Is it worth it?
Imagine spending your weekends scrubbing pool floors and walls by hand only to miss stubborn algae in tight corners—Dolphin Nautilus CC was designed for homeowners and pool professionals who crave crystal-clear water without the hose and net hustle. This lightweight, corded robot tackles plaster, tile and gunite surfaces with an active brush that lifts grime before you even notice it. Whether you manage a family pool or multiple rentals, Nautilus CC frees you to dive in, not sweep. Ready to redefine your pool care routine?
Don’t think a simple plug-and-play robot can replace your manual scrubbing? Think again. After hands-on testing, I can say Nautilus CC delivers consistent two-hour cycles that suit busy pool owners looking to reclaim weekends—while those chasing perfect waterline scum or remote controls might look elsewhere.
Specifications
| Brand | Dolphin |
| Model | Nautilus CC |
| Power Source | Corded electric |
| Pool Coverage | Floor and walls |
| Cycle Time | 2 hours |
| Filter Type | Top-load fine filter |
| Weight | 6.7 kg |
| Cable Length | 60 ft. |
| User Score | 4.1 ⭐ (10976 reviews) |
| Price | approx. 600$ Check 🛒 |
Key Features
Active Scrubbing Brush
The Nautilus CC features a dual-roller brush with active scrubbing action. It rotates to agitate and lift stuck-on grime from pool surfaces, providing a deeper clean than passive brushes.
By combining firm rubber fins with soft bristles, it dislodges fine algae and dirt with minimal effort. In my tests, even green slime came away clean after a single pass.
Wall Climbing Capability
With high-traction tracks, Nautilus CC scales vertical walls up to the waterline on plaster, tile or gunite surfaces without slipping. It applies just the right pressure to avoid scuffing.
This means automated cleaning of walls that normally require manual vacuuming or brushing. In my deep end trials, it climbed smoothly and cleaned about one-third of each wall above water before descending.
Top-Load Filter Basket
The intuitive top-load design lets you lift the lid and rinse the filter cartridge straight from the pool. There’s no bending or lifting heavy debris bags over the side.
A fine mesh captures particles down to two microns, so even pollen and fine grit are trapped. I cleared out accumulated dirt in seconds under a garden hose with zero fuss.
Plug-and-Play Design
No apps, no timers—just connect the waterproof cable to the power supply, plug into an outlet and press start for a two-hour cleaning cycle.
This simplicity cuts setup errors and frustration; I had it running while brewing my morning coffee and by the time the last drop fell, it was already at work.
Energy Efficiency
Drawing minimal amps on a 230 V line, the cleaner costs about $0.05 per hour to run. That’s a fraction of what a full-size pump uses for manual scrubbing sessions.
Over a season of weekly use, you’re looking at under $20 in electricity—an eco-friendlier choice than lengthy manual vacuuming with a high-powered pump.
Firsthand Experience
The moment I opened the box, Nautilus CC felt impressively lightweight at under 7 kg—easy to carry even when the filter basket is dry. Unboxing took less than two minutes and the console is compact enough for small sheds.
Plugging the waterproof cable into the console and dropping the unit into my plaster pool took under five minutes; no complex programming or smartphone pairing required. Press start and watch it power on.
After the first two-hour cycle, I noticed about 90% of visible debris removed from the shallow end and walls. Fine dust and pollen were gone, and the active brush had loosened algae I hadn’t touched with my manual scrubber.
One morning after a heavy storm, I reran the cleaner without pre-brushing and watched it tackle fallen leaves, twigs and grit. It handled dense clumps without jamming, though I had to clear the basket mid-cycle.
Weekly maintenance proved simple: a quick rinse of the top-load cartridge filter under a garden hose cleared sand and leaves in under a minute. No more spoiling my back or soaking my arms.
After a month of bi-weekly use, I saw no degradation in brush performance or suction, even in my saltwater setup. The tracks remain supple and the motor shows no signs of strain.
Pros and Cons
Customer Reviews
With over 10,000 user ratings and an average of 4.1 stars, feedback points to a reliable machine that excels on floors and walls but occasionally misses tight corners or cannot climb steps. Many owners praise its ease of use and low energy draw, while a minority note the need for pre-brushing in some situations.
Convenient, simple, and effective
After five years of heavy use it still runs like new
Cleans the floor and walls well but misses a couple corners
It got stuck on pool steps and required manual intervention
Very disappointed, it stirred up dirt and clouded the water.
Comparison
Compared to Polaris PVCR3600, Nautilus CC offers simpler plug-and-play operation and a lower price point. Polaris adds programmable cycles and a swiveling cable, but the added complexity can confuse users who just want “set it and forget it.”
Against Hayward TigerShark QC, both clean floors and walls quietly, but Dolphin’s active brush lifts entrenched algae more effectively. TigerShark can reach closer to the waterline, yet Nautilus wins on energy efficiency and fine filtration.
Versus premium Dolphin Wave series robots, Nautilus CC lacks obstacle avoidance and remote controls, but delivers core cleaning performance at a fraction of the cost. If you need smartphone scheduling or advanced navigation, step up; if you want straightforward reliability, Nautilus CC excels.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How often should I clear the filter?
- After each cleaning cycle to maintain flow and prevent debris buildup
- Can it handle saltwater pools?
- Yes, the sealed components and corrosion-resistant housing are designed for saltwater use
- Does it climb stairs?
- No, it is built to scale vertical walls and floor surfaces but cannot ascend pool stairs.
Conclusion
Dolphin Nautilus CC delivers reliable, hassle-free cleaning for most in-ground pools: floors and vertical walls emerge nearly dirt-free after a standard two-hour cycle. Its low energy draw and easy filter access prove invaluable for weekly upkeep.
It may not suit those seeking perfect waterline scraping, corner-to-corner precision or remote-controlled operation. If your pool has narrow ledges or multiple steps, a more advanced model could be worth the extra investment.
Priced in the mid-range for robotic cleaners, Nautilus CC offers exceptional value by covering core maintenance tasks efficiently. For straightforward, plug-and-play performance, check current deals—this little robot can pay for itself in saved time and energy.
