Stepping out into the backyard to see a pool that looks like a swamp is a specific kind of Sunday-morning mood killer. Over the years, I’ve tried every manual pole and suction-hose contraption on the market, but nothing quite compares to the “set-and-forget” joy of a robotic cleaner. Recently, I decided to put two of the heavy hitters from Maytronics head-to-head: the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Wi-Fi and the Dolphin Proteus DX3.
Living with these two robots side-by-side felt like testing a long-haul semi-truck against a nimble delivery van. Both are designed to keep your pool floors and walls pristine, but they serve two very different “masters.” The Nautilus CC Plus is the sprawling behemoth designed for larger in-ground setups, while the Proteus DX3 is the compact specialist that fits perfectly into smaller, more standard pools. After a few weeks of watching them navigate my steps, scale my walls, and suck up everything from fine silt to stray oak leaves, I’ve finally figured out which one truly deserves the title of “Backyard Champion.”
The Key Difference: Range vs. Agility
The primary difference between the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus and the Proteus DX3 lies in their maximum pool size and cable technology. The Nautilus CC Plus is a powerhouse built for pools up to 40 feet and features a 60-foot cable with a patented anti-tangle swivel, whereas the Proteus DX3 is designed for pools up to 33 feet and uses a 50-foot cable without a swivel. Furthermore, the Nautilus CC Plus now comes with Wi-Fi connectivity for smartphone scheduling, while the DX3 focuses on compact agility and a simple onboard weekly timer.
- ALWAYS CONNECTED: With the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus robotic pool vacuum cleaner, schedule your pool cleanings from anywhere with always connected Wi-Fi.
- WALL-SCRUBBING POWER: Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Wi-Fi climbs walls efficiently, ensuring thorough cleaning on any pool surface, no matter the shape or surface type.
- WALL-SCRUBBING POWER: Dolphin Proteus DX3 climbs walls efficiently, ensuring thorough cleaning on any pool surface, no matter the shape or surface type.
- ACTIVE SCRUBBING: Elevate your pool maintenance with the Dolphin Proteus DX3 - active scrubbing brush eliminates manual effort, guaranteeing a pristine pool. Gentle...
Comparison Table: Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus vs. Proteus DX3
| Feature | Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus (Wi-Fi) | Dolphin Proteus DX3 |
| Max Pool Length | Up to 40 Feet | Up to 33 Feet |
| Cable Length | 60 Feet (With Swivel) | 50 Feet (No Swivel) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi (MyDolphin Plus App) | None (Manual/Weekly Timer) |
| Brushes | Dual Active Scrubbers | Single Active Scrubber |
| Cleaning Cycle | 2 Hours | 2 Hours |
| Filter Access | Top-Load Dual Baskets | Top-Load Single Basket |
| Wall Climbing | Yes (Floor & Walls) | Yes (Floor & Walls) |
| Waterline Cleaning | No | No |
| Buy NOW | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
Detailed Comparative Review: My Life with the Robots
To really get to know these machines, I lived with them. I watched them handle the “leaf-drop” after a storm and the “sand-bottom” after a kids’ pool party.
Design: The Black Knight vs. The Multi-Colored Marvel
The Nautilus CC Plus has a very “industrial” feel. It’s sleek, all-black, and looks like it means business. It’s a bit wider and has a larger footprint, which makes sense given its 40-foot rating. One thing I immediately appreciated was the tangle-free swivel on its cable. If your pool is odd-shaped or has a lot of obstacles, that swivel is a lifesaver.
The Proteus DX3 is a bit more playful in its “multi-colored” blue and grey design. It’s noticeably more compact, which actually makes it easier to pull out of the water. While the Nautilus feels like a heavyweight, the DX3 feels like a middleweight—nimble and easier to store in a small pool shed. However, without the cable swivel, I did find myself having to manually untwist the DX3’s cord every few cleanings to prevent it from kinking.
- ALWAYS CONNECTED: With the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus robotic pool vacuum cleaner, schedule your pool cleanings from anywhere with always connected Wi-Fi.
- WALL-SCRUBBING POWER: Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Wi-Fi climbs walls efficiently, ensuring thorough cleaning on any pool surface, no matter the shape or surface type.
Ease of Use: Smart Home vs. Set-and-Forget
This is where my experience with the two diverged significantly. The Nautilus CC Plus is now a “Smart” device. I hooked it up to my home Wi-Fi using the MyDolphin Plus app, and I could literally start a cleaning cycle while sitting at a coffee shop three miles away. The app allows for complex scheduling and gives you alerts when the filter is full.
The Proteus DX3 is old-school, but in a good way. It doesn’t have an app, but it does have a weekly scheduler built into the power box. You can set it to run every day, every other day, or every third day with a single button press. For some users, not having to mess with a smartphone app is actually a huge “Ease of Use” win. I found the DX3 refreshingly simple: just plug it in, drop it in, and let it do its thing.
Functions: Scrubbing Power and Climbing
When it comes to the actual cleaning, the Nautilus CC Plus has a clear advantage with its dual scrubbing brushes. Having two sets of brushes rotating at the front and back meant it picked up stuck-on algae more effectively on the first pass. It felt like it was “polishing” the floor as it went.
The Proteus DX3 only has a single active scrubber, but because it’s a smaller, lighter machine, it seemed to have more “traction” on my vertical walls. It scaled the walls with an almost aggressive energy. Both machines stopped just short of the waterline (they are “wall climbers,” not “waterline scrubbers”), but they both left the vertical surfaces of my pool looking significantly brighter.
- WALL-SCRUBBING POWER: Dolphin Proteus DX3 climbs walls efficiently, ensuring thorough cleaning on any pool surface, no matter the shape or surface type.
- ACTIVE SCRUBBING: Elevate your pool maintenance with the Dolphin Proteus DX3 - active scrubbing brush eliminates manual effort, guaranteeing a pristine pool. Gentle...
Maintenance: The Filter Basket Struggle
Both machines feature top-load filter access, which is the gold standard for robotic cleaners. No one wants to flip a 20-pound wet robot upside down to clean a bag.
The Nautilus CC Plus uses a dual-basket system. It has more capacity overall, which was a blessing during the heavy leaf-fall season. However, cleaning two baskets takes twice as long as cleaning one. The Proteus DX3 uses a single, large top-load basket. I found the DX3’s basket slightly easier to rinse out with a garden hose because there were fewer nooks and crannies for fine sand to hide in.
Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner
- ALWAYS CONNECTED: With the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus robotic pool vacuum cleaner, schedule your pool cleanings from anywhere with always connected Wi-Fi.
- WALL-SCRUBBING POWER: Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Wi-Fi climbs walls efficiently, ensuring thorough cleaning on any pool surface, no matter the shape or surface type.
Pros:
- Large Pool Capacity: 40-foot reach is perfect for bigger backyard setups.
- Tangle-Free Swivel: The 60-foot cable stays straight and organized.
- Dual Scrubbers: Two brushes provide superior “stuck-on” debris removal.
- Wi-Fi Connectivity: App-based scheduling is a game-changer for busy families.
Cons:
- Bulky: Heavier to lift out of the water when wet.
- More Parts to Clean: Dual baskets take a bit more effort to maintain.
Dolphin Proteus DX3 Robotic Pool Vacuum Cleaner
- WALL-SCRUBBING POWER: Dolphin Proteus DX3 climbs walls efficiently, ensuring thorough cleaning on any pool surface, no matter the shape or surface type.
- ACTIVE SCRUBBING: Elevate your pool maintenance with the Dolphin Proteus DX3 - active scrubbing brush eliminates manual effort, guaranteeing a pristine pool. Gentle...
Pros:
- Compact & Lightweight: Easy for anyone to handle and store.
- Aggressive Climbing: Feels very stable on vertical walls.
- Simplicity: No app required; straightforward weekly timer.
- Single Basket: Faster to rinse and clean after a cycle.
Cons:
- No Swivel Cable: The 50-foot cord can get tangled over time.
- Smaller Range: Not suitable for pools longer than 33 feet.
- Single Scrubber: Might require two cycles for very stubborn algae.
The Final Recommendation: Which Robot is Your Match?
After living with both of these “Dolphin” siblings, I’ve realized that choosing between them is a matter of “Pool Math.”
I recommend the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus if your pool is over 30 feet long or if you have a lot of trees surrounding your deck. The dual scrubbing power and the larger filter capacity are essential for high-debris environments. Plus, if you love “Smart Home” tech, the Wi-Fi connectivity makes managing your pool feel like a 2026 luxury experience. It is the “Pro” choice for a reason.
I recommend the Dolphin Proteus DX3 if you have a standard rectangular or kidney-shaped pool under 33 feet and you value simplicity. It is an incredibly reliable, “no-fuss” machine that gets the job done without needing a smartphone. Its compact size makes it the perfect choice for elderly pool owners or anyone who wants a lightweight robot that won’t strain their back.
In my backyard, the Nautilus CC Plus wins out simply because of that tangle-free swivel. There is nothing more annoying than a robot that can’t finish its job because its “leash” got tangled, and the CC Plus handles that perfectly every single time.
- ALWAYS CONNECTED: With the Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus robotic pool vacuum cleaner, schedule your pool cleanings from anywhere with always connected Wi-Fi.
- WALL-SCRUBBING POWER: Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Wi-Fi climbs walls efficiently, ensuring thorough cleaning on any pool surface, no matter the shape or surface type.
- WALL-SCRUBBING POWER: Dolphin Proteus DX3 climbs walls efficiently, ensuring thorough cleaning on any pool surface, no matter the shape or surface type.
- ACTIVE SCRUBBING: Elevate your pool maintenance with the Dolphin Proteus DX3 - active scrubbing brush eliminates manual effort, guaranteeing a pristine pool. Gentle...
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I use the Nautilus CC Plus in an above-ground pool?
A: Yes, you can! While it’s marketed for in-ground pools, it works perfectly fine in above-ground pools as long as they are within the 40-foot length limit.
Q: Does the Proteus DX3 clean the tile line?
A: No. Like the Nautilus CC Plus, the DX3 is a “Wall Climber.” It will scrub the walls, but it won’t move horizontally along the tile/waterline. For that, you’d need to step up to a model like the Dolphin Explorer E40 or the Nautilus Supreme.
Q: Is the Wi-Fi on the Nautilus CC Plus hard to set up?
A: It’s fairly straightforward, but you do need a decent Wi-Fi signal at your pool’s edge. If your router is far away, you might need a Wi-Fi extender to use the app features reliably.
Q: How often should I replace the brushes?
A: In my experience, Dolphin brushes last about 2–3 seasons depending on how rough your pool surface is (plaster wears them faster than vinyl). You’ll know it’s time when the “nubs” on the brush look rounded or flat.
Q: Do I need a caddy for these?
A: Neither model comes with a caddy in the base package. While not required, I highly recommend one for the Nautilus CC Plus because of its weight. It makes transporting the robot to your storage area much easier!
