it’s recommended that you only use the ultra-fine filters when you need deep cleaning.

Maintenance

Anything that has to do with a swimming pool requires maintenance. The pool itself demands frequent cleaning, which is why we’re here in the first place! The Dolphin Nautilus is highly convenient, so its ease of cleaning doesn’t come as a surprise.

To clean the filter out, you just need to open its compartment, take it out, and run it under a water stream. Afterward, you put it back where you pulled it out. The thing is, most robot cleaners require you to flip them over to reach the filter compartment. However, you don’t need to go through that with the Dolphin, thanks to its smart design.

As for periodic maintenance, it’s only necessary that you keep the unit out of direct contact with rain. Keeping it out of the sun will also prolong its life and guarantee that the power supply won’t overheat. Other than that, you don’t need to do anything besides regular cleaning.

What Users Liked About the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus

Users had a lot to like about the Dolphin. They were impressed by the full automation of the device. On top of that, they loved the Dolphin’s ability to climb walls easily and sweep them clean. You’d think it needs wheels for that, but it actually relies fully on the rear brushes. 

Users also commented that the price tag is very reasonable, considering that the device comes with its own booster pump. Additionally, some users praised the Dolphin’s efficiency in cleaning odd-shaped swimming pools.

What Users Didn’t Like

Users mainly complained about the lack of smart add-ons, such as a mobile application and a remote controller. Especially that those features are available in other Dolphin models. Moreover, a lot of customers wished the device would’ve come with a storage unit, instead of being left out in the open.

Furthermore, users who operated the Dolphin in extra-large pools had to run it more than twice. They mentioned that it doesn’t thoroughly clean large spaces from one run.

Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Vs. Similar Models

If you want to take a look at some similar models for assurance, here are two models that are somehow close to the Dolphin but come with higher price tags.

Dolphin Triton PS Plus

The Dolphin Triton is an inground-pool cleaner that works in a similar way to the Dolphin Nautilus. It has the same ultra-fine filter, and it also runs on dual brushes. It surpasses the Dolphin because it enables you to control it via a smartphone app. However, it costs a lot more.

Dolphin Premier

The Dolphin Premier is one of Dolphin’s most smart pool cleaners. It’s loaded with tech features that are designed to make your life easier. For starters, its timer offers more options than the Dolphin Nautilus. Besides, it has an LED light indicator that turns on when the dust bag should be emptied.

The Premier also comes with a remote controller, which the Nautilus lacks. These features are the reason it costs about $400 more than the Nautilus.

Safety Tips for Using the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus

If you’re going for the Dolphin, there are some safety precautions that you should consider. Here’s a brief list.

• Store the device somewhere dry.
• Don’t let it out in the sun for long.
• Don’t let water touch the power supply unit.
• Don’t leave the device in the pool when the pH is imbalanced.
• Don’t add chemicals to the pool when the Dolphin is running.
• Turn the water pump of the pool off when the device is on.
• It’s better not to leave the device in the water when it’s not being used. 
• Don’t let kids swim in the pool while the device is cleaning.
• Don’t plug the device in using an extension cord.
• Don’t pull the device out of the water using its power cord.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus

These are the questions we most often get about the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus. If you want to clear out any confusion you have regarding the device, skim through them for answers.

Can the power supply dive into the water?

No, it can’t. The power supply unit isn’t waterproof. Therefore, it’ll get damaged if you put it into the pool with the device. That’s also why you shouldn’t leave it out in rainy weather.

Does the Dolphin Nautilus come with a cover?

Unfortunately, it doesn’t. It also comes without a transporting caddy. However, those are easy to live without. You can cover it with any piece of cloth while it’s in storage, instead.

What voltage should I plug the Dolphin into?

The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus plugs into regular household outlets of 120 volts. We don’t recommend that you use an extension cord when you plug it in. It may mess with the device and cause the cord to overheat.

Does the Dolphin Nautilus work for above-ground pools?

It might work, but that’s not what it’s designed for. Therefore, we can’t assure you it’ll get you the results you want. The CC Plus is specifically for inground pools. If you want an alternative device that works for above-ground ones, you may want to consider the old Nautilus CC.

What surfaces does the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus clean?

The Nautilus CC Plus will work well for all kinds of different swimming pool surfaces, including vinyl and fiberglass.

Can I swim while the Dolphin Nautilus is running?

We advise against it. You may get tangled with the cord, which may cut the power supply off the device. Plus, your body will serve as an obstacle for the device. So, it’ll spend more time than it should in the process.

Our Verdict on The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus

Our research has led us to the opinion that the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is worth investing in. It has everything you’d want in a robotic pool cleaner; convenience, efficiency, and moderate price. 

It doesn’t require any effort on your part to run. Plus, it’ll clean your pool thoroughly, even if it’s large in size. If you want to let your mind at peace, the CC Plus is an option you should consider. Besides, it won’t plant a hole in your pocket.