by Robert Knight
Head-to-Head Review and Comparison
Compare the pros and cons of each robot
Highs
Lows
The Dolphin Premier and Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus are two of Dolphin's top robotic pool cleaners. While the CC Plus is a good cleaner, the new 2026 Dolphin ProLine's Dolphin Premier outshines the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus in virtually every aspect:
We'll break down all of this and more in our comparison and review of them.
Both units do a great job of covering your pool floors. But there is a major difference between the two's coverage, the waterline. The Nautilus CC Plus can cover the walls of your pool, but will not actively scrub the waterline. This is an area in your pool where algae and bacteria can build up - even being referred to as the scum line.
The Dolphin Premier will climb and cling to the waterline, scrubbing away at stuck on algae and debris, ensuring full pool coverage. This is largely thanks to its Dual Stabilizer, which helps the Dolphin Premier stick to the waterline and move laterally to clean stuck-on contaminants.
The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus on the other hand leaves you to clean this problematic area by yourself. The overall coverage of the CC Plus is great, but this lack of waterline cleaning leaves one of the most important areas of your pool untouched.
First, let's break down the filter options.
The Premier has Multi-Media, which allows the Dolphin Premier to swap between the 3 filter media options it includes in seconds. The Dolphin Premier's Multi-Media includes:
The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus only includes:
The Premier's Leaf Bag is not only something we loved, but is almost a necessity if you have a ton of leaves in your swimming pool. It allows the Premier to pickup leaves like no other pool robot.
But what if your swimming pool struggles with cloudy pool water? The Premier also includes the NanoFilters. This can be found in several other cleaners as well, such as the Dolphin Quantum Ultra-Fine Filter Basket or Dolphin Sigma's NanoFilter Cartridges. Yet, Maytronics does not include it with the Nautilus CC Plus. It allows the pool robot to effectively vacuum and clear up cloudy pool water, capture microscopic particles, and more which the standard fine filter simply can't do.
The difference is night and day between the Nautilus CC Plus and the Dolphin Premier's filters. The standard filters simply cannot stand up to the cleaning performance of the NanoFilters. Side by side, you can see the difference between the two. The standard filter is just plastic mesh, while the NanoFilter is a highly pleated filters. After testing the NanoFilters, we would never recommend a pool robot without one again.
Easily the Dolphin Premier, it's Dolphin's only cleaner with a leaf bag. Plus the addition of the NanoFilters and the standard filters makes the Premier a no-brainer.
Since the Dolphin Premier includes the ultra-fine filter, but the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus doesn't, the Premier is the clear cut choice for a pool that struggles with algae, cloudy water, or any sand / small debris.
The Premier's full filter indicator isn't to be found on the Nautilus CC Plus. While it isn't an essential feature, it is something to note as otherwise you'll have to constantly check the CC Plus to know whether it is time to clean. While on the flip side, the Dolphin Premier let's you know when it is time to clear out its filter.
The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus only comes with a 1 year warranty - a fraction of the Dolphin Premier's 3 year warranty, which is the longest you can get from Maytronics. This is a big deal: with just 1 year of coverage on the Nautilus CC Plus, you could be left facing out-of-pocket repairs after only a single pool season if something were to go wrong. That extra coverage is exactly the kind of peace of mind you want when investing in a robotic pool cleaner.
The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is cheaper, coming in at about $899. You can find the Dolphin Premier for as low as $1297. The Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus is the more affordable option, but the Dolphin Premier's extra filters, warranty, and pool coverage make up for it and more.
The Dolphin Premier can be found cheaper if you want to go the Certified Open Box or Certified Refurbished route. These units come fully tested and with a full 3 year warranty from Maytronics.
The Dolphin Premier is the superior unit to the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus. With NanoFilters, Waterline Cleaning, Multi-Media, and longer 3 year warranty, the Dolphin Premier not only performs better, but is the better value.
A side-by-side look at the key features and which robot includes each.
Alongside Multi-Media, the Oversized Leaf Bag sets the Dolphin Premier apart. Combine top-notch filtration ability, waterline cleaning, and the leaf bag, you can't get a much better clean than the Dolphin Premier.
When your pool robot is ready to be cleaned, it will let you know with the Media Alert indicator on the power supply.
Dolphin gave the Premier what they call Multi-Media Technology, which gives you the ability to swap between four different media types. This allows you to fine tune each clean based on your pool's needs.
High-tech, plated filters are able to capture microscopic algae, debris, sand, and more in your pool water - all while increasing water clarity. To use, just simply snap them in and your robot is ready. NanoFilters are a must have for any pool robot.
90% of the bacteria in your pool is on the waterline. Don't get confused with robots that are "Wall Climbing". There is a big difference. Waterline cleaning means the robot actively scrubs and sticks to the waterline scrubbing away this problem area in the pool. It is a feature you don't want to miss.
Wall climbing allows the robot to clean and climb the walls of your pool. However, don't get this confused with waterline cleaning. A robot without waterline cleaning will only clean the walls of your pool. It will miss the dirtiest part of your pool, the waterline, where 90% of all algae and bacteria is in your pool.
With an Anti-tangle Swivel, the robot can fully explore and clean your pool without ever getting stuck. The innovative design allows the robot to move freely 360 degrees around your pool, without ever knotting the cord.
A robotic pool cleaner saves hundreds of dollars a year in energy when compared to pressure-side or suction-side cleaners. Powered by energy efficient DC motors, a robotic pool cleaner can be 90% more efficient than its counterparts.
Set up has never been easier. No installation needed. Your robot is ready to go right out of the box. No extra pumps, plumbing, or anything else needed. Simply plug it in and start cleaning!
This technology ensures that the most efficient route is used to clean your pool floor. So smart, the system automatically navigates around obstacles and quickly returns to its route. You'll want to look for SmartNav, as we found it performed best in our testing.
Watch reviews and tutorials
Compare the Premier and Nautilus CC Plus spec-for-spec across every category
| Robot | Dolphin Premier
|
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus
|
|---|
| Pool Types | In Ground | In Ground |
|---|---|---|
| Pool Size | 50 ft | 40 ft |
| Pool Shape | Rectangle, Oval, or Freeform | Rectangle, Oval, or Freeform |
| Obstacles | Steps, Ladder, Drain Cover, Ledges, Pop-Ups | Steps, Ladder, Drain Cover, Ledges, Pop-Ups |
| Surface | Concrete, Plaster, Gunite, Pebble, Tile, Vinyl Liner, Fiberglass | Gunite, Fiberglass, Vinyl, Liner |
| Waterline Cleaning | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Filters Included | 3 | 1 |
| Filter Cleaning | Oversized Leaf Bag, Ultra-fine Cartridges, Standard Cartridges, & Optional Disposable Debris bag | Top Access |
| Cleaning Coverage | Floor, Walls, Waterline | Floor and Walls |
| Cleaning Cycle(s) | 3 hrs | 2 hrs |
| Number of Brushes | 2 | 2 |
| Remote operation | Yes - Optional Physical Remote | No |
|---|---|---|
| WiFi / Bluetooth | WiFi: No Bluetooth: No |
WiFi: No Bluetooth: No |
| Smartphone App | No | No |
| Automated Weekly Timer | Yes | Yes |
| Full Bag Indicator | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Cable Length | 55 ft | 60 ft |
| Anti-Tangling Swivel | Yes | Yes |
| Restocking Fee | No No Restocking Fee Ever. |
Yes Up to 20% Restocking Fee |
| Warranty | 3 Years | 1 Years |
| Caddy Included | Optional Caddies Available | Optional Caddies Available |
| Official Website | Premier Official Site | |
| Official Dolphin Premier Comparison Page | Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus vs Dolphin Premier | |
| Part Number | 99996339-SPL | 99996403-PCF |
| ASIN | B01BP8PLMM | B00Q8M0NWE |
Compare prices for Premier and Nautilus CC Plus — get the best deal from trusted retailers
| Seller | Buy From | Robot | Shop Online |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
$1297 | Premier | Shop At Amazon |
 |
$1297 | Premier | Shop At Poolbots |
 |
$1297 | Premier | Shop At PoolRobots |
|
$899 | Nautilus CC Plus | Shop At Amazon |
|
Nautilus CC Plus | Shop At Poolbots |
Essential add-ons for your pool robot
Weather and UV-resistant storage solution. Premium resin coating protects against scratches, weathering, and UV damage. The ultimate protection for your investment.
A robotic pool cleaner is an investment, so make sure to protect it. The Dolphin Universal Caddy is a solid option for easy storage and transport.
Need extra filters, replacement power supply, or new climbing rings? Shop all replacement parts for Dolphin and Dolphin models.
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