The Dolphin Nautilus Plus was designed as a replacement for the popular Nautilus line, but is it as good as advertised? If you’ve been using a Nautilus system, is it worth upgrading to this? Or if you have never used a robot pool cleaner before, is the Nautilus Plus the right choice?
Features
- Filtering System: the Nautilus Plus comes with a cartridge filter with a spring cleanup option. This system was designed to capture dirt, leaves and other particles floating around your pool. All Nautilus pool cleaners have a filter, but the one on the Nautilus Plus has been modified so it has greater capacity. You can clean the filter so it lasts longer and furthermore it is easy to access and remove.
- A swivel cable is included, similar to those found in other Nautilus robot pool cleaners. A common problem with robot pool cleaners that have a lengthy cord is they get tangled up, but the swivel cable minimizes its occurrence here.
- All around cleaning: the Nautilus Plus doesn’t just clean floors but also walls, steps and stairs. Ideal for pools up to 50 feet long, it’s only going to take two and half hours to remove all the dirt. Aside from vacuuming, the Nautilus Plus also scrubs walls. During the cleaning process, the Nautilus Plus expands, allowing it to do more extensive cleaning.
- The Nautilus Plus runs on its own. Because it doesn’t rely on your pool’s system, it’s not going to raise your operating costs. Cleaning systems that use your pool’s filter and pump lead to a cost increase, and they’re also more complicated.
- CleverClean Pool Scanning Technology: the pool scanning capabilities of the upgraded Nautilus Plus (2017 model) is better than in the typical robot pool cleaner. The new software systematically scans your pool to determine the most efficient path, regardless of the shape or surface of your pool, resulting in a clean pool every time.
- The suction on the Dolphin Nautilus Plus works in such a way that it picks up the debris while improving filtration and water flow.
- The Nautilus Plus has specially designed climbing rings and brushes so it is able to scale your pool regardless of the shape.
- For your peace of mind, the Nautilus Plus has a two year warranty.
- The Nautilus Plus comes bundled with specially made software which helps it detect the area and perform thorough cleaning. Other robotic pool cleaners just go through the motions of cleaning, which is why a lot of dirt is left behind.
The Nautilus Plus however, has a GPS-like function that scans your pool in advance. It takes the measurements, the corners, edges, shape, etc. so it can choose the proper settings.
Check out this video of the Dolphin Nautilus Plus in action from the manufacturer Maytronics:
Pros
- Performs a good job siphoning dirt and debris in your pool. Once the Nautilus Plus is in the water, it does the job efficiently.
- The Nautilus Plus doesn’t make a lot of noise when running. Other robot pool cleaners make a lot of noise, and that can be annoying. With the Nautilus Plus, noise won’t be an issue.
- Comparable performance wise to more expensive robotic pool cleaners: as we’ll show in the Comparison section, the Nautilus Plus holds up well compared to other, more expensive cleaners.
- Easy use and setup: you don’t need to install anything and you don’t have to connect it with your pool, so it’s definitely more convenient to use.
Cons
- The Nautilus Plus weighs just 17 lbs. but it’s still a heavy when underwater.
- It has encountered some problems picking up large debris like leaves.
Comparison
Dolphin Nautilus vs Nautilus Plus
The Dolphin 99996403 pc Nautilus Plus is the big brother of the Dolphin Nautilus 99996323. A common question is what is the difference between the Dolphin Nautilus versus the Nautilus Plus? There are a few differences worth noting.
Firstly the Nautilus Plus is slightly bigger and has extra large cartridges compared to the standard Nautilus model. Furthermore, the latest model of the Nautilus Plus features Cleverclean pool scanning technology, which you don’t get with the cheaper Nautilus pool cleaner.
So basically the pool scanning capabilities of the Nautilus Plus are superior to the older model Nautilus. Finally, the Nautilus Plus has more convenient top access filters compared to the Nautilus, which has bottom access filters.
Now let’s see how the Nautilus Plus stacks up compared to other brands of pool cleaning robots. Below we compare the Nautilus Plus to the Pentair 360031 Kreepy Krauly Prowler and the Polaris 9550 Sport Robot Pool Cleaners.
Dolphin Nautilus Plus vs Pentair Kreepy Krauly
The Pentair has more features than the Nautilus Plus, but it’s also more expensive. Performance wise the Pentair and the Nautilus both do an excellent job of cleaning pool floors, but the Nautilus performs better with walls. Given that the Pentair costs more, you would expect more out of its performance, and that gives the Nautilus the edge.
The Nautilus also has the advantage in weight, 17 lbs. vs. 45 lbs. The Nautilus is no lightweight, but compared to the Pentair it is, so we give the advantage to the Nautilus Plus.
Dolphin Nautilus Plus vs Polaris 9550
The Nautilus is also more affordable than the Polaris, yet it holds up well in cleaning of floors, walls and steps. The Polaris does a good job capturing dirt, but it’s not as easy to use as the Nautilus Plus. Furthermore, the Polaris doesn’t clean ledges too well, so we can’t justify the extra cost.
Verdict
The Nautilus Plus is a worthy successor to Dolphin Nautilus line. It has all the features you could want in a robotic pool cleaner, and it’s as easy to use as the other Dolphin Nautilus cleaners.
It is not perfect, and on a few occasions it’s going to miss some debris, but overall performance is exceptionally good. Add the fact that the Nautilus holds its own against more expensive pool cleaners, and it’s a buy.